FishinGary

I'm still learning Meshtastic myself, but I don't believe the packets are large enough to carry voice traffic in any usable form (but don't quote me on that). If you wanted to fire off quick messages during gaps in repeater coverage you could use canned messages.

On the internet? Surely, you jest. No one would ever do that...

Congratulations! Definitely go for General next. If you're using hamstudy.org then you're on the right path. Consider Amateur Extra as well. Yes, it's a bigger lift, but you can do it. Just study like you studied for Technician and General.

Hang in there, man. The steroids will help, and hopefully not have too many side effects.

"Leaves of three, let it be!" Poison Oak/Ivy/Sumac always has this leaf configuration. If a plant has three leaves, that doesn't necessarily make it poisonous, but the ones that are will always have this configuration. Here we have California Blackberry, which also has three leaves an often grows right along with Poison Oak. It's not poisonous, but the thorns are another matter....

There are 6m repeaters, too. There are a few in my area. Like any repeaters, they get used. Just not 24/7/365.

I don't own this radio, but I have other Wouxun radios and they make noises on some functions, even with key beep off. For example, my KG-935G+ beeps when I initiate a channel scan, if I recall correctly.

Inductive coupling! It's fascinating, but also frustrating when you're trying to tune a mag loop, you get it "perfect", then move your hand away and your SWR shoots up.

Q: Which band are you working today? A: Yes. It's been interesting following the FTX-1 pre-order drama online, I guess. People walking into Hamvention and walking out with one, while pre-orders have not been shipped yet. Seems like HRO is shipping out orders now though.

Skywave propagation is a trip. Just messing around with WSPR, the sweet spot for me, in terms of signal strength is roughly between 800-1500km. Anything farther away gets weaker with distance, anything closer just passes right overhead. Of course, there are tons of variables here, and I'm working QRP, too.

HTs on the amateur bands are basically limited to VHF (6m, 2m, 1.25m) and UHF (70cm), so not really any different than GMRS (UHF). Mode (FM) and power levels are basically the same as well. It basically comes down to the things you already mentioned, like terrain, as well as antennas, availability of repeaters, etc. In my area there are a handful of GMRS repeaters, but there is at least one ham repeater in almost every city in my county alone. YMMV

Welcome! I think my first experience with FRS was road tripping, too.

I went from unlicensed to AE in one session, like Steve, and was issued a 2X2 callsign as well. Also, this is how the Sequential Call Sign System is currently structured, according to the FCC. https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-divisions/mobility-division/amateur-radio-service/amateur-call-sign-systems

I neglected to mention that you have to check the box on the form, but yes, you're right. If you go from unlicensed to Amateur Extra though (assuming you pass the Technician and General exams at the same time), they do issue you one sequentially right out of the pool. I've heard that supposedly there are some regions where they have run out of AE format callsigns and new license grantees going from unlicensed to Amateur Extra are being issued Advanced format callsigns, but I cannot confirm.

If you go for AE and you're really lucky you may be issued sequentially one of the highly coveted 1X2 or 2X1 callsigns. If not, you'll still get a 2X2 which lets everyone know you're an AE. You can apply for a vanity 1X2 or 2X1 as well, and I considered it, but when I got my 2X2 I was happy with it.