Greetings from Darmain
 

Hi Guys,



I'm Darmain, my real name is Dave Sawyer and I live in Chippenham, Wilts.



I drive a LandRover Freelander XeDi with an L-series Diesel lump. I bought it about 2 years ago with the primary role of pulling our caravan. Since then I have to ask myself the question as to why I didn't get a Landy sooner. It is simple the most fun car I have ever driven (Okay, that was a sad admission I know and I may well regret those words :lol:, but it is the truth of it). The car is basically factory spec and is running Mich Synchrone 4x4 tyres all round. Obviously it is able to tow a trailer. I have towed our old 18ft van I would guess about 5000 miles over the last few years, and have now upgraded to a 22ft model.



I have done a little, 'light' greenlaning but have not got involved in any serious sticky off roading. The car has to get me to work every day so I can't break it.



My family and I attended the Hullavington Emergency Services Show last weekend and we came across the W4x4R and G4x4R stands. Now to be honest I didn't know these teams existed. After learning what it was all about from Pete on the W4x4R stand, I thought what a brilliant idea it was. Pete was also happy as I bought a Polo shirt off the stand. :D



I am now seriously considering joining a group. Obviously the Wessex team would be the logical choice. The thing is I have several questions that I need answers to first. Firstly, if called out is the fuel costs covered? I can't see that written anywhere, one way or the other. It is an obvious consideration. My second question is, is a little Hippo of use to the group?



Many thanks for 'listening'.



Dave

Re: Greetings from Darmain
 

Hi Dave and welcome to the forum!



Re suitability of your vehicle, speak to Graham Powys and have a look at the pics in the first post of this link below ...



viewtopic.php?f=45&t=911



He seems to manage quite well in his .... ;)



If you drive it right you shouldn't be getting it broken! My Disco is my everyday car so whatever I do to it on a weekend it has to get me to work on a Monday. Even when it's had 3 inches of muddy water in it. :oops: The only damage it's had (apart from scratches) was done on the way to work, not off road!



Not sure about all groups but I think our group get around 30p per mile fuel for call outs and I think that is paid by the council if we are called out by them.

Re: Greetings from Darmain
 

[quote name="Darmain"] Since then I have to ask myself the question as to why I didn't get a Landy sooner. It is simple the most fun car I have ever driven (Okay, that was a sad admission I know and I may well regret those words :lol:, but it is the truth of it). [/quote]



Just to add, I'm afraid you're going through a mid life crisis. Counselling is available but it can't help and most of us will tell you that once you've driven a 4x4 you've gone over to the dark side and there's no hope. Sorry. But the upside is that you will ALWAYS feel superior in car parks! :D And they make you smile when you have to face the drive to work. 8-)

Re: Greetings from Darmain
 

Hi Dave, welcome.



stop thinking and JOIN... I could do with some local help as im only in Devizes.



you need to PM Pete Chambers hes our LOCAL guy in wessex.





Steve

Re: Greetings from Darmain
 

Hi Dave,



I remember coming along while you were chatting to Pete



Fuel and other reasonably incurred expenses are reclaimable via the treasurer. The normal rate is 40p per mile but it is built into our agreements with user bodies that we may claim more in adverse conditions -- i.e. spending all day trying to get 10 miles across hills or through snow.



Things like H/V clothing, vehicle ID etc. we will issue to you so there won't be a cost there.



As I mentioned in my E-mail the other night you need to notify your insurance company, one or two nationally have had an issue but MOST have no problems.



Look forward to seeing you as a member.

Re: Greetings from Darmain
 

[quote name="Teresa Herefordshire"]
[quote name="Darmain"] Since then I have to ask myself the question as to why I didn't get a Landy sooner. It is simple the most fun car I have ever driven (Okay, that was a sad admission I know and I may well regret those words :lol:, but it is the truth of it). [/quote]



Just to add, I'm afraid you're going through a mid life crisis. Counselling is available but it can't help and most of us will tell you that once you've driven a 4x4 you've gone over to the dark side and there's no hope. Sorry. But the upside is that you will ALWAYS feel superior in car parks! :D And they make you smile when you have to face the drive to work. 8-)[/quote]



Thanks for that Teresa. Now, as I've just hit the big 40 this news is not good. :lol:



The FL1 is good in that it is not much bigger than our family car, a Citroen Xsara Picasso. Therefore it doesn't stand as as much as a Disco. Well, unless I get silly and put a lift kit on it.... :D

Re: Greetings from Darmain
 

[quote name="stephendrabble"]Hi Dave, welcome.



stop thinking and JOIN... I could do with some local help as im only in Devizes.



you need to PM Pete Chambers hes our LOCAL guy in wessex.





