The Black Box Karawara, Western Australia, Australia
By roymerc on 21-Apr-13. Waypoint GC44E33

Nothing in the mail today, so it's Archive Time. I even had a new 'magic wand' all ready machined up from solid aluminium, but with no vital component, there's no magic!

It is just silly to place a cache where maintenance requires a 800 km round trip. And to put it in such a risky location. As it happens I have just removed from service another failed mechanical cache, and if that is unfixable its more secure location will be available for The Black Box.

So, sorry folks, if you want to have fun with my crazy caches, you will be the ones doing the 800km!

Here's hoping the part arrives. We've done the cache and really appreciated it. The more roymerc in Perth the better. Looking forward to heading down your way in the new year to knock over a few more.

Update: Still no sign of the vital component.

Here's the deal: I will be traveling up to Perth on October 2nd. If the part comes before then I will (if there's time) endeavour to make the new wand and reinstall the cache. If not, then it's Archival Curtains for the Black Box!

Hope to see this cache come back roymerc. I haven't had the joy of experiencing one of your caches yet!

I for one hope it is put back. There are a lot of new cachers that need to have a roymerc experience.

Please try and put it back there or in a similar place as it gives the city folk an awesome introduction to the roymerc caching experience. It was my first roymerc and one of the main reasons I holidayed in Albany/Denmark so I could see more!
Thanks for all of your hard work.

Well, thanks for the kind comments! Repairs will take some time; the part that was stollen –the 'magic wand' – contained the vital component on which the whole design and operation of the cache depends. And they're a bit hard to come by. I've sourced a replacement from overseas, but it will take at least a month to be delivered. Then a new wand holder will need to be machined up and the mechanism realigned and tested.

Don't hold your breath. As to putting it back in Perth, dunno yet. The location is a natural, given the backstory, but if anyone can suggest a safer spot, let me know!

A solution to the wandering wand issue might be to convert the cache to a multi and hide the wand I'm a more secure location.

The Black Box has come home thanks to a stirling effort by Barnzy12 who took time out from a trip to Perth to rescue this poor abused cache. And a sorry sight it is. Someone has attacked it with a screwdriver and removed all the external screws —except one which he managed to strip. But the cache held true and didn't open! So he simple ripped off and stole the 'magic wand'.

I will rebuild it as soon as replacement parts can be found, but whether to put it back or not has yet to be decided…

Tampered around with the black box for a solid 30min. The box itself has seen better days, being a bit tattered and missing numerous screws. There is also evidence of the cache being opened by a screwdriver. Heard no movement of moving parts using the magic wand. I'm probably missing something but is a DNF for today. Will be back.

Sounds like it has been violently vandalised. Nothing I can do at the moment; won't be in Perth until September. Anyone care to play the 'White Knight' and do a complete damage report with photographs?

Excited to see a legendary Roymerc cache in Perth after doing most of them in Denmark. Went as far as taking my multimeter for this one after reading the description but quickly realised it wasn't needed. Awesomely constructed as usual, TFTC RM!

We are Roy Merc fans! Found this today with drawattention! TFTC.

Such a great cache! Left a trackable for the next lucky cacher!

Awesome cache.

Interesting cache with lbjezza

I came out to Curtin after work, and it was quite late and dark by the time I got here. There was sports games, training, going on on various ovals, but not much muggle foot traffic on the path.

I arrived at GZ and saw the box, and read the description. Retrieving the probe was a bit of a challenge, but after that I managed to pop the box on the second attempt, which I was very happy with.

A great cache, and a favourite from me! Thanks roymerc!

What an awesome cache! Pollythecolie recommended I put this on my must try list, so thanks very much for that! Quite busy around the campus today and there was some very pretty 'scenery' walking around. I waited around for a break in the traffic and then had a go. Once I had the tool out I felt like a safe cracker, trying to listen to what was going on! Took a little while longer and then it popped.
Loved it and hope to get down south to try more! Fave point for you!

