rfarris

No flame taken "Crazy Thomas". And yes, BASE jumping is a great sport. Just as skydiving is. That was the meaning of my statement, had it been taken in context. And true, I know this is a BASE forum, which before Nov. 1st, was predominately a skydiving forum board hosted on Dropzone.com Rod

okay Faber....I couln't pass on this one. This has "Jerry Springer" all over it. ( Sorry ,just a little American humor.) Sounds to me like something is missing from this episode, though. I mean, are they against you because of your BASE jumping, or is it that, plus something else? I have a hard time imagining why a DZ would discriminate against you just for being a BASE jumper, who had an accident and got injured. There are alot of BASE jumpers here in the States that hold ratings such as ST&A, Tandem, AFF, etc...., and are active in those postitions. One thing I'd deffinately not do, is move to a different DZ. Stand your ground. Hang in there dude! You've got the best of both worlds going for you. You want to progress in the great sport of skydiving, and, you want to continue BASE jumping. I know this does not help you much, but, I don't think anyone else but you knows the answer to your problem. Rod

I've asked this questions many times to different experienced BASE jumpers, like Tom A., regarding using skydive canopies such as a Super Raven for BASE jumping. And all that these guys can do, is offer words of warnings to us about the dangers of continuing to use such canopies. But still we refuse to believe that a BASE specific canopy really is much safer, partly because we read about non BASE canopies being used in various archives on forum boards, and another reason because we just forked out alot of money for our new, non BASE canopy and had it converted. Well this morning, well before sunrise, I saw their reasoning. Not that I had an accident, or felt like I was about to have one, but because after I exited the platform and got control of my buffeting, mushy feeling, Raven and set it down crosswind, my jump partner exited with his BASE specific canopy, and after the initial "WHACK" sound of a slider off jump, he was instantly rock solid and stable and was able to immediately turn it around into the wind for landing. I was impressed. Conclusion: that low freestander will have to wait until I get a real BASE canopy. Will I retire the Raven? Nah.. I still think it will do just fine on that 1400' "A". Rod

a condom?

no, but my teeth are glowing!! damn that was fun. cya

Any locals between Waco and Temple please contact me concerning an object. rfarris@sbcglobal.net

If you can, get a Canon lense. But if you must go with one of the independant brands, go with Sigma or Tamron. Instead of a 28mm, I would suggest the 24mm. It's not so wide that it is fish-eye, and I think you'll like the area of view alot better than a 28mm, not just for skydiving, but for other kinds of photography as well. The 28mm is fine, but after a while you'll be wishing you had the 24mm. As far as where and how much, go to Wally World and get the latest Shutterbug magazine. If you can't find it in there, it ain't available! Or go to Shutterbug.com cya Rod

uh huh....... and some flesh off of mr. ass, and ms. rosey.

very nice..... some of the best I've seen. I'm jealous!

so is this... http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/classifieds/search.cgi?query=&LinkOwner=rfarris&d=1

Can i use to take photos in FreeFly using 500 shutter speed? how i can setting this flash? Or I just can use this flash at 125 speed? __________________________________________________ Patrick, check the manuals that came with your camera and flash. I believe some of the "high end" Canon stuff will let you use what is called "high speed sync". If yours does, it will be in the manuals. To answer your question though, NO. Not if your system doesn't allow high speed sync speeds. If your camera/flash manual says it sync's at 125th, or 250th, then thats the fastest you can use. You can use a slower one, but not a faster one. If you try to use one faster than what's allowed, your pictures wont turn out. I use Minolta, which pretty much set the pace with high speed flash photography. But the others are following suit. The Elan7 and 540EZ are kinda in the "high end" category, so they may. If they don't let you use a fast speed, then try just using whatever the fastest speed you can, probably 125th or 250th. Again, check your manual. It will tell you what the fastet sync speed you can use is. If it's 125th, load up some 100 speed film, set your shutter speed to 125th, and let the camera sellect the aperature. Try it, you may like it. Anyway, sometimes 500th of a second is just plain boring!! Rod

Thanks for the reply Tom. I've checked out the web site you suggested, but I haven't seen that particular forum posting yet. Will check it out asap. My problem is, I have a Talon (T-5) container that's hanging in the closet. Would like to use that, but not sure if a BASE canopy of the recommended size will fit safely. My main priority is choosing the right canopy, then finding the right container/harness set up to fit. Give your friend my email: rfarris@sbcglobal.net Thanks!!

Okay, I registered for BridgeDay 2002. First BASE jump, plan on making more. I need GEAR!!! I've checked the web sites, and looked at all the past threads I can stand. (Anyone from Dallas/Ft.Worth area that can help?) I have a spare Raven I reserve (181 sq/ft.) canopy, I weigh 155 or 160 pounds without gear. Can I safely jump that from the bridge, for my first BASE jump? Prefer to hear from experienced base jumpers, or anyone who made their first base jump from the bridge in the past few years, and, if given the chance, would change something about the gear they chose for their first jump.( i.e. would have bought a new BASE rig instead of modifying a skydive rig.) P.S. I know how to get to all the BASE web links, I need first hand info please!

hmm, maybe around July 7or 8. Will only be in Cali for a few days. cant' wait...... rod

Thanks for the info Skybytch! I forgot to introduce myself. I've been jumping only 2 years, Have a C license, not alot of jumps under my belt. Work pretty much occupies my time on the weekends. Main interest is in photography, out side of skydiving also. rig: Vector 3, Stiletto 150, PD reserve. Exit weight 180lbs. attached photo is me about to make my first jump 2 or so years ago. Bye

Thanks for the hospitality! By the way, I'll be in Wilmington, Ca. next month on business, with my rig of course. Where can a fella jump around there? I heard there is a new dropzone close by called Elsinore? Perris Valley? Seriously, any information as to how to get to either one from Wilmington and the best days to visit would be appreciated. a newbie

If all your wanting is opinions, then here is mine. You'll absolutely love the Stiletto. I've jumped a Sabre, and now jump a Stiletto. If your wanting to get away from neck breaking openings, then I would recommend a Stiletto. Just stay with your current wing loading. I land my Stiletto no different than I do my Sabre. In other words, I'm conservative. But that's what's so great about the Stiletto. It is what ever you want it to be. You want slow, predictable turns, make slow, gradual inputs on your toggles. If you want near orgasmic turns, yank it. (up high please) I made the decision to get a Stiletto only because I felt confident enough to fly it with respect. Your confidence level is something only you can determine. Just be smart with what ever you fly.

Dude I'm not an expert, with my 150 jumps, but it sounds like to me your planning out your canopy progression by number of jumps. Which I don't totally agree with. I strongly believe that any jumper knows when it is time for him or her to downsize, regardless of how many jumps somebody else says they should have. My advise to you would be this: Before you go out and buy the 150, or 135 next year, spend some time doing intentional crosswinds, downwinds, and off airport landings, all under your Sabre 170. Yes, I said intentional. Because you WILL do these types of landings at one time or another, unintentionaly. So why not practice them under controlled circumstances now, under your bigger canopy. I made my first downwind with 20 mph wind under my Stiletto 150 just the other weekend, unintentional. Never made one under my Sabre 170. I ain't gonna lie, I was scared when I saw how fast the ground was moving and there wasn't shit I could do about it but try to milk off as much canopy speed as I could before I tumbled. So, fly your Sabre 170. Then fly it some more. Just fly your canopy. Run out a downwind or two, try to maintain your heading in a crosswind landing. You'll know when it's time to go on to something more challenging. Notice, I haven't said anything about highspeed landings. That's your decision.