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Ken J · 09-11-2007, 09:44 AM

Yes it is the famous Donnarita machine.....I'm sure the weedeater special will show up too......

Ken J.

Airstream25 · 09-11-2007, 11:06 AM

When packing up your libations, binoculars and cameras for Balloon Fiesta, don't forget your radios.

CB radios are the best for caravan communications if you have an external antenna. You need all the signal strength you can get to talk past that big aluminum sheild you are towing. WBCCI recommends Ch 14 for Airstream communications. If you like raunchy jokes, tune in the trucker Ch 19.

One announcement on the CB radio is more effective than half a dozen calls on a cell phone when trying to coordinate the activities of half a dozen Airstreams in a caravan.

Balloon Fiesta will use all sorts of radios. There will be about 700 balloon pilots in the air talking to their chase crews. Assuming an average of two chase vehicles per balloon, that would mean about 2100 people talking on radios. Expect every CB, every GMRS and every FRS channel to be busy.

Some pilots may also be using ham radios, Business Band radios or even cell phones although the latter is discouraged. From a car, a cell phone may only light up 1-3 cell towers. However a balloon over Albuquerque cell call may light up a hundred cell towers.

Speaking of communications, our local TV and radio stations will also be covering the Balloon Fiesta from on field reporters to helicopters overhead.

The best radio station coverage will be KKOB at 770 on the AM dial.
The best TV stations are Channels 4 or 7. On Balloon Fiesta weekends, they will be broadcasting balloon info from about 5-9AM.

By the way, KKOB radio broadcasts from the top of 10,000' Sandia Crest and covers about 3/4 of the state of NM.

Ken J · 09-11-2007, 11:21 AM

Good point - I have both CB and FRS radios - it might be handy to have as we go into the park....

We should decide if and what radio to use...

Ken J.

Airstream25 · 09-11-2007, 11:36 AM

For caravanning, I think the CB with external antenna is clearly the best.

For trying to re-assemble all of the Airstream rally group spread all over the 300 acre balloon field then most any radio will do. You know, the important announcements like happy hour is starting early, etc.

Be aware that FRS radios are restricted to a max. power of 1/2 watt. The CB and GMRS radios go up to 4 watts for better range.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken J

Good point - I have both CB and FRS radios - it might be handy to have as we go into the park....

We should decide if and what radio to use...

Ken J.

Ken J · 09-11-2007, 11:45 AM

So does everyone have a CB radio??

ScrapIrony-2 · 09-11-2007, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken J

So does everyone have a CB radio??

We do, although I haven't used it but once...last year on the Angel Fire Rally...m

47WeeWind · 09-11-2007, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken J

So does everyone have a CB radio??

No. Just tell me when and where to show up for the parade into the Balloon Fiesta and I'll be there with my '64 19' Globe Trotter. Changing plans mid-stream or at the last moment may screw me up.

**azflycaster** · 09-11-2007, 12:58 PM

No CB, but we have FRS.
I think that you will find more people with those today then the CB's.

Kevbo10 · 09-11-2007, 01:34 PM

Handheld Digital Trunking Scanner

i just have a bad boy handheld scanner...

thinking i can scan 6000+ channels

tell me where to look, and i'll be there...

or

i'll just scan around...

k.

Motoman · 09-12-2007, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken J

So does everyone have a CB radio??

Yes but I packed it away in a box when I got my Ham license, KD6UVT. Will anyone have amateur radio?

BTW, I do have an FRS radios but I don't admit ti to my Ham friends!

I'll try to bring a list of frequencies for Albuquerque and the Balloon Festival for Kevbo10

ScrapIrony-2 · 09-12-2007, 10:04 AM

I hate to be dumb, but it's so much easier than pretending to be smart...What is FRS?.....John

Airstream25 · 09-12-2007, 10:50 AM

These letters are the initials for Family Radio Service.
Likewise CB is Citizen Band
and GMRS is General Mobile Radio Service.

FRS (Family Radio Service) is an unlicensed service.
FRS (Family Radio Service) consists of 14 UHF channels on FM. FRS Channel 1 is unofficially used as a common call channel.
FRS (Family Radio Service) shares channels 1 through 7 with GMRS, and many FRS radios are also GMRS radios.
The maximum allowable power for a FRS (Family Radio Service) radio is .5 watts. GMRS radios are allowed to transmit on the channels they share with FRS at 5 watts, ten times the power of FRS radios.
Unlike GMRS, repeaters are not allowed on FRS (Family Radio Service).

FRS and GMRS radios are sold for about $50 a pair. The FRS can be found a bit cheaper. The higher power GMRS are a bit more. The only models I have seen are battery powered.

They are sold in drug stores, electronics stores, chinamart, etc.

CB radios with an external magnetic base antenna for your vehicle roof go for about $100. Battery powered models are available with a cigarette lighter socket power adapter.

