GreggInFL

I asked my buddy why he bought his third Beretta Silver Pigeon. He said, "Well, I was going quail hunting and my 12 and 20 gauge Berettas were too much, so I bought the 28 gauge." Those run ~$2,500 each -- and the Silver Pigeon is considered an entry level Beretta shotgun. I have a $250 Winchester pump I bought on sale. I like radios.

Excellent point, Steve. Thanks! <- Always learning.

^ They multiply like rabbits!

You first decision is whether you want a permanent mobile installation or something you can also use as a base station. If the latter you'll want a radio with a cigarette lighter power source and a mag mount antenna, both of which can be used inside as a base station -- though you'll eventually want a better antenna.

Oh, we can fix that. Buckle up. I got into this about a year ago with a $20 POS CCR. "I'll just buy one and try it," I said to myself. I'm up to six and have no idea how this happened.

I agree with the agreement. In a heavily-wooded area I figure 1/2 mile, 2 miles if I'm lucky. Are you in your vehicle while your son is in the house? If so, that's a worse-case combination; try going outside and facing each other.

That's only if you have the best radio. And welcome!

Just curious: Did the repeaters stay up and running?

Send them a hurricane. That will change their mind.

I recall my drafting professor saying, "If a drawing can be interpreted more than one way, it's wrong."

You're probably 99% there. 20 miles on a handheld is a long way; I'm lucky to get five miles here in the swamp. As others have said, your answer is a slightly better antenna.

Triple the price?

The only license that has value to me is the General (given that I can't get to HF with a Tech license) but I'm not going to take two tests to get there. One yes, two no. I'm a registered PE with a masters degree so testing isn't something I find intimidating. I'll jump through one hoop, but not two. There is a better way to do this. For example, I hold an advanced certification in a specialized field. To get that one does not pass a beginners exam, then an intermediate exam and finally the advanced exam. One enters the program by taking an assessment exam which establishes a level of certification -- beginner, intermediate or advanced. I first tested in at the intermediate level, studied more and then passed the same exam at the advanced level. One exam. The FCC should give all applicants the Extra exam and issue appropriate licenses based on performance. If the applicant wants a higher-level license they can study and take the exam again. One exam.

^Thanks for that. Great story. Congratulations on your achievements. I'll comment more later, timeline and all...

Excellent point, sir. I stand corrected. Thank you.

^Not what I wanted to hear, but it is what it is.

I have your radio and plug it into the UT-72G others have recommended. The combination works well. The antenna kit can be had here and has all the components you need. When you move to a full-size mobile unit you can use the same antenna without the SMA adapter. Edited for truthiness. (See below.)

One needs a General license for voice on HF, correct?

^ Putin loses that scenario. <Cheyenne Mountain/NORAD once upon a time. Keep your sat phone, and your H.A.M. rig.

If you have a dual band radio you can set one to 19 and scan the other. There may be an army of operators out there monitoring 19, but no one transmitting. Feel free to push the button.

^ I still have an HP-12C I got in 1984. Love RPN.

Looks like my old Picket. The HP-35 was $400. Too rich for my blood, so I went for the TI SR-50 for $150.

Ah, great example. I don't have a dog in this fight (couldn't link two repeaters if my life depended on it), but it seems like the FCC could score a lot of points finding a sweet spot.

I..see..what..you..did..there...

Oh, I'm wide awake and completely get that it's potentially illegal. I'm suggesting that perhaps it shouldn't be illegal.