Texas Hill Country Overland

[Lars]

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=zlSc40jElcqY.kcXQUcqZsung

"Several ways to do this, but my version, continuing on from 16: R on 16, L on cr113 (rusty roof house or store on R just past), (pass 114, 113A) L on cr112, L on fm2323, R on cr110 (mail & utility boxes on R just past), C L on cr110/House Mountain to Loyal Valley, L on 2242, L on s87, R on Threadgill Creek Rd (mail boxes before, 87 sign after), to fm783, L on rr783 immediate R on Giestweidt, L on Onion Creek Road, R on Salt Branch Road/Loop/Eckert, R on James River Rd, L on fm2389, L on 1723, L on 87 to Mason, (L in E Rainey St connects to 1871) L on fm1871, L on Mill Creek (mail boxes on R) , C on cr4301/430, R on fm385, L on cr420/Blue Mountain Rd, R on cr410, R on fm2169 to Junction, R on fm481, L on fm377 to South Llano River State Park on L."

 

[Lars]

This is more than 80% off pavement.

 

[Lifestyle Overland]

That looks like fun! I just passed through there recently on our way to SPI.

Do you have any pictures from this route?

 

[Overland-Indiana]

Never been down that way, definitely plan on it though!

 

[Lars]

Here's a Gallery one of the guys from Texas Overland (Facebook Group) grabbed the last time they ran this route.

I'm going to try to run the route with my wife and daughter again soon. I'll be sure to do a lot more stopping for photos than she did. Will likely also run the GoPro on a timelapse in the truck.

 

[MA_Trooper]

This is the "choose your own adventure" route options I made for the Texas Hill Country Rendezvous last month.
You can download the .gpx here.

It was a blast. I think I will be organizing a similar meet up through that area in the spring for the wildflowers. It is a gorgeous drive with all the flowers blooming. Lots of crossings and washouts in the spring.

Edit: The pics that Lars posted are from the trip I referenced above.

 

[Lars]

This is the "choose your own adventure" route options I made for the Texas Hill Country Rendezvous last month.
You can download the .gpx here.

It was a blast. I think I will be organizing a similar meet up through that area in the spring for the wildflowers. It is a gorgeous drive with all the flowers blooming. Lots of crossings and washouts in the spring.

Edit: The pics that Lars posted are from the trip I referenced above.

Yup, Unfortunately I only made it to the Texas Avid Outdoors event at the end. (two photos of my Breakfast Taco at the end of the gallery.)

 

[WUzombies]

Why does everyone have their antennas mounted so low? Seems like a waste to run a 5/8th wave cb antenna to mounte most of it below the roof line.

 

[Lars]

Why does everyone have their antennas mounted so low? Seems like a waste to run a 5/8th wave cb antenna to mounte most of it below the roof line.

I park in a garage at work.

 

[Nomad]

same here we only have underground parking but I am going to get a mag mount to see if it makes any difference in send/receive ..

 

[Lars]

Why does everyone have their antennas mounted so low? Seems like a waste to run a 5/8th wave cb antenna to mounte most of it below the roof line.

Also, all mobile radio communications are about compromise. A 1/4 wave CB antenna is 8' long. This works pretty well, but it's difficult to mount on most vehicles. If you mount it high it WILL hit absolutely everything you drive under. Many 5/8wave antennas while generally providing some forward gain, are also shorter. In my case the antenna I run most days is only 24" long. Because of where it's mounted I KNOW it won't transmit as far, or receive as weak of signals as it would if it were a 102" whip mounted on the roof. However for 99% of what I use it for, I'm talking to people within a quarter mile of me.

At 4w AM I suspect I can do that on a 50 ohm dummy load.

 

[Cpl J]

Also, all mobile radio communications are about compromise. A 1/4 wave CB antenna is 8' long. This works pretty well, but it's difficult to mount on most vehicles. If you mount it high it WILL hit absolutely everything you drive under. Many 5/8wave antennas while generally providing some forward gain, are also shorter. In my case the antenna I run most days is only 24" long. Because of where it's mounted I KNOW it won't transmit as far, or receive as weak of signals as it would if it were a 102" whip mounted on the roof. However for 99% of what I use it for, I'm talking to people within a quarter mile of me.

At 4w AM I suspect I can do that on a 50 ohm dummy load.

Yes not to mention that antennas are kinda spendy

 

[Lars]

Yes not to mention that antennas are kinda spendy

I dunno, my 1/4 wave 2m and 70cm whips were only $9 each.

 

[Cpl J]

I dunno, my 1/4 wave 2m and 70cm whips were only $9 each.

I have a 1/2 wave Larson duel band

 

[Lars]

This are super nice, and I'd like to get two of them for longer overland trips. Just not for rock crawling trips where I spend a lot of time in the trees. :)

 

[Cpl J]

This are super nice, and I'd like to get two of them for longer overland trips. Just not for rock crawling trips where I spend a lot of time in the trees. :)

Yes i know,and i am always afraid the someone is going to steel it. I have mine on the front fender so i can get in the garage.

 

[WUzombies]

I have a 1/2 wave Larson duel band

That's the same I'm running. Good antenna.
I also have a 6ft tall Firstik, those aren't that expensive really ($20-30). Not compared to the big antenna for the Wilson Amplifier, which cost about $60.

My antennas are on my roof rack so they're WAY up there. The only one I hit very often is the CB antenna. I might swap that out for a 2ft antenna soon just because it's annoying.

 

[4randal]

Looks fun.

 

[FuzzyNB]

Ill be using the alternate routes link this march. Much appreciated!

 

[Tommys]

Planning to try this trip in Spring 18. Fredricksburg to James River Rd to Eckert Bat Cave. Anyone interested?