elmo-fried

What's everyone's thoughs on posting the Olive Garden dinner on the Geocaching Event Calendar? Not that I've ever looked at it until just now (when I was poking around the site looking for more to do while trying to get my son to sleep), but who knows, others might actually use it. Hmm, now that I'm trying to find out how to adding an event works, it looks like it is done as an "Event Cache," and, doh!, I think that's what already discussed here and wasn't going to happen... What if the event was posted with a description asking folks not to log "Found It's," but just notes instead? Do event caches even allow you to post "Found It's" ? Jason Roysdon jason.roysdon.net

I personally prefer the term "geek" over "nerd." "Nerds" to me are the folks with pocket protectors and taped up glasses. Yeah, I taped my glasses once, but I got them fixed the next day... I don't mind being called a computer/linux/tivo/geocaching geek at all. I've got the t-shirts and hats to prove the first 3. Actually, I really like the term "hacker." Problem is the word has such a bad rap in everyone's mind, except those "in the know." Jason Roysdon jason.roysdon.net

The Zaurus is the Sharp PDA that runs Linux... a handful of coders at my office have them, and they seem pretty cool (full keyboard is really nice from what I've used, at least compared to Graffiti in PalmOS). Google is, as always, a good place to search for such things like this. It looks like qpeGPS will do the trick and lists some tested GPS CF units for the Zaurus. I wonder if the GPS CF will suck batteries as fast as the 802.11b CF does? Jason Roysdon jason.roysdon.net

quote:Originally posted by Catmit:I think that's great that George logged a DNF - not because he couldn't find it - but I oftened wondered if some geo-cacher's just didn't log DNF's. I have logged everyone of my DNF's and quite often I feel stupid and frustrated that it seems like it's only me that can't get them. But as I read more cache posts it doesn't seem to be the case. And of course I don't give up on the DNF's - I keep going back until I nab them. What is the criteria for logging a DNF? I give it a good search and if I'm stumped I log it. If I show up and it's too busy of a place to look, or other circumstances present themselves that I'm unable to look for it, I don't log. Cathy Yeah, always nice to see other's logging DNFs. I've logged the two I've had so far, but fortunately none to log today, just 3 finds (one FTF of a cache left by george and Fallen!) Jason Roysdon jason.roysdon.net

quote:Originally posted by georgeandmary: I went to Turlock and Modesto after work to get a couple caches and the TAG. I loaded the gps with the new waypoints but forgot to update the pages.... dadgum! I got skunked on three caches but found the tag the first time. After reading the cache pages while logging my DNF's I read the pages and one clue gave me an idea of where I should have looked. I probablly would have had DNF'ed the other two anyway. It was getting dark. george http://img.Groundspeak.com/user/39570_500.jpg Pedal until your legs cramp up and then pedal some more. You have no idea how funny I find this ;-p The number one GeoCacher in California couldn't find my cache. Woohoo, you made my day, Geroge. Ok, sorry, just couldn't resist that little shot. Jason Roysdon jason.roysdon.net

