Not many action pics, was having too much fun!
Below is some of yesterday’s prep work.
I saw this event was close by so I joined the group, signed up for the event, paid the day pass fee, and bought the required TX OHV sticker online. It’ll be the first trail ride of 2024!
Looks like there is a GMRS repeater at Bridgeport OHV, though you’d need a repeater capable GMRS radio to use it. More info on GMRS channels and device compatibility and limitations can be found here. The latest version of CHIRP supports macOS Sonoma and Apple Silicon computers. Kudos to the developers who provide the drivers for this free Mac solution.
Unfortunately I forgot to buy the Wouxun programming cable, so I had to manually add the repeater to my Wouxun KG-1000G and KG-935G. I have all the current repeaters for the surrounding states in a file, ready to copy/paste into CHIRP when the time comes.
I may have finally decided on my favorite iOS mapping app. Not only is TrailsOffroad a completely offline app, you can download any or all of the States, and you’ll have all the trails for all the downloaded states!
Add your favorite GPS Bluetooth accessory, and your iOS device can say goodbye to cell towers completely, and will enjoy true GPS speed and accuracy. Powerful feature, especially considering Gaia GPS and OnX Offroad both require you to select and download map sections. That is so 2010! Of course TralsOffroad is Car Play compatible, and so much more user friendly. The other two apps are IMHO way over engineered, and overpriced
I still use my Garmin Overlander, since it does what it is designed to do, and very well. Not to mention, I finally mounted the Garmin BC-35 camera. So I can see the boulders I am about to go over.
Running the wire for the Garmin BC-35 was a contortionist exercise. Luckily automatic Jeeps have a very useful 2” firewall opening for running wires from the engine compartment to the cab. So once I ran the wire into the cab, I tucked the wires under the trim and wired them to my fuse block.
The off grid power kit that I had Mainline Overland build for me has continued to pay for itself. Off grid power is such an important part of an off-road build.
Next on my todo list tonight was to mount the five gallon NATO fuel cell to my spare tire, I’ll fill it tomorrow on the way to the meetup spot in Denton.
Well, after all the work I did on the Jeep today, I’m exhausted. My last todos were to pack up a couple extra GMRS handheld radios, incase any FRS users can’t communicate.
I’m going to down a few Aleve tablets and enjoy the latest Reacher episode. Then Koda and I hit the sack. We need to be on the road by 0600 to meet the group in Denton.
I feel like Schleprock. All the work I put into running the Garmin BC-35 camera wire, and I busted the Garmin Overlander power buttons just before I went to sleep last night. Anyone know a good circuit board repair person who can recommend solder this thing back in place?
UPDATE: Francisco of 3D Electronics soldered the power button chip back on in minutes. If you need any electronics work done, this is the place to go. Highly recommended! — at 3D Electronics.
Overlander at large 