The Getaway...Crom's build and adventures

Fantastic idea!

 

That's a good one too! Thx.

The ARB twin is beef. I think it weighs 20 lbs. I'll weigh it this weekend. I almost got the OB2 compressor, but in the end I wanted max speed for the poundage, and the the ARB was the fastest in it's class. Either one called for 4 gauge.

In the past, I've dipped the wire in flux before putting in the hot lug and the solder really flows well when I do that.

Thx.

 

Last weekend when I saw this swarm, I knew it was something special, but I didn't know what it was.

It's called the Swainson's hawks migration,they come in huge numbers on their annual 6,000-mile summer journey from Argentina to Canada.

http://www.latimes.com/travel/california/la-trb-anza-borrego-swainson-hawks-20160317-story.html

 

Just went out with my family to see the hawks kettling this morning. Didn't see the massive numbers that they reported last week but still saw several hundred. Super cool!

 

@Crom

Which is better?

BAOFENG 2013 Newest Dual Band VHF and UHF Walkie Talkie, 5-watt, Black

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BLORPGG

$50 Baofeng Radio US BF-F9 V2+ 5-Watt Hi-Power Dual-Band 145-155/400-520 MHz Hand Held Ham Radio Two-Way Transceiver - With Battery, Earpiece, Antenna & Charger (BFF9V2BLACK)

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PTJ43FU

 

They are different. It really depends on what features you're looking for in a handheld. But if I had to pick, it would be the first one. And for full disclosure, I own the first one and have never used, or read any reviews of the second, only looked at the features and price.

 

I have the second one (two of them actually). I'm really happy with them. Great range and functionality. But i have also never used the first example and am new to ham in general.

One interesting thing to note is that a buddy of mine recently contacted Baofeng directly for a technical question and when he told them he bought his unit on Amazon, they told him that all Baofeng units sold through Amazon are counterfeits and they refused to help him. Not sure if it was true or just crappy customer service, but a lousy situation either way.

 

Very good! It's quite the phenomenon. I think I'm going to make it an annual family event. One more reason to get out in nature. I read that on the isthmus of Panama where their migration route is narrow, that it's truly spectacular sight to behold when they are passing.

I seriously doubt the counterfeit claim. But I'm not surprised for manufacturer support for end user to be nonexistent from such a company. There are some great radio forums and dedicated tech sites to help people though.

Here is one such example:
http://www.miklor.com/UVB5/

One feature I really like with the UVB5, is the VFO knob. This dedicated knob enables me to switch memory channel or frequency without looking, or going into a menu.

One reason I would switch radios when I need to buy, is if there was one that had a better receiver, which means better noise rejection. But since we're talking Chinese radios that report would have to come from a credible independent source using laboratory spectrometer, preferably with video documentation.

 

Hmm, I hope those counterfeit claims aren't true. Even if they are "counterfeits" I'm willing to bet they are made in the same factory after hours with the same molds and circuit boards. A lot of counterfeit stuff from China is produced that way.

I ordered a Baofeng BF-F8 Plus
a few weeks ago, still waiting for shipping from China. Should be a good starter radio till I figure out what I'm doing with it and decide on the mobile setup I want for my truck.

One thing I did read on these radios is to make sure you get the programming cord that is made by Baofeng (The one that has Baofeng's logo on it, counterfeit or not) because some of the no name ones don't work with their radios.

 

Just installed my sliders today. I should do this. The sliders might be a little slippery for my passengers. How's the grip tape holding up?

 

I know this question was for @Crom , but I've had the same product on the sliders for nearly a year. I walk on them often, and they are holding up great! Great grip too!

 

I have the same stuff on my sliders. Holding up great and it adheres really well.

With the grip tape on you need to use the sliders as an actual step. If you just try and step over them they can get caught up on your pants. My GF complained about it at first but she's learning to use them more as a step instead of trying to step over them.

 

I've been trying to make this exact thing happen.

 

Agree with comments below. Good stuff!!!

Thx!

^ Yes grip tape is a hazard for passengers for like two weeks, until they adapt / learn. Thank you.

 

Tons and tons of work got done this weekend.

• I replaced the broken tail light.
• I added dyna beads to the tire that had beads spilled by tire shop
• I ran 4 AWG from engine room to back of cab
• I ran wiring through firewall for air compressor operator switch.
  
• I made ground wire for air compressor
• Mounted fuse holder for air compressor
  
• Finally mounted air compressor
• I removed and replaced my kids car seat for the gigabajillionth time.
• I fought the war on dust.
• Found a permanent home in the rig for my Viair 90P backup air compressor.
• Maintenanced the 5-lb fire extinguisher.
• Repaired a custom +12v power cord (used for camp accessories).

I also managed to have my kids with me the whole time and we did a boatload of fun activities in the front yard. Neighbors came out on Sunday and we had an impromptu block party.

Picture posts coming...

 

Did you post your transmission flush in your thread by chance? Seeing if I can do this by only taking one trip to the store and have all my ducks in a row

 

Yessir!

Flushed Transmission Fluid, 54,840 miles, because it was fun. Valvoline MaxLife went in.

 

I ordered a TYC tail light on Amazon. The seller shipped to me an Eagle Eye tail light. Quality looks really good. It is a very convincing replica and I am satisfied with product. However the Eagle Eye tail retails for $10 less than the TYC, so I confronted seller and gave them the option of refunding me $10 for lesser item, or complete replacement. They opted for $10 refund and issued an apology, and I'm good with that.


My 3.5 year old helper was all too glad to stop on the brakes for me. After I verified things, we switched roles, and she got to check out the lights in action. Fun stuff!




OEM on left, new on right

New tail has all the blubs, it's completely plug and play.


I had to add some T-Taps for my shell brake light.
I pack the T-taps with dielectric grease to guard against corrosion from moisture.










I hope the replacement tail lasts the life of the vehicle. My net cost was $76.

 

Awesome, So instead of pumping into the fill hole you pumped into the top port (trans cooler port thingy) whatever you pumped out of the bottom port. I take it 3/8 tube was used all around not just for the sprayer

 

@Drainbung Thank you for recommending this product. It made really quick work of cleaning up the adhesive left by the packing tape on the paint. And the paint appears completely undamaged. I have since used it on six more things and it seems to work really well. I like it a lot. It feels like some kind of kerosene derivative but in citrus flavor--wait! I mean it smells like citrus.