quote:Originally posted by NewsFreak5: quote:Originally posted by leatherman:Costco has a two pack of the T6400 NiMH GMRS for $99. This appears to be a great deal. The cheapest I've seen them is $47 apiece online. That price is for the alkiline version. You would have to purchase the NiMH upgrade for $40. I'm curious what others think of the T6400. Its performance as a GMRS. Is there a significant differance to the FRS? There is also a $25 rebate from Motorola for this model 'till 12-31-02. You can download it from the web and print it out. Costco could not answer my question, does this rebate apply to the two pack? http://home1.gte.net/res1ewfe/images/geomark8.gif _If you do not extend your expectations unto others, you will not be disappointed by the stupid things they do._ http://www.sigmaxi.org/amsci/articles/95articles/Hunt-full.html Hi there, I own 2 Motorola T6250 Talk about radios. These radios have FRS and GMRS channels. The only difference between the T6250 and the T6400 is that the T6400 has a clock and stopwatch, and the T6250 doesn't. If you want much longer range, go with the GMRS. Using FRS, i can get a range of about 1 1/2 miles. With GMRS, i usally get a range of 3-4 miles. Also, you'll find that right now, there are not as many people using GMRS as there are using FRS ...meaning that there won't be as many people on the GMRS channels. It's definently worth it to go with GMRS. -JZ Just wanted to clarify something I learned today about my new T6400: It cannot use FRS-only-mode for Channels 1 - 7. When you use Channels 1 - 7, it does so in GMRS and there is no way to tell it to use only FRS. That's great if you want to pay the $75 license fee, but it's not a limitation I expected (I expected GMRS to be limited to Channels 15 - 22, and that I could disable it on Channels 1 - 7). Supposedly the T6400 will work fine with GMRS Channels 1 - 7 talking to an FRS-only unit, so long as you know that you might not be able to hear them (FRS using .5 watt), but they could hear you (GMRS using 1 watt) at times. Worst case, you switch to FRS Channels 8 - 14, I suppose (but then lose the FRS Channel 2 that GeoCachers are trying to standardize on). Here are some quotes I posted from the User's Guide and extra orange insert I found in my T6400 packaging. Jason Roysdon jason.roysdon.net

quote:Originally posted by jasonhuber:"... I am currently on FRS only and applying for my GMRS license!" FYI, you can apply for the GMRS license online and pay with your credit card. The FCC's site is a bit cumbersome (requires Java and Acrobat to be working properly), but I managed to battle my way through it (took about 25 minutes). You first have to get an FRN at the CORES site, and then use ULS to submit FCC Form 605 electronically. Confused? I was too, even with this site listing step-by-step: GMRS Licensing Oh, and don't bother looking at the "required reading," which is just about harmfulness of RF and really appears to me geared toward an engineer either designing a hand-held unit or installing a permanent station: Section 97.13© RF Safety Amatuer Service of OST/OET Bulletin Number 65 Jason Roysdon jason.roysdon.net

Any local CVC'ers out there with any FRS/GMRS hand-held radios? We just picked up a pair at Costco as I had a $83 "Customer Rewards Certificate." The kids (2.5 & 4.75) were having a blast with them, and I was suprised I could actually get 2-3 miles of range while driving away from home and still talking with my son (turns out I was in GMRS mode at 1-watt, tho, not FRS at .5-watt). I know the official GeoCaching FRS Channels are 2 and alternate is 12. Minor problem with these units on FRS Channel 2 as it doesn't allow FRS-only on Channels 1-7, so we were using FRS 12 until just a few moments ago when I paid the FCC $75 so they can't fine me $10,000/day for illegally using GMRS. Anyway, just curious how many other folks have them. My brother and I are thinking about both getting Garmin RINO 120's since the radio is so handy (plus the RINO 120's let you "send" your GPS coordinates with a click of the button). Jason Roysdon jason.roysdon.net

quote:Originally posted by jroysdon: quote:Originally posted by El Oso:FRS Channel 2 is the primary channel, Ch 12 is the alternate. I just picked up a pair of Motorola T6400MX's at Costco ($99, but I had a $83 Costco "Customer Reward" Certificate that was burning a hole in my pocket). The paperwork with these units state: "when operating on Channels 1 - 7 or 15 -22, this radio is using GMRS frequencies." Is this accurate? I though 1-7 was FRS/GMRS, 8-14 were FRS, and 15-22 were GMRS. If Channels 1 - 7 on my unit can only use GMRS, I'm assuming this means I cannot use it until licensed (lame). Is anyone familiar with these units? I'm planning to kick out the $75 and get licensed anyway, but I'm just curious about the channel ranges. Also, if in fact this unit can only transmit on Channels 1 -7 with GMRS, would an FRS-only unit be able to work with it? Jason Roysdon http://jason.roysdon.net/ In the User's Guide I found the following: "You can talk to FRS radios on channels 1-14. Remember that the FRS radios operate on 0.5 watt of transmit power. On channels 1-7, the T6400 operates at 1 watt." Sounds like it's illegal to transmit with this unit on Channels 1 - 7 (in addition to 15 - 22, of course) without a GMRS license (of course you could always listen). I don't know why they didn't have a GRMS enable/disable feature on these units. Basically, you have to get a GMRS license to use half of the FRS channels on this model. Also, this unit is practically useless in Canada until GMRS is allowed. Jason Roysdon jason.roysdon.net [This message was edited by jroysdon on January 24, 2003 at 02:07 AM.]

