>>345944FCC Exam, <$20 fees. Good for 10 years iirc, might be 7.
Yes, the radio needs an antenna. But being a fraction of the wavelength of CB/11m, the antennas are significantly smaller.
I've got 50W in my truck. Legally allowed up to 1500.
I can hit local repeaters with my little 5W handheld, and if I hit a linked repeater system I can cover the better part of the state.
With things like satellites and IRLP, you can pretty much put a signal wherever on earth you want.
Front panel's between mirror and overhead console, mic's by the cupholder (i've since installed the mic holder just above the ashtray cubby), guts live in the space under the back seat. External speaker mounted behind the kick-plate by the gearshift.
