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buckybuck
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# Posted: 31 May 2016 08:57pm - Edited by: buckybuck
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I've had mine set up at my cabin for three months now. Everything seems fine, however there's been a few times I wasn't able to send an Arm/Disarm command to it from my cell phone at home. In general, so far this year I've noticed that I've not had a cell phone signal at my cabin more times than in previous years. Both my cell phone and the Straight Talk alert use Verizon's CDMA system, so I suspect there's a connection.
Two months ago, I did buy a second PIR motion detector for my alert system and installed it on my cabin's porch, the idea being that by having both an exterior alarm and an interior alarm, I'd have double-validation whenever I received a alarm trigger alert on my cell phone.
What was I thinking? I have a cabin in a woods full of critters. OF COURSE the outside alarm got triggered every night between midnight and 5 a.m., sending both a text message and phone call to the phone next to our bed. My wife was rather adamant that I get back down to my cabin and disarm that outside alarm as soon as possible, and find someplace else to sleep in the meantime.
It turns out my double-validation idea wouldn't have worked anyway--after an alarm is triggered on the Straight Talk alert system, it won't send another alert from any detector for the next half hour, or until you reset the system.
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melvinderby
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# Posted: 9 Jun 2016 03:24am
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Camouflaging the cabin is a good idea.Growing a lot of vines and bushes around the cabin makes it look more secluded. 
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SE Ohio
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# Posted: 10 Jun 2016 11:49am
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Quoting: buckybuck What was I thinking? I have a cabin in a woods full of critters. OF COURSE the outside alarm got triggered every night between midnight and 5 a.m., sending both a text message and phone call to the phone next to our bed.
My experience has been similar. I thought my sensor on the raised deck would minimal animal traffic, but when the phone rang at 2:30 I instantly thought "raccoon". I'm going to move my sensor to a location that won't give false positives. Also might get a couple of the window-magnet style sensors that will require something to be moved in order to send a signal (select object/bait that a burglar will want to examine/move- nonworking chainsaw or other motorized object? Toolbox left out? This way I'll be surer of human contact won't be crying wolf to the sheriff.
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SE Ohio
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# Posted: 7 Jul 2016 07:53am - Edited by: SE Ohio
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Funny that I get to post in this topic so often...
One Nervous Burglar...
As mentioned in previous note, I needed to move my outdoor sensor that was being "tripped" at 1 am as well as during the day, resulting in phone calls and text messages. The alarm cried "wolf" too many times to call the sheriff. It went off last Monday afternoon, then again on Tuesday. Nothing after Tuesday. Odd, but I enjoyed the silence and was heading down on Friday anyway.
Arrived Friday to find my front door unlocked and a broken window! A burglar had visited.
We called the sheriff and started checking for anything missing. Nothing missing? We looked and looked. Nothing missing! But then again we don't keep TV's, guns, etc. there.
Then I checked the alarm and I think I got an idea of what transpired.
When the alarm is tripped, it gives 30 seconds before calling/texting and gives off a mild "alarm" tone.
The burglar unplugged the alarm power from the wall. The wire from the wall to the DC step down (12 volts to 5 volts) converter had been pulled out. Also the wire from the converter to the alarm had been pulled out at both ends(!). Burglar must have been really bothered as this wouldn't stop the alarm tone- There is a backup battery in the unit that was supplying the tone power. I think said burglar decided to leave at this point. Nothing in the cabin had been rifled-through. But I'm out one window repair.
Deputy dusted for fingerprints. Burglar wore gloves and didn't cut himself. No prints, no DNA.
By the main gate, we had a fake camera with flashing LED up high on a tree. The burglar removed this "camera" by shinnying up the tree and holding on to a large poison ivy vine. Even if he wore long sleeves, I bet he has a rash!
He'll be back, and I'll have some new surprises for him.  
Window bagged and ready for repair
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FishHog
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# Posted: 7 Jul 2016 11:44am
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glad it worked to scare him off.