Had my eye on this one for a while after hearing so much about roymerc's caches and viewing the video that came up on the Facebook site. Decided to save it for a milestone.

Coaxed the geodaughter out on a hot day today to come and help me. Arrived at GZ and sat puzzled for a little while, couldn't find the tool anywhere. Then the geodaughter manged to extract it. Had the door open soon after, I think by accident.

Great little contraption, we must have opened and closed it a dozen times. It's still working flawlessly. Thanks so much for a very clever idea roymerc, a definite favourite. Cant wait to get down south and try some more one day.

Find number 300 for me.
Took TB

SLTFTC

We had to come and find these two Roymerc caches after seeing them discussed on the facebook page. It was Roymerc that got us hooked on geocaching in the first place after we accidentally came across his BYOB series in Denmark. This is another great creation that impressed us and we will give you yet another one of our Fave points. We managed to squeeze in a TB which we recently liberated from NZ. Thanks for the cache Roymerc

Found whilst in the area. Last time I tried it didn't work but today it worked 1st time.

Thanks roymerc for the cache.

If I could give this cache 2 favourite points or even 3 I would, but alas I'll only give it the one point that I'm allowed. What brilliant execution. It had Melvilla & I stumped for quite a while and eventually we came up with the correct action.

Will certainly recommend this to others as an example of what cache construction at it's pinnacle looks like. Now Mr roymerc what can you do up here in Perth to top this one?

Thanks for the challenge.

The better ones are down here in Denmark!

This gets a rare favorite point from me. An excellent cache found on a lunchtime outing with blakids. Took us a while but even longer to study the mechanism once we had accessed the "device". Brilliant stuff roymerc - please do some more up in Perth. We have seen your works of art in Denmark. TNLN melvilla

A very ingenious hide. Tftc

Beautiful! So elegant. But the cacher tracks are a giveaway. Many thanks for this great cache.

WOW! This is an AMAZING cache! It didn't take us too long to work out and once we had we did it over and over again. TFTC.

Decided that the Geopups needed to get out and about for a bit of exercise. Having walked them around the block a number of times, down to Perry's Paddock and various other parks, today was time to quickly nip down to Curtin Uni to get these two Roymerc caches (and stop off at work and grab my sunnies that I left there).

We grabbed the 'Cut' cache first, then wandered over with the pups leading the way There was a game of womens' soccer on the oval, but all the spectators were more interested in the game than a groupd of people walking dogs on around.

Geodaughter managed to open the cache without looking at the hint. After the cache was opened, the hint was examined, and it made perfect sense.

Another fun cache by RoyMerc. Now only have a couple more down in Denmark to close out.
TFTC.

Geo wife decided she wanted a cache fix so we loaded up some of the loose ones around the area that have come out managed to get 12 in 3 hours .....Love working on these type of caches spent awhile trying to solve this one and time was running out as we had to be back in rockingham to pick up geowife's car manage to solve it and got to give you a fav point

Mr Luna Maya and myself took his Mum out to find this cache ( after she had cooked us a great roast pork for lunch ) Well, she was quicker than us, called out - "what is this?" - I have found it ? So she had - then Mr Luna Maya had fun figuring out how to open The Black Box We then found the cache, SL , including signing for Maureen Mum & muggle). Took some time to admire how it worked, returned as found, in good working order. Adding to our favourites at Mr Luna Maya's request. TFTC and field puzzle Roymerc, will definitely have to travel south to find more of your creations

Mrs K had to come up to Curtin Uni today to watch her school compete in The Tournament of the Minds competition, so I started researching nearby caches. It seemed somewhat appropriate to find 2 roymerc caches, so they were top of the list.
We arrived at Curtin with some time to spare before the first comp so we set off together to grab the 2 caches.
Having successfully completed the WAIT sign cache we wander over to this cache and luckily there was no one playing on the nearby field.
Having extracted the wand (eventually) we poked and prodded until the hint suddenly made sense and duely applied the box opened to reveal its "treasures".

Thanks for the cache roymerc [^] - another ingenious contraption and a favourite point from us.

