Radio Preppers

General Category => Tactical Corner => Topic started by: Geek on June 01, 2013, 06:45:06 AM

Title: Bug Out Vehicles
Post by: Geek on June 01, 2013, 06:45:06 AM
I have generally kept one extra car around.  Recently that has meant 5 cars for 4 drivers.  Unfortunately, my step-daughter totaled her car, putting me into the market for a replacement.  I decided the "new" vehicle will be a true Bug Out Vehicle, i.e. this thing should keep running even during an EMP, which basically rules out anything made since about 1985.  I also wanted Diesel, 4WD, and lots of room.  I found a 1984 Diesel Suburban, but it is a true project car and is not drivable.  This will be a major restoration project and I expect it to take at least a year.   I have done one prior restoration of an old Porsche, which I no longer own.

Has anyone else here attempted anything of this nature, and if so what sort of vehicle did you select?  Is anyone interested in following this project?

BTW: When it is complete I intend to equip it with a CB and a 2m radio, though I am considering making the radios easy to swap out and replace with spares kept in Faraday cages.  I could use recommendations for antennas, mounts and wiring to be installed while the car is apart.
Title: Re: Bug Out Vehicles
Post by: KC9TNH on June 01, 2013, 08:42:26 AM
I'd be interested in periodic reports. A dear friend I visit periodically keeps a Suburban around and, except for the diesel, knows them (and their parts sources & kinks) inside & out. Lots of support for that vehicle out there.

Wiring: set yourself up a switch or other means such that, from inside the cab, you can kill ALL lighting. Everything, brake lights, dome light, everything.

Reverse-TimeWarp Warning: You could even put a single tail-light & headlight center-mounted that, to an observer makes you look like a motorcycle at a distance, selectable from in the cab as well as the zillion-candlepower lighting you're running off your 2x12V system. And curtains, and primer-OD paint, front & rear winch points... oh, wait...
ok, whew - back to the present now.
8)
Title: Re: Bug Out Vehicles
Post by: Geek on June 01, 2013, 11:28:32 AM
Quote from: KC9TNH on June 01, 2013, 08:42:26 AM
I'd be interested in periodic reports. A dear friend I visit periodically keeps a Suburban around and, except for the diesel, knows them (and their parts sources & kinks) inside & out. Lots of support for that vehicle out there.

Wiring: set yourself up a switch or other means such that, from inside the cab, you can kill ALL lighting. Everything, brake lights, dome light, everything.

Reverse-TimeWarp Warning: You could even put a single tail-light & headlight center-mounted that, to an observer makes you look like a motorcycle at a distance, selectable from in the cab as well as the zillion-candlepower lighting you're running off your 2x12V system. And curtains, and primer-OD paint, front & rear winch points... oh, wait...
ok, whew - back to the present now.
8)

I thought I was supposed to suck up all the juice with radios.  :-)
Title: Re: Bug Out Vehicles
Post by: Joe on June 01, 2013, 01:25:11 PM
Hi Geek

Congrats on taking the step towards a dedicated BOV(http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-transport011.gif) (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)  !!! I have plans to build one myself just have to find a place I can put it all together.

Have you thought about mounting radios in a steal sucurity box simular to a tuffy console box. You would have to disconnect and reconect the power and antenna cables when not in use. But everything would be in the rig and ready to go. Precautions would have to be taken to make sure its hardend.

The suburban is a great platform for such a beast with endless possibilities. As KC9TNH had said a blackout switch is a must, and put the vital gauges (oil pressure, coolant temp, and fuel) on a dimmer switch.

Keep us posted as to the progress..

73 Joe
Title: Re: Bug Out Vehicles
Post by: Geek on June 01, 2013, 04:54:31 PM
My thought is that I would have spare radios stored in a Faraday cage.  In the event of an EMP, I would have a running car with fried radios.  Wait a week to be sure there isn't another EMP coming along and then swap the radios.

