TheLongWayHome

I'm not a coffee drinker, but thought this was interesting, if you want your Espresso in the field. Also support of a veteran company.

48 minutes ago, whj469 said:

 My question regarding the Escapees roadside assistance is how will they be better? CoachNet and Good Sam have been in business for some time and I would think that they know what they are doing? Also there are only so many roadside/tow companies around and I have been told that Good Sam and CoachNet use mostly the same companies? Which companies will Escapees use.

I hope they are not trying to reinvent the wheel?

Got to read the full thread ....

SafeRide  http://www.saferidemotorclub.com/products-services.aspx

Customize to whatever size and thickness you want. Shipped to your location.

https://www.tochta.com/

Another one - bed in a box memory foam that you can customized to any size and various thicknesses.

https://www.tochta.com/

6 hours ago, STOF-FORD said:

Thanks for the tip. 

STOF-FORD

Here are some examples of RV solar installs by one of the best RV solar installer - AM Solar. They use a lot of Magnum Energy and Victron (two of the best - my opinion) inverter and solar charger equipment. They also have tips on their site and supply DIY parts.

https://amsolar.com/solar-panels-for-rv/

Also click more at the bottom of the page, for more examples. They had a DRV example on there previously (but it was Victron), but I can't find. I also have a wiring diagram for a Magnum large inverter/solar system somewhere, if you are interested. Can look for it tonight.

Try to PM him directly. Will never find this needle in the massive daily haystack.

Find one of his postings, click on his Profile name or icon (can also hove over it) then click on Message.

He is usually fast and with great responses. Very helpful.

Good luck.

8 hours ago, steved44 said:

Whaaaat no-one is posting!!  Ok, I'll try one.  We finally pulled the stakes loose from Oklahoma and headed to Colorado.  We made it to the Elks Lodge in North Glenn and threw out the anchor.  Both of us have come down with bad colds and we are just laying here sniffling and sneezing, so not too much going on.  This place is a rather full parking lot with electric only and the dump at Cabalas about 5 miles or so down the street.  The good part is it's $10 a night and only 9 miles from my sister's house.  We did venture out for breakfast one morning and found a place called Delectable Eggs to sniffle our way into.  Fantastic array of eggs benedict, crab benedict, salmon benedict and more.  Got lucky on that one for sure.  My sister just bought a condo near here and we got the grand tour the day before yesterday.  Right on a golf course and in a semi gated community.  Really nice, but no wheels!!  This was a downsize for them as they both decided they didn't want to keep up with house & yard maintenance any more. I told her that we had the same thoughts and that we cruise around until we find a spot that's already mowed and park there.  Hmmmm  I have to go take some more cough medicine (ugh) so I'll sign off for now.  BUT I will return!!    Steve

Welcome to Colorado. Since you are in Northglenn (one word!) and like breakfast, you have to try First Watch on the other side of I-25/120th from Delectable Egg -

https://www.google.com/maps/place/First+Watch+-+Northglenn/@39.913124,-104.9897037,17z/data=!4m8!1m2!2m1!1s120th+%26+I-25+Northglenn,+CO!3m4!1s0x0:0x493c54d478ae1451!8m2!3d39.9131242!4d-104.9875148

Menu

https://s3.amazonaws.com/cos-firstwatch/FirstWatchLOCMenu/LIVE2H-16.pdf

Try the Million-dollar Bacon (special not on the menu), if they have it - may want to consult a cardiologist first

6 minutes ago, sdixon747 said:

I'm having a trailer custom built so it was the perfect time to design in a HAM Shack. I had them put them run three runs of coax to the roof and two more to the rear bumper. On the roof I had them put an 8' x 8' piece of sheet metal for a ground plane. In the middle of that I will put a Tarheel screwdriver on a folding mount. I will also put a 2m 70cm antenna. The third coax run is for a 40m dipole. The two coax runs to the rear bumper will feed a vertical on the ladder and a tripod mounted portable antenna.

