I am wondering kind of the same thing. What do I need to build one? That I can hopefully hook up to a radio on the go I kind of want to use it when I go camping just to hit any repeaters in the area.
I have one I bought to start out on and I use it for skiing. With a good antenna It's a great radio. I would absolutely suggest it for experienced operators and beginners great for handling to a friend with little experience in radio.
Upgrade from abbree 177 to a Nagoya NA-771. A good antenna BUT I realized that it Not flexible at all. Not very good for skiing or tactical coms. Does anyone know of a good vary flexible wip antenna that is a receiver and transmitter?