Dave_W6DPS

Participation by folks from San Diego would be a great idea! The SoCalGeocachers site, and geocachers, have been running awards for a couple of years. Announcements are made there, and in these forums. The main difference this year is the awards will be presented at the temecula event, rather than at the SoCal event, and the nominations were hosted by the IECachers.org website. There is no nominating committee, and I don't think a committee would help. Nominations, and votes, are accepted from any interested parties--there are no specific membership requirements for SoCalGeocachers, other than being interested in geocaching in SoCal. San Diego folks are certainly welcome at the site, in the forums there, and at events/group cache outings/etc. There are actually some nice people north of 33°! I can see where it might be a good idea to have additional catagories for each county, but why not have the current catagories open to any SoCal cache? I think it helps bring those caches to more people's attention. As showstop mentioned, the bookmark list is pretty popular for updating "to do" lists. Efforts were made this year to notify as many southern California geocachers as practical. Some San Diego County geocaches were nominated and are in the voting. Next year, maybe more notice can be given or, with the increased interest generated this year, more notice will be taken of the announcements that are made. Either way, it would probably be more productive to look at ways to make communication better in the future. I'd hate to see this develop into a feud over an attempt to recognize and encourage good quality geocaches... Dave_W6DPS

Me too! In California ham radio plates are available for a $20 one-time. I don't know what the funds raised by the fudraising part of geocaching license plates would be used for--it has to be a registered charity and used for charitable purposes. Geocaching wouldn't be a charitable function in California, nor under IRS rules. Dave_W6DPS

LOL! I already shoveled the driveway once...now it looks like it needs it again Wish I were heading somewhere warmer! Yeah, I can sympathize--it was soo cold walking in to work this morning that I actually had to zip my sweater! By the way, for any hams coming to the event (or geocaching during the weekend) the local repeater is W6GTR, 146.805 (-) PL100.0, an open repeater sponsored by the Golden Triangle Radio Club. Dave_W6DPS

One last weather forecast update (changes emphasized) Feb 17 Saturday Mostly cloudy, Highs in the low 70s and lows in the lower 40s 10% chance of precipiation, winds calm to light, 48% humidity, UV moderate Sunrise 6:30 AM PST, Sunset 5:35 PM PST Feb 18 Sunday Scattered showers, Highs in the mid 60s and lows in the lower 40s 30% chance of precipitation, winds calm to light, 45% humidity, UV moderate Sunrise 6:29 AM PST, Sunset 5:36 PM PST And, for the record, I love the smell of sage in the afternoon! It smells like geocaching! Hopefully with folks wandering in and out the place won't get too packed! I'm looking forward to meeting everyone! Dave_W6DPS

One last weather forecast update (changes emphasized) Feb 17 Saturday Mostly cloudy, Highs in the low 70s and lows in the lower 40s 10% chance of precipiation, winds calm to light, 48% humidity, UV moderate Sunrise 6:30 AM PST, Sunset 5:35 PM PST Feb 18 Sunday Scattered showers, Highs in the mid 60s and lows in the lower 40s 30% chance of precipitation, winds calm to light, 45% humidity, UV moderate Sunrise 6:29 AM PST, Sunset 5:36 PM PST I'm looking forward to seeing everyone! Dave_W6DPS

Actually, that applies to US citizens returning to the US. For citizens of other countries entering the US and returning home there are different requirements for different countries. Any visitors from other countries need to verify the requirements applicable to their specific situation. Dave_W6DPS

Sure! You can edit the cache and simply uncheck the box. Some people routinely make their caches members only until the first find, X number of finds/weeks/months/etc. Then they open them to everyone. Dave_W6DPS

I don't recall ever getting an icon or anything in a numbers count for a note. And the option to post a note is still available. Dave_W6DPS

Long range weather forecast: Feb 17 Saturday Mostly cloudy, Highs in the low 70s and lows in the upper 30s 10% chance of precipiation, winds calm to light, 40% humidity, UV moderate Sunrise 6:30 AM PST, Sunset 5:35 PM PST Feb 18 Sunday More clouds than sun, Highs in the mid 60s and lows in the upper 30s 10% chance of precipitation, winds calm to light, 45% humidity, UV moderate Sunrise 6:29 AM PST, Sunset 5:36 PM PST Not bad caching weather! Of course, a lot may change between now and then.... Dave_W6DPS

