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RE: best campground in Illinois and Why
Best for what? Scenery? Peace and quiet? Size and location of sites? Things to do outside the park?
You have to define "best" better.
For example, some listed Weldon Springs as one of their best. To us it's one of the worst state parks in IL. The sites are too close together, too crowded, too many are extremely unlevel, state doesn't maintain it well in that it's very common for electrical connects at numerous sites to be out of service at the same time. Too someone else none of that matters. To us the sites are too close together and it's too crowded. What makes Weldon Springs even less attractive is Clinton Lake is just 10 miles further down the road. Clinton Lake sites are much further apart, very clean, level, and the non-alcohol sections is available to get away from the weekend drunks that often overrun Weldon Springs. In just a few days Weldon Springs will be closing. Too bad the state is closing state parks but for Weldon Springs it really won't be a loss since it's so poorly maintained. Very very few other IL State Parks are bad and they're usually pretty well maintained. Try some of those in the western part of the state or far south.
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Wadcutter
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11/19/08 12:59pm |
Campgrounds, Resorts and Attractions
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RE: TV Converter Box Review
I've played with a few different models and searched the web for comparisons. You'll find that Zenith (or Insignia if from Best Buy) is the model everyone compares others to.
The Digital Stream and Zenith are the top 2 rated makes. Each has features I like over the other but they are subjective and personal preference. I like the Digital Stream remote better as, to me, it seems better organized and a bit more substantial altho I haven't had any problems with the Zenith remote. I noticed the Digital Stream does have a bit of heat from use. None from the Zenith. Side by side the Zenith scanned quicker and locked on channels quicker. The Zenith has the EZ Add channel which, after you do your initial scan, you can turn your antenna in a different angle and do the EZ Scan which will add any additional channels it finds looking in the other direction. Some models will drop whatever it finds on the initial scan. The Zenith uses 7 watts.
If I couldn't find a Zenith then I'd be happy with a Digital Stream.
Magnavox - forget it. Sure it's $10 cheaper but spend the extra $10 and get a lot more in a converter.
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Wadcutter
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11/14/08 05:34pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: DTV conversion
What is the analog bypass and what is it supposed to do?
What else analog pass thru will do for you is when you're connected to cable. The cable signal will pass thru also so you won't have to disconnect the converter or do a work around.
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Wadcutter
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11/12/08 06:34am |
Technology Corner
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RE: DTV conversion
Is there a way to get more volume while the DTVC is being used?
I'm currently running a couple of Zenith converters. They cause a slight reduction in the volume but not enough where I have to have the TV volume turned all the way up. Just leaving the TV volume about normal is fine.
I haven't played with the RCA. I have with some others. Don't know if what you're experiencing is specific to RCA.
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Wadcutter
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11/11/08 05:05pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: DTV conversion
Not sure how true this is... hopefully someone will be able to weigh in and shed some light... Does the outside antenna have to be the digital version?
If a person is in the business of selling antennas then they'll tell you that you need a new antenna. Your current antenna will work fine. The frequencies are the same it's just that they're going to be broadcast in digital form instead of analog. Unless you want to help an antenna saleman send his kid thru college just leave your current antenna as is. Your antenna doesn't know the difference between a digital signal and an analog signal.
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Wadcutter
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11/09/08 07:12am |
Technology Corner
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RE: DTV conversion
This has been covered ad nauseam in the Technical Forum. If you do a topic search you'll find pages of threads on the topic. A lot of us have already connected our converters. The converter goes in-line just before the TV just like if you connect a DVD/VCR. It's not difficult.
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Wadcutter
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11/09/08 06:01am |
Technology Corner
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RE: Converter Box
Another reason for the analog pass thru is when you connect to cable in a park. With a pass thru model the cable signal will pass thru just as the analog signal does now.
A pass thru model isn't necessary if you know how to connect a splitter by pass around it. Do a search on wa8yxm as he's explained several times in other threads how to do it. It's not difficult and I've connected a couple for people without pass thru using a splitter. However if someone can't figure out how to connect one with pass thru then trying to explain how to connect one using a splitter might be more than they're technically able to understand.
