Feb 2009 - Tour du Nord V: this time, it's personal

[blalor]

Am I correct in my understanding that in order to properly tune the antenna for the best range, we'd be best served by tuning it to a single channel? Maybe we should use channel 10 for our comms, since it's adjacent to 9; tuning for 10 would assure (I think) very close tuning for 9, as well, so we'd have max range in an emergency.

[blalor]

Boy, it's gonna be tough to resist getting the PA speaker option...

(CB radio hattrick!)

[AstroBlackS]

Quote: Originally Posted by Oldpaint (original)

Don't the newer MINI's have a higher ground clearance than the first generation ones? So if you've lowered it, it might be back to what mine and most of the others are like.

Astroblacks, if you measure your clearance and let us know where you took the measurement we can compare it.

Also it looks to me like the rail cars are just flat cars level with the platform so I don't think there would be loading problems.

I have an 06, 1st gen. The lowest point is 2.5" of clearance, which is at the center of the plastic "air dam" underneath the front bumper.

I'm looking into snow/ice tires now to see what they will run me.

Sorry for all the complications everyone. Thanks for all the help though!

[blalor]

Dunno where you're hailing from AstroBlackS, but you might want to check out this thread:
http://www.mini2.com/forum/new-york-...nd-ma-usa.html

I spent about $100/tire for Nokian Hakkapeliitta Rs up here in Nashua, NH.

[LePew]

Quote: Originally Posted by blalor (original)

Am I correct in my understanding that in order to properly tune the antenna for the best range, we'd be best served by tuning it to a single channel?

No.

[blalor]

Quote: Originally Posted by LePew (original)

No.

Alllll righty, then.

Passport's been located. State Farm is sending my Canadian trans-universal homing device. Now to get some warm socks.

[Oldpaint]

Quote: Originally Posted by MinorRoadsKill (original)

Funny story: Passports usually speed things up, but not always. I flew out of Indianapolis in November, to Vegas. TSA ID checker had never seen a foreign (i.e. Canadian) passport. IND is something like the largest airport in the US with virtually no Int'l flights. Stole 15 minutes of my life, because he thought passports are always supposed to have 'USA' on them.

We will be missing a potentially entertaining trip moment this year since you don't have to cross the border.

[Oldpaint]

Quote: Originally Posted by AstroBlackS (original)

I have an 06, 1st gen. The lowest point is 2.5" of clearance, which is at the center of the plastic "air dam" underneath the front bumper.

I'm looking into snow/ice tires now to see what they will run me.

Sorry for all the complications everyone. Thanks for all the help though!

I've got four inches at the lowest point of the air dam with the car shod in 16" blizzaks.

[Oldpaint]

I'll try for a hat trick again.

I ordered the $26 CB with a magnetic mount. I think the antenna cable will go through hatch. If it doesn't I'll try a glass mount although I imagine that some of the antenna's signal has got to be lost with those.

[NoNo]

Quote: Originally Posted by blalor (original)

Alllll righty, then.

Passport's been located. State Farm is sending my Canadian trans-universal homing device. Now to get some warm socks.

And thermals, and balaclava, and gloves, and some high boots. Never know when you're going to sink in up to your waist.

[olYeller]

Quote: Originally Posted by NoNo (original)

And thermals, and balaclava, and gloves, and some high boots. Never know when you're going to sink in up to your waist.

and have to be rescued.......after we laugh and take pictures.

[MinorRoadsKill]

Quote: Originally Posted by LePew (original)

At Amazon: Midland Glass Mount CB Antenna $18.50 I'll be testing this configuration out this weekend.

Fabulous. I was looking for glass mounts, but didn't look hard enough. I knew a few people who had them, and they didn't have as much range. Warmer in winter though. In those days, the back seats didn't fold down, making it harder to sneak the wire out through the trunk.

Let us know how it goes

[MinorRoadsKill]

Quote: Originally Posted by Oldpaint (original)

We will be missing a potentially entertaining trip moment this year since you don't have to cross the border.

You know, I'd almost forgotten about the sirens.

[MinorRoadsKill]

Anyone not my group mailing list, [i.e. those who haven't been getting my emails], please PM me with your email address.

AstroBlackS and blalor: I'm pretty sure I don't have either of you.

[MinorRoadsKill]

I went ahead and booked all the remaining motel rooms in Moosonee and Attawapiskat. If I waited a few more days, we might not have had enough to go on the trip. Some can be let go after we firm up our numbers, if necessary.

The ecolodge in Moose Factory was already fully booked. Not that it mattered anyway. They were charging US$150. We still might dine there, the view is really nice. Meanwhile, in Attawapiskat I'm still waiting to hear if some rooms will open up, which are cheaper than the ones I've already booked.

As it stands, we have room for 10 cars and 13 people. My running count is 13, but I'll be looking to firm that up via a group email later this week.

With the train and rooms booked, logistically we are now a go for the entire route.