3 Days in VA

[Hafaday]

Thank you so much for the info! Are there any you can’t drive a truck on?

I am planning 2 days of exploring in the area. One day will be an “easy” day consisting of MABDR3 which includes flagpole knob.

The 2nd day would be a bit more adventurous, will probably include big levels to start day and, if time permits, another trail. Although we might just relax at camp or go for a hike after that.

Is there time to do a taskers gap or peters mill run area trail in the same day as big levels? Or is that a bit ambitious?

No problem..

Going backto my previous post.. you can drive 433, 553. The others you listed, no.

As for running Big Levels and PMR/TG the same day?. My opinion is doable pending how fast you run them and chasing day light. Haha. Dang sure a long day but I’ve never tried it.

NOW HEAR THIS.... My doable, and your doable, are two different things. so keep that in mind.

I would say an almost no issue in the summer. This time of year, it’s all how early/late in the dark you wanna play. You will definitely spend more time at BL than PMR. I would also have someone with you for BL if you’ve never been. The mud holes can be deep and very long across if we’ve had a lot of rain. Take waders if you have them. Not trying to scare ya, just being realistic, thats all.

While it’s at the front of my head.. Big levels has cell service for a good portion of the trail. There is a sign posted a little ways in on both ends with an emergency number to call if needed. PMR/TG. Very spotty if any.

 

[Dusther210]

Thank you so much for the info! Are there any you can’t drive a truck on?

I am planning 2 days of exploring in the area. One day will be an “easy” day consisting of MABDR3 which includes flagpole knob.

The 2nd day would be a bit more adventurous, will probably include big levels to start day and, if time permits, another trail. Although we might just relax at camp or go for a hike after that.

Is there time to do a taskers gap or peters mill run area trail in the same day as big levels? Or is that a bit ambitious?

No problem..

Going backto my previous post.. you can drive 433, 553. The others you listed, no.

As for running Big Levels and PMR/TG the same day?. My opinion is doable pending how fast you run them and chasing day light. Haha. Dang sure a long day but I’ve never tried it.

NOW HEAR THIS.... My doable, and your doable, are two different things. so keep that in mind.

I would say an almost no issue in the summer. This time of year, it’s all how early/late in the dark you wanna play. You will definitely spend more time at BL than PMR. I would also have someone with you for BL if you’ve never been. The mud holes can be deep and very long across if we’ve had a lot of rain. Take waders if you have them. Not trying to scare ya, just being realistic, thats all.

While it’s at the front of my head.. Big levels has cell service for a good portion of the trail. There is a sign posted a little ways in on both ends with an emergency number to call if needed. PMR/TG. Very spotty if any.

Thanks so much, this is all good info!

Since this trip is not just me I am glad you mentioned how we might have different ideas of doable. We are on the same page I think.

I think trying to do both sections in one day might be too ambitious

 

[Dusther210]

I plan to skip the part that is the 1st minutes of the 2nd video

I thought I would share these 2 videos of he MABDR3.

Anyone else ethink this looks pretty cool?

 

[Hafaday]

I plan to skip the part that is the 1st minutes of the 2nd video

I thought I would share these 2 videos of he MABDR3.

Anyone else ethink this looks pretty cool?

Yeah, I'll rune these one day.

 

[Dusther210]

@Hafaday you can join me in April

 

[Hafaday]

@Hafaday you can join me in April

Might very well be possible.

 

[Boucher]

Keep me posted for April

 

[Dusther210]

Keep me posted for April

Will do

The current plan is to go up to Flagpole Knob from Switzer Lake on 7 April at around noon.

Not sure where I plan to camp that night, possibly around big levels, so I can head north on the MABDR from Covington VA to Moorefield VA with a stop at Reddish Knob

If anyone has any recommendation for a place to camp for a night near Moorefield that’d be awesome

 

[Dusther210]

Are there any ham or GMRS repeaters that can be reached from around Flagpole Knob?

 

[Hafaday]

Are there any ham or GMRS repeaters that can be reached from around Flagpole Knob?

To be honest... Don’t know, never checked into it.

 

[Hafaday]

Are there any ham or GMRS repeaters that can be reached from around Flagpole Knob?

I found some HAM, on a quick search..

Virginia Amateur Radio Repeaters

RepeaterBook.com: Quick Search for Virginia Amateur Radio Repeaters

Virginia amateur radio repeater database for ham repeaters.

www.repeaterbook.com

RRDB | Virginia Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference for Virginia (VA)

www.radioreference.com

Amateur Radio Ham Radio Repeater Map VA Virginia

I think GMRS repeaters are private. and you have to ask for permission to use them.

myGMRS.com - GMRS Repeater Directory

myGMRS.com is a General Mobile Radio Service community where users can search and submit repeaters in their area.

mygmrs.com

https://www.repeaterbook.com/gmrs/Display_SS.php?state_id=51

Virginia Amateur, Ham and GMRS Business radio repeaters

Amateur radio and GMRS database for Ham Radio in Virginia showing all open ham repeaters in US, Canada, and Mexico.

www.artscipub.com

 

[Dusther210]

Are there any ham or GMRS repeaters that can be reached from around Flagpole Knob?

I found some HAM, on a quick search..

