Another spindle failure...Backcountry DV

here's a pretty cool video about APRS and it's potential usefullness
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7hot6_K6e4

 

Saw that video the other day, passed my ham tech. license, ordered up a ham radio, got APRSdroid working, and will get an upgraded antenna and cable soon.

Partly because of this thread!

 

@goblue82
@Mach375
You guys have some awards headed your way

 

so awesome of you.

 

Solid! Thanks so much!!

 

great trip/recovery report as well as other off the topic stuff. Love this community! I also just recently got my HAM but haven't relly used it much. So much to learn about HAM and ARPS. And, now I wondering if I should invest in some gusseted spindles too. I was in DV in a wash and zoned out, thought I was just driving over a flower bush but it was hiding a large boulder. Sent my truck airborne, was going about 15-20. Ended up mangling up my steel mid and aluminum IFS skids, and flatting the passenger side LCA tab. Never thought to look at the weld at the bottom of that spindle. Something is up on that side, perhaps this will help solve the mystery. Solid work fellas! Glad the recovery was both adventurous and successful.

 

So real talk, do we have any additional information on this DV trip? It's slim chance I could make it work in the same month as the Joshua Tree trip but I'd be willing to try!

Rig might need some prep work and some more armor judging by the pics.

 

I now have a working APRS radio using the Mobilnkd Blue Tooth TNC with a Wouxon UV3D HT..

 

Killer thread boys!!

Outstanding support from and for the rescue team!!

 

Got my APRS working agin. Still don't know how or why, but it seems to be good.
I wonder if maybe my GPS unit is going out...?...

 

How is your APRS setup? through a dedicated radio like a Kenwood V71 or by a TNC? This weekend is when I get to test how well my Wouxun Handheld with a bluetooth TNC connected to a 5/8 wave roof top mounted antenna will do.

 

Kenwood TM-D710 tied to a Garmin Nuvi 350, through a Diamond SG7500.
The newer TM-D710G has the GPS on board the detachable face......mine is older, so needs an external GPS.

The Kenwood is typically the preferred choice for those running mobile APRS. It's ideally suited for backcountry 4x4 use.Left to right: GPS, radio, OBD2 gauge cluster (Bluetooth through Torque app on an old phone). You can see the antenna behind the GPS, through the reflection. (The antenna on the right, near my Hi-Lift, is my CB). (Those are my sunglasses sitting on the dash behind the radio).

 

Awesome setup!

What mount are you using for your 2 meter antenna? I'm debating switching to a roof NMO with a 1/4 wave for a better GP. My 1/4 mag mount on the roof outperformed my 5/8 wave fender mount in all aspects. However I like the look of the fender mount.

I took the mag off because of constant condensation forming underneath it.

 

Thread resurrection time!


The odd positioning problem discovered on this trip, via this thread, developed into a permanent situation.
Figuring it was the radio, I tried changing all kinds of settings, which frankly only made problems worse (exponentially with each setting change). Finally reverted my radio settings back to a time of known flawlessness, and started to suspect maybe it was my GPS unit.
About the same time, my Garmin Nuvi 350 lost all ability to locate satellites, and no amount of refreshing, resetting, tapping, repositioning, etc would solve it. Suspicions confirmed.
Turns out the little flip-up GPS antenna on the back of it went kaput. I never did like that stupid flip-up antenna. Thankfully, it has a connector on the side for attaching an external antenna.
Got the Gilsson magmount GPS antenna off Animalzon, hooked it up, and all is good now.

 

Don't feel like reading all the comments, but could this here been fixed by welding it on the trail?

 

Well, not many I guess. But there are some. But there is a way to weld using your battery, preferably 2 or more. Google it.
Would need to carry some welding rods and a shield though.

 

You guys aware this thread is almost a year old?

I think the situation has been taken care of.

 

@wheeleveryweekend aka @WEW , Lee the caretaker at SV has one available

 

Anyways, the reason I asked about the field weld was for future educational purposes, not to start a pissing match.
Sometimes these threads can teach and prepare you for future ventures, dtaco06.