Rita; After Action Report

[Bubba]

Howdy to all the HAM operators !
:)
Cool !

If any of ya'll travel near Mineral Wells, 145.47 is our local hangout.

[Charles L. Cotton]

KD6CJG, Wife is KD6LMH

I didn't know that. Martha's WD5GAV.

Chas.

[gigag04]

what HAM radio people do?

[OverEasy]

Nothing like hijacking a thread.
Did anybody learn anything from their evacuation experience??
OE

[John]

Nothing like hijacking a thread.
Did anybody learn anything from their evacuation experience??
OE

I've got few items that i need to pick up for future evacuations or even to stay put:
1. MRE's - Looking at this kit.
3. Hitch Rack (anyone know where to get one of these?).
4. New Portable CB... Mine is old and worn out.

Also, i lost my pocket knife when i was lashing down everything in my back yard. It has to be around here somewere i guess, but i can't find it. It's a beretta knife, Trident G10. I've got to find that thing.

[gigag04]

3. Hitch Rack (anyone know where to get one of these?).

Any truck accessories shop should hook you. What city are you in?

I know Ranch Hand makes one. Anywhere they sell toolboxes, grill guards, and hitchs, you should be able to find one.

Also - when you pick it up, grap a good size tarp to wrap your load mulitple times, and secure it with good ratched tie downs and rubber straps.

-nick

[KBCraig]

4. New Portable CB... Mine is old and worn out.

I picked up a Cobra handheld 3-4 years ago, but I didn't pay anywhere near their MSRP of $110. I think I got it at Wal Mart for about $40.

For vehicle use, it really needs an external antenna, or you're limited to about 1-2 miles on reception, or 1/2 mile on xmit. It stays in our van; I really need to pick up a magnetic-base loaded coil antenna, and stash that under the back seat.

We have some FRS handhelds, too. To avoid charging problems, I picked some that use AAA batteries, but they came with rechargeable batteries and a recharging base. The FRS are better for communicating amongst your party, but CB is better for reaching the world at large. Well, the world within 4 miles. ;)

I'm not a ham, but I do have my RadioSlack DX-398, which receives USB/LSB from 1.711-29.999 MHz, plus FM, MW, and LW. Playing with SW is fun, even if Bro. Stair and the late Gene Scott are the most consistently receivable programs. ;)

Kevin

[Paladin]

Not having HAM radios, I like the FRS radios on the road. I picked up 2 for my wife and I and 2 for my wife's parents a while back, and they came in really handy. GMRS (with more transmit power) are even better, but the FRS radios were $30 for 2. I brought, and used, extra batteries for them.

I found out about the storm monday morning. Started making plans/preparations monday after work. Tanked up the car, filled a gas can, made sure I had plenty of food that didn't require refrigeration, and picked up cash. I always keep a water supply on hand.

Probably should have started my preparations before work.

Should have bought some larger gas cans that I had been looking at a few months back.

Of course having an evacuation plan was important. Had plenty of places to stay in Dallas, and plenty of practice driving up there, so it was a natural place to go. Getting out early worked well, although it didn't leave me with a lot of time to get the house prepped.

[OverEasy]

John/SW Houston,

An O'Reilly Auto Parts flier came today, on the back they have :"Receiver Racks" , 2" , 500 lbs. cap, 20' x 60", $54.99, part#: SMT 7700.

Ask and you might receive.

Good Idea, wish I had a receiver........OE

[John]

John/SW Houston,

An O'Reilly Auto Parts flier came today, on the back they have :"Receiver Racks" , 2" , 500 lbs. cap, 20' x 60", $54.99, part#: SMT 7700.

Ask and you might receive.

Good Idea, wish I had a receiver........OE

Terrific!!! I'll go check out O'Reilly's this weekend. They are right down the road, but i have a 1 1/4" receiver so maybe they have that size too.

Also, the wife and I used the little FRS radios during the evacuation and they worked great. I've had them for a couple of years and had picked them up on a whim to so i could commuincate with my son when he walked down to the park by himself. The ones i have only claim a two mile range, but we were bumper to bumper all the way to Dallas.