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Tech833
Moderator
Username: Tech833
Post Number: 1736
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, September 10, 2009 - 2:51 am: | 
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James Boys BBQ and Shootout
By Tech 833
September 9th, the “James Boys” threw their annual Labor Day Weekend BBQ and shootout near Richmond, California. Richmond is just across the water from San Francisco. James Boys president ‘Skipshooter’ was a gracious host and made sure the attendees had a great time, and kept things moving along. Bob from co-sponsor “Bullet Bob’s CB” spent a lot of energy introducing everyone around to everyone else, making sure nobody felt left out.
The James boys sold about 130 BBQ lunch tickets, and that didn’t include the kids. Tremendous amounts of food kept the smiles big and the tummies full. James Boys Vice President 629 kept the raffle tickets moving across the table while Treasurer 26-Zero kept an eye on the money coming in. It’s a pleasure to note that the James Boys is a 501c3 non-profit organization that donates all proceeds from their events to various local charities. This year, they are generously funding programs through the Red Cross, and their local high school teams.
The BBQ was in full swing when this reporter arrived around 11:00 AM. The shootout competition was supposed to begin at noon, but there was a slight delay while ‘629’ put the finishing touches on the roster of events. ‘008’ and ‘308’ were able assistants, and I have to admit, things moved very quickly and smoothly. Each contestant knew when they were up next, and knew where to be and when. It was a very well orchestrated shuffle from one contestant to the next.
For those who have never been to a shootout, let me give you a little bit of an idea what happens at one of these events. (Let's put legalities aside, that wasn't a consideration when attending anyway.) The idea is to see whose CB radio installation puts out the biggest signal.
There is a line that exists (marked by cones) where the participants actually park their vehicles two at a time, side by side, seldom more than 10 feet apart. Both vehicles face the same direction, toward a ‘judge’ who is some distance away form the participants (sometimes several miles) and has a CB radio in which to listen to the contest. At this event, the judge, also known as the ‘Watergate’ also had a computer connected to the receiver and was recording each match in case of a dispute. When the lights in front of the contestants come on, they key their super power radios, and the contest begins…
Being a shootout 'athlete' requires lung capacity. Some of the keydowns were around 10 seconds long. Contestants were screaming their 'number' into their microphones as fast and as loud as they could while motors revved away. A competitor whose number was 'one' would sound like "Wuhwuhwuhwuhwuhwuhwuhwuh" during the keydown. More of a sound effect than a word. Take a breath, and that might be your downfall as your competitor's number might get through during your pause.
Before getting into results, we need to discuss the setups these competitors were running against one another. Quality ranged from royally crude to well thought-out and executed jaw-droppers. One particularly impressive setup was that of 'Warlord', who was also apparently quite experienced at this sort of competition. He had a reflector and director on his car like a beam. Despite the director being longer than the driven element and reflector, it apparently worked. He won everything, including a 'grudge match' against a guy with an Antron 99 on his truck and 2 reflectors behind it.
The attendance was dismal compared to what they were expecting, ending up at around 15 registered for the shootout. They did not run all classes in the shootout as there were no AC participants or anything above '8 Pill'. A “pill” is slang for an RF output transistor. So, an “8 pill” is the slang used to describe an amplifier with 8 power transistors.
I found the 'Barefoot' category rather interesting, personally. In this class, the antenna is everything. When 'Warlord' was up, he never moved his vehicle, as the challengers came- and went one after another. People with Wilson 5000's dropped like flies against the 3-element mobile beam made of aluminum tubing and a Chevy Suburban. Any antenna on a magnet mount seemed to lose, despite the output power or class.
The last barefoot category challenger to Warlord was “Dynamite White” who traveled all the way from Southern California to compete. The small car with the big, polished copper antenna didn’t look very impressive, but then when the lights came on, the little car wasn’t told to leave like the others before him. It was a tie! Warlord and Dynamite White went at it again. And again. And again! Each time, ending in a tie. They were told to change vehicle positions, and the RF was flying again. Another tie! 308 decided to go ahead and run the other classes, then come back to the barefoot class and see if they could get a winner later. When that match finally did happen later in the day, it was Warlord who was finally able to top Dynamite White barefoot, but just barely.
Next up was the “2 pill” class. Warlord and Dynamite White ended up having to go at it a couple times before Warlord was eventually declared the victor. All others fell to Warlord.
4 pill class saw some real competition, some new setups, and some interesting competitors. One notable shootout participant called “Skywalker” made quite a show by leaving his truck in gear and left foot on the brake during his keydown. This resulted in a tremendous 10-second long 'burnout' akin to the General Lee. What WAS fairly new tires aged considerably during that crowd pleasing keydown. It definitely drew the most concern for safety from the organizers. The James Boys made it clear they do not condone this kind of keydown showboating!
The 8 pill class was to be the last competition class run during the day, as the participation did not necessitate any higher classes. Our 8-pill crowd pleasing contestant was 'Water Boy' with his big, long Dodge diesel powered dually truck complete with enthusiastic dog in the back. Unfortunately, the magnet mounted Wilson 5000 antenna didn't have the spunk of the pooch, and he quickly lost this class, as he did the other classes he competed in. That reminds me… It’s time to take my dog for a ride soon. The more ‘normal’ people I meet, the more I like my dog.
Water Boy’s truck brings up another random thought... Healthy sounding small and big-block V8's sound pretty neat when revved up, they command respect. The sound of a V-8 combined with a high RF field it is helping generate create an atmosphere of excitement. Hearing a diesel (without an effective muffler) revved up doesn't sound nearly as heart pounding or manly, it just sounds broken. Clouds of black smoke don't mask the missing cool-factor component. If I were ever to become a shootout competitor, I've made a mental note to not do it with my diesel truck.
8-pill class wasn’t decided decisively either. Once Dynamite White pulled up to the line next to Warlord, everyone was on edge just knowing how tight this competition would be. You could feel the intensity go up another notch as the crowd literally fell nearly silent and all took a step closer in anticipation. The energy was high, and everyone’s attention was on the ‘David’ and ‘Goliath’ mismatch vehicles parked behind the orange cones. 6 engine screaming keydowns later, the two vehicles were asked to trade spots. 1 last keydown, crowd literally on edge, both competitors giving it everything they had, a victor was finally found. At the awards ceremony following the shootout, Dynamite White was revealed as the champion, much to the amazement of all, especially the previously unstoppable Warlord.
The friendship and camaraderie at these events is amazing, and a shining example of how civilized a shootout event really is. Nobody leaves hungry, nobody leaves without a smile. When it is time to wrap up an event like this, and the last raffle ticket number has been read, it is time to shake the last hand, share the last hug, and a group of strangers suddenly find themselves as friends.
A long ride home seems to go much quicker when your mind is dancing around the concept of “What would it take to beat Warlord next year?”. I can’t wait to find out. |
Tech565
Moderator
Username: Tech565
Post Number: 286
Registered: 7-2008
| | Posted on Saturday, September 19, 2009 - 4:47 am: |
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From what I have read in other places, Warlord is the man to beat at many of the shootouts he goes to.
Tech565
Net and Asst. Net controller
CVC#38
Ham#243
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