I'm looking forward to getting it all up and running.

73

Steve

KJ4YGY

Thanks Steve,

I'm going to be all over your rig's "big reveal" at Hutch . Got to see all the new toys and ideas from Marsha, Jack and David!! Also read you "Spend  My Money" thread from last November, last night!!! Trying to pursue many of the same ideas in a 5th wheel. Currently in discussions with NH, but Cole in gun-shy on "new" stuff (e.g. LiFePo4, mini-splits, etc.). Have started looking a SC. We will not finalize the decision (RV, HDT) until November. Getting lots of input ideas from a lots of experienced people.

Back to the HAM Shank - 8' x 8'!! Will be curious of the bonding to the roof and see how well if works. I believe you also have a whole pile of solar up there? I little jigsaw puzzle?  I could argue that the Hi-Q screwdriver is a better antenna (may start a religious war here), but I do like the Tarhill tilt-up mount. Have an acquaintance that has used a Hi-Q 6-160 on his commercial big rig for 4+ years and loves it. Hopefully you will get a chance to use it before or at Hutch (and with the blessing of the solar cycle).

Sounds like you have lots of antenna options thought through. I will look to see what ideas I can "appropriate". You might also consider a grounding stud on the hitch (frame attached) as another option. Will have to experiment with grounding, but maybe others here have experience with grounding their rig frame apart from the pedestal or while boondocking.

I will also be looking to see what I can put on the truck - maybe on the drom box (lower, smaller one) that will stay below the other truck "obstacle feeler" antennas. Also have some off-road 2M/70 cm antennas that can take abuse (to a degree). They don't do well with garage doors - as Jack would say "Ask me how I know?"

Gerry

73s AB0GF

43 minutes ago, k4rs said:

Back to the original question, we also had a toy hauler.  I put a desk in the garage for computers and radio gear.  My best antenna setup was a Hustler 6-BTV on a homemade tilt over.  It was easy up - easy down and performed well on our aluminum 5th wheel.  As previously mentioned, fiberglass is more of a challenge.

73 es Safe Travels...

 

Thanks K4RS for your feedback. Have heard good things about the Hustler, but as you said probably not on fiberglass.  Do you get any hassle (or discouragements) deploying it in regular RV parks, like NA8M above? Also curious on the size of you garage and it you put any other "dirty" hobbies - bikes, ATV, etc in the garage? Have had some concern expressed about mixing clean and dirty hobbies or usages in the garage.

Have you thought of using DMR, D-STAR or C4FM to reach out further, as an alternative to HF?

73s  AB0GF

On 7/23/2017 at 5:01 AM, edatlanta said:

I full time and am a ham (General) also.  I use the digital modes and have zero interest in HF due not only to antenna limitations in the RF, but poor propagation right now.  If I live long enough for the cycle to change I may revisit HF, but not for now.

Ed

KM4STL, 3101156

Ed,

Thanks for you input. Will try to use a screwdriver antenna on HF. Ground planes are always a challenge on fiberglass RVs.

Are there any other HAMs out there? I thought Escapees had a HAM BOF, but it does not appear to be very active. Worth joining?

Gerry

So, I'm new to RVing and plan to go full-time in the Spring of 2018. Right now trying to finalize the plan on an RV. It will probably be a customer Toy Hauler. I am a HAM (Extra) and mostly use phone and digital modes (not format generally, think DMR, D-Star, Wires-X) UHF/VHF and HF, so need to have a "quiet space".  What special setup have you done to operator your station and any special HAM shack recommendations? Pictures would help!

Will come back to the HF antenna challenges later!

43 minutes ago, trailertraveler said:

Added a 20 Amp inlet, breaker and wall outlet to provide power from an inverter for satellite TV receiver and TV when dry camping and provide an additional 20 Amp circuit to power an electric space heater when needed.

...

A busy day!!