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Wadcutter
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11/07/08 05:50am |
Technology Corner
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RE: Pensacola and New Orleans Areas
At Pensacola there are several campgrounds east of the big bridge. Just west of the big bridge are numerous seafood restaurants. If you're only going to be there a week then there are plenty to choose from where you won't have to eat at the same one twice. There's one about 1 block from the end of the bridge, can't remember the name right now. Sort of blue-green building. It's good. About 1 mile or less further west along the coast is another one and I can't remember its name either. Big 2 or 3 story dark wooden building. Further west right across from Joe Pattis seafood docks/store is a nice small family style restaurant with great food at low price.
DakotaD is correct about the campground on the Pensacola Naval base. We stayed there last March. Very nice. Great bargain if you're retired military. Short walk to the museum and the Blue Angels do their practice routine every Tuesday and Wednesday at 8:30 AM.
When we go to New Orleans in the spring we stay at Fairview-Riverside State Park just outside Madisonville on the north shore. Very quiet park and you can be in the French Quarter in less than an hour. Morton's is a great family seafood restaurant in Madisonville on the east side of town right on the inlet.
We've been thru Foutainbleu SP in Mandeville several times. A much larger SP than Fairview-Riverside but we prefer FRSP.
Bayou Segnette SP looks nice but we've never stayed there so can't comment.
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Wadcutter
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11/06/08 08:49pm |
Campgrounds, Resorts and Attractions
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RE: Badlands, SD
I included all that info on one of the campground review sites but I can't remember which one. The sites I have bookmarked no longer go back that far. I have previously described it on this forum but it's been a few years ago and is probably archived.
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Wadcutter
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11/06/08 03:28pm |
Campgrounds, Resorts and Attractions
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RE: Badlands, SD
We stayed at Badlands Ranch in 1998 or 99. It was a Good Sam park at that time. We'll never stay there again unless the ownership changes. We pulled in about 3 PM. The owner was drunk and had a hard time filling out our registration. I should have pulled out then but we went figured the owner was just registering people so not much harm could come out of it. We were parked in a spot 3 from the office with the 2 between us vacant. About 10:30 PM that night 2 vans of teens/early 20s who were tenting there came in. The owner, who was now drunker than when we pulled in, decided he was going to show the kids all about fast draw and shooting. He and the group were between our campsite and the office and for the next 2.5 hrs there was the constant shooting, laughing, rough loud jokes, and, of course, lots of drinking. The next morning several of us decided to leave. There was a female in the office at that time (about 9 AM) and I said something about the shooting and loud partying. She apologized and said she told him it wasn't a good idea but when he gets drinking he doesn't listen to her. The owner walked in just a couple of minutes later and he was drinking a beer.
I complained to Good Sam and they said they would do an inspection. The later sent me a response saying the owner refused them access to the campground. The next GS directory showed BR&R was no longer a GS member and there was the notation that the owners refused GS inspection.
There are a lot better places in the area to stay.
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Wadcutter
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11/06/08 11:36am |
Campgrounds, Resorts and Attractions
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RE: Recommend, please a TV converter box
I've played quite a bit with the Zenith (same as the Best Buy Insignia), Digital Stream, Philco, and the Magnavox. Magnavox was $10 cheaper than the others. Of the 4 spend the extra $10 and skip the Magnavox. Philco was OK but didn't have the features of the Zenith and DS and didn't lock on as quickly as the Zenith. Also in side by side testing it missed picking up the stations the Zenith and DS got. I preferred the lay out of the DS remote.
Between the Zenith and the DS it's pretty much personal preference as each has some features the other doesn't. I ended up putting Zenith in the 5er as it locked on stations quicker than the DS, I liked the "EZ Add" programming better, and the DS got a bit warmer than the Zenith altho I don't know that getting warmer was a problem. If I couldn't find a Zenith then I wouldn't have any problems going with the DS. I'd keep checking the stores for either Zenith or DS before I'd go with Magnavox.
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Wadcutter
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11/05/08 05:41am |
Technology Corner
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RE: Digital TV Question. Please don't get to Hi Tech/w answer
As an option, go to https://www.dtv2009.gov/ and apply for two coupons for 2 converters. Once you receive them, then either just toss them in the MH when it sells or go to your local electronics retailer and purchase two of the least expensive converter boxes and toss them in the MH.
The cards are only good for 90 days. Unless you plan on selling your MH within 90 days then just "tossing them in the MH" is a waste of your time and effort.
