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Land Ops - The Off Road, Navigation and Amateur Radio Search Club
So I’ve been experimenting with digital modes while staying at home. Today, I had a contact from the Ukraine on FT8 using 100 watts on my portable vertical antenna. Longest contact for me!
73!
IT network guy working in the medical industry so it has been crazy get all the tele-health bandwidth up to speed. It is finally starting to calm down a little and I am really looking forward to this fall/ winter to get on a full Op. I have been just doing the day trips so far.
The Xterra is in pretty good shape but here is my remaining fix list:
1) Bad knock sensor
2) Possibly slightly bent hub from going out with the crawlers (just re-aligned to compensate but CV boot looks slightly torn)
3) Just did water pump, thermostat, and timing belt (had these done at a shop. Glad I did, crank bolt was seized.)
I won't deep go into the mod list but Gaia on tablet, solar, 4:1 transfer case, aux fuel, cell extender, mounting air compressor, HAM mobile with integrated APRS possibly to be visible on the tablet? (might bug you all for knowledge on this one).
And finally the dream list, convert front torsion to long travel coilover, ported/ cammed heads, etc...
Oh yeah, I got my 400 sq ft. garage/ man cave completed! Haven't sen my wife in a while :) .
./Mark
KI6EBQ
Hello everybody.
Oddly, I am both and essential worker and not very busy. As an X-Ray repair field engineer, out machines are used as part of the COVID-19 evaluation. A chest X-Ray can verify and active intrusion into the lungs as the virus causes pneumonia. But since all elective hospitalizations have stopped, all hospitals are basically empty. Since I can be directly exposed to the virus, I arrive home after work, change into a robe in the garage and go directly to the shower. Thankfully, I remail healthy.
As for the jeep, I was able to purchase and install a Yaesu FTM-400XDR into the jeep. I also was able to purchase some RT Systems software and programming was a snap. Additionally I now have a Galaxy tab A with GAIA software mounted right next to the Yaesu controller.
The ole TJ is running well and I can't wait for our next OP!
Jim,
Thanks for reaching out! What a cool looking project you have there, I'm sure your having fun setting it up. Looking forward to seeing it in action when we can head out again!
I've been busy lately with work due the warmer weather, but I did have some down time during the second half of March, early April. That's when I started my storage project in the back of my Jeep, it's about 75% complete. It'll double as my sleeping platform as well. It's been slow going now but I'm sure I'll have it ready for the next Op.
Can wait to get out there and do what we do! Everyone stay safe and do the social distancing thing (who ever thought that would be a thing).
73
Erick
K6QYO
I don’t have any big projects going at this time. I did take everything out of the Jeep and only put back about 75% of what I took out. I’ve updated some of the wiring to fix some items that were not working any longer. I’ve replaced my front lower control arms. One was bent. I‘ve also been around the entire vehicle checking for loose bolts.
Looking forward to getting out soon.
Greg,
K6GHL
Jim Biram wrote Feel free to share any news about you during the Coronavirus Stay-at-Home Order. Hi Jim, Cool trailer you got there! Good to hear you are doing fine! I started a home improvement project at the end of last year and somehow it turned into a bigger deal than I initially planned as most projects do! It has kept me away from exploring this season but i'll be ready and better organized when I am done. So for that reason....I can't blame the virus for my lack of adventures. I'm also looking forward to future Ops! Take care and we'll talk soon! Fernando KJ6YOS
Feel free to share any news about you during the Coronavirus Stay-at-Home Order.
Hi Jim, Cool trailer you got there!
Good to hear you are doing fine! I started a home improvement project at the end of last year and somehow it turned into a bigger deal than I initially planned as most projects do! It has kept me away from exploring this season but i'll be ready and better organized when I am done. So for that reason....I can't blame the virus for my lack of adventures. I'm also looking forward to future Ops!
Take care and we'll talk soon!
Fernando KJ6YOS
Me too, working full time and very busy. Nothing is stopping anyone from camping on BLM land though. Just not a good idea to have a big group outing yet though.
Thanks for the reach-out...
Been busier now than I used to be but we are doing a large upgrade at Mariners Church while it is shut down.
Itching to get out with my trailer as well to do some camping, hamming, and navigating.
Hopefully this will be able to take place soon.
Tim / AG6RS
nice looking little trailer!
I'm still working (Auto repair facilities are considered 'essential', and they need their IT infrastructure working...) so I have not had much 'extra' free time. I do have some major upgrades for my truck in the planning/acquisition stages which should result in drastically improving its off-road capabilities as well as building a new 'utility/overland' bed unit. Stay Tuned! I'm probably going to end up taking a weeks 'staycation' when things calm down a little and just work on the truck build... It should be much more 'Land Ops' after I'm done ;)
73,
Matt Lovell
KM6LSV
