DirkDefender
New member
Speaking personally, I find an HT works fine for most everything I want it for. You can add a lot of function with an inexpensive ($30.00) mag mount antenna. If you try that and find that you still crave more power (a common affliction among hams and four-wheelers) add a linear amp. You can also add a roll up j-pole antenna to your hiking gear if you want to use it in camp away from your vehicle, and you don't end up leaving a nice ham rig unattended in the truck to tempt someone.
As for cross-band repeat, the only reason I have ever found to justify it is if you regularly wheel to a particular spot and then hike into a valley which would otherwise block your output. You can do this legally using the ARTS feature on Yaesu models, since you can program it to broadcast your callsign (in CW) every 10 minutes on the downlink. But frankly, unless that describes your typical outing, why bother?
K.I.S.S. is a great mantra outside of cell tower range.
As for cross-band repeat, the only reason I have ever found to justify it is if you regularly wheel to a particular spot and then hike into a valley which would otherwise block your output. You can do this legally using the ARTS feature on Yaesu models, since you can program it to broadcast your callsign (in CW) every 10 minutes on the downlink. But frankly, unless that describes your typical outing, why bother?
K.I.S.S. is a great mantra outside of cell tower range.