DHappel

I added my photos as well. I noticed a lot of the shots are short 1 or 2 second loops - am I only getting the thumbnail clips or were they shot that way?

I plan to have both decent whiskey and beer but don't claim to be a radio expert. I'm not even staying at a Holiday Inn tonight. But I'll do what I can!

I'm not sure what, but we'll do something Saturday. Most of the trails in the Sierra are officially closed during winter which is one reason we run Bald Mountain for this event as it remains open. But we'll find something! There are actually a ton of trails in the area I'd love to try but I'm always coming up in the winter!

There's slim chance we'll see anything remotely like last year. We'll find snow, but I don't anticipate anything particularly challenging on that front. I'd bring the LR3 this year, but I still haven't replaced the control arms and one of the bushings is completely trashed. Michele won't be happy about the D1, but hey - there's no kill like overkill!

Not sure yet - we may go for a short run. If people are interested I could bring some 2nd amendment toys and we could do in a few evil coke cans. Could be anything. Maybe go for a hike or snowshoe. Whatever people would like to do is open for discussion!

We generally run two groups leaving camp say at 8 and 10. We always tend to play that by ear based on conditions and turn-out. Last year we had extreme snow depths so didn't even make it to the actual trail. This year looks like just the opposite and it may be an easy run to the top of the mountain. Let's hope not - this is supposed to be about the snow after all! Typically the first group is breaking trail and the second catches up to them somewhere before we reach the top. We'll have lunch on the trail - if it's a light year we usually have lunch at the old fire lookout at the summit, otherwise people usually do lunch as they can while we dig out somebody who's stuck. Typically we get back into town and have dinner at Shaver Lake Pizza around 6. Again, nothing is set in stone and it all depends on conditions.

With no MORG for February, let's spend the day prep'ing for the Shaver Lake snow-run later in February! Mr. Foster has need of a little TLC on the old P38 so he'll be out at the shop doing front hubs. I'll likely do a bit of work on either my LR3 front control arms or some minor work on the D1. If you have a project you need a little help with or just want to get your truck on the lift for a quick inspection feel free to stop by! Start 9am-ish, end when people leave.... If anybody doesn't have my address in Walnut Grove, feel free to PM me directly. Keep in mind ATT is pretty sketchy our here so pay attention if you're relying on google maps.

Great! What are you driving?

Actually the dates didn't change, there was a typo on the original header but it was always the same on the calendar and in the description of the event. But the forum software doesn't let you change the header and it seems some people were only looking at that so I eventually had to delete the old post and create a new one. The short of it is we're still using President's day weekend just like the last several years.

JR brought the rally Rover (D2) down. There may or may not have been an undisclosed D90 present too. Though I have a not-so-secret plan to build a Series truck in the future, I think there's a legit claim that the RRC is the best looking Rover. Full Stop.

Yes, you need a license. It's pretty easy to get and is inexpensive. The simplest way is to find a local club hosting a 'ham cram' - a one-day session where you can walk in with zero prep, spend half a day learning the answers to the test (they don't really teach you much about radio, they assume you'll pick that up once you start using it - they just want to get you a license) then after lunch you take the multiple-choice test and they grade it right there. Most people pass pretty easily, though a few will fail and have to re-take it. With all that said, for the sort of stuff we do a lot of people are not licensed. It's true that technically this is a federal crime, however using a low power hand held radio on simplex (basically like a walkietakie) you're only covering a small area and only the hardest of the hard core radio types would be likely to call you out much less attempt to track you down and report you; even then it's questionable if the FCC would have any interest in taking any action. I have literally never heard of it happening. Further, there is a provision within the law for an unlicensed user to use a radio while 'under the control' of a licensed user. I believe that would mean they were sitting in the same truck as you but not 100% sure on that. Of course we would strongly encourage everybody to get their license. As noted, it's fairly painless and opens up a lot of possibilities. As for why HAM vs CB, FRS, GMRS, etc, there are a number of reasons. HAM is FAR superior. It has more frequencies you can use, even with the most basic Technician class license. It has far more powerful radio options. FRS is I believe limited to 2 watts. CB 4w. GMRS varies somewhat based on which channel you're on but I think is 4 or 50w. (don't quote me on those, I pulled that from memory) HAM can go up to 1500w. Of course a typical mobile radio is more likely to be 50. Also the antenna limitations of some of the other services can be a problem while those are not such an issue with HAM. Also HAM is simply far more common. But the single biggest advantage of HAM is the repeater network. A repeater is basically an automated station located somewhere on a mountain top or similar with good coverage. You can talk to it and it re-broadcasts your signal to a much broader area than you could ever reach from a mobile unit at a lower elevation. For us, the most well know is the 805 network. This is a network of different repeaters that work together to cover much of the Sierras from Truckee to Sacramento. While you can't hit it from every valley, it's huge. Plus it's also tied into the interwebs, so you can access it from an app on your cellphone from literally anywhere in the world. There's much more beyond that, like position tracking via APRS, etc. I'm not nearly enough of a radio nerd to explain half of it. But as for why HAM, it's just better. One of our buddies is a big HAM nerd and has a website geared toward off-road HAM use. He also teaches classes and has a study program you can use to then go in and take the test on your own if you don't want to do a CRAM. You'll have to forgive him somewhat, he is a toyota guy. https://myoffroadradio.com/

