xtatik
Explorer
I've also looked into it....not for me......too gadgety...coverage too spotty. Great for urban and semi-rural stuff. Most of the places I like to go are out of range of digipeaters. Here in So Cal there are some offroaders that are playing with it...but they tend to hang out in the local playgrounds (Anza Borrego, Big Bear, etc.). No problem there, because they're usually directly underneath a repeater.....and probably not far from a cellular tower. Way easier and cheaper to study up and step up to HF. With an HF rig and a GPS unit you can set up sked's with tons' o hams that would be willing to track your coord's and status. They even have nets for RV'ers and Maritime Mobiles (sailing and motor vessels) that do this type of thing very well. Most have phone patch service as well, if needed.
This way, I've given rare grid squares to hams that would've never have got them otherwise. In return, I've received detailed weather reports (when out of range of NOAA's FM signals) and peace of mind.....and it was free of charge!
Come to think of it, I'm surprised sked's aren't discussed or used more often between members on this site. I'd certainly be willing to anchor for others that were in the boonies while I was stuck at home.
This way, I've given rare grid squares to hams that would've never have got them otherwise. In return, I've received detailed weather reports (when out of range of NOAA's FM signals) and peace of mind.....and it was free of charge!
Come to think of it, I'm surprised sked's aren't discussed or used more often between members on this site. I'd certainly be willing to anchor for others that were in the boonies while I was stuck at home.
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