Josh's Electronic Lock 2
Embedded Files
The original Josh's Electronic Lock was published in 2013 and was operational until it was discovered that the field puzzle stage was missing in February of 2021. In the early days there were Radio Shack stores in every community where the parts for the construction of the key could be purchased. Now there are no stores open. Some geocachers have the required parts to construct a key and we wanted to make the new puzzle stage compatible with the old key fob. Therefore, we are presenting two options for doing the field puzzle stage. It may be a good idea to print the instructions and bring it with you as well as a pen or pencil.
Option 1 is to construct the key fob. Option 2 is to employ the use of the Key Fob Simulator. Both methods will provide the geocacher with the information to determine the coordinates of the final stage.
Finding the First Stage
The first stage of this mystery cache provides two important items.
- The coordinates of the Field Puzzle Stage
- The resistors for those using Option 2
The coordinates of the first stage are N 42 06.A B C W 083 20. D E F
Located at the Geocache's posted coordinates is a sign. Go to the sign and count the letters in each of the five words.
V = The number of letters in the 1st word
W =The number of letters in the 2nd word
X = The number of letters in the 3rd word
Y - The number of letters in the 4th word
Z = The number of letters in the 5th word
A = Z - 1
B = W + 2
C = V
D = X / W
E = Z - Y
F = W - X
Option 1
Parts List
You may already have the parts on hand. RadioShack parts numbers are provided.
1 Male DB-9 Connector. 276-1537
5 1 k-ohm 1/4 watt 5% resistors. 271-1321 (5 PACK)
Construction
1- Solder one end of each of the 5 resistors together as shown.
2- Solder the other end of each resistor to the terminals (1,3,5,7,& 9) of the connector as shown on the diagram. Note that the diagram shows the back or solder terminal side of the DB-9 connector.
The E lock Key Fob Circuit Diagram
Operation
Proceed to the Field Puzzle stage at the coordinates found on the inside cover of the First stage.
When arriving at the Field Puzzle stage open the outside cover. Remove the protective plug from the socket. Push the button and the LED will flash once to indicate that the unit is working. Plug your key into the socket and push the button and you will be provided with a clue to the location of the final stage. Remove your key and replace the protective plug. Please replace the box carefully so that it will not be discovered by a passer by.
Option 2
Option 2 provides instructions for the use of the E lock Key Fob Simulator. The simulator produces the identical signal voltage to activate the electronic lock as the device which you could construct if you had the parts.
At the first stage take one strip of five resistors and proceed to the Field Puzzle stage at the coordinates found on the inside cover of the First stage.
When arriving at the Field Puzzle stage open the outside cover. Remove the protective plug from the socket. Push the button and the LED will flash once to indicate that the unit is working.
Place the resistor board on the box cover.
Turn each of the 8 binding post caps two turns counterclockwise. Slide each of the five 1 K resistors wires under the caps as shown in the picture at the left.
Gently turn the binding post caps clockwise so that the hold the resistors in place. Do not tighten very hard because you could strip the threads in the plastic caps.
Plug the resistor board connector into the socket on the simulator box.
Push the button and you will be provided with a clue to the location of the final stage. You may want to disconnect one of the resistors and try the test again to see that all of the resistors are required.
Remove the plug and replace the protective plug. Remove all of the resistors from the board and please take them with you. Turn all of the caps down so that they won't fall out. Please replace the box carefully so that it will not be discovered by a passer by.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse