OLLIE

It was a real good time. It's too bad our groups are so far apart. I really believe OAUSA and the OP groups would blend well together. There's a lot of like minded people in the two.

No problem. I appreciate you keeping me on track.

BorregoWrangler's run on Saturday, "The Anza Expediiton Route", ended up with 5 Jeeps, 2 FJ’s, and 1 Ford. From Old Borrego Valley Road they made our way into Borrego Sink, San Felipe Wash and Carrizo Wash. PICTURES BELOW ARE FROM BORREGOWRANGLER'S POST ON OAUSA... Airing down at the trailhead. Lunch under the 78. The intersection of Pole Line Road was washed out just ahead so we took this bypass. Carrizo Wash. She’s already wanting to drive! The “Texas Dip” crosses San Felipe Wash along Borrego Springs Road. Thanks to everyone who came along and made this a fun trip! All my pictures can be viewed here: http://s970.photobucket.com/albums/ae188/BorregoWrangler/BorregoFest%202011/

After setting through Diana Lindsay's presentation on her new book, "Ricardo Breceda: Accidental Artist" on Friday night some of us couldn't resist checking out the Ricardo Breceda Scupltures (Sky Art). Here's some pictures from the group that went on Sunday as an exit run... Ben looking at Font's point in the distance with Father font.

On Saturday I led the "Drive Through Time" Run. I want thank everyone who joined me on this run. You were all great company and it was a pleasure being your "Piper" for the day. Thanks to sdnative and Cruiserlarry for alternating in the Tailgunner spot throughout the day. I have a few pictures below and will have some more soon. The others will contain more rig and people shots.

For a Friday run we decided to take a trip to check out one of the largest of the mud caves in Arroyo Tapiado. It was a great time. We wanted to check out more but caves but ran out of time. We wanted to get back in time for dinner and Diana Lindsay's presentation.

Diana Lindsay gave us a presentation and did a book signing at BorregoFest for her new book about Ricardo Breceda's (Perris Jurasic Park) sculptures entitled "Ricardo Breceda: Accidental Artist". It was standing room only during her presentation. It was a wonderful experience. Diana and her husband Lowell got to see how we "rough it" Outdoor Adventure USA style with gourmet camp meals and wine to top it all off. Her book was released to the public for the first time during "Borrego Days" in Borrego Springs, CA the following day. We want to sincerely thank Diana and Lowell for providing us with this wonderful opportunity. It was a wonderful presentation and a special treat to be able to hang out and learn so much from both of them about other Southern California historical facts and Anza Borrego history.

Well it's about time to start planning our annual Outdoor Adventure USA BorregoFest event. If you are not familiar with Anza Borrego this event will usually give you an overall exposure to what it offers.The dates are set for the 21st through the 23rd of October. This is a family friendly event that never fails to impress. We will be holding trail runs, ham radio testing on the Sunday of the event, a potluck, wine and beer tasting, and probably a small raffle (also usually held on the Sunday of the event). Please let us know if you plan on attending. Fees and sign up info are below. We will be using our usual spot for the event this year, Stagecoach Trails located about two miles south of Scissors Crossing in Anza Borrego. No fee is required if you are only coming out for one day or are making other accommodations outside of the group camp for spending the night. You are still allowed to come into the group site for the trail run meetings, potluck, and evening festivities each day. Fees are the same whether you stay for one night or two in the group site. Please post your interest in attending in the format you see below and your name will be added to the roster. "CONFIRMED" will be entered next to you name in the roster once your donation has been received. Screenname + # of additional attendees Vehicle(s) Type Dates Attending Accommodations (i.e. Group Camping, Hotel, Day-Trip, other, etc.) The fees for the 2010 BorregoFest are as follows.: TENT/POP-UP TENT w/Auto: $55.00 -in advance $65.00 -for a “drop-in” (Showing up without notice.) -If you are showing up with and more than one tent there is an additional $20.00 charge per tent. [Example: Auto + Tent = $55.00 or Auto + 2 Tents=$75.00 ($55 + $20.00)] RV (BUS/TRAILER) w/Auto: (Spot includes full hook-ups and price includes a spot for one 4x4 near the group campsite. First come first serve until spots are full.) $95.00 NOTE: -Drop-Ins are on their own to find a spot for RVs. -If you are showing up with an RV and more than one rig/vehicle there is an additional $55.00 charge per vehicle. [Example: RV + Auto = $95.00 or RV + 2 Autos=$150.00 ($95 +$55.00)] For questions about fees or other arrangemnts for payment please PM OLLIE or email him at k6jyb@oausa.net. Payments will be taken via the “Donate” button at the bottom of any page on the OAUSA website. Once payment has been received, “CONFIRMED” will be posted next to your name on the “Sign Up Roster”. Fees are refundable up to 14 days prior to the event. Here’s the link to the sign up roster on the OAUSA site… http://www.oausa.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=151&t=2858&p=25095#p25095 Here is the link to the overall BorregoFest planning forum on the OAUSA site with all the various planning and info threads. This will grow as we get closer to the event… http://www.oausa.net/forums/viewforum.php?f=151 Here is the link to the directions and location of BorregoFest… http://www.oausa.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=151&t=2859 We will be having an Amateur radio testing session on the last day of BorregoFest. You do not have to attend BorregoFest for this test session. You can drive in at the time of the event and test if you like. Please review info at this link if interested… http://www.oausa.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=151&t=2865&p=25102#p25102