quote:Originally posted by El Oso:FRS Channel 2 is the primary channel, Ch 12 is the alternate. I just picked up a pair of Motorola T6400MX's at Costco ($99, but I had a $83 Costco "Customer Reward" Certificate that was burning a hole in my pocket). The paperwork with these units state: "when operating on Channels 1 - 7 or 15 -22, this radio is using GMRS frequencies." Is this accurate? I though 1-7 was FRS/GMRS, 8-14 were FRS, and 15-22 were GMRS. If Channels 1 - 7 on my unit can only use GMRS, I'm assuming this means I cannot use it until licensed (lame). Is anyone familiar with these units? I'm planning to kick out the $75 and get licensed anyway, but I'm just curious about the channel ranges. Also, if in fact this unit can only transmit on Channels 1 -7 with GMRS, would an FRS-only unit be able to work with it? Jason Roysdon jason.roysdon.net

Give the Open Source graphics program, The GIMP, a shot. It's a bit cryptic at first, but rather powerful. I'd recommend a OS-specific Stable-release binary if you're not a developer and wanting to compile from source. Jason Roysdon jason.roysdon.net

I don't smoke and don't know the tabacco laws (which I believe vary from US state to state), and of course any minor who wants smokes can get them easy enough from want I've seen, but just a thought that it might be illegal to put tobacco in a cache. I'm sure folks would agree the same for alcohol, which would probably be violating the same sort of laws. Being the father of two small children, I find this is very poor taste.

quote:Originally posted by ZachNLiam:We're interested! Just depends on what the date is. We're tied up at the beginning of February. Randy We're brand-spanking new to 'caching, but we love "OG" (kid-proof speak). We're pretty flexible, so just post the date and time.

I could not get Groundspeak to email to my hotmail account (tried 3 times on 3 different days). I don't know if it was Hotmail blocking it or what (never had Hotmail out-right block stuff, it just ends up in the Spam folder). I switched to my Groundspeak email account to my personal account and requested confirmation and received the email instantly. Of course, I use sendmail for my personal email server, which allows for +'d email addresses (for instance, if my email was bob@whatever.com, I could use bob+Groundspeak@whatever.com, and then tell from the headers where the email address was gathered from, even if BCC'd). The advantage is that is some evil website decides to sell my contact info, I can just plunk bob+badwebsite@whatever.com in my blacklist filter and never get email from them again. I still list my hotmail account in my profile.

Great news, thanks for sharing ;-)

I've just started reading the forums here (and GeoCaching in general) and found this great "Travel Bug Sheet" which lets you type in extra info about your TB (like destination, which is key if you want folks to take your TB in the right direction if they're on a vacation trip and don't have easy internet access). It's also a great sheet for helping newbies know not to take the travel bug unless they're going to log it properly and put it back into a cache (and not ending up MIA): Travel Bug Sheet ( http://www.xsnrg.com/geocachingwa/asp/travelbugsheet1a.asp )

Hey, that sounds fun. We just did our first search yesterday and would enjoy this. We picked up 3 containers at Crescent Supply and haven't placed them yet, so hunts for temporary caches would be fun. First GeoCache find