You forgot to mention the mutual respect and, dare I say it, love for one another. I also think that an email to the LPC owner would have a much better chance of resolving this than coming to the forums. Simple communication is usually the best approach. I know if someone emailed me in a similar situation I would try to work things out... Dave_W6DPS

Because then it would need to be a Florida coin... I like the original design, and would just make the lettering dark--maybe the dark blue already used. Dave_W6DPS

Have you asked the person who hid the cache for a hint? I would be very unhappy to have spoilers for my puzzles posted in the forums. I am not especially happy when others provide hints in private. On the other hand, I have had a number of folks contact me and explain how they went about trying to solve one of mine and got stumped. I have no problem walking them through it, either with a brief hint or to conclusion. But, I don't think it is anyone else's place to do so. Dave_W6DPS

Well, the first long-range forecast for February 17 is out, and it is pretty much as expected. Feb 17 Saturday Mostly cloudy. Highs in the upper 60s and lows in the mid 30s. A more detailed report says a predicted high of 69° and a low of 36°. A 10% chance of precipitation, 44% humidity, and winds up to 9 or 10 MPH. Some things to consider when visiting our little corner of the world: Plan to stay hydrated! Our weather can sneak up on folks not acclimated and dehydration is just no fun. Moderate amounts of water, gatorade, juices, etc., can help a lot. Carbonated and adult beverages (including coffee and other caffeine sources) can increase the chance for dehydration. Sunblock is important in February in the arid areas of California! A hat, sunglasses, and a lightweight longsleeve shirt can be very helpful also. Our predicted moderate UV index is a lot more than folks north of 45° are used to. The weather here can change quickly this time of year. What is predicted as a high near 70° in 10 days can easily be revised to the mid-fifties next week. Since the low is expected in the 36° range, there will be a substantial swing from the time you start geocaching in the morning, until afternoon, and cool off quickly in the evening. This temperature swing is normal here, but catches a lot of visitors off guard. Be prepared to layer, and consider contingencies. Forgive me for lapsing into my lecture mode, but we really hope everyone has a good time, and it is easy to overlook the issues with our weather. On a positive note for those who don't like close critter encounters, it is still quite cool for the cold-blooded, and I haven't seen any snakes, lizards, or arachnids out and about yet. It is always good to keep an eye open, but there shouldn't be much crawler activity for another six weeks or so. Dave_W6DPS

Tinting is normally a very thin coating of aluminum on mylar. The aluminum is conductive, and tends to reflect all or part of the electro-magnetic signal. It really cuts down on reception inside--and transmissions from inside a vehicle. Tinted windows can seriously degrade your ability to receive GPS signals, which are pretty weak to begin with. They can also significantly limit the useful range of FRS, GMRS, and other handheld tranceivers. The same is true of some windows with imbedded antennas or defrosters. Oh, and back on topic: I drive an 1989 Jeep Cherokee cachemobile. My philosophy is, get an old beater, fix it up so it can take more beatings, and then drive it like a rental. 3" lift, 9.5 by 30" tires, recovery points front and rear. A snorkel does help cut down on dust in dry areas, but is only one minor step in getting a vehicle ready for deep water... If your rig is old enough to vote, brush guards and such to protect the finish become much less important. Dave_W6DPS

Less than two weeks! Dave_W6DPS

I believe you mean this one: http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_detai...c1-e3671a07d062 See also: http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_detai...f4-baa18863916a And Good Luck! Dave_W6DPS

I didn't see a news story quite like theOP described. I did find this: http://www.wmur.com/news/10937311/detail.html Is there a link to any news stories more on point? Dave_W6DPS

Nope, I'm running the tourney. But, I'm sure that someone lurking out there has played once or twice before . . . . Poker--is that the one with the dice or the cards??? As a matter of fact, there are casino and card parlors in the area, and some folks play, on special occasions. (Like the first Thursday of the week. ) My only question about the rules is the end game--if everyone is all-in and the chip leader wins the pot, how will you determine second and third place? (e.g. all but one player go out on the same hand...) Dave_W6DPS