Steve[/quote]

Hi Steve,



Yes, I spoke to Pete at the EES at Hullavington and I have his number also.



I am warming up to the idea of joining but just making sure I know what I'm getting into first. Then I have the grounds to make a good choice. Having said that, I'm sure help will be coming your way, based on what I've learnt so far.



Many thanks,



Dave

Re: Greetings from Darmain
 

[quote name="BobWessex"]Hi Dave,



I remember coming along while you were chatting to Pete



Fuel and other reasonably incurred expenses are reclaimable via the treasurer. The normal rate is 40p per mile but it is built into our agreements with user bodies that we may claim more in adverse conditions -- i.e. spending all day trying to get 10 miles across hills or through snow.



Things like H/V clothing, vehicle ID etc. we will issue to you so there won't be a cost there.



As I mentioned in my E-mail the other night you need to notify your insurance company, one or two nationally have had an issue but MOST have no problems.



Look forward to seeing you as a member.[/quote]

Thanks Bob,



Now I have a face to the name.



The fuel thing was a concern. As we all known fuel ain't cheap and its only gonna cost more. It costs me £55 to fill the Hippo at the moment. I do get between 400 and 450 miles out of that though, which I'm pleased with. As long as there is assistance with this cost then I'm happy. All I've got to sort now is the insurance and get my hands on a CB rig. I had a 'portable' Midland rig a long while ago and a mag mount aerial. It ended up in the attic as I had no real practical use for it. A little while ago I tried it out and discovered the rig was dead so I turfed it out. Now I have a horrible feeling the aerial went too. I think the SWR meter was saved though. Will have to have a look.

Re: Greetings from Darmain
 

try 4x4cb.co.uk i think we can get a discount there is you tell him.



or look on ebay, theres a localish guy in Trowbridge.

Re: Greetings from Darmain
 

[quote name="Darmain"]
[quote name="stephendrabble"]

I am warming up to the idea of joining but just making sure I know what I'm getting into first. [/quote][/quote]



Just join your nearest group! You're not committing yourself to anything. You don't HAVE to go on any call outs - if you get them. You can go along to group meetings, find out more, get advice on what CB to get, find out more about getting some practice off road driving, make contact with other 4x4 owners, etc.



Your only initial outlay is the membership fee and you can take it from there. All depends what your local group gets up to but meet up with some of them and have a chat.



It's really up to you how much or little you get involved and if you weren't keen on taking your car off road (yet! ;) ) you could help out in other ways at shows etc.



Go on, what have you got to lose! :D

Re: Greetings from Darmain
 

Hee Hee, its okay Teresa, I'm sold on the idea. I'm just to get in contact with the insurance company and sort that out, then I'll be calling Pete to proceed to the first steps of joining. Thanks for the encouragement anyway. :D

Re: Greetings from Darmain
 

Insurance is a bit of a minefield. Does anyone have a "network" answer on what we need to do about it and who are the best insurers who understand what it's about?



I have off road insurance but haven't declared the Response work yet - I may never need it if I'm not called out. I looked into it with my insurer but it seemed to cause complications so I just left it off in the end.

Re: Greetings from Darmain
 

If all you are doing is helping out for no financial gain and you are not doing anything that is outside of normal traffic laws then is there a problem. If you are on police escort and being led through red lights then I suspect you are on dodgy ground, insurance wise. Other than that, what difference is this to say taking the plastic bottles down the recycling centre for the in-laws? I'm going to check my policy book tonight, then possibly give the company a call. Mind you I'm always a bit nervious about making contact as I'm sure its all on your file, whether its a claim or just a question.

Re: Greetings from Darmain
 

Try Sureterm or Swinton



I'm with Swinton with volunteer driving expressly included.



Sureterm, I have been told that they are worth talking to. IF called by Dorset Police we are expressly covered on their vehicle insurance whilst working on their behalf. I hope to have that built into our agreement with neighbouring forces.

Re: Greetings from Darmain
 

Well, I made the call!! At first it was very negative. Can't possibly do that as it increases the risk weighting. Then the lady had an idea and went off to talk to the underwritting guys. She was gone about 10 minutes. When she came back it was good news. Yes, I am covered, provided that the work is purely voluntary and I am not to operate a blue light. A note has been added to my policy. Looks like the jobs a good un. Right, I know what the next step is. :lol: :D :D

Re: Greetings from Darmain
 

so Ill be meeting you at the next pub meet.



early october i think he said..



right pete?