Now we get the hint! Played 9 holes on the nearby golf course then brought a friend with us to help on this one. He was most impressed, as were we. Excellent cache. Thanks for bringing it to Perth.

Teamed up with urch for an afternoon's caching. Weren't sure which direction to head off to, but the lure of these two roymerc caches won out. Did the other one first, then headed down to this one. All I can say is WOW!! The mechanism is fantastic. It has whetted my appetite for more of your geocaching masterpieces, but might have to wait until the weather is a wee bit warmer. A favourite for me. Thanks roymerc

Being a great roymerc fan, I have been looking forward to coming here for these new caches and today was the day, and they certainly didn't disappoint!

This was another engineering masterpiece and with some puzzlement the wand was extracted and waved about without any results for some time, and then a hint was spotted... and magically the door swung open! We spent some time checking out the mechanism but still found it all a wonder. Left my pathtag and shut the door on a great addition to the Perth caching community.

Thanks heaps roymerc.

Had this one on our "to do list" for a while so while we were on holidays in Perth we managed to solve this.

This entry was edited by TeamBastholm on Thursday, 18 July 2013 at 09:30:24 UTC.

This cache has been on our todo list ever since it was published, but I don't know there just never seems enough time for us to head the 30+km to GZ. Also knowing that the place is usually crawling with muggles we were also waiting for a good time.

We made the dash today after lunch. Managed to get parking quite close and walk to this one from your other nearby cache.

Took a little while for us to work out what was required [xx(] But then all was revealed, which of course Mr Felix had to check it all out and see how it was done!

Looking forward to meeting other cachers at WA goes BIG in 2013 - GC45X55

Thanks for another treasure much closer to home roymerc certainly a fave from us.

Out and about with the AmstradKid crew in the Waterford/Manning area to scout out some caches. We parked in the large carpark and walked to GZ, as we approached GZ, we saw the in your face placement of this cache(Bravo).

The highlight of my morning was when I opened this wonderful cache within a few goes. We amazed on the mechanism and took more time playing with the gadget. A worthy Favourite from us.

Cheers roymerc for a great cache.

Our with Keego and Jazl for our weekly cache run.
This was Keegos first Roymerc cache and He soon found the way in.
A expertly made cache.
TFTC

Headed out today with J+J_45 to have a go at The Black Box. 20 finds with 19 fav points....This must be good.

And we werent disappointed. I dont want to say to much here as to spoil it for others needless to say the time spent crafting this is most appreciated. I am now looking forward to a trip down south to see more of your creations RoyMerc.

Took a short time to figure out the key but some tell tale signs gave us a hint. Once the outer chamber was open, the log was soon in hand and we signed and replaced.

A favorite from me.

Grabbed this one at lunch with Kyzabra. What an awesome cache! Thanks so much for creating something so unique - favourite from us! )

Loved it - amazing - how it work?? excellent - twice I played with wand... now I can't wait go to South... Signed the log at 2:30pm. Thanks roymerc. Fav from me.

Out caching with my Mum and Dad today... Dad was quickly onto this one! I even had a go and it was the coolest thing ever! TFTC roymerc

Well, what a beautifully crafted bit of engineering this cache is [^]. We found it no worries, and after checking that we weren't being watched, we set about trying to get it open. Having 'accidentally' read the hint a while ago [:o)], i was pretty sure that i knew what was required ... although at this stage, i was really regretting reading it . Alas, it still took a couple of goes before the magic door opened to reveal the ingenious workings [^]. Being a fitter/turner, i can appreciate fully the work that has gone into this creation ... very, very cool
We had to show 4yo DangerMouse09 exactly how it worked, because he too was very curious as to how the door opened ... he also was most impressed with your handywork, and insisted that he should have a go. You should have seen his face when it open first time .. he thought he was way cool
After adding our names the very neat inner box, we closed it up for the last time, and headed off knowing that we were in for a very special treat when we head south for Christmas. Thanks for a wonderful cache roymerc ... it certainly deserves more than one fave point [^]
Highly *RECOMMENDED*