Regarding the switch to blackout the lights, almost every car I know of from more than 10 years ago you can turn off all lights, except brake and reverse, with the normal switch.  It is only recent models that have the constant on problem.  Why do you think another switch is needed?
Title: Re: Bug Out Vehicles
Post by: KC9TNH on June 01, 2013, 06:58:14 PM
Quote from: Geek on June 01, 2013, 04:54:31 PMRegarding the switch to blackout the lights, almost every car I know of from more than 10 years ago you can turn off all lights, except brake and reverse, with the normal switch.  It is only recent models that have the constant on problem.  Why do you think another switch is needed?
You may have the need or desire to move or enter/exit the vehicle with no visible light signature, none. Something I would do if I had the opportunity to make a dedicated vehicle for such a purpose & do a ground-up restoration & had the wiring knowledge. 'Course nowadays if someone else were asked to do it they'd probably nanny-up & say, "What!? That's against the rules!"  :o

If you can conceive the EMP threat don't rule out trying to avoid something more traditional on 4 wheels. You have an opportunity to humor your imagination. Just a thought.  8)
Title: Re: Bug Out Vehicles
Post by: Geek on June 01, 2013, 08:59:00 PM
A 1984 Diesel Suburban isn't non-traditional enough?

;D
Title: Re: Bug Out Vehicles
Post by: KC9TNH on June 01, 2013, 09:03:29 PM
Quote from: Geek on June 01, 2013, 08:59:00 PM
A 1984 Diesel Suburban isn't non-traditional enough?

;D
OK, I see how you took that. '84 Diesel Suburban good.  Being in the '84 Diesel suburban, and being able to avoid something more traditional* than an EMP - better.  ;)

* Another SUV that's for show but not really ROUGH-terrain capable, and can't hide when they accidentally tap the brakes - that kinda thing. Even outrunning a BMP or whatever the latest is that the Leviathan can think of. You may want to play Soviet sub and just "go quiet."
Title: Get'er Dun!
Post by: RadioRay on June 01, 2013, 09:51:36 PM
(http://th04.deviantart.net/fs26/PRE/i/2008/089/3/4/Confederate_War_Wagon_1867_by_kceg.jpg)
Title: Re: Bug Out Vehicles
Post by: KC9TNH on June 02, 2013, 07:52:04 AM
Wow. That's a rolling ground-plane.  ;D

I'm liking the'84 Suburban though; it may ride better. Thinking of the ground plane thing, on the BOV you could include a capped SO-239 - well-grounded at multiple points of the chassis - for those times you might want to pull over & run a wire to pickup short-wave or run HF, or running it to something better if you're set-up overnight, etc.

That's all later though; mechanical reliability is the first thing.  This could be a neat project; not a bad platform to start with, given the vintage.

Title: Re: Bug Out Vehicles
Post by: Geek on June 02, 2013, 09:01:43 AM
Quote from: KC9TNH on June 02, 2013, 07:52:04 AM
Wow. That's a rolling ground-plane.  ;D

I'm liking the'84 Suburban though; it may ride better. Thinking of the ground plane thing, on the BOV you could include a capped SO-239 - well-grounded at multiple points of the chassis - for those times you might want to pull over & run a wire to pickup short-wave or run HF, or running it to something better if you're set-up overnight, etc.

That's all later though; mechanical reliability is the first thing.  This could be a neat project; not a bad platform to start with, given the vintage.

The SO-239 is an idea I like.  You are right it is down the road but once all the bits and pieces are accumulated or repaired I'll want to run any wiring before installing the interior.

Has anyone incorporated HF into a vehicle in this manner?
Title: Re: Bug Out Vehicles
Post by: KC9TNH on June 02, 2013, 10:13:15 AM
Quote from: Geek on June 02, 2013, 09:01:43 AMThe SO-239 is an idea I like.  You are right it is down the road but once all the bits and pieces are accumulated or repaired I'll want to run any wiring before installing the interior.

Has anyone incorporated HF into a vehicle in this manner?
Think of it simply as a convenience outlet for RF. If you are sheltered up for the night you could use a push-up mast (or old fiberglas fishing pole), or just run a short piece of coax to your wire antenna & operate from inside the vehicle. Wire to a tree-limb, or whatever. I got the idea from a compadre' who did this to his hummer and regular talked from Mosul back to Baghdad (200+ miles) NVIS with wire going from bumper height to a bush or small tree a few feet off the ground.

When probably running lower power levels I wouldn't go with anything less than RG-8X due to RG-58 & below (in spec) being so lossy; you want to wring every watt you can out of such a setup. If you've got a rig mounted or otherwise sorted out in the vehicle, just rig up a coax switch for a multi-band radio or a another socket to plug the radio into from inside the vehicle.
Title: Re: Bug Out Vehicles
Post by: Frosty on June 02, 2013, 10:16:00 AM
Quote from: Geek on June 01, 2013, 04:54:31 PM
My thought is that I would have spare radios stored in a Faraday cage.  In the event of an EMP, I would have a running car with fried radios.  Wait a week to be sure there isn't another EMP coming along and then swap the radios.

