-=> Steven Sheeley wrote to All <=-   
      
    SS> I'm looking at taking my test and finally get a Ham setup going. I've   
    SS> been interested in HAM since High School (Far to long to be honest) and   
    SS> have finally gotten myself to the point where I can afford to do this.   
      
   I'm guessing you're in the US, with your Z1 address.  Find the local club, they   
   should be able to help you locate the material.   
      
    SS> My question is where is the best area to get HAM equipment and what is   
    SS> a good starting rig? Looking for both mobile for my truck and a base   
    SS> station.   
      
   That's a big question.  It depends what you want to do and how much you have to   
   spend.  Occasionally, there may be some pracical limitations (for example, if   
   you park in underground car parks, you will have significant height   
   limitations, which will limit your HF antenna options).   
      
   VHF/UHF is easier to install in a mobile, while HF offers longer range (without   
   the help of infrastructure) and variety, at the cost of more complex antenna   
   and grounding requirements.  Antenna and installation are everything on HF   
   mobile.   
      
   For the mobile, I like to have 2 radios - a VHF/UHF dual (or more) band radio,   
   and a HF or HF/VHF/UHF all mode radio.   
      
   At home, you have a lot more flexibility, because there's (usually) more space   
   for erecting the large antennas that are more efficient on HF.   
      
      
   ... There is a multi-legged creature crawling on your shoulder.   
   --- MultiMail/Win32 v0.49   
    * Origin: Freeway BBS - freeway.apana.org.au (3:633/410)