Cruise Moab Cruise Moab 2025 - Prerun - CARAVAN Thursday 3/20

[jeffcon]

We're taking off Thursday morning around 10:30, coming from the southlands area. We'll be heavy with an old camper and a teenager, so god only knows when we'll be actually leaving and stopping along the way. I'll have my handheld on. Does channel 11 work for everyone, or has another channel already been established?

Sounds like you and I are similarly equipped (camper, likely slower, kiddos with many stops).

Happy to wait in Idaho Springs where we’re setting off from Thursday morning if anyone else wants to join the rig+family+camper caravan. I’m WSAZ703 on GMRS

 

[Inukshuk]

Hi all. Not sure when I am leaving. Good to have this info.

I'll be facilitating the morning and evening training and debrief sessions. Here's the First Teaching Moment.

Selecting a FRS/GMRS radio channel for the highway caravan to a 4x4 trail run

Mindset: You area a trail leader. Not everyone will read this thread so next weekend when it comes time to pick trail frequencies in Moab I'd like to see you guys chime in from this lesson. In some training we'll have you figure out the info in a guided way, other times you get info and then run a scenario to integrate it. Sometime we just tell ya! This is a tell-ya.
(If anyone else in Rising Sun reads this and wants to add or correct me, please PM me so I may change this post. We have many threads on the topic, many of you truly are experts and know more than me. Still, not everyone needs or wants to become an expert and people get confused al the time. I am presenting it the way I am for specific reasons. Thank you)

1. FRS and GMRS have channels ("ch") 1 - 22.
2. Ch 8 - 14 are power limited by law to 0.5 Watt ("W").
3. All other channels are power limited by law as follows:
   • When used on a "FRS only" handset ("HT"): determined by the "power" you select on your radio to a maximum of 2.0W
   • When used on a GMRS HT or vehicle mounted unit (a "Mobil"): determined by the "power" you select on your radio to a maximum of 50.0W

Example: My T71VP HT set on high power can do 2W but will automatically throttle back to 0.5W on 8-14.
Example: My MXT275 (I have a GMRS license) set on 15W but will automatically throttle back to 0.5W on Ch 1-7, does not even have 8 - 14. Reason: FCC Rule.
Example: We are using radios to stay in touch at the Cruise Moab HQ. Distances are short. Set to lo-power (0.5W) for more battery life.

Practical Quiz: You are caravan to Moab. People on the caravan will be spread out on the interstate, maybe for miles. People have a combination of HT's and Mobiles, what FRS/GMRS channel would you select and why?

Want to learn more: plenty of threads in the Rising Sun Forum section HAM / FRS & GMRS / CB / Satellite

 

[jeffcon]

@Inukshuk great point, I did momentarily forget my rig mounted unit cannot transmit on 8-14. Although I can listen.

When I lead trails we start low, (1-7) and then usually find something that works there as long as those channels aren’t too busy with others .

On highway travel, I usually stick to 16 since “4x4”

And with GMRS and all radio etiquette, you never interrupt a transmission as you don’t know what type of situation the other parties may be in. If a channel is too busy, you want to usually get off of it, or wait until all transmissions that you are receiving are completed.

 

[Curly]

Nice catch, Daniel. I also have a GMRS license, but obviously forgot this nugget of information.

To answer your question, we obviously want a channel between 15 and 22 to take advantage of non-throttling and to maintain broadcast-ability for all radio operators.

@jeffcon your logic behind channel selection is undeniable, so I second the vote for 16. Also, we'd be happy to group up with you in Idaho Springs on Thursday morning. We'll adjust our departure time to be there as close to 11 as we can if that's not too late.

 

[jeffcon]

@Curly sounds good mate, we will likely start getting ourselves ready at 9a and inevitably end up being ready by that time.. as it goes with loading a toddler, 2 dogs and camper in-tow.

That all said, I also have a last minute camper repair to attend to, dropped our trailer off for a renter/client today, and discovered our water heater-out elbow decided to harbor some hidden water and made a tiny little crack. So need to fix that once I get it back from the renter on Tuesday.

