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  1. Martinjmpr

    The ubiquitous Baofeng UV-5r: First impressions

    I know that here on ExPo we like to brag about the expensive "name brand" gear we use but I'll bet I'm not the only licensed Ham here with one of these cheap little Baofeng radios. After spending a few years turning up my nose at these "cheap Chinese radios" my curiousity finally got the best...
  2. Martinjmpr

    Ford ESP non-horror story....

    I know we all love us a good rage-bait horror story but I thought I'd buck the trend here and post my first experience using my Ford ESP Extended Service Plan. I bought my 2018 F-150 used with about 18,000 miles on it. I violated the "conventional wisdom" of the internet knowitalls by buying...
  3. Martinjmpr

    3rd Gen Tacoma for towing - manual vs. automatic?

    So this is a spinoff from my bigger thread in the General Vehicle thread here: https://forum.expeditionportal.com/threads/after-8-years-in-a-full-size-moving-back-to-a-mid-size-recommendations.240860/ Toyota seems to be the last hold-out in the manual transmission world, which I think it...
  4. Martinjmpr

    After 8 years in a full size, moving back to a mid-size - Recommendations?

    (warning - Long post!) Yep, I didn't think I'd ever do it, but it looks like it's on the horizon. Back in 2015, I sold my beloved 4th gen 4runner (2007) in gorgeous Salsa Red Pearl (i.e. maroon) because it was inadequate to pull our small travel trailer. Oh, it COULD pull it, but the...
  5. Martinjmpr

    FREE Custom fit seat covers for 2015+ F-150 Denver Area

    Posted in the Domestic vehicles section also, Skanda/cover king custom fit "neosupreme" camo seat covers for 2015+ F-150 Just what it says. I didn't like the Skanda/Cover King seat covers on my 2018 F-150. I replaced them with a different brand I like a lot more. Old seat covers are taking...
  6. Martinjmpr

    FREE 2015+ F-150 custom fit seat covers, if you pay shipping

    UPDATED: Will send these anywhere in the US if you pay shipping. Just what it says. I didn't like the Skanda/Cover King seat covers on my 2018 F-150. I replaced them with a different brand I like a lot more. Old seat covers are taking up space in my garage. They're dirty but not torn...
  7. Martinjmpr

    Does this belong here? Rechargeable flashlight recommendations

    We don't really have a separate section for "lighting" but I thought I'd throw this out there: Does anyone have a recommendation for a rechargeable flashlight? I've been carrying a D-cell mag lite since forever but it seems like I don't check the batteries often enough and when I actually...
  8. Martinjmpr

    New seat covers (F-150)

    Put this in the general section because applicable to all vehicles. I've been a fan of custom fitted seat covers for a while now. I think they are a nice way to add some personalization to a vehicle and they're a good way to keep the factory seats from getting stained or faded. Back in...
  9. Martinjmpr

    Paddle-shaped antennae on vehicles - cell booster?

    No pictures, but lately I've seen a lot of vehicles with an antenna that is about 4' long and has a very large cylinder or paddle-looking thing at the top. Curious about what they are - is that some kind of radio antenna or is it a cell phone or cellular internet booster?
  10. Martinjmpr

    BEWARE of knock off Yaesu on eBay!

    First off, if I'm late to the party here I apologize but I've been shopping around for a new mobile radio and came across something worth sharing. I've been casually shopping for a new mobile to replace the Kenwood TM-241 that I got probably 10 years ago off of Craigslist. The Kenwood never...
  11. Martinjmpr

    Crimping a connector: PL-259 or NMO? What tool(s) do I need?

    For the last couple of years I've had a cable sitting on the dash of my truck. I had a 2m mobile unit that I installed in 2020 (an OLD Kenwood TM-241 that I bought used off of CL) and I ran the antenna cable down through the dash and over towards the door. Originally I just had the cable run...
  12. Martinjmpr

    2018 F-150: Best way to monitor boost and engine temps?

    My XLT doesn't have the digital temp display for the engine temp (what's weird is that it has it for the transmission, but not the engine temp.) What's the easiest way to monitor that plus it would also be nice to know boost amounts (3.5 EB.) My phone is IOS so Torque app won't work...
  13. Martinjmpr

    Bicycle Transport options and ideas?

    I'm posting this in the E-bike section but it could equally apply to human-powered bicycles as well. Seeking input/suggestions as to how to transport two bicycles (preferably e-bikes) on our camping trips with our trailer. Those of you who have seen my other posts may know that 2 years...
  14. Martinjmpr

    RV Refrigerators - what is the current trend?

    This is kind of a spinoff from my Toy Hauler thread, but I have to say that when online shopping for RVs, one of the frustrating things is the vague information that is available online with regard to components, especially the refrigerator. Most of the brochures or web sites will tell you the...
  15. Martinjmpr

    Small Toy Hauler?

    Wife and I are on year 5 with our R-Pod 179 Hood River Edition trailer. Overall it's been a very good trailer for us. It's our first "full featured" trailer (i.e the first one that has an inside bathroom!) and it's been a learning experience for us. We camp a LOT considering that I still...
  16. Martinjmpr

    "Redneck Generator": Why wouldn't this work?

    On a camper/trailer Facebook group the question almost always comes up among newbie campers who own trailers with slide-outs: "What if I'm camped in the boonies with the slide out and my battery dies? How do I get the slide back in so I can leave?" Most commonly, the answer is "plug it into...
  17. Martinjmpr

    12v portable jump starter issues?

    I bought one of those portable "jump starters" a few years back (Dec 2019.) The exact one I bought is this one: The exact one I bought is no longer available but of course these are almost all produced overseas (China) and there are similar products out there now. I never actually used...
  18. Martinjmpr

    Trying to figure out my new GPS (Garmin GPSMap 64s)

    After almost 16 years I finally decided to replace the old Magellan Meridian GPS I got in 2005. The old Magellan was getting a little long in the tooth, starting to kill batteries quickly and not being real reliable. I hesitated getting a new GPS because it's such a PITA trying to figure out...
  19. Martinjmpr

    Block heater question?

    My 2018 F-150 is a Canadian spec truck, and as I'm sure a lot of Canadian trucks are, it came from the factory with a block heater. Unfortunately I'm not able to park my truck in the garage (my half of the garage is filled with motorcycles) so it sits outside all the time. Since I work from...
  20. Martinjmpr

    RSI Smartcap questions?

    Several years ago, when I still drove my Suburban, I posted up that I wished somebody made a "modular" truck cap. Then, along came RSI with their smartcap. Now, I didn't know about the Smartcap when I got my F-150, and I'm not even sure I'd have gotten one if I did, given that the cost of an...
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