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RE: guns in National parks
From the Yellowstone National Park site:
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snipet
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The new federal law has no affect on existing laws and regulations regarding the use of firearms in national parks or hunting. Hunting, or the discharge of a firearm in Yellowstone National Park continues to be prohibited. Other weapons such as bows, air rifles, and slingshots may be secured and transported through the park, but may not be taken on trails or into the backcountry.
Firearms should not be considered a wildlife protection strategy.
NPS
Hi FedAgent,
Might I assume from your handle that you are one?? :h
If so, the primary reason to legally carry is self protection. Sometimes self protection requires the discharge of the firearm. My question then becomes if someone, as a last resort, is forced to protect oneself or ones family against bodily harm from any source will that person be violating federal law inside a national park??
This is just a question for academic discussion, of course. :B
I think that if you really have to use your firearm for self protection, you are going to be in some sort of trouble, wheather or not you are licensed to carry a firearm. Be careful, and run if you can. If you are in a travel trailer and need to shoot someone, aim low so as not to hurt anyone else.
ken
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ken burke
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02/23/10 02:17pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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Attwood Hot Water Switch
All . . . . I have an Attwood Hot Water heater in our 30 foot Sunline RV. I should have a reset switch for hot water trip. Where is the switch located? I can not find it. Also there should be some sort of light that goes on when the heater does not go on. Where is that located.
Thanks for your help. ken
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ken burke
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02/08/10 02:21pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Getting local TV channels in different locations
I've always wondered what all the concern is about us RVers receiving the spot beams for the local TV channels when traveling around over the U.S. You'd think the local TV stations would want all the new customers they could get for the advertisers who are paying them. We aren't going to be buying anything from back home where we came from, nor if we're in the Mid-West some place are we going to patronize any businesses on the East or West coast.
Wagonmaster2
But, they can't because of long-standing Federal Law (Federal Communication Commission, FCC, regulations). If it were legal, they would be happy to give you a Washington, DC station in Seattle, Washington if you wanted it. Station broadcast licenses are awarded on the basis of so many transmitters per given coverage area. Thus, their territory is protected by law, and that allows sufficient population to allow them a reasonable chance to sell advertising to cover broadcast costs, and ostensibly make a profit.
However, when cable first appeared, on-air broadcasters were terrified that they would lose their local audiences to bigger stations provided by cable providers, and the previous laws were suddenly outdated. Thus, FCC regulations were amended to guarantee protections to local on-air broadcasters respective territory against the cable invasion. Thus, under Federal law, your location dictates what local stations you will receive with both cable and satellite, and these companies are required to provide local stations for your area.
There is one exception allowed for satellite coverage for the very small segment of the market that covers RVers. If your application is mobile, FCC regulations will allow you to receive a network feed from either NY or LA. FCC regulations require broadcasters to obtain proof that you application is actually a mobile one. Thus, DirecTV requires you to provide the registration for the RV. Thus if audited by the FCC, that is their proof that they are complying with the law.
Don't blame the satellite companies, write your Congressman or Senator, but don't hold your breath. These laws are widely accepted in the broadcast industry as fair and have stood the test of time.
That is the way that I understand it after countless calls with Direct TV.
If you used to have NY or LA as your local stations, then you still have them when you travel.
If you want "local" TV on the road, Direct TV will hook you up with either NY or LA network, after you go through some hoops. You have to fill out an application, camper registration, and mail it in. Then there will be an extra monthly charge (imanine that). We sent an application in several years ago, but they want a new one from us. They don't make it easer.
ken
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ken burke
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01/21/10 10:10am |
Technology Corner
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RE: Streets & Trips vs. Garmin Nuvi
I also have a long trip planned for this coming spring. Florida to Texas to Wisconsin to Florida. I have S&T 2006 & a Nuvi 205W. My intentions are to plan the entire trip on S&T with 450 mile days, then use the Nuvi for the day to day portion.
Same here. I use the Streets and Trips on my laptop for route planning. I just bought a NUVI 1300 that I plan on using on a daily travel basis. However, I need to figure out how to download S&T map info to the NUVI. I want to be able to put "stops" from the S&T into the NUVI.
I think that the NUVI will be a lot easier to use on the road than the S%Ts on the laptop.
ken
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ken burke
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01/11/10 12:14pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: Streets & Trips 2006 to 2010 Is It Worth It?
Streets & Trips 2006 to 2010 Is It Worth It?....
