Heavy Work Weekend Aftermath

Bobby D. said:
I think the tracks got side loaded by rocks in the trail. it didn't seem to take much though. they did do a heck of a job when they were operating.
Click to expand...

This is very true. I think with some adjustments to how we implement the Bobcats along with having repair tools on site we will avoid future issues with the Bobcats. We learned valuable lessons about the limitations the tracked machines have, and using that information along with the above we won't have a repeat of the past work weekend.
 
I talked to Terry Savery today, and she said she is looking into ordering extra Forest Service radios to bring to workdays for the groups to use. She said the FS has a repeater set up already for their use.

If that works out, that might help the communication issue between groups. Those that have a FS person with them would already have a radio, and those with no FS person would get one of the extra FS radios to stay in touch.

If it doesn't work out, then setting up our own repeater sounds like a good deal if it's doable. I don't know anything about repeaters, so am happy to defer to someone who does, like Roughshod.
 
It was nice to meet a bunch of new folks at the workday.

It was great working with Deborah and her husband. Also Bobby D, Brian and his son in the hay-hauler Dodge, and Chris with the Deuce. Not to exclude anyone else - these are just the people that were in the group I worked with, who I did not know before Saturday.

Also, the Deuce was a freakin awesome way to haul materials down the trail. You could load it up with whatever and it just didn't matter. Thanks to Chris for bringing it, and props for an excellent job driving it - very impressive what it could do on the trail, and more impressive that he could fit it down the trail without tearing it up! :driver:
 
thecarman said:
I talked to Terry Savery today, and she said she is looking into ordering extra Forest Service radios to bring to workdays for the groups to use. She said the FS has a repeater set up already for their use.

If that works out, that might help the communication issue between groups. Those that have a FS person with them would already have a radio, and those with no FS person would get one of the extra FS radios to stay in touch.

If it doesn't work out, then setting up our own repeater sounds like a good deal if it's doable. I don't know anything about repeaters, so am happy to defer to someone who does, like Roughshod.
Click to expand...

The repeater is a done deal, I've got it sitting here on the shelf ready to go at a moments notice. The only obstacle would be getting enough radios to use with it to be effective. Frankly I'm just fine with using the Forrest Services repeater if they want to volunteer it, but it sounds like they probably have the exact same issue that I have- not enough radios to go around. I would be all in favor of working together with them and using their radios and repeater, and I could probably come up with some more radios to suplement their fleet. Most of the radios I use are UHF, so I need to know what band they're using to see if I can scrounge up some more equipment to use with it.

edit: I looked it up over at Radio Reference, and all of the Uwharrie channels they had listed for Forrest Service were VHF. Not necessassrily a bad thing, but it's just not compatible with the bulk of the equipment I have.
 
cltdba said:
I'm happy to see positive statements and constructive feedback.
Click to expand...
When is the next workday dude?
You know i'll help.
 
redneckcj5guy said:
When is the next workday dude?
You know i'll help.
Click to expand...

The next workday will be July 16th. I don't know what kind of work load we will be looking at, I will post up information as soon as I get it.

I wanted to say thanks to everyone that took pictures and tried to document the work weekend to best of their abilities. I just got done sending the pictures to the editor of Worksaver along with an in depth description of our work. Hopefully we will see a great story in the Spring 2012 issue about our volunteer efforts.
 
I haven't been to a workday yet, but would fourwheelers be a help to move things around quickly or run to get supplies? I was out there a few weeks ago with mine and could scoot around pretty quick. I ran all the trails twice, some more.

Rob
 
Four Wheelers would be helpful, but if I remember correctly to officially participate in a Forest Service supervised workdays you would have to go through a 4 wheeler training course. This may not still be true, but last time I heard it was. I will ask tomorrow and find out.
 
you know, I was thinking about your communication problem and I think four-wheelers would be a much easier better solution. I saw stuff about repeaters and using FS radios which just seems complicated and expensive. What you need is like someone with a four-wheeler in each group who can run info group to group since they can cover ground 20x faster than a truck can.

You could use 1 messenger 4 wheeler but then they'd end up running the whole time. But maybe that's better then they would have 1 assigned job to be in charge of. OR if you had multiple riders they could help the group there with until needed to run. Using 4 wheelers will also help get others involved besides just us.

Systems like this were used on many battlefields through out time and seem to work good when there's no radio. The person in charge would right down info like what they needed or where they were going or ask a question if needed. They even used dogs but I don't know if anyone has a dog that smart:lol:

Keeping it simple and SAFE needs to be the motto of these workday's.
 
Yes, the goverment red tape has hit the 4-wheeler use, to use them for a workday you must take a class and pass a test to operate one. This went into effect several years ago after two accidents where FS personel were killed within weeks of each other. I wish there was a better way, wonder if motorcycles riders have to have to take class?
 
If someone wants to take the 4 wheeler class and play messenger then more power to them. It would make life a lot easier communications wise. But its obvious that we need to explore as many options as we can, so looking into the radios is also a good idea. When we went off to find grease Deborah was able to reach Janet back at Arrowhead. So if we can talk to Arrowhead Campgrounds from Dutch John I think we should be good in most situations.
 
So you don't have anybody with a 2m/440 amateur tech license?


Or rather, at least two people with licenses in the same band...
 
Shawn said:
So you don't have anybody with a 2m/440 amateur tech license?


Or rather, at least two people with licenses in the same band...
Click to expand...
Not that I know of. Maybe if anyone has their HAM Radio license they can speak up. I know 2 meter/HAM was getting popular out West, but still in our neck of the woods most people have CBs. But who knows, maybe there are some people out there.
 
I agree with using CBs.....

That is all we used in the past on club work days. Since most people have CBs would it not make since to find a good location set up the whole command center there to coordinate all the activities.

Give each group or section of trail specific channel to use. Folks showing up late could call the base or the groups to find out location or things to bring in etc... Anyone with a CB could also hear the communications and stay informed of surrounding activities.

Also give the relay station a channel. If people need to ask questions or relay something they call into the command center. This keeps all activities mostly coordinated and centralized, using simple already used equipment.

FWIW: My modified CB could reach almost across the OHV area when I was on the higher areas.
 
Back
Top