[SMCARA] New Ham

[Eric Heard]

"I have tried but I am just too far away for pick up the repeater from where
I live (Waldorf).  Even though you all can't hear me on a regular basis I am
out there and I will see you on Field Day."

The manufacturers rubber duck they provide is usualy a dummy load. For a better range,try a homebrew 19 inch 1/4 wave coat hanger antenna mounted on an SO-239 bulkhead connector. Radials will be connected to the screw holes on the connector. You'll need a PL-259 to SMA cable to fit your radio. You could also build a 2m Jpole for indoor/outdoor range.
Happy Hamming,
73 de N3UH, California, MD USA