I have 2006 and it is working fine.. Is upgrading to 2010 worth it?
Thanks
Yes, I think so. I update every other year. It cost me $40, so I don't know what other people are talking about. And this was without the GPS device.
Streets and Trips have a new procedure that reall sucks. You can load the software on the computer, type in the bunch of key numbers, but to use it you have to call them and get an operating key. They give you another bunch of numbers that you have to type in before the program works. And this is addition to the key numbers that you already put in. The whold process and hassle really pissed me off. You would think that you paid for a new computer program and should not have to do a lot of extra stuff to operate it.
They told me that you can load the software on 2 computers, but you will have to call them for another key number.
If you are thinking about getting a new map program, this might be a good time to switch.
ken
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ken burke
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01/09/10 10:39am |
Technology Corner
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RE: Street/Trips activation
Just got S/T 2010 as early Christmas gift. I wan to laod and play with it on my laptop, but actually use it in wife's pc when we travel (smaller).
During install it wants activation code and then wants to go online to register on this computer. Will I be able to load on wife's later when we are going to travel, or do they want want me to buy 2 copies (makes no sense) Understand copywrite but will only use one at a time.
I went through this today. You can call them on theri 800 number and they will givy you another 60 or so numbers to type into the program.
You can install the program on another computer, but you must call them again and get theri control numbers. This is a bunch of crap!!!
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ken burke
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12/14/09 04:05pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: satellite signal meter finder
I use an Accutrac22. It's essential for setting up a 5LNB dish. Even will work with the SWM system. Got it off ebay for about $100. Seen them used for about $60. If you are using a standard def satellite dish then all you need is the small little meter that's about ten bucks. I have HD at home and when I go tailgate I want HD on the road. See it being an issue at some campgrounds due to line of sight, but I'll be there to camp so I'll live with no satellite.
You are the second person to recommend the Accutrac22. I will check it out. Thanks . . . .ken
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ken burke
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12/11/09 02:41pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: satellite signal meter finder
I bought the $30 meter..it works good....BUT.
For my portable Dish....it has a built-in compass and Azmuth reading......it's easy!
All really use is a compass and azmuth....I can get a signal in about 3-4 minutes...with or without the meter.
Here look at this!...so easy!
Took out the meter once.....then put back in the package and stuck back in a drawer.....I think I'll give it away....I don't need it.
Was that your video? You make it look easy. However, I can not seem to find a spot throug the trees where the signal comes in.
ken
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ken burke
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12/11/09 10:38am |
Technology Corner
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RE: satellite signal meter finder
Give me a level mast and an open sky to the south and I will be watching DISH network in five minutes, thanks to my $20.00 Screamer. Makes no difference that it has dual LNB's as you are only aiming one and setting the skew for the other. Can't read a compass or set the skew and elevation? Then you are in trouble.
I have no problems finding a driect tv singnal given a clear view of the souther skys. I need a meter or some device for finding that small hoel in the sky for the satellite signa.
ken
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ken burke
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12/11/09 10:32am |
Technology Corner
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RE: satellite signal meter finder
I have a Birdog meter and very seldom ever use it. I have set up HDTV in most all States and never have a problem as long as the Dish can see the Southern Sky. I use Direct-Tv and now have a Wineguard HDTV roof mount dish, push a button and you have HDTV. However I still take a HDTV Sattelite dish that mounts on a Tri-pod. The key to HD if your using a Tri-Pod is to get a good Tri-pod and make sure its level before you mount the dish. And it just takes minutes to be lock on the correct Sattelites. I have 3 or 4 of the Cheap sattelite finders and they are really useless. The Birdog is a great product but you really don't need them. Good Luck....
Well I need one to find that hole in the trees. Can you recommend a cheaper meter just to easily locate the 101 satellite?
ken
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ken burke
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12/11/09 10:27am |
Technology Corner
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RE: satellite signal meter finder
I use an Align-a-Site, and the cheap little <$20 meter/screamer. It seems to work well enough. I would love to have a fancier meter, like a BirdDog, but it's just not in the budget. I would rather spend the money on a Dish1000 compatible rooftop automatic folding dish.
$179 for an alignasite, $350 for a meter. spend a little more and get a Vuecube.
bumpy
But then you won't be able to see more than one satellite at a time (for those with dual tuner DVRs or multiple receivers) and you won't get DirecTV HD.
