It depends on where you live as to what you need. Some places just need conventional scanners, others need trunking systems while big cities are going digital. The best thing to do is go to radio Shach and act like you are going to buy one and the folks will show you what you need.

Just a reminder... Your most important piece of chase gear is the vehicle you chase in. I drove 4600 miles over the last week or so with my chase trip on the plains and my move from Alabama back to my hometown of Elkhart, Indiana.

"Bonny" sustained some damage and wear and tear on the trip. I spent the last two days putting her back into order with an oil change, new fan belt, a visit to the muffler shop and lastly I threw on a new set of hubcaps because I lost one in KS and one in AR. I had new tires installed in Salina, KS last week so everything should be up to date and ready for tomorrow's chase in Ohio!

Jim you are having entirely toooo much fun!

Wow. What year is that car Jim?

I had mine tuned up and rear wiper fixed ($170 to replace the arm b/c the part that really was missing is welded onto the wiper arm).

I was thinking about sniffing around in Ohio since it's close to home before getting ready to head back into the playground on the 9th.

Will be using pretty much the same stuff this year as last year.

Well I did it, I passed my test!!! Now just to wait to CQ. Any suggestions on a cheap/easy radio to use as I get my 710 and install it? Looking to his the plains last week of may so want something quick/easy.

Hey Paul good to see you on here buddy! Let me know which radio you go with and how you like it! When (if) you get down here this month to get some chase time I'll have to take a look to aid in my decision! On another note, I am having issues with picking a mobile internet service, I have heard a lot of good things about Verizon's cards with a booster antenna. Any recommendations for a primary plains area chaser?

Hey will glad to see you joined us here. I am looking at the D710 from Kenwood as my main for the APRS for SN and GRX. I also like the fact I will be able to use this unit for a while. But I was just looking for something to quickly slap in for when we come down week before Memorial day

If you are going to get a 710 ANYWAY why not go ahead and get it?

As for AirCard I dropped AT&T early and paid the fine in order to go with Verizon. No regrets!

Gear Dude, you sure a bad influence. I suppose I could just do that, my only problem is trying to get it all installed and such in just a couple of days before leaving to take time off to chase.

I've been called worse.

Chime in here Nittany how long did it take for us to install your 710? 3 - 4 hours maybe? Most of that was fabricating the antenna bracket and GPS cable.

My install took 2 days but I did a LOT of custom manufacturing and replacing and installing unrelated gear.

The bottom line, I too had always wanted a TM-D710 but I thought I couldn't afford one. After all the different incantations of mobile APRS that didn't work quite right or had various kinks I finally bit the bullet and bought the D710 & AvMap G5. I could have had what I wanted the right way from the beginning but instead I now have a box full of older radios, GPS's, TNC's, cables, adapters, plugs, antennas and connectors worth well over a grand!

If you're going to get a D710 eventually ANYWAY, save the time and money by getting the right stuff the first time.

Heck, bring it to me and I'll put it in for ya, Nitt did!