Just passed the Tech exam yesterday over in Escondido. Now to study up for the General (figured might as well get some more frequency privelages...can't hurt right?) Now to figure out what radio to get....or wait until after the general test to get the HF radio.
If you
truly plan on obtaining the General license, I would go ahead and get a multi-band/multi-mode like the Yaesu FT-857d or Icom 706mkIIg, 7000, etc. (706 is soon to be disco'd) or comparable radio with the HF bands. Antenna's can be as simple as a HamStick ($30.00) until you can afford to step up to a screwdriver type antenna. The HamSticks are single band and require you to physically change antennas between bands (takes seconds), but you really won't be doing it that often. For the most part two Hamsticks would suffice for remote travel....a 20m and 40m is all you'd need and the unused antenna stows away easily. 20m for the daylight hours, and 40m at night as propagation changes. With a separate antenna mount for a small cheap FM antenna (2m and 70cm) you'd have communication capabilities far beyond what even the best of FM radio and antenna combos can accomplish. With a small duplexer ($50.00) at the radio, the radio will sense what modulation method you're using (FM or HF) and send the signal to the appropriate antenna. With this setup you'd use your cheesy FM antenna for communication between trucks or other targets (repeaters if available) up to a range of approx 40 miles. With the 20m or 40m Hamstick you'll have a range of approx. 6000 miles.
I wouldn't use the HamSticks on bands below 40m as they become very inefficient. The 20m sticks actually work very well, and I used them until I picked up a screwdriver type. With the 20m stick I was able to make contacts anywhere in the States, Canada, Alaska, Hawaii, Europe, Japan....you get the idea. The 40m stick works less well, but you'd still be able to make contacts anywhere stateside.
As for the possible theft issue Paul mentions, I don't think you take any more risk in mounting either an FM or HF rig in your truck. The nuklheds that would break into your truck wouldn't know the difference. And, most are built just the same as FM rigs with detachable faces and remote mounting capabilities. Essentially, there'd be no increased risk with an HF rig.
Another note, many in the offroad community struggle with the idea of getting this involved with radio and it really depends where you plan on traveling. If you're only going to the local offroad parks like Big Bear or Anza Borrego..you'd do fine with just an FM rig, as repeaters and cell sites are plentiful. But if you plan on going to more remote locations such as Baja, Death Valley or many areas in Nevada or Arizona (GC, north rim) the repeaters can be nonexistent to few and far between. With FM and without repeaters, you're only going to hit targets within or just beyond what you see from the drivers seat. With HF and an approximate knowledge of where you're at (got GPS?)....even a guy in Ohio can save your butt with just a simple phone call made on your behalf....and most hams would jump at the chance to help.
Again, if your are serious about advancing, in the long run you'll spend less money this way. You can use the radio immediately upon getting your Tech license and have plenty of growing room when you advance to General.
Edit: Heck, I just foraged through the garage. I've got both a 20m and 40m hamstick in the garage that I'll donate to the first clubmember to upgrade to General and buy an HF rig. You'd have to pick them up in Costa Mesa or whatever can be amicably arranged. If you're interested in the incentive, PM me here for details and to provide your callsign.
