Testimonials:

“One year ago, I was new to remote observing but the transition from a backyard setup in frequently cloudy skies with unpredictable seeing to  a state-of-the-art remote observatory with Bortle 1 and frequent sub-arc second skies has been transformational. Howling Coyote Remote Observatory (HCRO) is a relatively new facility and the owner, Greg Funderburk, is an experienced astrophotographer. He was invaluable in getting me setup and running with my 5″ refractor and encoder mount. Greg lives on-site  and consequently my fears of not being in close proximity to my equipment have disappeared with Greg there to help. Comfortable guest quarters are available allowing you to stay on the premises for installation of your scope or follow up visits. Greg also offers to provide pick-up service from Albuquerque should you fly in. Greg is currently shepherding me through the process of installing a CDK17 on an L550 mount. He is very well connected with leading top-end vendors and has made the process seamless. The cost is quite reasonable considering what you get at HCRO: expert and reliable support under some of the best skies anywhere. I can recommend HCRO without reservation!”

– Paul Abbott 

“My journey to HCRO for astrophotography started a few years ago when I decided to get a larger refractor and mount. I ended up purchasing a TEC 180FL APO and Paramount ME II (with absolute encoders). With this great equipment upgrade I had high hopes of getting great subs. I ended up being frustrated by the light pollution and generally poor sky conditions in coastal San Diego California where I live. My expensive set-up spent too much time not being used.

I was expressing my frustration to Tolga (Tolga Astro) and he suggested I take a look HCRO. The idea of a remote observatory was not new to me. Quite a few AP friends use them in NM, Texas, northern CA and Chile. However, the cost, equipment transport, and set-up seemed too daunting to me. Since I have being doing business for 8 years now with Tolga and value his input, I decided to give Greg at HCRO a call and see if it might work for me.

I was initially impressed by the fact that Greg answered my call right away in person. He then explained the process of getting equipment there, set up, and most importantly how to control my equipment remotely. He also presented several options for leasing the pier so I could do it monthly or yearly and lock in a rate. He also welcomed me to stay there while my equipment was being set up.

I am thoroughly enjoying using my AP equipment at HCRO and still trying to get used to much high-quality data I can get from there in a week as compared to when I had my equipment at home. I know if there is an issue Greg is just a phone call away.”

– Eugene Helsel

“I couldn’t be happier with my decision to move my telescopes from my home observatory near Albuquerque, with its Bortle 5 skies, to Howling Coyote Remote Observatories near Pie Town, NM. My move was motivated by the challenges I faced with wide-field imaging and the average seeing conditions at home—and the improvement has been nothing short of outstanding. Thanks to the phenomenal weather here, I’m imaging nearly every night of the year.

At 7,525 feet, HCRO offers clear, dark skies and excellent atmospheric stability, with frequent sub-arcsecond seeing that has truly elevated my imaging experience. I also want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Greg Funderburk. His expert management and unwavering dedication to providing a top-notch observing environment made my transition seamless. His local knowledge and hands-on support have ensured that every detail is taken care of, allowing me to focus entirely on my astronomical pursuits. With a setup that includes four telescopes on one mount, Greg has been incredibly helpful and responsive in fixing the many issues that arise when tuning and adjusting such a complex configuration.

Greg is more than just a site manager—his interesting background and genuine camaraderie have made him a true friend and brother. I highly recommend Howling Coyote Remote Observatories for anyone serious about astrophotography or deep-sky observation. Come enjoy the skies and, of course, feast on the pies—after all, they don’t call it Pie Town for nothing!”

– Kurt Lanes

“I have had an observatory in my rural backyard North of Colorado Springs for 25 years. During that time, the skies have gotten brighter, clear nights more scarce, and in the lee of the Rocky Mountains, the seeing has always been poor.

Last summer, I resolved to move my Astro-Physics 155 mm refractor to a hosting facility. I had put enough time and treasure into this hobby that my telescope needed a location where it could really excel. I looked at several locations, and I landed at the Howling Coyote Remote Observatory.  Six weeks out, I couldn’t be happier. After working with owner Greg Funderburk and his wife Jodie, I was completely convinced this was the right decision. Very professional, total service orientation, and of course, the site is wicked dark and the seeing is very good. Facilities are well maintained, organized, and modern. And because the site is remote, a comfortable and clean place to stay during installation or a maintenance visit is really valuable — no need to drive a long distance to a motel when you are wiped out after a long night observing.