I recently saw a fellow camper using a new in-line beeper that seemed to work very well - Sat Beeper
Hmmm... looks interesting. Got anymore information on it? Anybody know where to see more details on it? I did some searching, and I can find a bunch of places selling it, but only a one or two line description. Anyone know of a link to a manual for it?
How do you use the align-a-site? I must be doing somthing wrong. I have one but the align-a-site does not locate the hole in the trees for the satellite signal. I set it up and operate it as per instructions, but no success.
thanks ken
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ken burke
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12/11/09 10:24am |
Technology Corner
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RE: satellite signal meter finder
Having been through this recently I can tell you that the new SWM dish is not RV'er friendly as YC 1 mentioned. We never did figure out a way to use the $20 analog meter. One way that might work is if you have a meter that has it's own power supply. I also don't know if the signal the ASL splits out is compatible with the cheap meters.
You can easily tell if you have one of the new SWM dishes...there is only one coax feed from the LNB, and they require a power supply injector that supplies 21VDC to the dish.
I am not sure what a "SWM dish" is. I just got a new dish yesterday from the Direct TV guy.
ken
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ken burke
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12/11/09 10:21am |
Technology Corner
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RE: satellite signal meter finder
Solidsignal.com
I use this meter. It has a battery so you don't even need the receiver to do the alignment. It will tell you when you are connected to the receiver and use that power for its source when connected. That is a good way to know your cabling is working. This meter and my Align-A-Site are great tools for making new friends in camp. I hear those squaking screaming $20 meters all the time. I put tape over my speaker when I used them. Following the noise with meter and align-a-site in hand can make friends fast.
There are issues with SWM and high def 5 lnb dishes but this meter has worked just fine for my non-SWM 5 lnb and my single lnb dish as well. It is nice to know what the actual signal strength is at the dish so you have a reference for future setups. With this meter I can set up my dish without seeing the tv or help from someone.
Thanks for your response. I can not access the site of the satbuddy, but I will try later. Is the meter expensive (greater than $200)?
Does this meter work better than the $20 meter?
My problem is trying to find the signal through the trees. I have the Align-a- Site, but it is not much help to me. I set up the Algn-a-Site as per instructions and it does not point to a clear spot in the trees. How do you use the Align-a-Site? Why do you need it with the meter?
thanks again .. . .ken
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ken burke
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12/11/09 10:18am |
Technology Corner
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satellite signal meter finder
All . . . . The Direct TV guy was here today setting up new satellite equipment for us. We are camped in a wooded area, but he was able to find the 101 satellete signal in about 10 seconds. This was through the trees. He was using a Birdog Meter. These meters cost anywhere from $300 to $700. Too expensive. I would like to have a good satellite meter, but not an expensive one.
Do you use a satellite finder meter? I do not mean the $30 signal finder, but a real meter. How does it work and do you recommend it?
Thanks . . . . ken
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ken burke
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12/10/09 12:53am |
Technology Corner
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RE: Need advice on Directv setup for RV
Hi guys,
Intention: Setup a Directv connnection using the cheapest possible way in my RV. I am currently a Directv subscriber with the HD receiver.
I am looking at purchasing a Directv kit that consist of the dual LNB 18" Satellite dish, 3'tripod, satellite finder and 50ft of coax cables.
Before i go ahead and purchase the above, does anyone know whether the Dual LNB satellite will be able to work with the HD receiver that i have at home? I understand that i will not be able to watch HD channels that way but will i still be able to watch Standard defination channels that i currently have at home?
And can anyone advice if it is really difficult to setup the satellite and have it aligned properly to receive a signal?
Thanks in advance!
I have been setting up Direct TV dishes at campsites for several years. Sometimes it is easy (clear view of sothern sky, ect). However, trying to get a satellite signal in a wooded area can be very frustrating!!! I have spent an entire day tring to set up the dish in wooded areas. So it is not easy.
We had a Direct TV guy set up a new system for us at our campsite. It took him 10 seconds to find a good signal through the trees. He usded a Birdog signal meter finder. It worked great. However, the meter costs anywhere from 300 to 750 dollars.
ken
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ken burke
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12/10/09 12:28am |
Technology Corner
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RE: Need advice on Directv setup for RV
Another item to consider is that your HD dish doesn't have a co-ax output. The lowest res output it has is a component out-three RCA's.
Your RV TV probably doesn't have component in (it might).
I setup an HD dish routinely. It isn't any harder than a standard dish IMHO. I DID find a surveyors tripod which helped immensely.
