Thursday, April 17, 2008

Launch of Outdoor Adventure Net

Join us for the launch of the Outdoor Adventure USA Amateur Radio Net on April 24th, 2008.

Outdoor Adventure USA was originally created by "off-roading" enthusiasts who also happened to be licensed Amateur Radio operators (Ham radio). They believe that safely enjoying outdoor adventures, (while using a vehicle), seemed to be a perfect marriage with Amateur Radio. For a host of reasons, Ham radio is an indispensable part of enjoying the outdoors, especially in the more remote areas where this adventure is sometimes the best.

They have therefore combined interests in outdoor adventures with Ham Radio and created this net and its accompanying website, http://www.oausa.net/. The net will host a wide variety of discussions concerning topics such as camping, vehicle preparation and maintenance, cooking, wilderness survival, first aid, Ham Radio (operation, installation and maintenance), photography, firearms, and many others.

This net will air weekly and will be open to anyone with the necessary Ham equipment. It will be an open discussion of the many topics which are of interest to outdoor enthusiasts and will be an opportunity to have a direct conversation with the speakers and ask questions and offer advice and information. The "net" will be open to any licensed Ham or anyone who is under the direct supervision of a licensed Ham. The "net" will be available just about anywhere in the US with the proper connections. A complete discussion of how to participate is covered in the Forums at http://oausa.net/forums/ .

For those Ham's in Southern California your options to log in to the net are;

Fam Comm @ 146.610 and 445.760 ~ both with (-) offsets and PL 103.5 & 156.7. Keller Peak @ 146.385, with (+) offset and a PL of 146.2.

For those Ham's in the San Diego Area, your option to log in to the net is:

Palomar Mountain @ 449.300 (-) (100.0) KA6UAI IRLP node 7870

Echolink users anywhere, use KE6TZG-L to talk & listen on Keller.

Tune in at 7:30 PM, every Thursday. We will have Gordon West as our guest for this first net.

I hope to see you on the trails and hear you on the air!

Regards,

Tom Severin, President
Badlands Off Road Adventures, Inc
310-374-8047
http://www.4x4training.com/
Make it Fun. Make it Safe.

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Don’t Lose Your Head While Recovering A Vehicle

If there’s one maxim that applies to 4-wheeling regardless of where you ride and under what conditions it is this: There is no substitute for safety. In many instances the margin for error is slim.

One of the more dangerous situations arises when a vehicle is stuck. Even if the vehicle is upright and on stable ground, you still must use the proper equipment and technique. One mistake, and someone could get killed. It’s happened a couple times in the past few years, and the lessons learned from these sad incidents should serve as a wake-up call to anyone who drives off road. Both incidents, coincidently, occurred in Michigan, but they could’ve happened anywhere.

In one case, in 2004, the driver was attempting to pull his vehicle out using two 3-inch recovery straps hooked together with a clevis. During the attempt one recovery strap broke, and the clevis sprung back like a missile toward the vehicle being pulled. Sadly, the driver was standing behind his vehicle at that time—which you should never do for this reason—and was facing the other direction. He never saw the clevis screaming toward his head.

In another incident two years later, a 33-year-old man was killed when a metal clamp from the tow strap he and his friends were using broke off and came crashing through his windshield. He never had a chance to react, and died at the scene.

Both men left behind grieving families and friends. The worst part is, both tragedies could have been avoided had the drivers and their buddies used sound judgment.

Several lessons come out of these terrible tragedies. First, there are distinct differences between a tow strap and a recovery strap. Tow straps are designed merely to pull a vehicle from Point A to Point B over solid ground. They don’t have any stretch in them and have metal hooks on the ends.

A recovery strap is made to stretch and therefore absorb and smooth out some of the tension created during recovery. They typically are rated at 20,000 lbs. or more, which is needed for a safe recovery operation. In addition, the straps have sewn-in loops at the ends, as opposed to metal hooks or clamps.

Never use clevises, hooks, or other metal objects to connect recovery straps to each other. There is a proper way to do that, which I cover in my Getting Started class. Finally, never stand in the path of a recovery strap. While the strap may appear to be in good shape, it could still snap. Even fabric packs a wallop when it’s under stress. And, for good measure, place a large blanket over the middle of the strap. It will act like a parachute and slow down a broken strap.

Recovery operations are a fact of off-road driving. While hazardous by nature, by using proper equipment and technique, you not only clear your vehicle, but you ensure that you are around to drive another day.

Regards,
Tom Severin, President
Badlands Off Road Adventures, Inc
310-374-8047
http://www.4x4training.com
Make it Fun. Make it Safe.

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Top 10 Must-Have Items For Your Recently Purchased Vehicle

You’ve heard of David Letterman’s Top 10 list. I have one as well. But instead of poking fun at someone or something, my list is serious. It’s designed to prepare you and your vehicle for off-road driving. While these are ranked in order of importance, you should consider all recommendations to be critical to safe and successful four-wheeling.