Hope his balls are itchy for a week.
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SE Ohio
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# Posted: 7 Jul 2016 01:11pm
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I'm hoping burglar was wearing shorts and short sleeves
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moneypitfeeder
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# Posted: 10 Jul 2016 11:42pm
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I feel your frustration, our cabin was broken into a few years back, and they ripped all the copper lighting pipes out, damaging the panel board walls, and stole all my pots, and pans, fishing lines, machetes, and a camp axe, plus a few other things screwdrivers ect. They also took any aluminum screens, which left us with several windows we couldn't open. PITA. For us, we removed most all of the copper piping and went with black iron, I replaced all the old aluminum cooking pots with cheap stainless steel versions, and we re-secured the windows and other intrusion points. In our cabin, we were lucky, they just "pushed" a window in. The camp closest to us, they busted through a wall to get in. For what was probably less than $20 dollars in scrap prices, they cost us at least a week up there, rebuilding lights, strengthening intrusion points, and shopping to replace lost items. We have a gated trail that leads to the cabin, but that did little to stop them.
Our camp is certainly not inviting, it doesn't look fancy, it's more of a shack from the outside. (A little black bear recently helped out making it look even less taken care of). So I really don't think "camouflaging" one would work very well. I will say that the criminals must have realized that ours was used as a family camp, maybe due to all the sizes of creek walking jelly shoes by the door...but they seemed to try to leave everything "nice" for us. I.e. on my dinner table they lined up all the globes for my propane lights, all intact., b4 ripping out the supply lines. I have to think they must have really needed those couple of dollars they might have gotten for the few lines we had run, if they put the effort to protect the things they couldn't capitalize from.
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KinAlberta
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# Posted: 3 Oct 2016 02:15pm - Edited by: KinAlberta
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Just came across this generator lock to secure it to something at the cabin, but I'm not sure what.
Lowpro lockdown
http://lowprolockdown.com
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SE Ohio
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# Posted: 9 Oct 2016 02:18pm
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Here's one couple's reason to build a container home- Increased cabin security! They are also in Vinton Co, OH. I wonder if we share the same thieves?
http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/home_and_garden/2016/10/09/01-couple-using-sh ipping-containers-to-fashion-tough-secure-cabin.html
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007boston
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# Posted: 20 Oct 2016 07:14pm
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Here is one layer of security other than the obvious. Take a 50 dollar GPS transmitter, a 50 dollar prepaid SIM card, and stick a few of those puppies on the husqvarna inside the chassis. Dont like the battery appoach? Get one with a plug for AC and then....stick one INSIE the honda generator and hardwire it to the AC leads. So when it starts, your GPS unit fires up and sends the LAT/LON coordinates. No cell signal? No problem. Get an RF transmitter that sends a very powerful RF signal for those cell phone dead zones. Then me and the scanner and frequency counter, and 4 rednecks go theif hunting. Just please don't shoot someone everyone. People around here call my place fort knox.
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007boston
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# Posted: 21 Oct 2016 10:01am
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You can try, but in most states if they run and escape you cannor pursue nor can you cannot simply shoot them unless you feel in danger of your life. (this is not legal advice) Every state is different.
