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Thanks for the article Marc! I really liked the Dougnut analogy! The analogy I used to explain antenna gain to my brother was to imagine an inflated ballon that was being squished from the top and bottom, the sides will expand out further to compensate for the applied squishing to the top and bottom. It was also way less messy using the ballon as a physical prop instead of a dougnut!

A sprinkler head is also a useful analogy. Particularly for a directional antennas.

I interviewed some of the big wigs at Battle Born batteries for a story a while back. The company also makes/sells LFP chemistry batteries, but specializes in versions for RVs and trailers. Aside from that long as heck warranty the firms can offer and lighter weight there are a couple other things that really caught my attention. Batteries that use this technology take a charge much faster (especially in the initial phase of that cycle, decreasing generator or solar time for people boondocking). Most traditional battery recharging controllers can't take advantage of that, though, hence the nearly universal recommendation for a new one (there are other charge-rate/cycle concerns, too). Off gassing eliminated or gone, allegedly leak proof, which allows the batteries to be stored in virtually any configuration or place (sideways, in a closet...). Compared to traditional cells more usable energy (not amp hours or watts, but the ability to deliver them as voltage drops into the ranges traditional cells quit working and begin to suffer damage). There is one downside, according to what I was told. Temperature. When the thermometer dips too low they get really bad at taking a charge and sharing energy....hence this company recommends installing them in the cab of an RV (not outside) and removing if you're storing your rig for the winter. Don't quote me on this, but I think that was right at or just below 32 degrees. Cells for RVs are also just a bit larger than traditional ones (not much, but worth measuring battery boxes when you order). I'd tell you I love mine, but budget has prevented me from buying one of the $1K batteries...at this point, anyway. It's definitely on my list, but I'd be a jerk if I didn't footnote the fact I'm relaying the company's side of the story, not personal experience. Hope everyone and their loved ones have a glorious and healthy day.

You likely can use the panels you have now. However you do need a charge controller specific for LFP batteries. I got a couple of the 5 amp ones from the company below, Genasun. They’re good for up to maybe a 50 watt panel more or less. I think you can parallel the controllers. These are the good MPPT, max power point tracking, type, not the crappy PWM ones you typically find on many systems. https://sunforgellc.com/

And, if the SWR on both is 2:1 or lower, seal everything up put away your tools and leave it. If you keep trying to “fix” it you will end up with an antenna for the 100 gigahertz band.

I think this group coined the term "CCR" to mean what it does here. For 50 years before this forum, I, and many others used the term "CCR" to refer to a quartet of musicians: Stu Cook, Doug "Cosmo" Clifford, and the Fogerty brothers, Tom and John.

I was going to tackle this project, and compile such a list. ...however, after researching radio and electronics related acronyms, shortcuts, and abbreviations for about 20 minutes, I realized that it was overwhelming, so the only one left for me to consider was OMG!. ...and I quit. Will be happy to answer one-at-a-time as needed, just not publish 14,000 at once.

The long recognized GMRS "Travel Channel" is 462.675 with a CTCSS Tone of 141.3Hz. On a Midland MicroMobile, that would be channel 20 with a "Privacy Code" of 22.