WRUK662

Just got my UV9GX from Mark a couple of days ago. Appears to have been worth the wait.

Depends on who offers it. Our County Sheriff (Minnesota's Ramsey County) runs a first rate program. We met weekly for 3 hrs per session and took 10 weeks to complete. I just finished 2 terms on our city council so was well-acquainted with our law enforcement/fire services/county emergency services. As a retired federal employee I've taken previous courses via FEMA. I've also done some ARES coursework. They made no pretense of us ever getting 'called up' to handle a large area disaster (the pros will do that) but we could be called to handle things like crowd control and/or media coordination. But I did get a nifty backpack w/reflective vest, a green hardhat, flashlight and a multi-tool to close gas mains and break through tempered glass (vehicle rescue). Worth it.

After 5 months on the waiting list, I received notice my KG-UV9GX has shipped. My order # was in the 130xxx range. I also ordered the Smiley Slim Line Whip. Received my Ed Fong DBJ-UHF antenna kit last week. I completed a CERT program via our county sheriff's office a couple of months ago. Now studying for my HAM Extra class exam. Major snowstorm will impact us middle of the week. WA7HPK

I just ordered the CX-333 to upgrade my Comet GP-3. The GP-3 works well but there is some 1.25m activity in my area plus the CX-333 has better gain. My GMRS radio, the Wouxun KG-UV9GX, is still on backorder. Nearest GMRS repeater is about 4 miles distant. WRUK662 WA7HPK

Welcome! I got my HAM license about 18 months ago and spent a fair amount of time learning to manually program some amateur repeaters by hand before it became 2nd nature. For larger banks of repeaters I do use a program and cable. My Wouxun KG-UV9GX is still on backorder - and likely will be for another 6 weeks or so.

I heard a new HAM recently on the air saying he took advantage of the program. I thought it is an excellent deal. Too many people get their license after studying (or a lot of lucky guesses on the exam) then do nothing with it. Got my tech license 16 months ago and bought the small Yeasu FT4X as my first HT. Sure, coulda gotten a Boofwang but... I'm a REAL HAM so needed a REAL HAM HT. ?