Black Hills Run June 18-22, 2018

Bitech tells me that the UV5RTP has been replaced by and upgraded BF-F8HP at a $63.00 price point.

Don't mind the cost if it is an upgraded model.  I probably will buy two so I can have somebody to talk to here in Cornfield Country.

The UV-5RTP has been around since 2015.  It's a good radio, with 2nd generation technology for processing signals.  It does a good job, and is still being made, and sold in the US for $34.  

The BF-F8HP has been around for about a year, perhaps a bit more.  It's a good radio with 3rd generation technology for processing signals.  Electronically it is a bit cleaner than the UV-5R family of radios.  It uses all the same accessories as the 5R radios ( mike, batt, antenna) for $63. 

For our uses, I doubt you could tell the difference between the models, except for the price.  If you are a serious HAM operator, you may get some use out of the features in the F8HP.  I won't tell you NOT to spend the extra money on the F8HP, but I think you will get the same radio value out of the 5RTP as you would the F8HP, and for half the money.  We simply do not use the extra features of the F8HP to make it worthwhile for most of us on Jeep tours.  Unless you are a HAM operator.

On the aftermarket antennas and mikes, there I say spend a few dollars more and get good quality because you WILL be able to see the difference in performance there.  

And yes, CHIRP will program the 5RTP and the F8HP easily.

George, if you figure 5 gallons a day, you will be good. So, 10 in the Jeep plus your 5 equals 3 days. If you Google alcohol free gas, Hill City, SD. You will see they have it. John

 

Hope you guys are staying warm..............

 

George

 

Fltfndr, Oilly and the gang will find us a nice spot for the big rigs - save the $ and camp with us in the rough. I'm not sure but I hope that charcoal is allowed in a grill. I know that open campfires are a no-no.

 

I always have the Coleman stove!

 

See you in Sept.

 

 

 

 Gas grills, hot plates, coleman stoves , turkey roasters all fueled by propane or a white gas type burner are fine. Even a propane fired smoker. 

Campfires are only allowed in FS campgrounds in their approved fire pits. You also have to be in attendance of the fire, or it needs to be extinquished, dead out. 

At the lake we passed over the busy snowmobile trail and tried to drive down to the possible camp location. Never made it. I met a chained up Honda car headed back out the two track in the 6 inches of hard packed snow. I saw 4 wheeler tracks through the road ditch and tried to get out of the way. I did this and got stuck. Rocking back and forth, up and down the ditch, I finally crawled back out. Then backed up the road to where a local had plowed to his driveway. No more recon until spring unless you chain up. Maybe not then either. It would be fun with a chained up flattie with winch and a buddy. I wouldn't go solo. I don't have chains for my wrangler. More snow in the forcast, time to head for the shop again. Oilly