Subj : Todays New Gear Tip To : All From : Daryl Stout Date : Fri Oct 06 2017 12:08 am VHF/UHF Equipment The VHF and UHF bands above 30 MHz are available to all classes of ham licensees and are widely used for local and regional contacts. The majority of activity uses FM voice on repeaters and simplex channels at the higher frequency segment of each band. The lowest frequency segments in each band are set aside for weak-signal operating where longer range contacts are made using SSB voice and Morse code. (SSB and Morse offer better performance than FM for contacts made over long distances without the aid of a repeater to relay weak signals.) In adjacent segments you'll also find Amateur Radio satellite signals and data communication using digital modes, among other activities. For FM voice in an area with good repeater coverage, a handheld radio provides the maximum flexibility in operating; from home, a vehicle, or while on foot. It's more practical, however, to purchase a higher-powered mobile radio that can be used at home, too. Most hams have a mobile radio in their vehicle plus a handheld radio for portable operation. If you are going to operate primarily from home, an all-mode radio designed for fixed - or base station use may be a better choice. While larger and more expensive than mobile and handheld radios, they also operate on SSB and CW (Morse code) and offer better receiver performance, larger displays, and easier access to many controls and functions. ---