I'm confused.
I'm a new tech and am looking for a handheld.
My primary interest is in back country communication. I like to go off-road motorcycle riding and do quite abit hiking. Generally, there is no cell service in the areas I ride/hike. However, there are repeaters in the areas, so I figure Ham is the way to go.
Plus, I admit, I like technical stuff, esp. electronics. And therein lies my problem. The more features I read about, the more I need/want them.
The most interesting feature is text messaging via APRS. If I get hurt in the woods, I figure I can always reach someone via phone or if necessary access the auto-patch via the repeater. But, if I want to contact my wife, that is another matter. She has no interest in getting a license and, unless it's an emergency, I wouldn't call her via auto-patch. However, if I could send her a text message, that would be great. Actually, that ability to be able to reach me when I'm out in the woods may be enough to convince her to possibly consider getting a tech license
APRS locating is also of interest, though I am not exectly sure how I would use it other than as a neat thing to play with. I am looking into joining a SAR group, and it might come in handly there. But, I have a GPS and can always just report my position if needed.
OK, so the dilema is features vs cost.
I've read this forum for about a week straight now and realize that I can get the Wouxon (sp?) dual band radio for a bit over $100. That's considerably less that the VX-6 I was originally considering, and a ton less than the VX-8R I was convincing my self I had to have.
The guys at my local HRO outlet tell me I really one need a dual band HT in the Portland area where I live, and in looking at the repeaters around here, I agree. Everything seems to be for 2M and 70cm. However, when I mentioned text paging, I was told it's not practical and that D-Star will be the way to go if it ever gets deployed enough to be pervasive.
So, I'm looking for some opinions regarding the everyday usefulness of text paging and location reporting via APRS. I'm not talking about "grid is out" natural disaster emcomm stuff. More of the "I go hunting/fishing/hiking/climbing and need to talk to non-HAMs kind of stuff." I've checked, and the areas I ride/hike in do have digipeaters on the mountain tops.
Also, any input on other options (like getting a basic HT and then adding things for APRS) would be welcome as well.
Thanks!
mcp.
I'm a new tech and am looking for a handheld.
My primary interest is in back country communication. I like to go off-road motorcycle riding and do quite abit hiking. Generally, there is no cell service in the areas I ride/hike. However, there are repeaters in the areas, so I figure Ham is the way to go.
Plus, I admit, I like technical stuff, esp. electronics. And therein lies my problem. The more features I read about, the more I need/want them.
The most interesting feature is text messaging via APRS. If I get hurt in the woods, I figure I can always reach someone via phone or if necessary access the auto-patch via the repeater. But, if I want to contact my wife, that is another matter. She has no interest in getting a license and, unless it's an emergency, I wouldn't call her via auto-patch. However, if I could send her a text message, that would be great. Actually, that ability to be able to reach me when I'm out in the woods may be enough to convince her to possibly consider getting a tech license
APRS locating is also of interest, though I am not exectly sure how I would use it other than as a neat thing to play with. I am looking into joining a SAR group, and it might come in handly there. But, I have a GPS and can always just report my position if needed.
OK, so the dilema is features vs cost.
I've read this forum for about a week straight now and realize that I can get the Wouxon (sp?) dual band radio for a bit over $100. That's considerably less that the VX-6 I was originally considering, and a ton less than the VX-8R I was convincing my self I had to have.
The guys at my local HRO outlet tell me I really one need a dual band HT in the Portland area where I live, and in looking at the repeaters around here, I agree. Everything seems to be for 2M and 70cm. However, when I mentioned text paging, I was told it's not practical and that D-Star will be the way to go if it ever gets deployed enough to be pervasive.
So, I'm looking for some opinions regarding the everyday usefulness of text paging and location reporting via APRS. I'm not talking about "grid is out" natural disaster emcomm stuff. More of the "I go hunting/fishing/hiking/climbing and need to talk to non-HAMs kind of stuff." I've checked, and the areas I ride/hike in do have digipeaters on the mountain tops.
Also, any input on other options (like getting a basic HT and then adding things for APRS) would be welcome as well.
Thanks!
mcp.