Howdy Drivers! Travel b/t Virginia & Pennsylvania Weekly

I travel between Virginia and Pennsylvania on a weekly basis to visit my girlfriend and son (I reside in VA for the time being, she lives in PA; hoping to live closer/move-in once we get our education/work situations figured out).

I log 200+ miles per week up/back on I-81 (b/t mm 221 in VA, up to the I-70 interchange in MD, pass through WV for a bit along the way), and a good while along I-64, I-70, and I-99 during my journeys.

A month or two ago I installed a Uniden 520XL in my little dark blue 2018 Mazda 3 hatchback, with a Cobra HGA 1500 antenna. SWR was reasonable out the box without tuning (confirmed via an SWR meter). Not sure the effective range but I have managed to make contact on multiple occasions and can receive clear transmission.

Ran the darn antenna through a parking garage in D.C. the other weekend (and again just the other day) but it seems unharmed, no significant bending/damage, and still seems to be perfectly functional (thank goodness).

Just wanted to say howdy here! If any friendly drivers are frequenting that route and see/hear me out there, give a holler and say "hey". I like to drive with a bit of a heavy foot at times, enjoy my zoom-zoom, but make a conscious effort to let truckers over if they signal and share the road in a respectful way.

Happy travels!

 

While driving PA -> VA this past Monday (July 14), I realized there was a white Volvo in the rearview. Keyed the mic and said "well, that's a white Volvo, not sure if it's an Amazon trailer, though", followed by a laugh.

Didn't get a response, so I figure it wasn't you, LOL. If it was, I'll try to remember to 'fly the bird' next time.

 

Here is the route I take during my trip between Virginia and Pennsylvania. Worth mentioning that I would previously get off/on I-81 at exit 310, and take 522 through Berkeley Springs, WV, connecting with I-70.

But roughly a month ago I tried staying on I-81 for longer, up until it meets I-70 in Maryland; while it adds ~15 miles of additional driving, there is no meaningful difference in time, and that stretch of I-81 and I-70 are both very pleasant to drive; three lanes and keeps you cruising at 70+ mph for most of that stretch.

 

Great, thanks for the recommendation.

I have previously taken 220 through Cumberland, connecting to I-99, but not via I-68, rather a bunch a backroads through Romney, Fort Ashby, etc.

I'll try heading that way this Friday; adds 22 miles of driving (just under 20 minutes), but that's well worth it to see a new route/area/sights.

 

I was trying to figure out what "rolls" meant, and after some Googling I was still confused, ha.

Figured it was a reference to either the terrain/topography of the area, with lots of rolling hills, or perhaps a reference to police/radar.

Then I realized you probably meant "tolls", and got the 'r' key instead of the 't'.

Fortunately, I hop on Route 30 instead of I-76, at the I-70 interchange in Breezewood. Adds no more than 5 minutes of driving and avoids Uncle Sam slipping a hand into my back pocket, LOL.

(My jokes aside, I fully appreciate the need for public funding of roads/motorways; we all gotta chip in a little bit in order to have roads to drive on. Pinch myself when I think about the amount of planning, labor, and effort that went into creating this beautiful network of highways/interstates we have).

 

I'm still trying to figure out my handle/callsign. Choosing between my online moniker "catent", or my initials (BGS) as the phonetic alphabet.

catent comes from a combination of the word "content" and "cat". I got two feline pals I love to death, these two little guys are some of my best buddies, so I figured a single word to capture 'cats make me content' would be cool; it works well together and rolls off the tongue.

Alternatively, I could use my initials phonetically; always found it amusing my initials (excluding my middle name) are "BS". That could be a clever/funny handle, too, either as "Bravo Sierra" or "Bravo Gulf Sierra". Both sound good.

Another one that just popped to mind ... what about "Mike Three", to represent "M3", for my Mazda 3.

Hmm. Open to any ideas/recommendations you fellas have. Can't make up my mind.

"BOZO ... any BOZOS out there? Seeking my buddy, BOZO ... and I promise I'm not talking to myself!"
-me, somewhere along I-81 this coming Friday
LOL