And further on this topic, here's a video of using a damper on a winch line as intended instead of a kinetic strap. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPba-34ARZY What I take away from this- First, many people claim a synthetic line will simply 'drop to the ground' when it breaks. From personal experience and as you can see in the video that's far from the truth. However, even though the line recoiled up against the tree in the video (aka one of the vehicles) even without a damper it hit with very little force. The line synthetic line simply doesn't have enough mass to do much damage. If you were foolish enough to stand right in front of it and got hit as shown in that demo you may need some new shorts but I don't think you'd actually be injured and it certainly wouldn't damage a vehicle. Again, I've actually broken synthetic gear and while it did recoil back against the front of my truck it did no damage. Don't take this to imply winching or recovery work in general isn't dangerous, or that you don't need to take precautions just because you're using synthetic line, but it does demonstrate that I'm not necessarily suicidal if I don't put a damper on.

During the recovery clinic I mentioned something perhaps a bit controversial - that I'm not a big fan of dampeners for winch lines/etc. While they certainly don't hurt, I've seen tests suggesting they don't necessarily help all that much if at all. Here's an example of that. This is using a recovery strap, not a winch line, but it shows a couple of things. First, it shows the danger of flying bow shackles and why I said a soft shackle is safer (at half load that thing punches right through the wooden backstop) and second, it shows how little the dampers do. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sRebBY_muQ

So anyway.... wrenching day was relaxed. JR came by and we did an under-truck inspection looking at what's what. Didn't find anything too scary and we were able to repair a stripped oil pan bolt by drilling and tapping for a larger bolt from the old parts bin. On my truck I got the new high output alternator installed and made up a larger 4-gauge wire from the alternator to the distribution block to better handle the current. I pulled my old coil bracket off but didn't get around to putting the new coils on it just yet. I'll do that tomorrow I suppose as I need to dig out my T25 Torx.

No not required but always recommended as it just makes communications on the trail easier. I usually bring a few extra hand held radios to loan out anyway for just such an occasion so come on up!

I'm sure I can find some random dogs wondering around for you to take care of!

I'll be doing a little work on my D1, installing a high-output alternator and some new coils plus maybe some heavy-gauge power wiring to go with that alternator. So why not make a day out of it? Wanna put your truck up on the lift and check something out? Just want a hand or some tech advice on a project? Or just want to hang out with fellow Rover people and drink a beer? We can do that. I'll open the shop around 9. Located in Walnut Grove so semi-central between the bay and sac people. DM me if you need an address.

Well, the bay certainly got smacked with plenty of rain today so don't count on that light snow year just yet.

damn - looks like the links from my copied posts didn't copy correctly. I need to get on the road now but will try to fix them tonight.

me too!

Sorry about the confusion. When I first posted the thread I had the wrong dates. I corrected it the the text of the thread and on the calendar but couldn't change the title of the thread. Eric mentioned that it was confusing people so I deleted the old thread and made a new one.

