Originally Posted by
rumrunn6
I don't tour & I don't have a license (I got the book & started reading & watching youtube videos but got distracted by other interests), I just listen in from time to time when I travel
I have a BaoFeng BF-UV-5RE (+extra battery +HyparioŽ uv5r Two-way Radio Battery Case [which takes AAs]) & a 15" Hypario 2015 (Updated) DUAL BAND 144/430Mhz SMA-F UV Ham Radio Antenna
I programmed in some channels & frequencies so I can scan & usually find someone, or some thing to listen to, GRS, weather, popular repeaters in my travel areas & of course the common simplex frequencies (just in case)
seems to work pretty well
Test is easy, especially since they provide the questions on the test and the answers. I don't really endorse memorization of the Q & A. You should understand it and be able to wing the test on real practical knowledge. It's really easy. I'm out of the hobby right now, I kind of go in phases. Last Phase I got my WAS (Worked All States) and about 96 countries. Almost made 100. Did all that with a half wave dipole in an attic of a 3 story apartment. Stealth antenna!