Virginia Amateur Radio Repeaters

RepeaterBook.com: Quick Search for Virginia Amateur Radio Repeaters

Virginia amateur radio repeater database for ham repeaters.

www.repeaterbook.com

RRDB | Virginia Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference for Virginia (VA)

www.radioreference.com

Amateur Radio Ham Radio Repeater Map VA Virginia

I think GMRS repeaters are private. and you have to ask for permission to use them.

myGMRS.com - GMRS Repeater Directory

myGMRS.com is a General Mobile Radio Service community where users can search and submit repeaters in their area.

mygmrs.com

https://www.repeaterbook.com/gmrs/Display_SS.php?state_id=51

Virginia Amateur, Ham and GMRS Business radio repeaters

Amateur radio and GMRS database for Ham Radio in Virginia showing all open ham repeaters in US, Canada, and Mexico.

www.artscipub.com

@Hafaday you are awesome! Thank you! Do you have any personal experience using a radio in the area or hitting a repeater over there?

 

[Hafaday]

@Hafaday you are awesome! Thank you! Do you have any personal experience using a radio in the area or hitting a repeater over there?

Haha. Me.... awesome...... that’s very subjective pending who you talk too.

I don’t have my HAM license yet (but I will get it one day). So no info on that level.

That said, Using GMRS has been fine talking truck to trucks when in a group run. I have heard rumors of guys being able to hear and talk from FP down to people towards the bottom of Union Springs (trail start-ish). How true this is, I’m unsure of. But antenna choice did play into it from what I hear, being a higher gain mobile antenna. I do have a 6db gain antenna for my mobile radio, but have yet to install. As for my radio... I have the Midland MXT115. I dig it for the few times I’ve used it.

 

[Dusther210]

@Hafaday you are awesome! Thank you! Do you have any personal experience using a radio in the area or hitting a repeater over there?

Haha. Me.... awesome...... that’s very subjective pending who you talk too.

I don’t have my HAM license yet (but I will get it one day). So no info on that level.

That said, Using GMRS has been fine talking truck to trucks when in a group run. I have heard rumors of guys being able to hear and talk from FP down to people towards the bottom of Union Springs (trail start-ish). How true this is, I’m unsure of. But antenna choice did play into it from what I hear, being a higher gain mobile antenna. I do have a 6db gain antenna for my mobile radio, but have yet to install. As for my radio... I have the Midland MXT115. I dig it for the few times I’ve used it.

Getting the technician license was easy. There is an app that gives you the answers, you just memorize it. What’s your GMRS callsign? I’m interested in getting a GMRS specific antenna. I currently use a 1/4 wave and a 5/8 wave firestiks for VHF but that isn’t ideal for GMRS. What antenna is that you have?

 

[Hafaday]

Getting the technician license was easy. There is an app that gives you the answers, you just memorize it. What’s your GMRS callsign? I’m interested in getting a GMRS specific antenna. I currently use a 1/4 wave and a 5/8 wave firestiks for VHF but that isn’t ideal for GMRS. What antenna is that you have?

Rite rite. My problem is... My memory has gone down the crapper. I do need to start studying again.
WRHZ203
This antenna from Midland. MicroMobile® MXTA26 6db Gain Whip Antenna | Midland Radio I'll get it mounted up one day. but so far, the stocker that came with the kit has been ok in the hills.

 

[Dusther210]

Getting the technician license was easy. There is an app that gives you the answers, you just memorize it. What’s your GMRS callsign? I’m interested in getting a GMRS specific antenna. I currently use a 1/4 wave and a 5/8 wave firestiks for VHF but that isn’t ideal for GMRS. What antenna is that you have?

Rite rite. My problem is... My memory has gone down the crapper. I do need to start studying again.
WRHZ203
This antenna from Midland. MicroMobile® MXTA26 6db Gain Whip Antenna | Midland Radio I'll get it mounted up one day. but so far, the stocker that came with the kit has been ok in the hills.

That’s a 5/8 wave, in the hills you might be disappointed compared to a 1/4 wave. I keep the shorter 1/4 wave on the truck because of the height but also I live in a valley and it beats out the 5/8 locally. From mountain top to mountain top that midland should be really impressive on 462.

Dengz ... just realized it cost as much as my 2 antennas combined lol

WRJD392
I’m on Zello also. Usually on broadnet systems repeaters

 

[Hafaday]

That’s a 5/8 wave, in the hills you might be disappointed compared to a 1/4 wave. I keep the shorter 1/4 wave on the truck because of the height but also I live in a valley and it beats out the 5/8 locally. From mountain top to mountain top that midland should be really impressive on 462.

Dengz ... just realized it cost as much as my 2 antennas combined lol

WRJD392
I’m on Zello also. Usually on broadnet systems repeaters

Gotcha.. See, I have forgot the waves / freq's already. Never heard of the Zello. Will look it up.

 

[Dusther210]

That’s a 5/8 wave, in the hills you might be disappointed compared to a 1/4 wave. I keep the shorter 1/4 wave on the truck because of the height but also I live in a valley and it beats out the 5/8 locally. From mountain top to mountain top that midland should be really impressive on 462.

Dengz ... just realized it cost as much as my 2 antennas combined lol

WRJD392
I’m on Zello also. Usually on broadnet systems repeaters

Gotcha.. See, I have forgot the waves / freq's already. Never heard of the Zello. Will look it up.

I think the app is called hamstudy, you can go to hamstudy.org too. I learned everything from practice lol
For the test I just learned if question asks “A” the answer is “B” etc
It’s amazing how much better VHF performs compared to GMRS

 

[Dusther210]

Just got over 1 foot of snow in NJ...and still going ... I was just curious how's it looks in VA.... So excited for this trip in April

 

[Dusther210]

Rally point is up!

Flagpole Knob/ PMR/ MABDR 3 - Overland Bound

Wednesday: Midday drive up to Flagpole Knob from the lake (starting at noon), then going down Union Springs road and then to Peter’s Mill Run Approximately 3 hours, of slightly more challenging driving at Flagpole Knob, about 1 hour on pavement and then about 1 hour of the PMR trail Thursday...

www.overlandbound.com