New trailer, looking to full time in a couple of years...

[TXiceman]

after a couple of extended trips with the Avion 34V (35' travel trailer) we decided it would not work for full-timing with us, 2 dogs, a small parrot, a guitar and then the ham radio station. So we put it up for sale and it went with the first one to look at it at full price.

We have since found a 2008 Carriage Cameo 35SB3 with we will pick up soon. Before we take the trailer on the road, the 16" wheels are being replaced with 4 new 17.5" wheels and Goodyear G114, load range H tires.

Then I get to start all over figuring how to put the radio into the trailer. I picked up a Jetstream JTV680 vertical (like the Comet CHA 250B). A couple of hams I now said they were using it and it does OK.

I will take the Little Tarheel II and replace the ATAS 120 on the truck. I also plan to carry a fiberglass push up pole and a short Carolina Windom 80 OCF dipole to put up when we will be some place that will let me.

The trailer is taller than the storage shed we have at the house and it cost too much to have the roof raised, so we will store it off site for a while.

I'll post some photos as soon as we get it here and "moved in".

Ken

[K3NOQ/Mobile]

Good luck with the newer rig, My good friend has a 05 carriage 35' and he is happy with it. Good move with the tire updates.

I am using the Comet 250 antenna, with a home brew armstrong fold over mount on the rear ladder. You may have seen my review on some of the other sites, Escapees. Etc. I Use it with IC7K for PSK31, CW, SSB etc. Kept the previous li'l Tarheel for on the road quick use situations.

Contact me if you have questions etc. //73 John

[W5DOK]

Ken, Congrats on the new RV. I only do about 8 months out of the year in my RV, so, I'm not quite full time. I also use a Comet CHA250 when I've got room to put it up. Otherwise, I just use my Tarheel mounted to the rear ladder. Hope to see you out there somewhere. I'm going to be in the Palacios, Tx area for the next few months and then to South Fork, Co. for the summer. Have fun.
Doc

[TXiceman]

Doc, we are 25 miles NW of Houston, not too far down...er up... the road.

Some of the local Houston hams get on a rag chew net, Mondays at 1900 CST on 3.806. Usually a fellow out in Hondo and some up north may be on. It is referred to as the "Turkey Net".

Ken

[W5DOK]

Ken, I just got to the Bay this afternoon, so I should be able to get the Comet up and on the air by tomorrow. So, I'll try to hook up with the net.
Doc

[TXiceman]

I'll try to get on the air tonight as well. Woops, the time is 2000 hours, CST.

73
Ken

[TXiceman]

Doc, I appologize if you managed to try the 3.806 net last night. We gave u p as we had some clowns move up from 3.803 that trashed the frequency with rude noises. Must be some illegal CB operators that never grew up.

73
Ken

[W5DOK]

Ken, Glad that wasn't you guys. I listened to it for awhile and turned it off. Try again next week.
Doc

[WD8QBQ]

I listened and thought I heard you discussing Dstar and all other technical stuff. Never did hear anyone ID.

JIM :hello:

[Radio]

My 5ver is not ideal for full timing either, but I'd love to take it out one time and see just how long I could stand living in it, moving it about every 7 to 10 days.

Just got to win that lottery! :money:

[W5DOK]

Wish I knew enough about d-star to discuss it. I'm having a heck of a time getting it to work. About ready to give up on it.
Wade, my motor home is well equipped for full timing and I still can't do it. I have to go back to the bricks and sticks house periodically to where all my other "stuff" is. Just can't cut the strings. I really do enjoy my time on the road tho. We spend most of the winter on the Texas Gulf coast and the hot summer in the mountains.

[TXiceman]

The 34'-11" Avion travel trailer was OK for a week, two weeks a month, but not long term. Just not enough storage space out side. Of course, the more you store, the more weight you pull.

The "new" trailer has space for the radio equipment, computer and guitar. We have lived in an RV long term 3 times, the longest being 51 weeks. We are looking forward to thinning out the junk and selling off and going full time.

The thing I will miss the most is the work shop and tools. But as I get older, I work on less and less stuff that requires the extensive tool collection.

Ken

[KF5BET]

I'm with ya Wade. We definitely need a bigger camper. Would love to full time (at least for a while). Maybe someday whenever my ship comes in....