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Not in particular. All the caps have pretty simple locks that can be defeated with a minimal amount of time and effort. But then again locks never keep the determined out of things they only slow people down.

Buy a crew cab truck and throw an ARE cap on the back. Now you have a truck and a way to secure you gear in the bed.

Every last one of us carries tools of various type while out and about. Especially when in the back country. A firearm is no different, it is only a tool. The mind is the weapon as such we are always armed. So the question really is what tools are appropriate during our travels. In my mind...

That is a slick little device. But the real draw is no contracts and only paying for the months you use it. It seems to be a winning concept to me.

Well welcome and nice to meet you Wy_Overlander.

That is question of severity. As a rule of thumb no, especially seeing as most antennas from reputable manufacturers needing little to no tuning. But in the event of high SWR it is possible to damage the internals of the radio. However such cases are uncommon.

Tuning and testing an antenna is always a good idea. But as a general rule of thumb the antenna sold by diamond, comet, and nagoya will maintain their published SWRs. So is tuning necessary, most of the time no. Would I recommend it, yes. For me this really a question of if want to spend the...

I have always used Comet SBB5 antennas with good results. Fiberglass tops always effect antennas. This a question of antenna theory and RF propagation. The SBB5 is a ground independent antenna thus grounding isn't much of an issue. But no matter how you slice the pie you will need a ground...

Setting up any radio is pretty simple in general. The trick to any electrical install is preparation work. For radio in particular you need to figure out your details before you drill the first hole or run the first wire. So my guide to mobile radio installs is this: 1) Sit down in the...

Here is my general theory regarding vehicle lighting. Use what came with it. Technology is a double edged sword in many ways. While I enjoy the projector style headlights and LED tail lights on my truck they are also insanely expensive to replace. Last year I had one of my headlights go out...

I never used either "normal" or "routine" in my descriptions. I did use the word "uncommon" because that is an accurate description. And part of the learning curve with ham radio is in all aspects of this conversation. Propagation characteristics and properties, Antenna design, ground planes...

Propagation doesn't necessarily work like that. I routinely make contacts well in excess of those numbers, over all kinds of terrain. Theory and reality don't always mesh. I recall on contact I made on the 2m calling frequency that was in excess of 60 miles while traveling through Chattanooga.

Yes and no. The fact you made that contact with an HT is amazing. But coming off a mobile rig with a solid antenna 80 miles ain't that uncommon. Obviously things like terrains and atmospheric conditions matter. But like I said I have done it more then once while bumping down the highway.

I'm always looking for a new adventure. Give me a heads up and might go find it with you.

Can't say I do. The only time I spent in that area was the wind farm project I worked up there last year.

Vedauwoo isn't a bad spot to visit. Personally I spend more time in the Snowy Range. As for radios. Personally I recommend either the FT-400XDR or TM-D710G. Both are excellent radios that are feature rich. It is more a matter of if you want digital voice or not.

Without knowing specifics of your setup I can't comment much. But like I said 80 miles on simplex isn't uncommon.

80 miles can be done on simplex as well.

80 miles isn't uncommon with a properly installing rig. I've had a couple of those while bumping down the highway.

Hi right back at you from southern wyoming. I am a ham and would be happy to try to answer your questions.