2016 Nor-Cal OTG Rally 2.0 Convoy

[Mike G]

@Mike G are you going to be Captain Convoy of the Caravan?

In my experience with CB, it's hard for a large group to hear everyone. Some only hear transmissions from certain people and others will only hear the replies. I can lend my handheld HAM radio to the convoy leader, and I can take the tail gunner position and use the HAM in my truck. If you're not licensed, you can't broadcast, but you can still monitor. The range will cover us if (when) large gaps happen, and you should always be able to pick up my transmission (running 50W). This way the leader will know when everyone in the group has made all of the turns. And I've been to Camp Edison enough times that if we do get split up, I'm familiar with the route to camp.

I was volunteerd to be Convoy Captain [emoji12] and unfortunately I don't have a HAM radio license. Should we have a Licensed HAM user be the Convoy Captain.? That way we have a clear communication route from the first rig and last rig?

 

[4xFar Adventures]

Does anyone else in the group have a HAM license? If not it doesn't matter that much, but monitoring is still a good idea.

 

[ravenplague]

I dont have a license but monitor with my handheld . Ill have both on

 

[Mike G]

Does anyone else in the group have a HAM license? If not it doesn't matter that much, but monitoring is still a good idea.

So what's needed to hook up the HAM to my rig?

 

[stoney126]

If your just looking for something for the ralley you can get some decent hand held units

 

[Spyduh]

Baofeng is pretty popular handheld unit. If you need it fast get it from Amazon prime

 

[Mike G]

If your just looking for something for the ralley you can get some decent hand held units

I was just looking into the Bofang handheld units, but I still need to buy a CB before the OB Rally. Would be great to have both, but I'll have to wait until next time to buy the Bofang.

 

[Spyduh]

I was just looking into the Bofang handheld units, but I still need to buy a CB before the OB Rally. Would be great to have both, but I'll have to wait until next time to buy the Bofang.

I haven't bought a ham myself yet. Been looking for the past couple years but been fine with my cb so far.

 

[Mike G]

One more Rig added to the list. We are now up to 26 Rigs for the Madera Convoy.

Gilroy Convoy
1. Mike G - San Jose
2. @Meta6981 - San Jose
3. @hookjaw - San Jose
4. @Spyduh - San Jose
5. @kkauweloa - San Jose
6. @picklejuice - Palo Alto
7. @jginca - Salinas
8. @Keat - Livermore
9. @Michael Joel & Renee - Livermore
10. @Disco2Guy - San Francisco
11. @prince1990 - San Francisco
12. @Rob - Fremont
13. @daPitbull - Oakland
14. @ce4460 - Washington State
15. @Dan Tracy - Watsonville
16. @ravenplague - Santa Cruz
17. @JesseG. - Home is where u park it, CA
18. @Scott Bastian - San Jose

Sacramento Convoy
19. @Byron Eby
20. @O.Dfj
21. @Mirek
22. @Unplanned Overland

Napa Convoy
23. @stoney126 - Napa
24. @Northern_XS - Napa
25. @NorCalCrisp - Napa

26. @Mademan925 will be meeting us in Madera.

 

[4xFar Adventures]

So what's needed to hook up the HAM to my rig?

@Mike G, nothing. You can carry my handheld. The battery will easily last for the trip to CE, but I can give you the charger if you want. It has a replacement antenna for the rubber duck one, so watch your eyes! The frequency is set to 146.460 and the buttons are locked. You can turn it on/off, adjust the volume and listen. It's all rady to go:)

 

[ravenplague]

just upgraded my CB to a cobra 29 ltd from an old ass CB that was in the truck that only had 23 channels. The cobra has a SWR meter and when I tuned the antenna it came out really good. Like 1 and 1.25 however, i used a separate SWR meter and it showed that i was in the red. It showed 3 on channel 40 and 2.5 on 1. I double checked my antenna with a volt/ ohm meter , grounded the mount, have a good quality coax , and soldered all the grounds....now is it possible my external SWR is crap? Suggestions?
Can someone bring their SWR meter so I can double check mine at camp?

 

[kkauweloa]

I'll be running HAM (KK6YZR) and FRS-I find FRS/GMRS the best for non-HAM licensed users. Good distance and easy to use.

 

[Meta6981]

I'll be running HAM (KK6YZR) and FRS-I find FRS/GMRS the best for non-HAM licensed users. Good distance and easy to use.

Lemme know what freqs you wanna run frs. I can tune in on my baofeng. Looks i will be running cb and frs.

 

[Michael]

One more Rig added to the list. We are now up to 26 Rigs for the Madera Convoy.

Gilroy Convoy
1. Mike G - San Jose
2. @Meta6981 - San Jose
3. @hookjaw - San Jose
4. @Spyduh - San Jose
5. @kkauweloa - San Jose
6. @picklejuice - Palo Alto
7. @jginca - Salinas
8. @Keat - Livermore
9. @Michael Joel & Renee - Livermore
10. @Disco2Guy - San Francisco
11. @prince1990 - San Francisco
12. @Rob - Fremont
13. @daPitbull - Oakland
14. @ce4460 - Washington State
15. @Dan Tracy - Watsonville
16. @ravenplague - Santa Cruz
17. @JesseG. - Home is where u park it, CA
18. @Scott Bastian - San Jose

Sacramento Convoy
19. @Byron Eby
20. @O.Dfj
21. @Mirek
22. @Unplanned Overland

Napa Convoy
23. @stoney126 - Napa
24. @Northern_XS - Napa
25. @NorCalCrisp - Napa

26. @Mademan925 will be meeting us in Madera.

Holy "S"! What a crew!

We'll be using CH16 and someone in the convoy should keep us posted on your arrival via SMS:
michael: 415-713-0086 - Michael is unreliable on phone, email, and smoke signals
corrie: 925-989-7298 - Corrie is reliable

 

[4xFar Adventures]

Haha, I can update Corrie;)

 

[WCO_Ryan]

sorry everyone but @stoney126 and I will not be making it for the convoy.

 

[4xFar Adventures]

Booo. But you're still making the trip, right?

 

[O.Dfj]

@NorCalCrisp are you going to still meet the Sacramento convoy in lodi around 730am

 

[WCO_Ryan]

Booo. But you're still making the trip, right?

Absolutely!! wouldn't miss it :)

 

[Mike G]

sorry everyone but @stoney126 and I will not be making it for the convoy.

What, what! I just had t-shirts made with with everyones name put on them just for the Convoy. Jk, see you guys at the Rally.