Team LJ: TJ Fest 2021

[Dino - KX6D]

What are the definitions for the different difficulty ratings (E,D,M...)? I'm used to numbers

Fixed it!

 

[never monday]

Wait a min! 2m is acceptable for this shindig?

 

[Dino - KX6D]

Wait a min! 2m is acceptable for this shindig?

It is if you have a LJ.

 

[rasband]

It is if you have a LJ.

I'll toss it in my CHIRP export for the UV-5R, RX only (PM me if you want to use my CHIRP settings and have a HAM License to allow TX). I'll probably chat a little with you guys even if we are in different groups

 

[never monday]

It is if you have a LJ.

Oh,
I just have a TJU

 

[DaveF]

I'll toss it in my CHIRP export for the UV-5R, RX only (PM me if you want to use my CHIRP settings and have a HAM License to allow TX). I'll probably chat a little with you guys even if we are in different groups

Google failed to translate this for me...

 

[rasband]

Google failed to translate this for me...

Which part should I expand on?

The short is: There is a free software called CHIRP that allows you to program a large number of radios. I set up a profile for TJFest for UV-5R radios and uploaded it to Google Drive for others. You just need to buy the programming cable (@Dino Darling has a different one that is undoubtedly better given his experience, but I am a novice and did it on the cheap), plug it in (maybe install a driver?), and click Radio > Upload to Radio.

If that doesn't cover it, let me know where I am not communicating clearly

 

[DaveF]

Which part should I expand on?

The short is: There is a free software called CHIRP that allows you to program a large number of radios. I set up a profile for TJFest for UV-5R radios and uploaded it to Google Drive for others. You just need to buy the programming cable (@Dino Darling has a different one that is undoubtedly better given his experience, but I am a novice and did it on the cheap), plug it in (maybe install a driver?), and click Radio > Upload to Radio.

If that doesn't cover it, let me know where I am not communicating clearly

Nope, that did it perfectly... just too many unfamiliar acronyms / radio names that I'm unfamiliar with I have a GMRS rather than HAM because it's simple like me!

 

[rasband]

Nope, that did it perfectly... just too many unfamiliar acronyms / radio names that I'm unfamiliar with I have a GMRS rather than HAM because it's simple like me!

It is a bit overwhelming! My HAM has been very limited use other than some scientific research in eastern Colorado a while back and APRS (which is effectively just GPS position reporting that is relayed to the internet, and of course other HAMs) for trip tracking for my wife.

 

[Dino - KX6D]

Oh,
I just have a TJU

That works too. We don't get riled up on labels around here.

 

[rasband]

That works too. We don't get riled up on labels around here.

All these damn kids and their labels.

 

[GTERDN]

For those LJ owners who like to wheel with other LJ owners, or for those TJ owners who want to join us, I put together this sub-group and organizing trail runs for TJ-Fest. Dewaine Earl from Louisiana met us for our LJ Nation week in Silverton last July and had a great time. He asked if he could hang with me at TJ-Fest...and thus, Team LJ was born.

We will work as a group to come up with a list of trails to run and coordinate with the other groups so we are not all running the same trails on the same day. The idea here is to keep the various groups small in rig count so we can get through the trails! 25 rigs on a single run makes for a long day. You do not have to wheel with us every day, but I only ask that you let us know what days you will be joining us so we are not left waiting for you at the trail head.

RADIOS! (GMRS Ch-18, 462.625 DCS 223 : Amateur Radio 146.535)
I'm a radio guy! If you need radio, go to Amazon and buy this... Baofeng UV-5R It will do GMRS and amateur radio.
I will program your radios for you in Moab so just bring it with you. I recommend upgrading to a better radio, but this will work fine for our runs. If you have a radio question, let me know.

Trail Leaders!
I want to spread this around the group so everyone gets a chance to lead. Those who have actually ran the trail before go to the front of the list! Let us know if you want this responsibility. If you have a tablet, I will provide GPX files for all trails we will be running so we stay on course. I'm running Back Country Navigator on a Samsung tablet. Gaia is very popular and I've heard great things about Lead Nav. If you are new to using a tablet for navigating, buy one or dust off that old iPAD. Gaia is very popular for the iPAD so buy it! Your tablet will need to have GPS capability. You do NOT need a cell-capable tablet!

Lunch!
We will be eating lunch every day on the trail. Come prepared! Lots of water and ice!

Dinner!
Group dinner every night at a local restaurant. Everyone is invited! Official Forum/Non-Event dinners take precedence! This is purely voluntary so feel free to eat with any other group, at camp, or whatever.