And of course, our 4.56 gears we had ordered over a month ago, did not arrive in time for the pre-runs this week, so we will be slow and steady on our way out to Moab to top it off (stock on our rig are 3.73 eek)

 

[Norseman12]

I can meet at the Dinosaur lots/Mavericks Thursday afternoon - is that still the plan?

 

[BatteredTravels]

I'm going to do my best to try and get away by 3/3:30. If timing works out I'll aim to join in on the caravan and meet y'all at the Dino Lot / Maverick.

 

[timmbuck2]

I anyone planning on leaving Friday? My 16 year old is heading out after school. He has made the drive many times but never completely by himself.

 

[PawprintsAndTacos]

If anyone wants to do a smaller caravan leaving earlier in the day that isn't stopping for kiddos, let me know! I would like to get out there with some daylight to spare.

 

[Hicntryflyguy]

I'll be leaving Parachute around 10:30am on Thursday, Ch. 16 as well.

 

[Inukshuk]

Remember to check road conditions.
For example, right now it’s fine in Denver but Loveland pass is closed for snow, there’s a closure on Vail pass (looks like roads are OK so not sure what that closure is about) and the eastern plains of Colorado by Colorado Springs are a total mess with closures and stranded vehicles.
Remember, it’s still winter in the high country so be prepared.
If you don’t already have the app, get it.

‎COtrip Planner

‎The COtrip app is the Colorado Department of Transportation's (CDOT) official real-time traffic and traveler information app. The COtrip app provides statewide travel information for Colorado’s interstates, U.S. routes and state highways. It does not include information for county roads or city...

apps.apple.com

Great to see that many will be looking out for each other and convoying!

 

[gearhead1]

I’ll update the spreadsheet, but I’m not able to leave Thursday afternoon now.

My plan is to leave ASAP Friday, due to work issues that popped up.

@timmbuck2 - do you know when Connor aims to leave Friday afternoon?

 

[gearhead1]

Is anyone leaving on Friday? My 16 year old, Connor, is leaving around 2 on Friday after school, coming from near Wash Park. He has made the drive to Moab several times but never completely by himself.

I can probably link up with Connor.

I’ll DM you my phone number @timmbuck2

 

[Inukshuk]

In coordination with @timmbuck2:
If everyone brings a bundle or two of firewood, that would be nice.

 

[jeffcon]

@Curly sorry to say, we will be departing earlier tomorrow morning. There’s a high chance you’ll catch up to us at some point. After chatting it out more with the family, 9a is just more comfortable so we can have a more relaxed drive. Like mentioned previously, we’re going to be slow… talking like 40mph up the steep grades at best.

We’ll be on ch. 16 all the same. WSAZ703

 

[Curly]

If anyone wants to do a smaller caravan leaving earlier in the day that isn't stopping for kiddos, let me know! I would like to get out there with some daylight to spare.

@Curly sorry to say, we will be departing earlier tomorrow morning. There’s a high chance you’ll catch up to us at some point. After chatting it out more with the family, 9a is just more comfortable so we can have a more relaxed drive. Like mentioned previously, we’re going to be slow… talking like 40mph up the steep grades at best.

We’ll be on ch. 16 all the same. WSAZ703

@PawprintsAndTacos We'll still plan to leave the Southlands area around 10am, our kiddo is a teenager and while he smells questionable at times, he's good at holding it between gas stations , so you're welcome to roll with us, we'll just be slow.

@jeffcon no worries at all. We will also be pushing gently upnthe passes at right around 45mph, hopefully. Our radio will be on 16 the whole way, so we'll try reaching out. WSDE481

Found a guy just off the highway in Fruita with soaring reviews:

Snider Firewood Services
948 18 Rd, Fruita, CO 81521
(970) 270-8593

I don't know anything about him, but ill be stopping to load my roof with some wood after we fill up.

 

[Inukshuk]

I just got food and fuel in Silverthorne and my next step will be Grand Junction.

Radio is on channel 16 and 146 460

 

[timmbuck2]

HQ is also monitoring 16 and 146.460

 

[CardinalFJ60]

I’m grabbing some dinner in Moab, see you in juuuust a little bit.

 

[Inukshuk]

Real time info March 23 12:45 PM

Eastbound I 70 between the two Cisco exits traffic was full. I got off at a bypass by Cisco so I don’t really know what’s going on.