My GPSr had me going in circles close to GZ, but I soon spotted the black box. I was too gentle in my initial effort to extract the wand, but soon had it in hand. I then tried a few things with it before resorting to the hint, and had the box a open a few seconds later. Very impressed with your work and now more than ever looking forward to trip south to see more of it later in the year. SL. TN. Left a pathtag. A fav for this one. TFTH roymerc

Thanks for the hide roymerc!! So happy to see a Roymerc cache up here. What better way to celebrate my 600th than with a electrical puzzle cache! Thanks again

What better way to end a day than with a Roymerc cache. Thanks for another beautifully constructed cache.

Wandered back past but surveyor was still there but the trees gave us some cover.

Looked it over and found the wand made it click so a few more tries and had it opened after I took hold of the wand.

Had to see how the mechanism worked while it was open so I hope when I get to Denmark your other caches are this easy.

t4th

After an early morning breakfast with iluvtrekking we headed south and just had to detour after being enticed by a couple of roymerc caches. No problems finding the black box, and the four of us all tried various ideas without luck. Geo-hubby wanted one more try and it worked - the lid popped open to reveal the log book. Great work roymerc - don't mind now if you have no new ones in Denmark when we visit next weekend.

Found with richlink. roymerc - you've done it again!

We were fortunate to have encountered some "roymec" caches around Albany at the gathering in 2011 so understood very clearly that this would must likely not be just a lunchbox thrown under a bush type cache. As expected at GZ were confronted with an intimidating looking container. The instructions seemed very simple but it took many minutes and many more attempts before surprisingly the container just opened. The internal workings are masterful in design and outstanding in execution. Just as expected from this master of caches. Naturally another fav and our thanks for your efforts Sir.
TFTC roymerc

Wow, nice cache! The night it was released I almost made the 20km trip for a FTF but was diverted by 3 FTF's much closer to home.

Was in the area this afternoon so dropped in to try a few caches. I to have heard of the amazing caches roymerc has created around Denmark so was very keen to do one much closer to home. Great working and engineering went into this, I actually videoed myself opening and closing the cache so I could show the family, they were also impressed.

Also good to wander around my old Uni, gained a Degree in Surveying here back in the early 90's. Probably why I enjoy geocaching so much, and why I have such an alias.

TFTC & have a fav!

Reading the logs so far makes me think it would be a kindness to include a hint... So I have.

Not sure there are enough superlatives to describe the construction of this cache. I noticed when it was published and then various comments showed that the CO is very famous for his Denmark caches. Not likely I will make it down there any time soon but Curtin Uni looks possible.

Also being an electronics sort of person, I was expecting the puzzle in the picture. Was surprised when I arrived to see a literal "black box".

Think the hint makes it a little two easy especially as the cache wear is giving people a good clue as to where to use the wand.

So within seconds I had the cache open. I spent some time examining the mechanism and being very, very impressed. Ingenious. Superb.

So I retrieved the cache and signed the log. Sealed the box again for the next finder.

You know what the shame is? I can't come back and find it again. Though I can imagine I might return for some motivation on what a quality cache construction looks like.

This was brought to PBL's attention when it was published (as it's outside our notification distance) but he was feeling too lazy to make the 30km round trip that evening. (Pity, as we would've been FTF, a rare opportunity for a Roymerc cache!)

However, we did make the trip here especially for this and the other nearby 'Merc cache on a lovely crisp late winter afternoon and weren't disappointed.

While PBL overthought this a little, MBL simply did the required thing and opened it within seconds, then filled in the log while PBL admired (and videoed to show o/seas friends what I've occasionally raved about) the mechanism.

Then the trap was reset for the next willing and impressed victim!

(BTW, we agree that the hint's too much of a giveaway.)

