I recently acquired my Technician Class Amateur Radio License and after some help from friends, new acquaintances and the internet at large decided I wanted to target either the 2m or the 440MHz amateur radio bands. The reasons for this are as follows:
- Around Boston the coverage is pretty good for both of these bands.
- The repeaters are accessible and Technicians Class licensee's can use them [ARRL]
- They support a wide range of communications techniques including FM audio and FM packet radio
- Equipment costs in these bands are pretty cheap and since 440MHz is close to the 3rd harmonic of 140MHz (2m) it is pretty reasonable to make dual band antenna's and buy dual-band gear.
Continue reading My First Radio: Wouxun KG-UV3D 2m/440MHz Dual Band Radio