Even if you have digital TVs in your MH I recommend getting a converter box as a spare. A lot of people have a small TV for carrying along for picnics, ballgame tailgating, fishing, etc. If you have a small portable TV which isn't digital then you'll need it after Feb 2009 if you want to continue using that TV.
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Wadcutter
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11/02/08 07:44pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: Rules of RV Parks-Living Quarter Horse Trailers?
Pre-toy hauler days a friend had one and used it to haul is motorcycles in the horse area. It never ever had a horse in the stall.
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Wadcutter
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10/19/08 07:37pm |
Campgrounds, Resorts and Attractions
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RE: Cardinal 2000 28RK LX - a good deal?
You might try asking over at the Cardinal Club.
Cardinal RV Club
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Wadcutter
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10/18/08 08:14am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Taking decals off an RV
We used heat guns or heavy duty hair driers to take decals off of our squad cars. A little bit of heat and they peel right off. If you're taking them off a new RV they shouldn't have had enough exposure to sun fade the RV.
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Wadcutter
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10/16/08 03:44pm |
Beginning RVing
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RE: Places to Full-Time near Memphis
When going to/returning from NOLA we've stayed a few times at Memphis South Campground in Coldwater, MS. Fairly new. They have long term sites. Very clean and the owners are very friendly. It's right off I-55 with easy access. Memphis South CG
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Wadcutter
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10/16/08 08:49am |
Campgrounds, Resorts and Attractions
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RE: Is our T.V antenna going to work in 2009 ??
I've got an old B&W TV in my basement connected to a rabbit ears antenna. Both are at least 35 yrs old. I have a digital converter connected between them. No problem at all getting digital stations. Works great. Best picture that old B&W Philco has ever had.
Your antenna is fine. If you're picking up TV stations now then it will work just fine after Feb 2009.
Whether you need a converter box depends on your TV. If your TV has a digital tuner already then you don't have to do anything. If you have an older TV set then you most likely will need a digital converter to pick up over the air stations.
I agree with sfischer. Either someone sells antennas for a living and is trying to make a quick buck which if that's the case then it shows they have no morals or ethics. Or they don't know what they're talking about which if that's the case then they shouldn't post answers to questions they know nothing about.
Javaseuf is correct. A piece of wire will work for an antenna and receive a good TV picture.
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Wadcutter
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10/14/08 05:15pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: RVparkreviews.com
It depends on what you think is important. I've read some of the reviews where people really marked down a campground because it didn't have wifi, the parking sites weren't concrete pads, there weren't any playgrounds, no pool, didn't have 50A service, etc. Some people want campgrounds to be resorts and if they aren't then they rate them like they're dumps. They don't want campgrounds, they want resorts. Then I've read other reviews where people have rated campgrounds near perfect simply because "hosts were very friendly" or "campground walking distance to the tourist area". It doesn't matter to them there was trash at all the sites, the sites were close together with shared hookups, and whenever it looked like rain the sites had standing water.
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Wadcutter
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10/13/08 08:00am |
Campgrounds, Resorts and Attractions
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RE: St. Louis Arch
The directions tandkj gave for the Casino Queen is OK except it's not west of town, it's in IL which is east of St Louis right across the Mississippi River from the arch.
Here's what I would do if I was towing/driving an RV. In fact it's what we do whenever we go to a Cardinals game or show at the Scottrade Center which is just a few blocks from the arch regardless of what we're driving. A lot less traffic, much easier parking, and no hassel.
Follow the directions to the Casino Queen which is in IL. When you get to the Casino Queen the parking for the casino will be on your left (south). On your right (north side of the street) is free parking for the metro. It's a big gravel lot. It's where a lot of us from IL park when going to downtown SL. At the end of the parking lot is the metro link. Climb the stairs and catch the metro train across the river. It comes thru about every 5 to 10 minutes. Get off at the first stop across the Mississippi River which is the Arch-Laclede's Landing. It will drop you off on the north side of the Arch. You can't get much closer than that.
Here's the link to the IL side parking. You may have to zoom in to see it but it's identified as
East Riverfront .
Here's the link to the MO side. Get off at the first stop shown on the right center of the map Arch-Laclede's Landing .
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Wadcutter
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10/12/08 06:34pm |
Campgrounds, Resorts and Attractions
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RE: Antenna
If you already have a digital TV then you are probably already receiving some digital channels.
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Wadcutter
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10/12/08 06:14pm |
Technology Corner
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