No one ever discusses how long to wait after the first EMP hits before pulling the gear out of the cage.  Except for maybe a am/fm/sw radio, one week sounds about right to me before risking the good stuff. 

I'd like to read the progress reports if you decide to do this. 
Title: Re: Bug Out Vehicles
Post by: Geek on June 03, 2013, 01:51:55 PM
I've definitely decided to do the restoration.  Lots of specifics remain to be decided.
Title: Re: Bug Out Vehicles
Post by: gil on June 03, 2013, 01:54:28 PM
I've been through that with an old Toyota FJ-40; finally had to sell it. Just keep in mind it will take three times more money and time than your estimation...

Gil.
Title: Re: Bug Out Vehicles
Post by: KK0G on June 03, 2013, 03:01:11 PM
Quote from: gil on June 03, 2013, 01:54:28 PM
..............Just keep in mind it will take three times more money and time than your estimation...

Gil.

Been there, done that several times. Three times your estimate is probably an understatement.
Title: Re: Bug Out Vehicles
Post by: KC9TNH on June 03, 2013, 03:05:12 PM
Quote from: KK0G on June 03, 2013, 03:01:11 PM
Quote from: gil on June 03, 2013, 01:54:28 PM
..............Just keep in mind it will take three times more money and time than your estimation...

Gil.

Been there, done that several times. Three times your estimate is probably an understatement.
And the inverse to be recouped later. Like a hot-rod, gotta think of it as something else.
But if Geek has already restored a Porsche he probably knows this.   ;D
Title: Re: Bug Out Vehicles
Post by: Geek on June 03, 2013, 09:23:42 PM
The Porsche took 6 years as well as a lot more money than it should have.  That was not the best way to learn about restoration's.  The cost on this will be less and it should run for many years.
Title: Re: Bug Out Vehicles
Post by: s2man on June 05, 2013, 08:45:38 AM
Since you're doing a full restoration, I'd put in a new wiring harness.  Old, brittle insulation on the wiring won't withstand the high voltages of an EMP; The juice will bust through the insulation and there will be shorts every where.  Bug out time will not be a pleasant time to be rewiring a vehicle.

On the other hand, the diesel would still run, even if you didn't have lights and accessories.  Just run a wire to the starter and GOOD.  :-)

Edit: I saw a company that makes roof racks which are magnetic loop antennas.  How cool would that be to have on your suburban?  My first thought was, those have high voltages.  Then, in a closeup shot I saw the high voltage warning sticker.
Title: Re: Bug Out Vehicles
Post by: Geek on June 09, 2013, 09:25:28 PM
I'd be interested in a link for that roof rack.
Title: Re: Bug Out Vehicles
Post by: s2man on June 12, 2013, 11:38:04 PM
on their website:
http://www.stealth-tele.com/plugins/custompages/detinf.php?id=372&id_categories=156

And where I found them on youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXAjIbMr3BY&list=PL58E9802D88B448E1

No price is given.  Video shows it on Mercedes SUVs;  So if you gotta ask, you probably can't afford it ;-)
Title: Re: Bug Out Vehicles
Post by: Geek on June 13, 2013, 09:18:18 AM
I am going to save the link and check it out when the Suburban is close to completion.  Looks like I still need a 2m antenna as well.
Title: Re: Bug Out Vehicles
Post by: KC9TNH on June 13, 2013, 12:30:29 PM
Quote from: s2man on June 12, 2013, 11:38:04 PMNo price is given.  Video shows it on Mercedes SUVs;  So if you gotta ask, you probably can't afford it ;-)
I was always jealous of the Brits back in the day; they had Gelandewagens and we had Interceptor-package Fords. Fast, but they 'stick' easier in muddy fields. The G-wagen always made more sense to me. This was before the term SUV was even in the lexicon.

Saw an old true Land Cruiser real recently; nicely maintained & outfitted with factory snorkel & everything, vs. Buffy's soccer-mom version you usually see. That would be a nice platform.
Title: Re: Bug Out Vehicles
Post by: Geek on June 13, 2013, 12:41:03 PM
Speaking of snorkels, I was browsing around regarding Suburbans and found a guy trying to turn a Suburban into a replica of the one used in the movie Dante's Peak.  It had a snorkel and multiple antennas for radios.  I doubt I will bother with the snorkel.  :-)
Title: Re: Bug Out Vehicles
Post by: RadioRay on June 13, 2013, 01:01:09 PM
"...snorkel..."

