Recent content by JaSAn

I'm confused on this: What steps does one need to go through with a satellite phone connection to get SAR to your location?

One thing that hasn't been mentioned is that with inReach all I need to do is activate the SOS button to start the rescue process. I don't need to be coherent enough to explain to someone what I need and where I am. If I am capable, I can text with SAR what I need through inReach. I got...

What 'national forest map' are you referencing? I know nothing about Onyx. My first source of camping in National Forests is the official Motor Vehicle Use Map. My understanding from talking to rangers is the most up to date. It will give you road and trail restrictions, mark official...

I just wait for the wind to be blowing towards that annoying neighbor's campsite and throw it on the fire.

Do you wander away from base camp? Do you plan on taking the satellite dish& router with you when wandering far? My inReach works fine deep in the Boundary Waters Canoe area.

I have a La Crosse indoor/outdoor thermometer with remote outdoor sender. I put a rope loop on the sensor and hang it anywhere I can find. It gives the same temp whether in the shade 100 ft from the camper or on a table in the shade <1 ft from the camper. Temp is within ±2ºF of a calibrated...

I carry charcoal lighter fluid when camping. It's easy to find,\ and doesn't flare up when lit. There are degrees of wet wood. In general if it feels wet it is not going to burn. Wood has to dry out before it will maintain a flame. Damp wood can be added to an established fire, but it will...

Asked a young diesel mechanic friend about this. His trucks 'roll coal'. He said that it is his way of protesting EPA overregulation. Wonder how the courts will handle that.

Put a manual choke on it. It will enrich the f/a mix almost like bigger jets. You loose some gas milage either way. The highest I ever used it was Minida pass (~6800ft).

If I were younger or if I didn't think my current 2012 Ram would last as long as I need it, my next truck would be pre-1970. I have enough experience building race cars, custom cars, classic cars, etc. to build a reliable truck that I can maintain. Too much gimmicky technology on the new ones...

Through 75 years of life I have learned that a history of reliability and quality does not transfer to the future. Designed in failures, both accidental and deliberate change the product. Or as they say in financial investments: "Past performance is no guarantee of future results."

I keep food in my camper: FWC Grandby. I don't tempt fate, I don't cook inside (only boil water). My plan: 'early warning' beagle. He makes a racket and warns me so I'm ready (body language). If bear gets nosy - panic button on my key fob + outside lights. If bear tries to get in - shotgun...

Although I have painted cars I am no expert on paint. My advice is to go to an automotive paint store, preferably one that has multiple brands of paint and ask your questions. They will probably recommend you call a customer support engineer (they might give you a name & number). As with most...

Silica gel (those little bead packets that come with electronics). It's used in gun safes to absorb moisture. Stores that sell guns (photography, crafts) should have it in bulk. There are on line calculators for how much you need based on volume. Can be dried and reused for a long time. The...

A couple things to consider: The National Forest Service is a bureaucracy. And like all bureaucracies they tend to formulate regulations that require the least amount of effort on their part. The forest rangers that are making the rules are forest managers not off-roaders or motorheads. I...