Date:         Tue, 4 Sep 2007 09:35:04 -0700
Reply-To:     John Meeks <vanagon@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Meeks <vanagon@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Radio
Comments: To: samcvt@comcast.net
In-Reply-To:  <090420071426.1158.46DD6B26000DE5240000048622165579969B900C030E9C@comcast.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

On 9/4/07, Sam Conant <samcvt@comcast.net> wrote:
  CB equipment has proven useful and helpful withing the nation's
trucking industry.
> Sam Conant (N1PDL)
>

One advantage a mobile ham transceiver has over CB is the availability
of "repeater" sites
that are available almost everywhere. These repeaters are usually
located on high ground with antennas on towers providing a wide area
of coverage. When you call into a repeater, your signal is rebroadcast
over a much wider area than your radio alone could reach.

Many times repeaters are available where cell phone coverage is not.
These repeaters are monitored almost always by local hams who are more
than willing to render assistance if needed. Most repeaters can even
"patch" you into a local phone network so your radio can work like a
phone in the unlikely event your Vanagon (RVC) would need a tow truck!

When I camp, I usually bring along a small hand held radio and a small
directional antenna that I use to reach any one of the amateur
satellites in low orbit. It's really fun to be out on a deserted beach
or wherever and talk to folks from Canada, US, Mexico and the
Caribbean. But then I'm kind of a geek that way.
--
John Meeks

Vanagon Rescue Squad
http://www.vanagonauts.com/Vanagon_Rescue_Squad74.htm

'91 Multivan, '85 GL
Northern Michigan
KC8ZFN