Re: Greetings from Darmain
 

[quote name="Darmain"] Yes, I am covered, provided that the work is purely voluntary and I am not to operate a blue light. A note has been added to my policy. Looks like the jobs a good un.[/quote]



DEFINITELY NO BLUES, and Orange/amber only when stationary (or moving slowly) to alert members of the public to a possible hazard,



[quote name="Darmain"] Right, I know what the next step is. :lol: :D :D[/quote] Yeap follow this link

Re: Greetings from Darmain
 

[quote name="BobWessex] Yeap follow this link

[/quote]

Tis done!! :D

Re: Greetings from Darmain
 

received and sent to our Recruitment Officer, (on holiday) expect a reply in a few days.

Re: Greetings from Darmain
 

Many thanks Bob.

Re: Greetings from Darmain
 

Right, getting a rattle on now. The CB equipment search in the attic proved fruitless. I guess that I must have decided I would never use a CB again and turfed everything out. :( So I have been on to various sites but settled on the 4x4CB.com site. There I discovered the special offers and used that to built myself a reasonable system. I didn't go for the cheapest as this equipment will have a serious purpose and I want it to work.



The next challenge is to find somewhere to mount the thing in the Hippo.....

Re: Greetings from Darmain
 

Dave



Having the same dilema myself at the moment, is your Hippo a three or five door as I have a cunning plan for my three door, involving the inbuilt sunglasses holder.



Cheers



Tony

Re: Greetings from Darmain
 

Hi Tony,



My Hippo is a five door station wagon so no removable roof.



I have one idea to try and that is under the grab rail on the passenger side. In my Hippo I don't have a passenger side airbag so I'm going to have a look at removing the panel where it should be and seeing if I can fit the rig in there.



Alternatively I have considered getting a steel plate cut to fit the dash tray in the centre and then fitting the mounting bracket to that, the rig then secured on top of the dash. Not so keen as in an accident it could get airbourne and hit people. Also I would have to take it away and hide it when I'm away from the car.



I had to get myself up to date on CB as I see there are now 80 channels available. Quite amused by this as when I used to use a CB in the mid 90s, so many channels were never used, so what do we want another 40 for? I note that some rigs have selectable AM/FM but I assume that AM and its SSB derivatives are still illegal in the UK. I gave up with the rig in the past as all it seemed to have was people getting up on Westbury White Horse and seeing how far they could reach out. Trouble was I didn't have enough gain to get back to them, not that I actually wanted to. I used to put the rig on in the evening while doing other things. There was a couple of blokes always having a good old natter. Regularly on every night and the conversations used to be better than television. Then the rig failed, I think due to a broken wire in the mic cable. I'm an electronics engineer by trade but not into RF and although I fixed the problem and proved it out I never got that rig to work again. Assume something else had given up. RF electronics is a black art to me so I didn't spend to much time in diagnosing the problem. The rig ended up in the attic and eventually got turfed. Hopefully this new equipment will have a good SWR value and a better range.



As a matter of interest I gather that CB still uses "Handles". How does this generally work with the 4x4 network. Is there a standard that you follow? Do you use Q codes and / or 10 codes?



Many thanks,



Dave

Re: Greetings from Darmain
 

Hi Dave standard call signs (membership number) as shown in signatures and on the vehicles. We tend to avoid 10 -codes Q- codes etc. They can easily add to confusion.



For instance 10-4

used in the USA means message understood.

used by some UK Police services means on scene

used by some UK fire services means mobile from scene returning to station.



General guidance from the "powers that be" is that wherever possible messages should be in 'clear english'. That way everyone understands the message.

Re: Greetings from Darmain
 

Real names can work quite well too and they're easier to remember!



We have too many Marks in Wales group but saying Mark S or Mark M makes it pretty clear.

Re: Greetings from Darmain
 

Agreed but when working with other teams, if WE01 is behind GR01 "GR01 from WE01" saves trying to remember the guy's name.



Even though I know that GR01 is Darren

Re: Greetings from Darmain
 

Am I allowed to ask how many units there are in the Wessex team?

Re: Greetings from Darmain
 

Of course you are.



I believe off the top of my head that the count is now up to 56 with roughly half a dozen applications at various stages through the process

Re: Greetings from Darmain
 

[quote name="BobWessex"]Agreed but when working with other teams, if WE01 is behind GR01 "GR01 from WE01" saves trying to remember the guy's name.



Even though I know that GR01 is Darren[/quote]



Fair enough. And a bit more professional than "Oi, you in the blue Disco!" ;)



Haven't yet worked or been out with people who have numbers on their vehicles as neither of my groups have started using them yet. I'm sure we will as we get more organised and I'm sure it would be better for recognition especially at night.

Re: Greetings from Darmain
 

[quote name="Teresa Herefordshire"]
[quote name="BobWessex"]



Fair enough. And a bit more professional than "Oi, you in the blue Disco!" ;)



quote]





that works too im sure, but not if you got 3 blue ones...



or you just get 3 people answering you..

