[2m] how to make the most of 2 meters

[Jerry]

I was reading the other members posts and had a couple of comments I would like to inject.
2 M horizontal vs 2M vertical - there really isn't much of a difference when working FM, due to the mismatch effect locally - and because the polarity does not effect it much working dx other then the fact that horizontal is quieter.
Mostly it is just easier to mount the antenna and turn it when it is horizontal, not as much wind loading on the rotor and mast.

When working any mode - bigger is always better when it comes to antenna's.
If you can find a 12 - 18 element antenna for two meters - buy it!

The other mention was about using a pre amplifier.

First we start with the lowest loss coax we can get.
Hardline if we can afford it, old TV cable cast off hardline if we can aquire it, or LMR 400 / Belden 9913F7 for the rotor portion....

The other part is to get the antenna up as high as we can get it.
A pre amplifier on VHF frequencies - isn't always a necessity, and can add expense to the equasion.
I would invest my money into a HAM IV rotor before I would waste it on a pre amplifier.

As others has said, with the advent of cell phones, there is not a lot of CW activity anywhere anymore - except buddy groups and contests...  A FM transceiver isn't any good for CW in my opinion and the 706 or 857 would be a better option....

Stacking antenna's also has it's benefits..

Don't skimp on the coax or the antenna.

Home brew antenna's will get you on the air, anything in the air is still better then nothing at all.
But commercial built antenna's are the key to making a lot of reliable contacts - unless you have access to a antenna analizer and a tig / aluminum mig welder.
Again, it all boils down to MONEY.....

If you have not done so already, find yourself a viable ham radio club, join the club, get the club members involved.  This is our greatest untapped resource...

Jerry
WD3D