1. Training – Everyone should take at least a basic off-road course from an instructor certified by the International 4-Wheel Drive Trainers’ Association. In those courses you cover a number of important topics, including safe 4-wheel drive techniques, vehicle safety, trail etiquette, and environmental awareness. To find a certified training facility near you, visit the association Web site at www.i4wdta.org

2. Safety – 4-wheeling by its nature is done in hostile environments. At a minimum you can get some bumps and bruises. Cuts and sprains are possible too; even bug bites. A good first aid is comprised of at least four categories of products: tools, meds, wound care, and fracture kit, all stored in a water-proof container. I also highly recommend you take a Wilderness First Responder course. They pack a lot of good information into the 72-hour course, such as how to deal with dislocations, severe cuts, anaphylaxic shock, and even fractures. To find a course near you, go to www.wildmed.com Finally, make sure you have a good fire extinguisher in your vehicle. I suggest an ABC-rated 3 lb. rechargeable extinguisher with a gauge and a metal nose on it. (A plastic nose will break off.) Mount it where it’s accessible quickly and visible but secure so it’s not bouncing around in the vehicle.

3. Communication – You need to stay in touch while on the trails. CB is really popular out there. There are lots of brands and models to choose from, but I’ve heard good things about Cobra brand radios. You could also consider getting licensed as a ham radio operator. That would give you access to more radio frequencies, which extends your options. Regardless of the route you go, make sure you mount your equipment well. Off-road driving creates a lot of vibration inside the vehicle, which affects any equipment you are carrying. If you decide on CB, buy the standard ¼-wave antenna. Those long whip-like antennas you sometimes see are not practical off-road, and in fact can be quite dangerous.

4. Recovery strap and tow point – 20,000 lb. rated strap (ultimate breaking strength) with loops sewn in the ends as opposed to metal hooks. Remember that this is a recovery strap, not a towing strap. They’re two inches wide, and available in 20- and 30-foot lengths. I usually buy one of each to give myself options on distance. But you can get by with one, to start. Tow points should be integrated into the vehicle frame if it doesn’t already have towing hooks on the front and back ends. Go to a reputable shop, and make sure the tow points are rated for the GVW.

5. Tires – Replace the passenger tires with a good set of all terrain or mud terrain tires suited to your vehicle. Those provide better performance and hold up much better off road. Drive your vehicle for at least a year before making major modifications, such as adding traction control aids, bigger tires, and other mechanical aids. This way you will develop your driving skills.

6. Tire kit – Included here are a good tire gauge (one that reads from 0-60 in 1 lb. increments), a deflator, and a plug kit. Tires, as you can image, take a pounding on many trails, so you must be able to plug small cuts and holes. Also, get the Trail Head automatic deflators. They can be set for your desired pressure and will stop automatically when they reach that pressure. For more information, go to www.trailheaddeflators.com

7. Hi-Lift jack – Extremely useful for off-road recovery and tire repair. A stock jack just won’t cut it. The only drawback is that the nose (lifting point) is straight and flat, so it does not work with curved or round bumpers. But, adapters exist that work with curved bumpers.

8. Winch and accessories – A winch is not absolutely necessary, but it provides peace of mind. I prefer that you spend your money on a winch rather then on lockers, lift, etc. until you have honed your driving skills. Get one that’s rated at least 1.5 times the GVW. I like Mile Marker becasue they use a 3/8" wire rope instead of 5/16. Mount it so the bumper does not obscure a clear view of the full top of the winch. You’ll need a winch kit, also. At a minimum this kit includes a tree strap, pulley, two D-rings—I recommend four—and a pair of gloves. The pin inside the D-rings (often called a clevice) should be at least ¾”. Any brand will do; all manufacturers sell quality winch kits.

9. Air compressor – There are various options. Some fit in a bag, others can be installed permanently. Get one that taps directly into the vehicle battery. Those designed to be plugged into the cigarette lighter take too long to operate. Other alternatives are CO2 tanks and engine drive compressors. A really neat product is the “dual force,” a combined winch and compressor.

10. Vehicle repair tools – A basic tool kit is fine. But be sure to include the 4-wheeler’s ultimate tool, a BFH (Big Frickin’ Hammer). As they say on TV, don’t leave home without it!


Regards,
Tom Severin, President
Badlands Off Road Adventures, Inc
310-374-8047
http://www.4x4training.com
Make it Fun. Make it Safe. ###

2009 Easter Safari First-Timers Service - Moab, UT

March 26,2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2009 Easter Safari First-Timers Service Moab, UT

Gold Bar Rim

REDONDO BEACH, CA – Prepare to experience the thrill and beauty of the best 4-wheeling at 2009 Moab Easter Safari under the guidance of off-road professional Tom Severin.

Tom Severin, President of Badlands Off-Road Adventures, announced that Badlands Off-Road Adventures will provide a new service to assist first-timer Jeep owners attend 2009 Easter Safari.