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Juju
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# Posted: 1 Jan 2017 04:39pm - Edited by: Juju
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We have a camp in ME. We left curtains open and we had some tools you couldn't see. Door was kicked in and all tools stolen  Same as others, thought it was certain neighbors - couldn't be proven. We reinforced the door with a door steel door jamb from Strikemaster. We also installed some stealth cams in bear boxes with locks way up high. Also added battery power window alarms, on each window got a pack on Amazon, just as a deterrent. And this year, low and behold found the same neighbors who were suspected of breaking in prior, poaching a deer on our property then coming back at night to retrieve it! Unfortunately we weren't up there for 3 weeks so some evidence is gone, but we were able to get a plate number picture so the ME warden service immediately was able to get the owner of the truck for criminal trespass. Deer violation case still ongoing. You 'do' need to post no trespassing very obviously for trespassers to be prosecuted. We had pictures, and a plate. We did NOT warn people there were cameras because we want these jerks seen and prosecuted. We will get more stealth cams and will move them to the blind spots we've since realized. We are hoping that word will get out that we have cameras, there was an arrest and the criminals will move on. However, we will still add more security and are looking at the 12V cabin system. Do NOT 'rig' anything to booby trap, this is illegal and you will likely be sued. Do NOT leave your cabin unlocked or it will likely be burned to the ground by partying teens, DO have a driveway, or you will never get it insured and could suffer a total loss. We also have to be plowed to have our camp insured which makes it easier for criminals and likely why we were robbed last winter when we hadn't been (insured/plowed) in past. Install cameras, test what you get and you may nab someone like we did. Prosecution is the best prevention! And word goes out to buddies of thieves to stay away. Our neighbors are also all on notice we have an email chain. Most are also camps but some are year round.
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Juju
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# Posted: 1 Jan 2017 05:07pm
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We have to bring things back and forth now too, it stinks. If the wiring harness didn't rust and drop off my truck, I'd probably keep a small covered trailer with the essentials.
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Smawgunner
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# Posted: 1 Jan 2017 07:44pm
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I TRY not to leave tools in my cabin. It's a pita but I carry them back and forth and leave most in the truck box. I leave all the curtains open so they can see in. I also have a note on the door that says "I'm not stupid enough to leave tools, liquor, guns or electronics in here and hopefully your not stupid enough to break in and find out."
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LastOutlaw
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# Posted: 1 Jan 2017 09:20pm - Edited by: LastOutlaw
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I took a new approach. Make it look like someone is there or close by.
I hung a clothes line and hang a few pieces of clothing on it that I change out with different clothes each time I go there. I set an old pair of sandals next to a chair that sits at the picnic table outside the front door. I also set a bottle of water there and a pair of glasses to make it look like someone was sitting there a few minutes ago. On my front door I put a sign that says taking a short walk.. will be right back. I bought an old truck and left it parked in the front yard so it looks like someone is there. I park it in different locations in front each time I visit.
I do cable my driveway whether I'm there or not and do have game cameras set up around the cabin in different locations.
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silverwaterlady
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# Posted: 1 Jan 2017 09:28pm
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If you live in snow country a cable across a road is a big no no.
People have been killed running into cables buried in snow.
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LastOutlaw
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# Posted: 2 Jan 2017 11:52am
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No snow here. If it does snow it's never enough to get deep enough to hide a cable across the driveway.
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morock
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# Posted: 3 Jan 2017 12:48pm
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I think I finally found my security system. Take a look at what you get for the price is very good.
https://www.slashgear.com/blink-seecurity-system-service-plans-to-debut-at-ces-2017-0 3469693/
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BigGloves
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# Posted: 3 Jan 2017 06:22pm
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I know at least a few folks that leave their cabins unlocked, especially in the northern regions. It sounds counter-intuitive, but if your cabin is only filled with items of low value (towels, lanterns, kitchen utensils, etc.), it can save hundreds if not thousands of dollars worth of break-in damage.
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carr0406
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# Posted: 22 Feb 2017 08:27am
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I'm sad to be able to share my experience but this past weekend I found my cabin burnt to the ground in MN. Gate was still locked and driveway had 6 inches of snow but my game camera off the road was destroyed. All signs point to a mentally unstable family member who had stopped taking her med's. Seems it was an opportunity to destroy something and hurt our family. I left a lighter inside with dry wood for the woodstove and their was one large window for entry off the back deck otherwise it might have been too much work for her to get in. Makes me wish I would have been more vigilant taking things back home with me as well as designing smaller windows to deter entry. 2 years worth of work and plans for the future gone like that. The amount of people this can hurt by a single act is very sad.