The are sold at Radio Shack, etc.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScrapIrony-2

I hate to be dumb, but it's so much easier than pretending to be smart...What is FRS?.....John

Motoman · 09-12-2007, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Airstream25

The maximum allowable power for a FRS (Family Radio Service) radio is .5 watts. GMRS radios are allowed to transmit on the channels they share with FRS at 5 watts, ten times the power of FRS radios.

Airstream25, you left out a couple aspect of GMRS radios. 1. Like CB or Citizen Band Radios in the 1970's and earier, the user by law is supposed to buy a five year GMRS license ($75 or $80) if they transmit using GMRS frequencies. 2. The cheap combination FRS/GMRS radios don't typically include the repeater capability. I believe that you have to go to a much higher priced radio from one of the amateur or commercial radio manufacturers at a price near $150 each (ICOM). If you know of a pair with repeat capabilities at a lower price please let me know by this tread, priivate post or email.

Don Williams, KD6UVT

Condoluminum · 09-12-2007, 11:51 AM

We have permanent mount CB, plus several CB handhelds, plus a pair of FRS "Walkie Talkie's", plus a pair of cell phones, a laptop, printer and WiFi..

It's the Silicon Valley High Tech thing... I'll assume Channel 14 for CB for now... I'll also propose "Four Corners Airstreams" as the call sign, so people will know who's calling whom..

What we'd like is a last-minute meeting site and time for those arriving from the west, especially for those who can't make the more relaxed SoCal caravan coming from Grants Friday morning.. If it is Camping World, at 9 or noon or ??, we'll just get up earlier and drive to get there.. Fiesta people sugest arriving after noon.. Confirm the exit and location and the time. I'd rather not arrive solo and have to find Ken by cell phone and talk my way past the security folks at the entrance with: "But I paid someone to be here..."

John McG

Airstream25 · 09-12-2007, 11:59 AM

Don,
Thanks for the additional info.

I know that there are a lot of radio buffs out there. I am surprised that more Airstreamers don't have radios. They obviously are good for communications, but also the two way conversations keep you awake on a long drive better than listening to music on your truck longwave broadcast radio.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Motoman

Airstream25, you left out a couple aspect of GMRS radios. 1. Like CB or Citizen Band Radios in the 1970's and earier, the user by law is supposed to buy a five year GMRS license ($75 or $80) if they transmit using GMRS frequencies. 2. The cheap combination FRS/GMRS radios don't typically include the repeater capability. I believe that you have to go to a much higher priced radio from one of the amateur or commercial radio manufacturers at a price near $150 each (ICOM). If you know of a pair with repeat capabilities at a lower price please let me know by this tread, priivate post or email.

Don Williams, KD6UVT

ScrapIrony-2 · 09-12-2007, 12:08 PM

Uhm...ok.
Thanks for the input...I'm not sure where to file it, but I'll find someplace...m

Kevbo10 · 09-12-2007, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScrapIrony-2

Uhm...ok.
Thanks for the input...I'm not sure where to file it, but I'll find someplace...m

mr irony,

this whole gender thingie keeps cropping up on this thread. i think, somone in an earlier post said to look under a panel or something...

kevbo

**azflycaster** · 09-12-2007, 01:36 PM

I am still collecting cell phone numbers for the trip. PM me if you want to be included on the list. You will get a copy of the list (next week) only if you have added your number to the list.

Kevbo10 · 09-12-2007, 02:30 PM

for the folks coming from california:

or the folks coming from new york, going to calico ghost town and joining the gas festival:

heads up if interested...

first night change:

Barstow, California Camping Vacation, Barstow/Calico Campground in California - KOA in Barstow

Barstow / Calico KOA
35250 Outer Highway 15 North
Yermo, CA 92398
Information: (760) 254-2311
Fax: (760) 254-2247
Email: parkinfo@san.rr.com

arrv tue oct 2nd 2007
dep wed oct 3rd 2007

tour calico ghost town tuesday afternoon, dinner on your own, open bar / happy hour at camp sites, corn toss tourny 6:30pm - 8:30pm, cowboy / biker dive bar tour 9pm - 12pm, sleep (maybe), wed highlight sections of route 66 in route to williams, az.

williams, az - as planned
grants, nm - as planned
ballooooon fiesta - as planned (arr fri - dep tue)
return to planet earth, unplanned, 809 miles

kevbo

47WeeWind · 09-12-2007, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azflycaster

I am still collecting cell phone numbers for the trip. PM me if you want to be included on the list. You will get a copy of the list (next week) only if you have added your number to the list.

I don't own a cell phone, so don't have any cell phone number. Just give me a time and place in or near Albuquerque to meet: name of business or property owner, street address, city & zip code, I-25 exit number, and I'll appear at or before the appointed time if that location doesn't change after I leave Denver.