In just 5-6 weeks, I have collected more data than in the year previous in Colorado. For the advanced amateur committed to their hobby, choosing to use a remote site can have a profound effect on your results, and Howling Coyote Remote Observatory may well be the best out there.”

– Ed Beshore

“I’ve been a HCRO client since August 2024.  My experience with HCRO in a single word:  PHENOMENAL.

• The observatories are top-notch: roomy, superbly stable foundations and piers, worry-free electrical, reliable internet, and careful monitoring and automation to protect the scopes and maximize imaging time.
• The skies are *truly* dark with many nights of outstanding seeing: 1.5″ seems typical and many nights hover around 1″.  Wind and humidity are rarely an issue.  I just wish Greg could do something about the damn moon.
• Greg is a consummate host and it is really a pleasure to stay on site in his home when coming out to tinker with one’s equipment.
• As an experienced (and expert) astrophotographer himself, Greg has been an immense help in setting up my gear and keeping it running well, and has been a great resource for improving my imaging skills.

HCRO is the only hosting service I have used, and therefore I can’t provide comparisons with other facilites.  However, I cannot imagine any significant improvements over the facilities or services Greg provides.”

– Dan Cimbora

“I spent over a year evaluating remote hosting locations while I assembled the equipment needed for the project.  I contacted the sites, reviewed telemetry data where available and spoke to current tenants as I did my due diligence to find the best fit.  Upon speaking with Greg at HCRO I immediately found his enthusiasm for the hobby and desire to see people enjoy it resonate with my own goals for the hobby.  Additionally, the telemetry for the site supported my initial impressions by showing better seeing, better transparency and calmer wind than everywhere else I looked.  I ultimately decided that if I was going to go through all the trouble of setting up a remote system that I would go with the one with the best conditions for imaging as well as the best support.  From setup, to assistance whenever anything technical has come up to general quality of the service and of course the skies, my expectations have been exceeded.  I even took Greg up on his invitation to visit the site after my equipment had been there for several months.  He is a gracious host, put me up in a guest room, drove several hours to pick me up and drop me off at the airport… and all was included in my pier rental.  The site is clean, the dust is low and I can’t emphasize enough how calm the air is.  Don’t underestimate the detrimental impact that wind can have on imaging.  At HCRO the wind dies down at night and the air is calm.   And those skies!  I have never seen such dark skies before.  My interest in the hobby has only grown since going remote, and I couldn’t be happier with my decision.  Highly recommended!”

– Chris White

“I found out about HCRO by recommendation after a long time spent researching a place to host my PlaneWave CDK14-based system. While many places host high-end telescopes and do so reasonably well enough, I was always left with an unsure or underwhelmed feeling regarding the things that happen after an installation – the day-to-day support and the ongoing improvements and technology invested into the facilities. My experience developing for and supporting the users of the N.I.N.A. software project had educated me on a lot of ups and downs that can come with remote hosting, so searching for the perfect place felt like searching for a unicorn. For many issues, quick resolution absolutely requires the site operator to be engaged and familiar with a customer’s particular setup and mission. When talking to Greg at HCRO for the first time, I realized that the uncertainty I felt with other sites was completely absent. In short, HCRO immediately felt like a natural fit; a perfect place that would – and now does – enable me to test my software projects and engage in my research-leaning astro-imaging.

There are many other reasons to like HCRO. Its “high and dry” siting, 2290 meters above sea level, removes much of the transparency-sapping humidity. Far enough from large mountain ranges, sub-arcsecond seeing is the norm, not the exception. The remoteness of the New Mexican desert and proximity to the Very Large Array put it among the darkest skies in the continental US.

Greg and his staff are highly knowledgable and skilled with the installation and operation of equipment from just about every major vendor there is. They spare no effort to ensure your remote setup operates as reliably as possible, providing assistance, giving advice, and helping with the little things that seem insignificant but help make a remote setup operate smoothly. Should you choose to visit, the accommodations are fantastic and comfortable. I am very proud to say that I’m a customer of Howling Coyote Remote Observatories and highly recommend it as the top-tier remote hosting facility that stands apart.”

– Dale Ghent
Small/Scientific Telescope Engineering Learning and Astronomical Research (STELAR) Group
N.I.N.A. contributor and plugin author