Our annual Outdoor Adventure USA SummerFest Event is upon us. This is always a fun event. The dates for this year’s event are June 24th – 26th. We are still planning all the details but the event will include Amateur Radio Field Day, trail runs, a potluck, an amateur radio operator testing session, and other things as well. To review the ongoing planning details go to the following link… 2011 OAUSA SummerFest Planning Forum Link EVENT HEADQUARTERS AND CAMPING: COON CREEK CABIN Big Bear, CA Coon Creek Cabin Campground Services: Within Facility, Flush Toilets, Picnic Shelters Coon Creek Cabin Campground Directions: Coon Creek Cabin (CA) HWY 38 FOREST RD. 1N02 Angelus Oaks CA 92305 From Interstate 10 take the Alabama exit in the City of Redlands, CA, to Lugonio Avenue (Hwy 38). Head northeast on Hwy 38 for approximately 31 miles to Forest Service Road IN02. Go approximately 6 miles on IN02 to campground. Getting There: Coon Creek Cabin (CA) HWY 38 FOREST RD. 1N02 Angelus Oaks CA 92305 GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude): 34.14889, -116.70944 REGISTRATION FEES: The fee for the 2011 SummerFest event fee is per vehicle and will reserve you a spot in group campsite for both nights. TENT/POP-UP TENT TRAILERS: $55.00 -in advance $65.00 -for a “drop-in” (Showing up without notice.) RV (BUS/TRAILER): SORRY… The site can’t accommodate RV’s HOW TO MAKE PAYMENT: Payments will be taken via the “Donate” button at the bottom of any page on the OAUSA website. Once payment has been received, “CONFIRMED” will be posted next to your name on the “Sign Up Roster”. For other payment arrangements or questions, PM FJ-OLLIE and something can be worked out. Fees are refundable up to 14 days prior to the event. Fees are only required if you are camping at Coon Creek Cabin for the event. You are welcome to attend event and runs free of charge but must leave the campground/headquarters to sleep. If attending the potluck we you are highly encouraged to contribute to the potluck in some way. ***NOTE: Please post your attendance in the format you see below.*** Screenname + # of additional attendees Vehicle(s) Type Dates Attending Accomodations (i.e. Group Camping, Hotel, Day-Trip, other, etc.)

For about 3 years now Outdoor Adventure USA has been holding amateur radio nets in the Southern California area. The repeater that we have been using coverers most of the greater LA area, and Inland Empire Area. It also reaches pretty far south into Temecula. The repeater we use is the Keller Peak Repeater, The Official Inland Empire (Emergency) Communications Repeater (146.385+ PL:146.2 or Echolink KE6TZG). However, ever since we got started we have been trying to get IRLP up and going and we have finally got it nailed. With enough donations and technical support we got the repeater IRLP equipped and have secured Node# 9251 on the Western Reflector during our net airing time on Thursday night at 7:30 PM PST. Since we are now accessable nearly world wide, we would like to invite all amateur operators to join us. Since we started our weekly net its popularity has grown immensely. We average about 30 checkins per net. Now with IRLP capability we hope to broaden our audience (participation) even further. Thursdays @ 7:30 PM PST - nets usually run about 90 minutes. Keller Peak Repeater: 146.385+ / PL: 146.2 Western Reflector Node: 9251 Echolink: KE6TZG Here is a list of our upcoming topics... 04/14/11 - Alternative power / inverters 04/21/11 - Weather Spotting 04/28/11 - Overland Expo Report 05/05/11 - Motorcycle Camping 05/12/11 - Outdoor Medicine for Summer 05/19/11 - Outdoor Residential Options 05/26/11 - Vehicle Inspection / Vacation Prep 06/02/11 - Field Day 06/09/11 - Fire Technology 06/16/11 - Photography 06/23/11 - Vehicle build up 06/30/11 - Binoculars

My rear LED flashers finally bought the farm so I've been looking to replace them with something. A few weeks ago I orderd some white LED light pods to use for rock lights. Upon receiving the lights I discovered that they were flashers instead of lights that stay on. So using four of the six I purchased, I fabricated a new rear lightbar in conjunction with a lip to stop my fuel cans from sliding to the rear. I'm pretty pleased with the final outcome for now.

