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Maybe the tac number is something they give you when you are a paid club member.

I would do a bit more research before sending it back. Checking the match on an HT antenna is a difficult exorcise. Lot's of ways to do it wrong and get crappy results. I've tried it myself and had trouble getting results that looked reasonable. Read the comments about antenna testing and what the guy observed. I did some simple tests using an older MFJ antenna analyzer. Check out the results for the Diamond SRH320A. The results for 2M are particularly weird. WGP - With Ground Plane WOGP - Without Ground plane. Then I ran some SWR sweeps of the SRH320A using my RigExpert AA-1000 antenna analyzer with a special MFJ magnet mount using an SMA connector for HT antennas. The mount was placed on a large 36 inch by 40 inch flat sheet metal sheet for a ground plane. https://mfjenterprises.com/products/mfj-332s?srsltid=AfmBOoq7AleI5bQc6eePGbJ4paGCA-ZK7sBSZWARn6VL0pTjEjIYgUTy https://old.rigexpert.com/products/antenna-analyzers/aa-1000/ Apparently, I assume, something else must be going on to get a good match on 2M when the antenna is on an HT, held in the hand and close to the body, that the testing I did does not duplicate. https://www.diamondantenna.net/srh320a.html HT-Antenna-Testing.pdf HT Antenna Tests Results.pdf Antenna Scan Results (SRH320A 1.25M GP).pdf Antenna Scan Results (SRH320A 2M GP).pdf Antenna Scan Results (SRH320A UHF GP).pdf

That is part of why I got into amateur radio, but not the only thing. I do enjoy having chats with people I know in my area. I also enjoy getting on local repeaters and chatting when I'm taking a trip. It's not the only thing I enjoy about it, but if some folks want to use it for only that, I don't mind. Occasionally, I get a bit bored listening to a couple of guys talk about their medical problems or sports, but I can always turn it off.

There is an aerial acrobatic group that practices out here every Thursday and they use GMRS (or FRS) channel 6, and I've wondered the same thing... But haven't wondered enough to bother looking it up either.

The Tac Number is what they give you when you're a paid member. I'm not longer a Member but I had one for Ocala because that was the repeater in Florida nearest my Home. Ocala 818 I think it was. The trouble is I never used it. When I go to my other home in Gatlinburg I use the other Repeaters that are free and not linked

Glad I could help. POTA is fun. Even when band conditions are bad, it's still fun just to get outside and enjoy yourself. Another nice thing about POTA is that it is not a contest and you can work at your own pace. Some want to make as many contacts as possible while others take the time to talk to each person that answers their CQ.

Ok, cool. So it is a game. You've been very helpful, Midwest. I appreciate it!

Yes that is correct. The reason for that is you need at least 10 contacts to activate a park. Plus there is a bonus point for each park to park contact. Here is the official POTA website and rules for POTA activations. https://docs.pota.app

Being old and liking to talk face to face I solved the problem. First a bit of background. Neighbor and her kids survived a home invasion while on 911 waiting for police. The police showed up a couple of hours "after" the invaders left. I helped her and he husband with the use and purchase of that which can't be mentioned here and had an idea. What about a neighborhood "network" where we could check in on those who are elderly or infirm and also allow a call for help from neighbors during emergencies. I went out and talked to my neighbors and some were receptive. So I supplied a few radios to older neighbors, and some bought their own. Nothing official, but it works. No fancy interweb lists or maps, just good old talking with neighbors.

SWR is somewhat important, but tells you nothing about gain or pattern. A dummy load will test nearly perfectly for SWR.

I appreciate the sentiment, however this ole boy is done summiting. I spent the better part of my early 20's on the Appalachain Trail and a large portion before and after that climbing. I'm more looking for Beaches and Plains on the Air at this point.

This!! Testing the SWR of an HT antenna is impossible without very sofistikated equipment, OTHER than confirming that the antenna is not just a dead-short.

This! Testing the SWR of a handheld radio antenna is either very tricky or useless, depending upon whom you listen to. Performance is what matters.

I'd open it and test it. Results may vary.

RG-8x seems to be pretty good especially if I keep it at 10 feet.

The attached files are a couple of the simple Kenwood 2-pin plug, "K1" connector, worthy to look for. I've used the KMC-17 on some CCR radios and got good audio reports. The main issue with used mic's is the cord. The outer material has a tenancy to crack and peel off. If buying used look VERY carefully at the cord condition. KMC-17 Revised.pdf KMC-21.pdf

They are two separate logins, but once you’ve logged into both you should be okay.

This radio was a bit more expensive, GBP 90. I had it shipped from the UK through eBay's international system. https://www.ebay.com/itm/126800820122?var=427899179724 I had to get it before the "de minimus" tariff exception for goods under $800 disappears on 8/29/2025. Otherwise it would be a ridiculous price with the minimum tariff required. No more shopping for stuff outside the USA on eBay anymore. https://www.avalara.com/blog/en/north-america/2024/11/de-minimis-exemption-changes-coming.html

Correct. The difference is the -45D has additional internal filtering for use on DMR radios. Otherwise they are basically the same.

I use the HAMRS app for logging my POTA contacts. HAMRS will automatically upload my POTA logs to the POTA website and to my QRZ logbook. I log into the POTA website to spot myself along with see sign who else is working POTA. I try to work park to park as much as possible. And I will answer POTA stations when at home to help them active the parks.

Hopefully someone who's done POTA activations can chime in with the software side of things. I know of pota.app which lets you spot activators (report their location and frequency so others can try to contact them) but AFAIK logging is done with whatever software you want as long as it outputs ADIF. I've used kiwisdr to listen in on activations. Sounds fun.

Closest I know of is Bowman between Summerville and Orangeburg. That one requires club membership. But I suggest you change the title to "Charleston SC repeater?"

I am happy with the Nagoya 320A I have. Works well on all three bands

Slip the battery off the radio when stored.

@Northcutt114 if you're not against climbing some hills, you might also look into SOTA, Summits On The Air. I don't have a portable rig yet but I just ordered a QCX-mini today. I'm hoping to do some SOTA this fall when I go out to west Texas. It appears that there is 5 summits on the ranch where I go.