Somehow I picture Geek in the Suburban with snorkel kit while driving in his own personal diving gear and snorkel . . .   nyuk nyuk, nyuk !

It beats the OTHER guy who forgot to read the !!! CAUTION !!!part of the manual, after buying it used from Ted Kennedy's car . . .

(http://www.jeepz.com/forum/attachments/general-chat/4927d1270582336-jeep-motivational-posters-jeep-snorkel-fail.jpg)


de RadioRay ..._ ._






Title: Bug Out Vehicles
Post by: White Tiger on June 13, 2013, 01:03:21 PM
Quote from: Geek on June 13, 2013, 12:41:03 PM
Speaking of snorkels, I was browsing around regarding Suburbans and found a guy trying to turn a Suburban into a replica of the one used in the movie Dante's Peak.  It had a snorkel and multiple antennas for radios.  I doubt I will bother with the snorkel.  :-)

...yeah...but maybe the snorkel assisted in driving though LAVA!!
Title: Re: Bug Out Vehicles
Post by: Geek on June 13, 2013, 03:21:26 PM
I suppose I could get into my scuba gear and just drive around.  :-)
Title: Re: Bug Out Vehicles
Post by: WA4STO on June 13, 2013, 07:54:53 PM
Quote from: RadioRay on June 13, 2013, 01:01:09 PM
"...snorkel..."


It beats the OTHER guy who forgot to read the !!! CAUTION !!!part of the manual, after buying it used from Ted Kennedy's car . . .



It might not have come from Kennedy's car.  I would think that Mary Jo Kopechne's family might've had it. 

But then again, yah, I guess it would've originally been in the car, regardless.  Hmmm...

73

LH
Title: Re: Bug Out Vehicles
Post by: cockpitbob on June 13, 2013, 11:05:11 PM
I just added this to my list of things I will build as soon as I get the time by being laid off or kicked out by the wife.

(http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o170/cockpitbob/buggy_zpscfb42d72.png)
Title: Bug Out Vehicles
Post by: White Tiger on June 14, 2013, 11:25:33 AM
Quote from: RadioRay on June 13, 2013, 01:01:09 PM
"...snorkel..."

Somehow I picture Geek in the Suburban with snorkel kit while driving in his own personal diving gear and snorkel . . .   nyuk nyuk, nyuk !

It beats the OTHER guy who forgot to read the !!! CAUTION !!!part of the manual, after buying it used from Ted Kennedy's car . . .

(http://www.jeepz.com/forum/attachments/general-chat/4927d1270582336-jeep-motivational-posters-jeep-snorkel-fail.jpg)


de RadioRay ..._ ._

Ray...you really need to warn us before you post pictures like this - I just blew a mouthful of eggs all over the kitchen counter....
Title: Re: Bug Out Vehicles
Post by: Geek on June 14, 2013, 03:07:39 PM
Quote from: cockpitbob on June 13, 2013, 11:05:11 PM
I just added this to my list of things I will build as soon as I get the time by being laid off or kicked out by the wife.

(http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o170/cockpitbob/buggy_zpscfb42d72.png)

I have to admit it has good ground clearance.   ;)
Title: Re: Bug Out Vehicles
Post by: NavySEAL on October 13, 2014, 08:42:04 PM
Quote from: cockpitbob on June 13, 2013, 11:05:11 PM
I just added this to my list of things I will build as soon as I get the time by being laid off or kicked out by the wife.

(http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o170/cockpitbob/buggy_zpscfb42d72.png)

Me too.
Title: Re: Bug Out Vehicles
Post by: Jim Boswell on October 14, 2014, 03:47:01 PM
You might not want to work with that truck. If this is the early  Diesel, it was just a converted gas motor and had major problems. I think the later 6.2 liter was a better motor but still has issues. We use six of ten 6.2 liter trucks where I work and it is starting to be hard to get parts. Fuel MPG was not that good on those motors either.
Do you have to worry about smog testing for registration? In some states a truck from the early 1970 does not have to be smog tested. I know car dealers in New Mexico that go to Texas just to load up with older trucks since New Mexico does not require smog testing outside of Albuquerque. Good luck,  73'S  KA5SIW