Party!
Jackie and I are going to host a Team LJ Party at our place at least once during the trip. You do NOT have to have an LJ to attend. We rented a house in town and will have the firepit going in the backyard so bring a chair. Bring your own drinks but expect snacks and pizza for dinner that night on us! Feel free to bring something if you want (bucket of chicken, dancing girls).

Grandpa's Garage!
I spoke with Danny Grimes and he has invited us to come on by and hang out. Danny also makes his garage available to do repairs. No lift, but he has tools you can use. He is the King of Hosts so please respect him and his place. Expect a group gathering there at least one night during the trip.

TRAILS! (Preliminary)

�

Day / Date​	Trail​	Area​	Difficulty​	Jeep Badge of Honor​
			https://www.trailsoffroad.com/technical-ratings​
Saturday 4/24
	Gemini Bridges	2​	2-2​
	Metal Masher	2​	6-10​	**​
Sunday 4/25
	Behind The Rocks	2​	Hard​
	Picture Frame Arc	2​	Easy​
Monday 4/26
	Hells Revenge	2​	6-8​	**​
	Fins and Things	2​	4-6​	**​
Tuesday 4/27
	Steel Bender 1	2​	5-9​	**​
	Steel Bender 2	2​	5-9​
Wednesday 4/28
	Potash Rd / Shafer Swtchbks	4​	2-2​
	Lathrop Canyon	4​	3-3​
	White Rim	4​	3-3​
Thursday 4/29
	Poison Spider Mesa	2​	6-10​	**​
	Golden Spike	2​	6-8​
	Gold Bar Rim	2​	6-8​
Friday 4/30
	Hurrah Pass	2​	2-2​
	Chicken Corners	4​	3-3​

Trails we will NOT be running!
We will NOT be running Area BFE, Pritchett Canyon, or Rusty Nail due to the possibility of rig damage and/or lack of big enough tires. These are extreme trails for heavily modified rigs. If you want to run those trails you will have to pick another group that day.

Cool and we are coming in Friday and your tails look fun running mash, kitchen and fins to start. Please count us in if ok. I didn't see ur sking for trail sign up yet so will monitor this tread. Thanks

 

[Dino - KX6D]

Cool and we are coming in Friday and your tails look fun running mash, kitchen and fins to start. Please count us in if ok. I didn't see ur sking for trail sign up yet so will monitor this tread. Thanks

Absolutely its OK. I'll be posting meet-up locations and times when this gets closer. Still some details to work out. If you've run these trails before and wants to lead, let me know.

 

[Dino - KX6D]

I'm considering dumping Steel Bender in favor of Top of the World for Tuesday the 27th.

My thinking is to alternate easy and hard days while trying to cover as many trails as possible. Monday will be a full day trying to do both Hell's Revenge and Fins and Things in one day. We may be biting off more than we can chew. If we keep the pace up we should be fine, but not having been to Moab before puts me at a disadvantage. If it turns out to be a long day, than Top of the World on Tuesday gives a breather...because Wednesday is another LONG DAY with Potash, Shafer, Lathrop and White Rim.

So if there are no objections swapping out Steel Bender 1 and 2 for Top of the World, I'll make that change. Both a Jeep Trail of Honor trails so thats an even swap.

 

[bobthetj03]

We did Fins and Hells in one day easily, fyi. TOTW is a whole day and a bit of a drive out of town to get to.

 

[Apparition]

We did Fins and Hells in one day easily, fyi. TOTW is a whole day and a bit of a drive out of town to get to.

All depends if you stop and watch Hells gate, the escalator or the hot tubs. If you keep moving it's easy to knock them out in a morning.

We did Fins and TOTW in the same day because we had great skies available for TOTW.

 

[Irun]

I'm just going to live my dream trip out through you all!

 

[Viking Jeeper]

All this Moab TJ/LJ fest talk is killing me! Cant make it this year.

 

[DaveF]

I don't really care one way or the other about the change... but I'd guess how long it takes will depend on how many are in the group and if any know the trails, lines etc...

 

[Dino - KX6D]

I don't really care one way or the other about the change... but I'd guess how long it takes will depend on how many are in the group and if any know the trails, lines etc...

Exactly. These sub-groups keep the numbers low per group. I'm hoping for no more than 6 but think 10 is doable.

The other issue is knowing your Jeep and skills. If you are new and running 31's, do your research and skip the trails that require a minimum of 33" tires. Don't be that guy that gets dragged up every obstacle. Its this very reason I'm not doing Pritchett, Area BFE, or Rusty Nail!