Re: Greetings from Darmain
 

Right, latest news!!



The CB kit turned up yesterday and last night saw some busy work getting it installed and working.



Installation was fairly staright forward. In the Hippo there is a comparment that houses a passenger airbag, which my model doesn't have. It offered itself nicely to holding the rig itself. Then came the dilema. The aerial is proving a pain to tune up properly so I felt it necesssary to have the SWR meter in the circuit all the time. Where to put that? In the glove box, there was a nice position for it to sit and its wired up such that all the connections occur inside the dashboard space and not in the globe box itself. Meant drilling some sizeable hols in the back of the globebox though.



Aerial tuning is proving a right pain. I've got two aerials and a mag mount. The 5 foot springer won't give me a better SWR than 2.5 and doesn't seem to be able to adjust long enough to improve on this. However, the little wip aerial got the SWR so low that I thought there was a fault. Naturally it isn't going to radiate as well so I'd rather get the springer working better. More work to do here.



Last night I tried it out, but try as I might I couldn't get a response to my requests for a rig check. I then went for a drive up to a high point looking over Swindon and got a copy from Corsham, which is in the opposite direction. :roll:



Now I remember why the old rig was never replaced. CB, isn't it a wonderful commmunication system.......

Re: Greetings from Darmain
 

give me a call some time, we can meet up, Iz only be in Devizes.





I can never find any one on the CD either.. Was thinking it was bust..





be god to make sure both are working. as when on call out we are on-air and know we are.



Steve

Re: Greetings from Darmain
 

Hi Dave, good to see you here too :D



Hello everypeeps. Recently joined Wessex 4x4, got the CB, magmount (until I decided where to fit the kit) and I'm another Hippo like Darmain. I've played a couple of times on Salisbury Plain so I'm quite comfy with the car's capabilities ;)



I've just been granted access to the forum and I'm looking forward to joining in and helping out.



Dave Roberts WE18



PS, noted a certain WE01 circling the M25 last saturday too :mrgreen:

Re: Greetings from Darmain
 

Ah you should have given me a wave.



Had to do a quick run up to Watford & return.

Re: Greetings from Darmain
 

Wey Hey, its a small word!! I know of Skynet as a buddy on another 4x4 forum. This is great news to see you're a W4x4R member. Steve will be happy also as this is more local company for him. Afraid you're out numbered by Hippos now Steve. :D



Meanwhile, my enrolement is progressing nicely. :D

Re: Greetings from Darmain
 

[quote name="Darmain"]Wey Hey, its a small word!! I know of Skynet as a buddy on another 4x4 forum. This is great news to see you're a W4x4R member. Steve will be happy also as this is more local company for him. Afraid you're out numbered by Hippos now Steve. :D



Meanwhile, my enrolement is progressing nicely. :D[/quote]





the more the merrier.. but dont hippos get stuck in the mud? LOL



any way, be nice to put a face to a name when we all meet up at the next pub meet..

Re: Greetings from Darmain
 

[quote name="BobWessex"]Ah you should have given me a wave.



Had to do a quick run up to Watford & return.[/quote]



I was going to, once I saw the sticker in yr rear window but couldnt catch you in the traffic. Besides which I had a small trailer carrying various items required by today's Uni student, namely his comfy leather chair, thick duvet and flat screen TV!!!

Re: Greetings from Darmain
 

Bob



You were in Watford and you didn't pop in for a cuppa (only 15 miles away) :D



Actually good job because I was away in Wales!



This was followed by a week in the Lake District that turned out to be the most expensive holiday I have ever had...



There's a clue in my avatar :mrgreen:



Tony

Re: Greetings from Darmain
 

[quote name="Darmain"]Wey Hey, its a small word!! I know of Skynet as a buddy on another 4x4 forum. This is great news to see you're a W4x4R member. Steve will be happy also as this is more local company for him. Afraid you're out numbered by Hippos now Steve. :D



Meanwhile, my enrolement is progressing nicely. :D[/quote]



thats OK, still find my Red T2..



http://i464.photobucket.com/albums/r...09-09_1326.jpg



just find the arial..



http://i464.photobucket.com/albums/r...09-09_1655.jpg





I did try to hide it in the Devizes Carnaval though... didnt work

Re: Greetings from Darmain
 

Hi All,



It is with regret that I have had to inform the recruitment officer that I am no longer able to pursue my membership of W4x4R.



Unfortunately, am unexpected problem has occurred for my family, which means I will be having to spend more time with them.



I wish you all great success in your future missions with your respective teams and I thank you all for all the help and support you have shown me in the past month.



Very best regards,



Dave :cry: