marcspaz

As others have mentioned, there is no difference in physical hardware as you move from one station type to another. Station type is established based on how it is used, and can be classed as any other station type simply by changing how the radio is used. Thise use cases are explained in the rules, as mentioned by others. @UncleYoda you're kind spicy today! LoL For what its worth, ther is absolutely zero regulations and zero statements of clarification that was released by the FCC that says GMRS repeaters can't be linked. The rules contradict themselves, which is why the FCC released a clarification that repeaters can't be linked over a network for the purpose of expanding coverage. As it stands right now, there is no prohibition on linking repeaters for the purpose of extending range over an RF link, because an RF linked is not a network under any definition.

The KG-UV980P is a great radio. Basing the KG-1000G on that hardware platform was brilliant.

I may be wrong, but isn't every new OTC GMRS radio manufactured outside of the US?

Who are you asking?

What is "warranty"? I've never heard of it.

1x1 call signs are typically used for special events and issued for less than 1 year at a time. Sometimes they are only issued for a few days. However, if no one else asks to use the call sign and the person currently holding it asks for an extension or re-issue, its typically not a problem for the current holder. Because there are so few of them, those of us who do use them, will coordinate among ourselves prior to going to the actual/formal coordinators.

I found this thread, to give you some visuals....

As @tweiss3 mentioned, I have a few portable repeaters and radio setups. It really does depend on how high you want to get the antenna off the ground and what your mounting limitations are. A few methods I use... 1.) I will bring my drone with an airdrop attachment, a fishing pole, and 200' of paracord. I will use led weights with fishing string and drop the weight through the tree tops. Some of the forests and parks I go to have trees 100"+ tall. I use the fishing string to hike the paracord up into the tree, and the use the para cord to lift the antenna into the tree. I tie the paracord to the base of the antenna and the coax acts like a weighted counterpoise. With a half wave antenna 100' in the air, you will get plenty of coverage. 2.) I have a 35' telescoping mast and I put an 9' tall 9dB antenna on it, unless I am in the mountains, then I use a 5' 3dB gain antenna. The masts sits in a tripod and needs at least 3 guy line to keep it steady. It takes about an hours to set it up correctly and safely. 3.) I also have a 20' telescoping mast with a built-in tripod. I low wind days, I don't have to do anything to stabilize it with the 5' antenna on it... but I would still recommend using at least 3 guy lines to be sure no one knocks it over, or in case the wind picks up. That one can be stood up in about 15 minutes. I'll see if I can find some pictures of the 2 setups... If I can't find them, I'll get some fresh pics on Sunday. I want to switch the 35' mast to a 4 guy line system. So I need to set it up anyway.

Bummer! The wind takes down my Dipole every few weeks.

Sweet! I can be on the air in a few minutes. 20m would probably be better since my base station is down and need to hop in the Jeep, but we can try either. Send me a PM if you want to coordinate. EDIT: I really need to get my base station working again. Just have to hang an antenna.

What band? Broadband? Or HF?

Man, I can't describe what a PITA that was! Being in Virginia and having to do it on a short hop, too!

That is awesome to hear! I'm glad you had good luck with it and a good experience. Thise 102" whips make all the difference when using CB and yes, they are great for 10m, too. A little trimming and tuning and you're off to the races! If you ever want to try and slightly smaller antenna for a mobile, the Diamond HF10CL is 86" long with an efficiency rating of 90%. It works great without doing anything to it on 10m and 11m... and with a tuner you can do 12m, too. Of course a full size antenna will perform better, but it will be pretty tough to see/hear the difference.

@WRPL700 Below is the ARRL Contest Calendar which, globally, leads to the heaviest use of the bands during contest days. All of the rules are posted in the individual event pages as well. If you want to try your hand with it or avoid those days, the calendar may help. https://www.arrl.org/contest-calendar

Agreed. That is a big plus. I don't have a very active log, but I have reached over 100 countries so far, with this weekend including places like Serbia and Jamaica. Though, Jamaica is a bit more common. Here are a list of countries I have had contacts with from the DC Metro area... mostly while mobile. I have also spoken to people in Alaska and Hawaii. Andorra Anguilla Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Aruba Australia Austria Azores Bahamas Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Bermuda Bonaire Bosnia Brazil Bulgaria Canada Canary Islands Cape Verde Cayman Islands Ceuta and Melilla Chile Clipperton Island Colombia Costa Rica Croatia Cuba Curacao Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Dominican Republic Ecuador England Estonia Finland France French Guiana Germany Greece Guadeloupe Guyana Haiti Herzegovina Honduras Hungary Iceland Ireland Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Kaliningrad Latvia Lithuania Luxembourg Madeira Island Malta Martinique Mexico Montserrat Morocco Netherlands New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Northern Ireland Panama Paraguay Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Romania Russia San Marino Sardinia Scotland Serbia Slovak Republic Slovenia South Africa South Cook Islands Spain St Helena Island St Kitts and Nevis St Lucia St Martin St. Maarten Suriname Svalbard Sweden Switzerland Trinidad and Tobago Turks and Caicos Islands Ukraine Uruguay US Virgin Islands Venezuela Wales