flwyd | (Reply)

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My "rig" so far is a Yaesu FT3DR handheld, which is a fancy-pants choice with features like GPS, ability to tune in FM, AM, and Shortwave broadcasts, and a touchscreen. I figured that if I got a radio with a bunch of interesting features I would be more likely to maintain interest outside of the Black Rock Desert since there would be something to explore other than whoever happens to be on the local VHF repeater. I haven't decided if I want to get a home setup in place. I'd be able to contact more people further away with such a system, but I've also got the Internet at home, so... There's also the "ham radio in your car" option, known by the oxy moron "mobile station." That seems pretty useful for emergency and disaster response, but I'll probably wait until I retire my 25-year-old Subaru.

If you're interested in making radio calls through satellites that did launch, check out the OSCAR system. I've heard that amateur radio contacts with the ISS are also popular, and at some point I hope to tune in when it's overhead and see if anyone's chatting. The Boulder Amateur Radio Club will be set up at Betasso Park on the last weekend of June for ARRL Field Day if you'd like to try getting on the air.