This took quite a while before we had success - we were getting concerned we would be logging a dnf (well a dnopen would be more accurate), but finally without any ceremony it opened - we looked at each other very pleased with ourselves.
We signed the log and left a pathtag inside for the next successful participant.
Another fabulous cache (although I'm sure we wouldn't be saying that if we had left without gaining the smiley).
Thanks for the challenge.

Well that certainly did not disappoint. In semi darkness, lit only by the faint light making its way through the trees from the field, it was really difficult to see what I needed to do. With people on the field doing rugby training that required some form of calling to each other like the seagulls in Finding Nemo ("mine, mine, mine"), I refrained from using any additional light until they moved away and even then just used the dull glow of my phone. It was then that I spotted an additional mark on the box and quickly figured it all out and had the box open. Tried looking at the workings but realised that there is a reason for putting things in a black box. Love the workmanship. TFTC!

TFTC. Been meaning to go down to Denmark to pickup the latest of your BYOB caches. Great to have some of yours up here in Perth Mr. Roymerc. Fav pt

Great to find a roymerc so close to home. After letting barnZy12 at it for a little while I took the wand and gained entry. Great hide and hope there is more to come. Thanks for the hide !

FTF @ 0441....
KB called me while I was riding in to work to let me know that a new cache was published close to home, so I stopped to check the iPhone. No way!....a roymerc cache!. Ever since I started caching various cachers have shared their wonder at your mechanical caches.....so to revisit Denmark to see for myself has been on the top of my caching to do list (along with the ET highway and all the virtuals in Las Vegas).
Alas, even though I passed within 400m of GZ, I could not stop......could the FTF possibly last until the end of my shift in 9 hours time....highly unlikely I thought, although with Chilli out of the picture, the fact that most cachers don't have their notifications set for puzzles and it being nightime, I might have a slim chance. Checked emails regularly during shift to see if I was still in the game. My hopes started to rise after midnight as there still had been no notification of an FTF.
Rode straight from work, only to stop for some fresh batteries for my headlamp as I thought I might be at GZ for a while. Field puzzles have never been my strongpoint due to my lack of patience.
As I rode towards GZ I promised myself I would carefully survey the device first and take things logically, calmly and slowly.
Arrived at a very quiet GZ and carefully studied said box....having lulled myself into a Zen like state, I took a deep breath and slowly retracted the 'Magic Wand'.......firstly I tried a few random things with no result....but then I had a flash of inspiration and Hey Presto the wonderful contraption swung open....I had done it in less than five minutes!.....hmmmmmmm there might be something to remaining calm when it comes to Field puzzles....tentatively opened cache container and then log book....it was Blank!! (insert trumpet fanfare here) Could not resist opening and closing a few times to see the inner workings in operation. As I was closing box for the last time, it very unexpectedly began to rain and 3 muggles walked by....too dark for them to notice me though.
Thank you roymerc a definite favourite....took scroll, a very nice touch.

WoW. A masterpiece of engineered construction. It took me quarter of an hour to unravel the mysteries, and then after signing the log, I played with it for five minutes to admire the workings.
Thank you roymerc for this challenging cache.

My first roymerc cache. I've heard you're famous and with 11 people watching your cache within 12hours it must be true. Beautiful afternoon for a ride. After hanging at MDV's for a while he was eager to show off your cache. With him nattering in my ear, my patience was sorely tested. Fortunately it looks like you tried out the mechanism a few times before it was hidden cause it's already becoming clear what is required to access the cache. While I signed the log, MDV continued to marvel at the construction - must be a boy thing! A moment of horror when he shut the box without the cache back in it and couldn't get it opened; I was thinking maybe the magnet from the cache had something to do with it, but thankfully all was returned to its original condition. Thanks for some much needed spicing up of caching in this area.

P.S. - If any one of the 11 cachers watching this listing reads this log, please take a pencil sharpener since the pencil has a snapped lead and I didn't want to leave my pen since it is my special space pen.

Published

Roymerc comes to town!! I'd almost favourite this before finding it!

Can't wait to go and find this! Thanks for bringing a cache up to Perth for us to enjoy! I have heard a lot about your caches that are down in Denmark!