**OHIO WHEELIN' & MEET-UP THREAD**

@webdr do you monitor a particular repeater in town? I regularly monitor 443.025 +5 pl 131.8. feel free to hop on anytime!

 

My th 9800 is the quad band with 1.25m instead of 70cm, so I usually monitor 145.410-

Not much action on 1.25m

 

I bought my ARE through a better truck cap. I’m happy, they understand the difference with the composite bed compared to a regular metal bed and they put sealers in special areas to prevent any moisture coming in that I’m sure most dealers wouldn’t care about.

 

145.41... lol... sigh...

what antenna do you use on the TYT? I only see a CB antenna in your photo. You're right that there is not much activity on 220. You might find K8SAS on 224.900, the LEARA machine in Lakewood. I have a 220 portable, but I don't have a mobile. I currently have a Kenwood TM-D710G with a dual band antenna on a drilled NMO mount. I plan to install an ICOM IC-7000 for HF capability. I'm still trying to decide what antenna to use with the ICOM.

 

Do you have the Z series? I understand that it has a cardboard honeycomb core. How easy / difficult is it to mount stuff to the cap, with that type of core? I'm curious how they mount the roof rack, but I don't want a roof rack. The Parma shop did not have any in inventory that I could look at. Didn't need to be the same as what I wanted, I just wanted to see something sort of similar.

I'm guessing that core won't hold screws very well. I could always drill out a larger hole, fill it with epoxy, then drill out the correct size hole. I've worked with FRP a little bit, but never that type of core.

 

You can also cheat, drill the right sized hole, then put an allen wrench in the drill and knock out the core material, fill with epoxy and redrill.

 

When I get home, I’ll snap a picture for you. I have the CX. It’s bolted through the shell.

I wouldnt use screws, but a bolt and seal the hole.

 

Comet 37" tri-band. Installing it tomorrow actually.

 

What size winch do you guys have mounted?

 

I like the 120s myself.

 

Smittybilt X20 10,000lb. It's always worked well on direct pulls; I haven't had the need to use the snatchblock yet.

 

Worth the extra money over harbor freight?

 

Ive never used the HF. Both are cheaply manufactured, but I think the more positive reviews yield to the Smittybilt X20. I can speak for Smittybilt's warranty service and it's top notch. I had a bent channel on my Overlander RTT and after a quick email they sent me a new channel, no questions asked.

 

After reading some of the specs I can't seem to find anything about the HF being waterproof. Not sure if it qualifies for their lifetime warranty either which would be the main selling point

 

They got hot quick and repeatedly need cooling time. In one pull. They're prone to failure because there isn't adequate guts in the winch.

I'm a cheap SOB and I'd get HF if it wasn't for the fact more time I've been out and someone needing a winch, it needed to happen NOW! Not 10 or 20 minutes from now.

Broke my cheap heart to find out they're not too good for the real world.

 

Cutting me real deep. Guess I'll pony up the extra $100 or so for one of marginally better quality. I've got some other stuff to buy before I even consider buying a winch

 

What I've seen used on myself and other trucks much heavier, I will buy a Smittybilt when the time comes. Not a Harbor Freight. If it was a 4 wheeler, sure why the hell not. Go cheap, not my truck that makes me money.
Marginally better is a massive understatement about Smitty. They've warrantied repair of winches bought from auctions, you think HF is gonna do that?

 

Not gonna lie I'm pretty damn impressed with this for the price.

 

Heck yea! I'm debating buying one myself. Do you have to purchase the AP hitch mount as I've read (assuming one wants to tow)?