Red Wave Radio

by **Burr** » Sun, 24 Aug 2003 09:31:13

My new mobile platform for listening,
I just got a beautiful old 1968 Ford/Thomasville School Bus. It has
been parked in the inter-city and has been well marked with the latest
graffiti and gang markings over just about ever inch of the 35 feet. All
the windows are broken and even the tires are tagged with gang stuff. It
has a big gas engine that runs very well with a two speed rear end and
air brakes.
I sure hope I don't drive through the wrong gangs areas when I bring it
home to the desert next week. Just think how envious all my neighbors
are going to be when I have this beautiful green, tagged school bus
parked next to my house while I am rebuilding it.
I am going to build a bedroom with*** lockers and a small dresser
in the rear, Next will be the bathroom with a tub and shower, a toilet
from a 707 with built in holding tank and a ac/dc/engine-water water
heater. The walkway will be on the side so I can have a nice size room
with out people walking through while you are taking care of business!
The next area will be the kitchen with an old fashion dining area like
an old ***tore both. The next area will be the living room area with a
wood burning stove with a glass door. The drivers seat will turn around
to face the living area as will the passenger seat. A small coffee table
with two end tables built with Redwood. I am not going to cover any of
the windows so I can enjoy the wonderful view from anyplace in the
"bus". I'll have a head with a view!!!. I will build screens for all the
windows.
The corner just in front of the kitchen area will be the radio area. I
will build slots with locking rails to keep the radios in while I am
moving. I'll also have 12v deep cell batteries locked down under the
radio center to run the radios
This thing has a platform on top for luggage with rails that will make
a nice antenna farm/platform. Just ahead of the platform I'll install
three solar cells that will put out about 15 to 20 amps or maybe even
more in the bight desert sun. The top will also have two 12v swamp coolers.
Under the bus will be mounted four 35 gal. drums for water, a 35 gal.
drum holding tank from the bath and kitchen and two extra 35 gal. fuel
tanks. I'll also carry two spare tires, a full toolbox and two bottle jacks.
The outside paint will be in "desert" earth tones with bushes and
desert flowers painted right on. The idea is to have the "Land Yacht"
fit right in with the back ground.

OK, this will take the next six months, I have my old Cortez to use for
short weekend trips and long road trips. The "Land Yacht" will be used
just for trips out into the desert for a week or more and as a guess
room here at the house.

by **Diverd47** » Sun, 24 Aug 2003 10:38:01

- Sounds pretty nice..!
- What kind of radios are you going to have in it &
what kind of antenn(s)

- BTW, in NYC & environs, XM radio was down for days after the blackout..

writes:

>Subject: I should be able to get away from EMF of the cities!!

>Date: Sat, 23 Aug 2003 00:31:13 GMT

>My new mobile platform for listening,
> I just got a beautiful old 1968 Ford/Thomasville School Bus. It has
>been parked in the inter-city and has been well marked with the latest
>graffiti and gang markings over just about ever inch of the 35 feet. All
>the windows are broken and even the tires are tagged with gang stuff. It
>has a big gas engine that runs very well with a two speed rear end and
>air brakes.
> I sure hope I don't drive through the wrong gangs areas when I bring it
>home to the desert next week. Just think how envious all my neighbors
>are going to be when I have this beautiful green, tagged school bus
>parked next to my house while I am rebuilding it.
> I am going to build a bedroom with*** lockers and a small dresser
>in the rear, Next will be the bathroom with a tub and shower, a toilet
>from a 707 with built in holding tank and a ac/dc/engine-water water
>heater. The walkway will be on the side so I can have a nice size room
>with out people walking through while you are taking care of business!
> The next area will be the kitchen with an old fashion dining area like
>an old ***tore both. The next area will be the living room area with a
>wood burning stove with a glass door. The drivers seat will turn around
>to face the living area as will the passenger seat. A small coffee table
>with two end tables built with Redwood. I am not going to cover any of
>the windows so I can enjoy the wonderful view from anyplace in the
>"bus". I'll have a head with a view!!!. I will build screens for all the
>windows.
> The corner just in front of the kitchen area will be the radio area. I
>will build slots with locking rails to keep the radios in while I am
>moving. I'll also have 12v deep cell batteries locked down under the
>radio center to run the radios
> This thing has a platform on top for luggage with rails that will make
>a nice antenna farm/platform. Just ahead of the platform I'll install
>three solar cells that will put out about 15 to 20 amps or maybe even
>more in the bight desert sun. The top will also have two 12v swamp coolers.
> Under the bus will be mounted four 35 gal. drums for water, a 35 gal.
>drum holding tank from the bath and kitchen and two extra 35 gal. fuel
>tanks. I'll also carry two spare tires, a full toolbox and two bottle jacks.
> The outside paint will be in "desert" earth tones with bushes and
>desert flowers painted right on. The idea is to have the "Land Yacht"
>fit right in with the back ground.

> OK, this will take the next six months, I have my old Cortez to use for
>short weekend trips and long road trips. The "Land Yacht" will be used
>just for trips out into the desert for a week or more and as a guess
>room here at the house.

by **Burr** » Sun, 24 Aug 2003 11:12:25

> - Sounds pretty nice..!
> - What kind of radios are you going to have in it & what kind of antenn(s)

> - BTW, in NYC & environs, XM radio was down for days after the blackout..

I'll use my Sat 800 or Drake SW8 for DXing and my and my BC 895 for
scanning, I can also use the Bc245 for trunking.

