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Rogue_monkey

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Posts posted by Rogue_monkey

  1. OK folks I have a new cache in the works and I'm looking for suggestions on a first finders prize. Prize range is $15 and under and anything goes as long as it meets groupspeek regulations.

     

    Please post your suggestions and the cache will be out soon it almost done.

  2. Modifying an FRS radio for more power is not that easy. They are basically designed to run flat-out at 500mW. You'd need to pump more battery voltage into the unit to get it really cooking and there's always the danger that will burn it out. Its not very practical either to have an additional battery hanging off the back!

     

    What you can do is get your hands on a commercial handie-talkie and programme in the FRS frequencies. These are typically in the 4Watt range and many allow up to 16 channels. Also, some have the ability to operate at low power, which is normally 1Watt - still higher than the 500mW of the FRS radio. They also have provision for larger and higher gain antennas although most users find the 6" quarter-wave stick to be quite adequate. The downside is you won't be able to manually select the CTCSS codes and will have to stick to one all the time.

     

    The other downside is that doing this is illegal where I am (Canada) and almost certainly so in the USA if that's where you are.

     

    I always thought the UHF band was the worst choice for a hiking radio. There's a lot of attenuation through trees and hills. Many radio amateurs us 6m (VHF-lo) for this kind of service and a frequency near there would've made more sense for FRS in my opinion.

     

    Cheers!

    Coupar-Angus

    Do you know where one of these radios can be obtained other then from ebay?

    I am local to you CA and I know Tomtec has one but don't know where he got it from.

  3. I do get them zipped and when i try to download them a error message comes up that says it can't axcess the page and to try back later.

    maybe i'll send an email to hotmail and see what they say.

     

    thanks jeremy

  4. for the last two weeks I have not been able to download any of my PQ's out of my email box. I use hotmail. Now I don't think its hotmail because everything else works. but the last 3 or 4 PQ's that have been sent havn't been able to be downloaded.

     

    Any Idea what may be causing this?

  5. A lot of us like to cache at night. I was curious to see what lights people like to use and how many cachers out here are flashlight finatics like myself. :blink:

     

    My list so far:

     

    Stock AA Mag

    AA Mag with Opalec Newbeam led conversion

    Rayovak head lamp w/ red led, white led and a main beam.

     

    I carry all of these lights and spare batteries for all, at times i feel like a little power plant with all the batteries I have on me.

  6. I was out looking for a headlight and there are so many.. $9 to $90

    Any suggestions form happy users?

    For under $20 the Garrity 2 LED 5 function headlamp is pretty good or for around $40 the Petzl Tikka Plus (I have one coming from MEC). Haven't tested either for nite caching but the Garrity came in very handy at the weekend when helping out at a local outdoor event when the lights went out and we were hunting around in the dark for the fuse box. I got to be the FTF. :blink:

     

    For other Christmas ideas don't forget the hiking stick. Have found a couple of caches buried under leaves or snow by poking around with the stick until you hear the satisfying sound of metal tip on tupperware.

     

    And for stocking stuffers pens that write in wet log books. Pilot G-2's work well as do Uni-Ball Powertanks or you can go up market and get a Fisher space pen (I lose too many to make the latter a good option)

     

    And I do like my 180's Exhale Gloves with a vent so you can blow on your hands to keep them warm without taking your gloves off or putting down your GPSr (and they make good ear warmers too)

    where did you get your 180 gloves, those convertable running gloves look kinda cool.

  7. Good list BQ. 

     

    I was out looking for a headlight and there are so many.. $9 to $90

    Any suggestions form happy users?

     

    Hopefully our family and friends will see this.. especially if you print out the comments and leave them out to be easily seen.  :rolleyes:

     

    Murfster

    I have a petzl zoom, its rather good for distance and general area lighting, batteries where a bit of an issue with the old 4.5v battery but i believe the new ones run on 3 or 4 AA. cost was about $40

     

    my newest headlamp (thanks to B&B for poiting this little guy out) is a Rayovak LED and incandesent head lamp. it has two red leds as to not interfer with night vision when more light is needed, one white led for close up/ general use and the incandesent for more throw. one down fall i found is that you cand focus the incadesent light, but hey for $20 i'm no complaining its a good little light. it runs on three AAA I got mine at Walm*rt. but they can be found else where for the same price.

     

    Also you can get a cool little mod for a AA maglite that turns it into a LED light which is really nice.

     

    EDIT: i just found out you can adjust the incandesent light on the Rayovac. which makes it even nicer.

    EDIT OF THE EDIT: with more testing the adjustablity of the incandesent light is useless.

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