"abr" wrote in message ...
Hi, after almost 42 years I have renewed my interest in amateur radio. I
am
now 57 and am excited about getting into the hobby. I asked the same
question in another (the other) newsgroup and got not much help, one asked
how I found the group and why I asked this question there,,, not too
friendly.... anyway..... If (when) I get my tech license, is there a band
I
can work voice that will cover some distance, not just local (I live in
South Dakota) like other states or countries. When I asked this question
in
the other group, no one answered me. I looked at the arrl site and it
doesn't give me much info on this. And............... what kind of a rig
would anyone suggest I start out with, used is fine with me as I am not
interested in spending a lot at this point....... and shoot me if you want
to, I am not really interested in learning code. Well there it is in a
nutshell, I hope someone can be of help to me,, Thank you all so much for
your time in reading this, Gary Cooper


BANG.. Now that you have been shot.. As others stated 6 meters will open
for DX. I have worked from NC to TExas and FL on 2 meters several times on
ssb in about 15 years. Running about 100 watts ssb to do it.

You might as well get an Icom 706 that has the low bands, 6 and 2 meters and
also the 430 to 450 mhz band in it and is all mode. Also you will need a
power supply of about 20 amps or more.

The code speed has been lowered to 5 wpm for the General and Extra class
license if you did not know that. Very easy test now.
It might be done away with all together soon as other countries have been
doing away with it.