You can find used standard def boxes on Ebay and Craigslist for next to nuthin and it would cost $5/mo to turn it on, no activation fee. You can turn it on one mnth at a time.
What do you use the surveyors tripod for? Do you put a compass on top of the tripod???
thanks ken
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ken burke
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12/10/09 12:20am |
Technology Corner
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RE: least expencive good air card
can i get one for 50 bucks thanks
I use the Verizon air card. The service costs $60 per month. It works very good if you have an adequate cell phone signal.
ken
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ken burke
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12/09/09 11:49pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: New Ford or New Chevy
Thanks for the information. I will look at a Dodge First. ken
Buy a new Ford with an unproven motor and the addition of a urea tank which will need refilling periodically or buy a Chevy with a urea tank? HUMMMMMM Personally I would buy a Dodge and not have another item to spend an undetermined amount of money to refill.
Urea Tank??? What are you talking about. Please educate me. thx
New Chevys, GMCs, and Ford diesels will need to have a fluid added to their exhaust in order to meet the newest emissions regs. This will require the manufacturer to add a tank that sprays this fluid into the exhaust, and that tanks will need to be refilled, and the fluid freezes at 11*F. Dodge/Cummins meets the emissions (and did in 2007), and they do not need to add urea or "diesel exhaust fluid", or have the tank, injector in the exhaust, or any other related equipment in the pickup trucks - though they will use urea in the cab + chassis models. This will likely mean Dodge/Cummins will enjoy a price advantage as well not having to develop and add this equipment.
Ford and GM have had to revamp, or, in Ford's case, replace the diesel engines they used in 2007 - 2009 trucks to meet the newest emisions regulations. The Dodge/Cummins engine has 3 years of market use under it's belt, and will carry over into 2010.
Here, for example, is what the exhaust system will look like on the 2011 Ford diesel:
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e69/crashguy/Capture-1.jpg
Here are some links if you want to read more.
The ABCs of DEF
2010 Ram and exhaust technology
Portion of the article below:
"Chrysler has strategically prepared for 2010 over the past two years. In 2007, it introduced for its heavy-duty pickups an enhanced and innovative 350-horsepower, 650-pounds-feet-of-torque, 6.7-liter six-cylinder Cummins diesel, based on the previous 5.9-liter Cummins engine. The new diesel added a segment-exclusive exhaust brake, like over-the-road trucks use. The 6.7-liter motor not only met new 2007 EPA limits on soot emissions, but it reached 2010 NOx emissions requirements three years early. It featured a diesel particulate filter meant to catch and burn off soot, plus special “adsorber” catalyst material to soak up and break down NOx molecules before they leave the tailpipe. The move drew some smack talk from Ford and GM, who pointed to the expensive, rare precious metals needed to perform this feat of chemical engineering; at the time, commodity prices were rapidly rising in world markets. Ford and GM also launched new diesels in 2007 in order to meet the reduced soot emissions levels, but they didn’t have 2010-ready NOx traps (please see our 2007 Heavy Duty Shootout for an in-depth comparison of these trucks).
Now forced to play catch-up for 2010, Ford’s and GM’s NOx solutions are expected to come in the form of urea selective catalytic reduction. Urea SCR will use canisters (which will need to be replaced or refilled periodically) of the diesel emissions fluid that will be shot into the exhaust stream to lower NOx. While Ford and GM spend time and money to develop these new engines, Chrysler is sticking with its proven Cummins 6.7-liter for its 2010 heavy-duty pickups. It’s being carried over from the 2007-09 models without any changes."
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ken burke
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12/05/09 12:05am |
Tow Vehicles
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Handguns and Full Timing
Hi all. We have been full timing for a month now. I have a hypothethical question regarding carring handguns in travel trailers.. For example, say that you can legally carry and keep a handgun in your resident statre, but are travleing to other states. Is it legal to cary a firearem in your travel trailer as it is your physical home???
thanks for your help. ken
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ken burke
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11/14/09 08:02am |
Full-time RVing
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RE: Diesel Vs. Gas (DID read sticky) Understand differences
One of the less obvious advantages of a diesel is being able to fuel up where the 18 wheelers do. Always easy in and out! I hate pulling my 5th wheel into a gasoline island with all the cars. Usually have to back out, which is a real problem!
Yes, I agree. I was going to post this myself. Pulling a long trailer in and out of a gas station can be a probem.
ken
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ken burke
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10/24/09 10:36am |
Tow Vehicles
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