I'll mount a Sactanna on a swing-up and maybe a loaded antenna for
DXing with a long wire on a spool for when I have room to get it out set
in a "L".

I think I am going to like this setup when I get it rebuilt.

Burr
Grundig's Sat800&650,YB400&FR200
Drake SW8 Scanners BC 895&245XLT
Sangean DT110(for Ball Games)
Also Have a Clock Radio!!!
N35.3582
W117.4157
South Left Coast, U.S.A.

by **Mark Kei** » Sun, 24 Aug 2003 16:30:45

> > - Sounds pretty nice..!
> > - What kind of radios are you going to have in it & what kind of antenn(s)

> > - BTW, in NYC & environs, XM radio was down for days after the blackout..

> I'll use my Sat 800 or Drake SW8 for DXing and my and my BC 895 for
> scanning, I can also use the Bc245 for trunking.

> I'll mount a Sactanna on a swing-up and maybe a loaded antenna for
> DXing with a long wire on a spool for when I have room to get it out set
> in a "L".

> I think I am going to like this setup when I get it rebuilt.

A manly vehicle for sure. I doubt you will have much trouble clearing
a path through the sardine cans most people drive these days. Also,
the year is right.
I have a baby radio safari vehicle, which is also a 1968. But it's a
F-250. I envy your being able to sit and walk around like a normal
person in that big bus. I bet you don't pass many gas stations
though...:/ Although kinda cozy, my small camper is not something you
can sit in with tall chairs. I've been kicking around the idea of
getting a pop-up trailer to tow from it.
I like the idea of being able to unhook, and leave the "house"
wherever. IE: rv hookup...I am fairly well set for radio use as is
though. I run mainly an IC-706mk2g, and also a couple or three other
backup radios depending on what I'm doing.
My antenna is homebrew, and works all bands from 80-10 meters
including warc. I can also rig it up for 6m. I have a 2m/70cm antenna
on the cab. So I'm pretty much set all bands through 470 mhz. SWL is a
snap. I plan to get a laptop rigged up with a GPS before too long.
Good for digi modes, GPS while driving etc. I could get wefax pix or
work SSTV rolling down the interstate if I had the laptop.
I have a utility bed on the truck, so all the ***stays locked up in
toolboxes. At least no clutter in the camper itself. Naturally, I also
have a converter, and have TV/VCR etc in back if needed.
Good luck on the restore. It's a lot of work. I got this one in spring
2000, and have been working on it since...It was dirty and kind of
rough when I got it. Engine was about shot, blown muffler, brake were
shot, etc, etc, etc....I've almost rebuilt the whole thing since then.
I put a rebuilt engine in it, "300 six" which has about 3300 miles on
it now. Totally rebuilt the front end, including kingpins about a
month ago. Every front end part is new along with new tires, balance,
alignment. New radiator, new carb, new fuel pump, plug wires, muffler,
clutch, yada, yada....Still needs a good paint job...
It never ends....It's like I'm married to the damn thing. I like it
though. It's easy to work on, and I get to skip the smog test because
it's over 25 years old.
"It's actually 35 years old"
You can see a few partial pix of it in action at the last field day.
You can make out the mobile antenna mounted on the left driver side in
one pix, and the trailer and tower and beam I hauled out there. That
is a motorcycle trailer. Handy for hauling a tower and beam..:) I wish
it would turn itself into a big popup trailer...
http://www.redwaveradio.com/
Mine is "Mark's beam", "four pix from left to right" and you can see
a bit of the front end on the fox tv shot. MK

by **Burr** » Sun, 24 Aug 2003 22:29:03

Morning Mark,
Where do you live? Can't be close to me, you have grass!!! The only
grass we have we smoke.

I also have an old Cortez motor home that I have used for years and
just put another 225 in it.

You can get or make one of those little "tear drop" trailer that are
just great.

Let me hear from you.

Burr

by **Mark Kei** » Mon, 25 Aug 2003 11:01:53

> Morning Mark,
> Where do you live? Can't be close to me, you have grass!!! The only
> grass we have we smoke.

> I also have an old Cortez motor home that I have used for years and
> just put another 225 in it.

> You can get or make one of those little "tear drop" trailer that are
> just great.

> Let me hear from you.

> Burr

I'm in Houston. The pix were taken in Richmond TX at the fire training
facilty. All those buildings, etc you see are all for training
firemen. Yep, a little trailer would be ok. I want to keep the weight
down though. The slant six is pretty trusty. I thought about changing
to a V8, but decided to stick with the 300. I don't mind a six, and it
saved me from having to chase all the V8 parts down. MK

by **Burr** » Mon, 25 Aug 2003 15:46:18

I lived in Kemah for years, had a fishing business. Still
have friend there.

Those little tear drop trailers weigh nothing

Burr

>>Morning Mark,
>> Where do you live? Can't be close to me, you have grass!!! The only
>>grass we have we smoke.

>> I also have an old Cortez motor home that I have used for years and
>>just put another 225 in it.

>> You can get or make one of those little "tear drop" trailer that are
>>just great.

>> Let me hear from you.

>>Burr

> I'm in Houston. The pix were taken in Richmond TX at the fire training
> facilty. All those buildings, etc you see are all for training
> firemen. Yep, a little trailer would be ok. I want to keep the weight
> down though. The slant six is pretty trusty. I thought about changing
> to a V8, but decided to stick with the 300. I don't mind a six, and it
> saved me from having to chase all the V8 parts down. MK