What was done to your rig this week?

[jeeeep]

Chirp Programming Baofeng UV-5 hand-held radios for GMRS NOAA and Eddie's special sauce with Linux

A while ago I purchased a couple of Baofeng UV-5R +plus (redundant, but that's the model moniker) which came unlocked for programming from the distributor. This is a dual-band (amateur and FRS/GMRS) unit that can be programmed by hand. Since I'm 75 years old, I don't have the time left to fat finger 60+ frequencies on the Baofeng keypad, so I decided to use my Ubuntu (Debian) laptop with the open-source (free) Chirp software and a $16 programming cable. Most folks use 64 bit WinDo$ computers to run Chirp, but since I used to believe Bill Gates was the Anti-Christ, I don't have access to any Micro$oft compatible hardware made in this century.

After downloading the Chirp software, installation on Debian was an almost trivial three-command line process and one to launch the Chirp software. I use Red Hat/Centos Linux at work, but the process is very similar as long as Python 3 is already installed.

sudo apt install python3-wxgtk4.0 pipx (Debian)
sudo dnf install python3-wxpython4 pipx (RH/Centos)

meljr@meljr-XPS-13-9360: sudo apt install python3-wxgtk4.0 pipx
meljr@meljr-XPS-13-9360: sudo find / -name chirp-*.whl -print
meljr@meljr-XPS-13-9360: sudo pipx install --system-site-packages ./chirp-20250221-py3-none-any.whl

meljr@meljr-XPS-13-9360: sudo /root/.local/bin/chirp

Chirp automagically recognized the radio and how it is attached to my laptop, so from that point, the programming was just like filling out and saving a spreadsheet to a file before downloading to the radio; almost trivial. Now in conjunction with my Cell, SSB/CB and the JT's SOS feature, I'm ready to drive back to Nevada next weekend and more off-road adventure.

View attachment 424576

Chirp software is pretty easy to use, can also program Rugged Radios (Baofeng rebranded)

 

[kevman65]

I personally have not seen any aftermarket brackets for the factory Mojave Fox reservoirs when using something like a Quarter Pounder bumper. Making something to make them work shouldn't be too difficult though.

Fox makes (made) them,

https://www.polyperformance.com/fox-803-02-042-kit-fox-2025-universal-remote-reservoir-mounting-bracket-kit?srsltid=AfmBOopGbbCw_HlUp2ZSRedT76HC0-Rsl4L5gWUX7dQ0E7_xxERJbzqm

 

[NCAJeep]

Got my (new to me) JKU back from the suspension guy today. Rebuilt shocks, stripped and powder coated springs, tie-rod and drag link, new heims and various joints. New front upper link. I decided to flex it a bit when I got it home. I couldn't go any further as that's the tallest "obstacle" I have at home haha. It still needs some TLC to address some surface rust underneath.

 

[DirtHeadDavis]

Got my (new to me) JKU back from the suspension guy today. Rebuilt shocks, stripped and powder coated springs, tie-rod and drag link, new heims and various joints. New front upper link. I decided to flex it a bit when I got it home. I couldn't go any further as that's the tallest "obstacle" I have at home haha. It still needs some TLC to address some surface rust underneath.

Good looking JK

 

[TonyT]

Got a Garmin camera (BC50) that wirelessly pairs to my Garmin Tread XL. Gonna try it out under my front bumper for a while.

I ordered another camera (BC50 w/ night vision,) and a 50' extension to put on the back of the trailer while I'm towing.

 

[Mike Pierson]

Yesterday, oil, filter, air filter and cabin filter…



Today, transfer case…

 

[wayoflife]

Yesterday, oil, filter, air filter and cabin filter…

View attachment 424647

Today, transfer case…

View attachment 424646

Well needed after Moab I'm sure

 

[Mike Pierson]

Well needed after Moab I'm sure

I blew out the engine air filter on Friday before we left Moab, but yeah, definitely needed. Was a newish filter too. Crazy how fast they fill up.

 

[Cousin Clyde]

Got my (new to me) JKU back from the suspension guy today. Rebuilt shocks, stripped and powder coated springs, tie-rod and drag link, new heims and various joints. New front upper link. I decided to flex it a bit when I got it home. I couldn't go any further as that's the tallest "obstacle" I have at home haha. It still needs some TLC to address some surface rust underneath.

Nice Jeep

 

[jeeeep]

Finally stopped raining and washed it, no pics... don't want @DirtHeadDavis calling me out on my wheels

 

[Mike Pierson]

Finally stopped raining and washed it, no pics... don't want @DirtHeadDavis calling me out on my wheels

Pics or it didn’t happen. Lol

 

[DirtHeadDavis]

Finally stopped raining and washed it, no pics... don't want @DirtHeadDavis calling me out on my wheels

Lol I actually haven't had time to properly detail mine since Moab but just you wait...

 

[meljr]

AuxBeam (Bulletpoint) 8 gang switch panel and 40 channel SSB/CB radio installation on @wayoflife CB bar

I installed the AuxBeam (Bulletpoint Labled) 8 gang Auxiliary Switch Panel and control box in my 2023 Jeep JT Gladiator Sport S Diesel along with several other Bulletpoint mounts for a SSB/CB and Baofeng FMS/GMRS, NOAA Weather, and WoL frequency radios. Also installed were mounts for a Starlink mini, a couple of iPhones and an iPad.

The biggest challenge to the installation was under the hood where layout differs quite a bit from the gas powered Gladiators, but after some thought, I made it all work by fabricating a hinged mount for the control box that swings out of the way, allowing easy access to the factory power distribution center.

Everything went together to plan and I wired the CB in first, using the 10A circuit 3 after cutting the Buss fuse out of the CB wiring harness. It passed the smoke test on the first try.

 

[Launch]

Finally found a single Rubicon wheel for my wife's JLU for sale on ebay and ditched the steel wheel that was the spare on my JT Rubicon. Visually much cleaner look.