Participants will prepare for and drive some of the famous Moab trails such as Fins & Things, Hells Revenge, Metal Master, and Gold Bar Rim.

Badlands Off-Road will assist First-Timers with details on expectation, preparation, driver’s skill training, vehicle inspection, equipment review, accommodations, logistic, and optional Jeep rental. To ensure the most successful experience possible, Badlands Off-Road will accompany clients to the 2009 Moab event and assist in every way to promote safety and fun on the trails and to experience the utmost enjoyment of all the entertainment activities.

Tom said “My focus is to serve a group of like-minded off-roaders attending Easter Safari for their first time. Advance preparation ensures properly skilled drivers, trail-ready vehicles and smooth travel arrangements.”

“We are announcing this service now so interested clients take the year to plan and train for this premier, must-attend event. Moab has an elite group of 4WD trails where every 4-wheeler must “get there ticket punched”. We encourage anyone who is interested to call or email so we can tailor our service to the Group. This event draws thousands of vehicles. Our group size is limited so we encourage First-Timers to indicate their interest early”

Badlands Off-Road Adventures is accepting inquires now for this premier trip April 5-11, 2009.

Badlands Off-Road Adventures, Inc
Badlands Off-Road Adventures conducts tours and training classes for off-highway enthusiast of all skill levels. Their website is www.4x4training.com. Tom Severin has 40 years of off-highway driving, including patrolling as a former Deputy Wildlife Conservation Officer and former Sheriff’s Deputy. Severin is a member of the California Association of 4-Wheel Drive Clubs, and an International 4 Wheel Drive Trainers Association certified trainer. He is a certified Wilderness First Responder.

Red Rock 4-Wheelers, Inc.
Easter Safari is sponsored by The Red Rock 4-Wheelers, Inc. and the Moab Area Chamber of Commerce. The event runs for 9 days starting the weekend before Easter and ending on Easter Sunday. The Easter Safari in 2009 will be the 43nd annual event. The Red Rock 4-Wheelers can be contacted at P.O. Box 832, Moab UT. 84532

Contact: Tom Severin President
Badlands Off-Road Adventures
Phone: 310.374.8047
mailto:Info@4x4training.com

Moab Pictures

Camping In The Mojave Desert

As a four-wheeler, you’ve probably spent countless hours driving the hundreds of miles of roads and trails in the Mojave Desert. Did you ever consider camping there as well? You should. Camping in the desert can be a remarkably enjoyable experience.

At 1.5 million acres, the Mojave National Preserve offers a lot of space for quality sightseeing and camping. Despite the harsh conditions, vegetation and wildlife are in abundance. More than dozen species of trees, over 60 varieties of shrubs, and several different cacti, including Old Man Cactus and Cotton Top cactus, can be found there. The Desert Sand Verbena, Lupine, Beavertail Cactus, and my favorite the Creosol bush bloom in spring, and are quite beautiful. Birds and animals you may see include hawks, falcons, bighorn sheep, coyotes, desert tortoise, and rattlesnakes.

The National Park Service encourages hiking and backpacking in the Preserve. There is no permit required for groups of fewer than 15 people.



Camping Options Are Numerous
The Preserve offers two developed campgrounds and a group campground. Sites are reserved on a first come, first served basis; the current fee is $12/night.

The Hole-in-the-Wall Campground, for example, is considered a wonderful spot for camping. It has 35 campsites, and sports pit toilets, picnic tables, and limited drinking water. There are no utility hookups but there is a sanitary disposal station. At 4,400 feet, its sculpted volcanic walls provide an incredible backdrop for the amazing scenery.

Because vegetation is sparse, you are not allowed to collect firewood in the Preserve. Campfires are allowed in the campgrounds, but you must bring your own firewood. Portable stoves are permitted. Dispersed camping is allowed in the Preserve. You may make a camp fire only if there is an existing fire ring. A good idea would be to bring your own fire pan.

Temperatures vary widely in the Mojave Desert. Daytime temperatures in the spring can range from 55 to 75 (F); at night, they drop to 45 to 60 degrees.

For more information, go to www.desertusa.com/mnp/mnp_camp.html


Be Prepared Before You Head Into The Desert
Do not take this environment for granted, regardless of your skill level. While beautiful, it can be unforgiving. Never camp alone. Before setting out, let your family know where you will be and when you expect to return.

Make sure you take enough supplies, including water, adequate clothing (don’t forget a broad-brimmed hat and sunglasses), food, a first aid kit, and a functioning radio or phone. Watch your step, as poisonous snakes live in the desert. Be mindful of your own health and that of your fellow campers. Heat exhaustion and stroke are common, as is–surprisingly–hypothermia. People have been known to get caught in a freak nighttime rainstorm.

With proper preparation, your stay in the desert will be as rewarding as it is exhilarating. You will come back with a lifetime of memories and some great pictures.

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Regards,

Tom Severin, President
Badlands Off Road Adventures, Inc
310-374-8047
http://www.4x4training.com
Make it Fun. Make it Safe.