Hi everyone. I literally have ZERO offroad experience and do not have a trail-ready vehicle. I've just become obsessed with your YouTube videos and trip reports and want to learn what it takes to get to all those amazing places. I'm going to lurk and listen for a while to see if I might possibly dip my toe in the water. While I gather info/before entertaining the idea of a new vehicle, I'd also like to get a better understanding of what my Subaru Outback is capable of (Scott Leuthold, I'm of course already watching and have subscribed to 4XPEDITION as well).
Once we're out of the woods with this COVID-19 thing, I'd love to participate in some clinics to start building my driving skills. Until then, my dad is beside himself with glee. He's been a ham radio operator since he was 12 and encouraged me to get my license when I was 10...but I quickly went inactive. Have only ever met one person who's been a novice longer than me (we both had to pass the code test, of course). The fact that something is finally giving me a reason to consider upgrading to my general class license has thrilled my dad beyond belief....he even has a few radios already set aside for me.
73,
KA7DKD
Welcome. We have a guy with a Outback in our club. He has taken it a lot of places. He just did the Blue Mountain Trip with us in it. He does our annual Beverly Dunes Clean Up in it every year.
That's great to know. Thank you so much! From the pictures, looks like I have some upgrades to pursue and some driving skills to build. In the meantime, would love to know if there are such things as beginners' trips with stock vehicles...
@Joanna Fuller I would think there would be some here. Our club host them at times where the roads do not require high ground clearance.
@Clay Graham Thank you again...I'll be on the lookout!
Welcome aboard!
Novice class. Dang. There's something you don't see every day. You should absolutely get your General! There's a lot you can do with it.
Here's a thread I started about the possibility of doing a NWOL Winter Field Day this winter: https://www.northwestoverland.com/forum/activity-trip-planning/winter-field-day-2021
@Aaron Kravik Thank you for the welcome! And trust me, having grown up in a ham radio household, I get told quite a bit what I can do with a more advanced license. Ha! :-) I've actually been to a few field days and even made the pilgrimage to Dayton, OH for a Hamvention believe it or not. Thanks so much for sending me the link to Winter Field Day 2021. Will definitely consider it. Any idea where you'll do?
The what you can do has expanded quite a lot in the past few years with the proliferation of digital modes. That's where most of my interest lies.
Dayton sounds potentially fun but I hate crowds...
Haven't settled on a location yet for WFD. It'll depend greatly on the weather and what's accessible. Having some altitude would be preferred.
@Aaron Kravik Very cool. My dad's still incredibly active and one of the most knowledgeable operators you'll ever meet. He started working with digital modes from the very early days of packet radio. Am guessing you all would have a lot to talk about. His never-ending evaluation of tablet computers almost always comes down to whether it runs the latest ham radio application he's test-driving. :-D
Welcome Joanna. You'd be surprised at some of the places your Subaru can take you. Along with Scott's channel, check out "softroading the west" on Youtube. He also has a Subaru and takes it way out there.
@Byron Benson Thank you so much for the welcome and recommendation...I really appreciate both!!
Welcome, Joanna! Subaru's are very capable and steadfast. I am sure you will get a good idea of what the little Outback can do!
Dan