This is where I question your argument that one needn't worry too much about optimizing their 2m setup. It seems if you want to cover all ranges you need 2m to fill the gap?
Maybe what you're saying is if you have full HF capability you can be sure you can reach someone some where out there even if its not the guy you want. Maybe I'm trying to apply the way I use 2m to HF and it doesn't really work the same.
I'm saving my pennies. So I guess I'll find out once I get a radio in my rig.
Thanks for being the sage expert with the patience for learners.
Let me clarify. I'm not dismissing the use of FM. It should be on board and be used when close to help and for on-trail purposes. If you've got available repeaters where you're traveling, why not use them? But, if someone were seriously boondocking and it's all they've got and they're dead-set against upgrading....he!!z yeah, they
better be doing everything you can to maximize efficiency. But then, they also need to realize that despite all their optimization efforts, it's their reluctance to upgrade that's more likely to leave them seriously stranded. This is where I mention the HF and upgrade advice. I'd never suggest one in lieu of the other. In fact, most hams, including the manufacturers wouldn't either. That is why most HF mobile radios are packaged in the way that they are, and why they include the FM bands.
In order to give better perspective, let's use your earlier example. In your example you're wanting to make a "point A" to "point B" contact from Death Valley into LA. How would you use your supremely optimized 2m rig to do so?
I've operated numerous times (should say, attempted to) in Death Valley with my old 2m rig. It was no slouch for a rig. It was a Yaesu FT-8900 into a Diamond CR8900r. This antenna is 5/8 wave and specifically optimised for the radio. The antenna was checked for performance using both my MFJ-259b and a field strength meter as all my rigs are both here at home or on my truck. I don't believe in SWR meters alone. It was about the best match you could expect to put on a vehicle. And yet, from
most of Death Valley, it was useless as a long distance communicating device. If I were to run into trouble, with Death Valley's distant and hit or miss repeaters such as Mazourka, Upper Potosi, Silver Peak, etc., it could not in my opinion be relied upon in order to contact help.
If I were to use a 2m for a simple "sked" check-in with someone back in LA, I would have to time my travel to coincide with being at a spot in the park where I knew for certain that I could open squelch on one of the linked machines that would present my signal in LA. As far as I know the only linked repeater that would afford that luxury would be the WinSystem repeater in Lone Pine or atop Silver Peak. It's unlikely I'd hit Lone Pine due to obstructive mountain ranges (Inyo's). I've been able to open squelch on Silver Peak from Saline Valley (barely) and from Eureka Valley (easily), but from anywhere else in the park...no luck. I've been able to open squelch on Potosi only from the Furnace Creek end of the park, but it's set up to serve Vegas and is not linked into LA.
Having said that, I have immediate access to help (people with telephones) at any time of day, from anywhere in the park, using HF. And, in most cases by knowing and using the appropriate HF bands, I can make either direct or relayed contacts with a specific station.
