Where I’m from, 2m band seems to be popular due to the small antenna requirement. The fact we’re in densely populated area probably also play a role.
There should be the 70cm band as well, but I haven’t seen any sign of life around here.
Usually 40 and 20. I often only use 2 when I’m on road trips or hiking.
Funny that what got me here was actually the occasional difficulty of reaching folks in the other cars during road trips.
How far can you reach with that 2m HT?
Where I’m from, the license-free HT operation is in a specific UHF range with low power, which I have very little faith on.
I can generally hit a repeater 17mi (27km) away from at home. When I’m outside, I can be heard well, when I’m inside, I’ll break the repeater’s squelch but may not be clearly copied. HT to HT is generally much less, but I’d generally expect a mile or two (3km)
Only HF these days, 40 through 10. Was active on satellites, not so much now. 2 m is dead in my vicinity. The weekly net prioritises checkins from Echolink over RF and that’s a dealbreaker for me.
Will go back on satellites when HF conditions deteriorate. 73
I usually listen in on the 2m band because it’s fun hearing the crazy folks in W6NUT ramble on. It’s like a ham 4chan.
What’s W6NUT?
It’s a 2m repeater in the LA area where the hams that go in don’t declare their call signs say racist things and talk shit to each other.
Sorry for the Reddit link but they’re better at explaining it:
https://old.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/nkkdwi/what_is_w6nut/
that’s crazy
Been trying 20m recently. Currently studying for a professional exam, once that’s out of the way I’ll start studying for the general license exam.
I usually try to find myself on 20m. I like it’s DX-ability at night and appreciate it’s reach during the day. Otherwise 10m is nice because there’s lots of new hams ready to answer CQ calls, or calling CQ themselves.
The person who answered my very first QSO made it extra special by sending me a first-contact certificate; went way above and beyond and I am incredibly thankful for it.
2m for nets, 10m for QSOs because that’s all my radio can handle.