Re: Amateur radio
An extremely portable and reliable antenna for most frequencies is the Buddipole. Expensive, but you get what you pay for. Yaesu FT-897 for desktop and portable use (runs on 12vdc) and Yaesu FT-8900 for the car with Maldol EX-510 antenna gives you 3 bands including the 6M band. Our club has a 6M repeater and we reach all over New England. A little handheld like the Yaesu FT-60 gives you UHF/VHF. Icom and Kenwood are the other big players in Amateur Radio.
You can buy a computerized study guide (basically memorize the answers to the questions) and take your Technician and General tests (usually given at a local HAM Club on the weekend) and easily pass. You need General License to operate on the lower frequencies. Your license from the FCC is good for 10 years and for $11 you can get a 'vanity' callsign.
Amateur Radio Operators are typically the main mode of communication in disaster areas and local clubs participate in ARES which is an Emergency Services volunteer program.
K1NRG
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