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manny
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# Posted: 22 Feb 2017 10:04am
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Sorry to hear about your cabin. Mine too was broken into.They busted inthrough the door smashing the whole frame . than stole the selkirt pipe of the stove , then one of the beds.yes i said bed. they even stole the bread box. Along with some deerheads we had on the wall One was a nice buck my late brother had taken. Im sure it was some idiots who were building a camp of their own.
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FishHog
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# Posted: 22 Feb 2017 10:39am
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sorry to hear of both your issues. carr0406, that really is a shame. Break ins and bad enough, but I can't imagine a complete loss. Hope something good can come out of it for you and the family.
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neb
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# Posted: 22 Feb 2017 11:47am
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I don't lock my shack but I built a 10x12 pole shed that I do lock up. I don't have much their of any value but I do have things that people would steal. I don't insure my place because one years premium would be more then the whole place.
I have not had any problems with not being locked up with theft or any thing. My place is hard to find one way in and one way out it is in a box canyon. With about 1000 feet of walking up and around ledges to get to the shack.
So sorry to hear of some of you that have had problems. There is nothing worse then thefts and poacher's.
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KinAlberta
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# Posted: 30 Apr 2017 09:21pm - Edited by: KinAlberta
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Any more ideas, experiences, references?
I've thought of changing the attic hatch into a pulley lift shelf to put valuables in the ceiling. Not sure if I'd actually bother to use it though.
Maybe getting a trail cam and hiding it by making it look like a bird's nest
Neat video here.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2da1DRLuo9o
Maybe I'll screw my existing door into my garage wall, seal it off and then put a hidden door around the side. Board and batten siding would be great for this. Could even screw some conduit to it to make it look fixed and unmovable.
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toyota_mdt_tech
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# Posted: 30 Apr 2017 10:02pm - Edited by: toyota_mdt_tech
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At my cabin right now. Added a 20 foot container but armoured it up added vents and mounts for a full pitched roof. Be pretty tough to get into this unit. I have pictures and will update my project thread. I cant reveal all my security upgrades for obvious reason. Head home 0500 monday.
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KinAlberta
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# Posted: 30 Apr 2017 10:08pm
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Thanks. I'd love a container and added security for it.
I also wish I could leave nice things at our cabin but the only way I can think of truly protecting them would be though disguising and hiding them and having bait junk. Eg maybe a flat screen that would lift into the ceiling, but come down in front of a discarded flat screen that would be stolen if burgled. Plus some hidden storage space for small valuables.
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SE Ohio
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# Posted: 1 May 2017 12:04pm
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KinAlberta, How 'bout a tube-type TV that someone can see if peeking in? That and cassette tapes/VCR tapes are like burglar repellent... Could always use that TV cabinet for small valuable storage.
SE Ohio
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Steve_S
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# Posted: 28 Jun 2017 07:41am
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Just adding another item to this thread... As Tech continues to improve, so does home security goodies and many of us are concerned over our little get-away havens and who is doing what when we aren't there... Wireless Camera's of one sort or another are an important addition to our personal security and now here is a new one that has a huge amount of potential...
News Article on it... (yeah, I know - yahoo but)
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/ezviz-mini-trooper-wirelessly-watches-121645801.html
Direct link to company:
https://us.ezvizlife.com/
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JMD
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# Posted: 28 Jun 2017 01:49pm
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I would place as many hunting cameras as you can afford. The ones that give you a nice picture at nighttime. Try to hide them in places that they wouldn't expect. I have some to catch them coming and going. I'm also considering an alarm that when activated makes one huge noise to make them shit their pants. At least if they steal from me they will have a pant load which will provide me some solace. It's hard to stop a thief when you're not around. Its something that you have to understand as a trade-off which i believe is worth it.
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Bushwhacked
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# Posted: 28 Jun 2017 04:30pm
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Quoting: JMD I'm also considering an alarm that when activated makes one huge noise to make them shit their pants. At least if they steal from me they will have a pant load which will provide me some solace.
Bahahaha
Do you also take all your towels and TP with you when leave your cabin?
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