General information: Location: Camp Edison Trip Leader: Dhappel Current Weather Conditions at Shaver Lake http://wxug.us/1pb3v Shaver Lake webcams http://shaverlakewebcams.info/ Camp Edison P.O.Box 600 42696 Tollhouse Rd. Shaver Lake, CA. 93664 Phone: 559-841-3134 Fax: 559-841-3193 Map & GPS of Area: Camp Edison 37° 7'19.64"N 119°18'53.75"W Shaver Lake Snow Run Trail Head 37° 4'6.56"N 119°10'52.67"W Bald Mountain Trail Head 37° 6'5.17"N 119°10'11.50"W Expected Trail conditions: Expect deep snow fingers crossed, stay on the trial at all times or you will get very stuck very quickly. There is always the possibility of body damage. Ruts, whoops, drifts, ice, are all common ways to crunch a panel. If you stop forward movement, do not spin your wheels. The friction melts the snow and then freezes into ice, reducing the quality of the trail surface. Vehicle Requirements: Chains- Chains may be required on the way to Camp Edison for vehicles on standard street tires. AT or MT tires and 4WD (aka most of us) w/o chains are typically allowed by the CHP even when chain restrictions are in place. If you have street tires and plan to hit the trail, you will need two sets of chains. If you have not installed chains before, please test fit them before the trip. Check for clearance issues around brake or ABS lines as well as wheel wells during articulation. Stock vehicles (without chains) should remain at Camp Edison and find someone to ride shot-gun with on Bald Mountain. Tires All vehicles should be fitted with All Terrain or Mud Terrain tires and have a full sized spare. A tire repair kit is recommended. Tires aired down before hitting trail Recovery Points Strong recovery points front and rear are a must. Expect to pull someone (or yourself) from either end of your truck multiple times. Required Safety & Recovery Equipment Fire extinguisher, Hi-Lift and/or X-Jack (at least one vehicle carry one), winch (every other vehicle is optimal), recovery strap (each vehicle should have their own) Metal shovel (shovel snow), first aid kit, repair tools and spares to suit your vehicle, tire gauge and tire pump Emergency overnight pack of food, water, blanket Trail Communications: HAM radio 146.460 (simplex) Shaver Lake Repeaters 146.820- 141.3 KE6JZ Clothing Suggestions: Snow/winter clothing- layer with base clothing that wicks sweat, polar fleece, wind/water repellent shell jacket or winter jacket; winter gloves, hat or beanie, and snow boots. Be prepared for rain/sleet as well. Sunscreen and sunglasses are recommended. Again, we don't know what the conditions will be this far out and weather in the mountains can change rapidly. Be prepared for anything from t-shirt weather to arctic tundra. Food / Meals: Meal plans: BYO, or plan with others After the trail we stop at the local pizza joint in Shaver Lake for tasty goodness before returning to camp. Misc Items to Bring: Camera and extra batteries, winter tent, sleeping bag and blankets, extra garbage bags, GPS unit, map of the area and compass, drinking water, fire wood

Feb 15-16-17 (Sat - Sun - Mon) Will we have snow? How much? It's too early to make any predictions but it is time to start planning our annual Shaver Lake / Bald Mountain trip! Once again we are basing the trip around the President's day weekend when many get Monday off from work/school. The trip will 'officially' start on Saturday the 15th, making it easier for those who can't get away early to get out of the bay area without fighting Friday afternoon rush-hour traffic. However myself and others will be coming up Friday the 14th so feel free to join in. We will be holding our first BoD meeting of 2020 on Saturday in town - specific location TBD. We'll also likely have a little pre-game trail time on Saturday. The main trail run will be on Sunday this year. We don't know what the conditions will be like of course but this should help us avoid the worst traffic on the trail should it come to that. Our campground will once again be Camp Edison. We usually cluster along the Dogwood loop, roughly spots 221-237. The spots are big enough to accommodate 2 vehicles per and sharing is encouraged. Reservations can be made on-line: https://www.sunriser...und/Camp Edison A bit about Camp Edison: Shaver Lake is located at the 5,500 ft. elevation, one hour northeast of Fresno in central California. The area is known for abundant outdoor activities: snow skiing, snowmobiling, water skiing, fishing, and backpacking, horseback riding, 4-wheeling and camping. Camp Edison has heated bathrooms with shower facilities (tokens can be purchased with quarters on the way in), and electrical outlets for each campsite. The breakers can trip easily, so please talk to your camp mates about any heaters or equipment with high power needs you may be using. Once you’ve made your reservation, let us know and we’ll post who’s where. We’re also inviting our friends from SCLR, so we’ll be looking for a few old friends to join us as well. Don’t want to camp even with power and hot showers? Not to worry – there are a number of places where you can have a roof over your head in the area. Fair warning – I have not personally stayed at any of these places so check specific location and amenities yourself. http://shaverlakevis...com/lodging.php

I'm just giving you grief since I'm not much of a football fan - no worries. Event went well. Pretty good turn out of mostly LR3/4 but also a couple D2s, a P38, and a D5. Spent a couple hours going over recover gear and use and another couple playing on the trails. And no Rovers fell over, so win.

argh-where's that face-palm emogi when you need it? I may or may not have been wearing the Donnie Rovicon shirt under that fleece....