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Although I've held an Amateur Radio License since 1995... I have only been
active in ham radio since about 2003! I have really enjoyed the 2-meter band...
and have found a few friends in the area who don't mind an informal
"rag-chew" now & again! I do have a few rigs at my disposal... I have
a new ICOM IC-2100H installed on my desk at home, right next to my computer!
This is attached to a home-made super J-Pole antenna my cousin made for me!
I also have a Yaesu FT-2200 mobile.. which I have installed in my '97 Ford
F-150. This enables me to stay in contact when I'm on the go! Here, I use an
MFJ Dual band Mag-Mount antenna, attached to the truck's roof. It has some
gain, and enables me to hear those distant repeaters... whether I decide to
transmit or not!
If I am away from my truck... I use an Icom IC-T7H. It's a dual band 2m/440...
but I only use the 440 for monitoring emergency channels in my area. (440
apparently isn't as popular as 2m in Eastern Tennessee right now... although
there are a Bunch of 440 repeaters here!) It's probably due to the mountainous
terrain.
I recently managed to upgrade from a no-code tech... to a General Class
License... thanks to a CW class by a local ham... and the practice tests here
on QRZ! Thanks.... and I guess my next hurdle is mastering the Extra exam! (oh
well... maybe in a few months!)
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