Great post! I plan to visit London in late June and early July; I would hate to run afoul of the law while a tourist in another country! I do plan to do some geocaching while there. (Of course it could be uncomfotrable in the US as well--but here I understand the system.) Thanks! Dave_W6DPS

I don't do non-urban micros. I don't like to see micros in places where I could hid a 55 gallon drum--and the truck I hauled it in! I tend to pass over micros all the time, actually. I also don't like caches in a field of trash.... Dave_W6DPS

I dunno young man I'm was gonna hold you accountable for the weather? Pepper Naw, don't blame that Dave--but, feel free to blame me! (Because I don't care...) Kind of mixed bag in the next few days--several days with highs in the seventies, and a few bitterly cold "California Winter" days when it only gets to the sixties. Lows are consistently in the thirties, and it cools off quickly in the evening, so bring a sweater and/or jacket. I'll update periodically.... Dave_W6DPS Ten day forecast for Temcula: Jan 30 Today Cloudy with occasional rain showers. High 59F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%. Jan 30 Tonight Cloudy with occasional rain showers. Thunder possible. Low 39F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%. Jan 31 Tomorrow Rain showers in the morning becoming more intermittent in the afternoon. Thunder is possible early. High 58F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%. Jan 31 Tomorrow night Partly to mostly cloudy. Low 36F. Winds light and variable. Feb 1 Thursday Mix of sun and clouds. Highs in the low 60s and lows in the mid 30s. Feb 2 Friday Mostly sunny. Highs in the low 60s and lows in the mid 30s. Feb 3 Saturday Mainly sunny. Highs in the upper 60s and lows in the upper 30s. Feb 4 Sunday Abundant sunshine. Highs in the low 70s and lows in the upper 30s. Feb 5 Monday Partly cloudy. Highs in the mid 70s and lows in the upper 30s. Feb 6 Tuesday Mix of sun and clouds. Highs in the low 70s and lows in the upper 30s. Feb 7 Wednesday Sunny. Highs in the upper 60s and lows in the upper 30s. Feb 8 Thursday Sunshine. Highs in the low 70s and lows in the upper 30s.

To make it work you drag your mouse across the applet, and release satellites. The direction and speed of release determine the direction and speed of initial motion. For extra credit--see how long you can keep one in lunar orbit! (Hint--lower orbits are less affected by lunar gravity...) Dave_W6DPS Geek, and proud of it!

I'm surprised that you haven't had this spelled out clearly before this: make sure you emphasize that the 72 hours is a rough approximation, a guideline, a "rule of thumb"! You should dispel the common perception that after 72 hours the reviewer is LATE and must, therefore, be a lazy, rotten, (insert derogatory characterization here). The idea that if 72 hours and 5 minutes have passed then your reviewer is dissing you is the wrong way to approach things, period. (Yes, I took the politically incorrect step of saying something is wrong!!!!) Here in southern California, the norm is much faster than 3 days. Sometimes the reviewers, who are volunteers who may actually have a life, take a bit longer. Submit your cache on a holiday weekend, for example, and the queue may be longer than normal. The main part of the message should be, in my opinion, to relax and be patient. Work with the volunteer who is taking time to help you publish a cache. If, for some reason, you NEED a cache approved by a particular time then make sure YOU submit it early and communicate your perceived need to the reviewer. In summary, getting a cache approved takes as long as it takes, so go find a few caches while you're waiting and just chill out... Dave_W6DPS

YES! . They look great! We'll be waiting for details with baited breath. (Or maybe that was just my tuna sandwich... ) Any estimates on price, limits, quantities to be struck, etc.? I know: 'Be patient, all questions will be answered in about three weeks.' But, inquiring minds want to know! Dave_W6DPS

It is easy to create a pocket query from a bookmark list, just click the button on the bookmark page. Is there a way to go the other way? I would like to be able to run a pocket query to identify caches meeting specific criteria, and then turn the results into a bookmark list. For example, search around an event cache for all the caches of a particular type and then geerate a bookmark list for out-of-towners to use as a guide. Thanks, Dave_W6DPS