I see a few have added the engine manifold cook boxes to your rigs. I want to add one to mine just because I'm an accessory nut. I've set cans of soup on my manifold to warm them up but I was wondering what some of the other things people might use them for are. I'd like to see ideas about what you are using yours for.

Here's a link to the video I got of my air horns in the snow. We were trying to shake the snow off the trees. It didn't work though. Turn up the volume on your computer.

I have been hearing some noises in, what I thought was, my suspension over the lat month or so. I was all set to go the TDS Safari with my family last Saturday but the sound turned into something more severe and I cancelled the trip. Turns out that my rear driveshaft forward U-Joint is shelled out. Thankfully I cancelled the trip and I didn't have it break on me with my wife along. I thought it was going to be a rear diff. I took it to M.I.T. in El Cajon and they found it. While they're dropping the driveshaft I'm having drop both the forward and the rear driveshaft and change all 4 U-Joints along with balancing them both. Hopefully I'll pick it up tomorrow and all will be well. It sucks being without my rig for even one day.

Sadly Scott, I believe you are right about what would happen without the regulations in place. They really are extraordinary creatures. They fascinate me.

Some people have been asking how I mounted the cases on my rack. Here's a shot of how I have secured them. There is one clamp at each of the four corners of each box. Then I got my hands on some very high quality padlocks to secure the boxes with. On the inside of the box I used fender washers with an O-Ring under each washer to maintain the water-tight seal.

Yep... A 1520 it is. Fits perfectly in that spot. I was looking for something a little cheaper but in the long run the Pelican is the only thing I could find in the size I wanted that could handle the abuse of being beat by branches. They are on there pretty securely too. You have to remove them from the inside of the box. Plus tampering with my rig when the alarm is armed is a mistake. You'd need new shorts or a defibrilator once the alarm set those air horns off in your face.

Finally received my storage boxes yesterday and installed them last night. These can be removed when I choose to. I like the idea of the extra storage up top.

Finally... Lights are lit.

The one thing I have to say about Nissan is that they have THE best engine technology in the business. Aside from that knock sensor, I wish the other companies would take lessons from Nissan in engine technology.

Ever since I got my train horn set(s) I've wanted to get 4 of the seven trumpets onto the roof. I had all kinds of ideas to do it on the old rack but they were all a PITA. Now with the new rack I can finally make it happen. I'll leave three under the rig and put the loudest four on top of the rig. It will make a Very nice surround sound effect with the horns. I made a plate and rigged it so the retractable antenna lays down between the center to trumpets.

I needed a place to mount my Hi-Lift on my new rack so I found some scrap Super-Strut and Super-Strut clamps and fabricated one.

One of the things I needed to come up with for this new rack was how to mount the side lights(s) because I don't want to drill holes in the tube frame of the rack. I had them temporarily zip tied on. Well this morning I had an idea pop into my head and I ran over to Home Depot at lunch and picked up some U-bolts. After some shaving of the U-bolt's I.D. and cutting off some excess threads I added a little black paint and whalla. Now my lights are securely mounted to the rack. After starting to wire up my lights on my rack I had a vision. On my old rack I had one Hella pointing out off of each side of the rack. That provided me with sufficient lighting to the sides...... oh wait a minute.... there is no such thing as sufficient lighting (right Larry?). So I decided to take the Hell's I had on the back of my rack and put those on the side too. Now I'll have one light toward the front and one light toward the rear like so. I have two lights in my garage to add to the rear so now I just need to find a way to mount those and finish up my wiring and the rack illumination will be complete (for now). I am now drawing up plans for two modules that can be attached to the rack that will hold three Jerry cans each. I'm putting plans together to make everything modular for the rack so things can be added or removed based on the trip I go on then strip it clean for day to day stuff since my FJ is my daily driver.

This happened a few years ago on a trail run. The dude was horsing around and parked off trail. When the rigs started to head out he turned around and fell right through a covered mineshiaft. In one of the videos out there in web-world it actually shows a sign right near that spot with the FJ in the hole that says to stay on trail and watch out for covered mineshifts. That area they're in is like a wasp's nest of covered shafts. They're covered in 2x6's with dirt over them. They're usually distinguishable by a mound and the shaft is centered on top of the mound. He got lucky he only fell in as far as he did because he's no where near the bottom of the shaft.

I think that shell make s the rig look more complete. I like it a lot. Now just fab a cage to go around it with a rack above it.