Need Help with equipment

[Kesephist]

MARS Military Amateur Radio Service

ARES Amateur Radio Emergency Service

CAP Civil Air Patrol

RACES Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service
NOTE: RACES is closer to FEMA and technically the only HAMS allowed to operate if the President opens up the War Powers Act.

[Brownwater Riverrat 13]

On the programming thing, I have always steered away from programming radios through a computer if I can help it. Some radios you don't have a choice, like Motorola sabers.

*NOTE* The TYT needs to be "tweeked" by computer so you can talk using the mike while the cross band repeater is in use.

But when it comes to manually pushing those buttons, programing a repeater freq. the PL tone, offset, etc. All those things are essential for you to learn how to do with out your laptop. DO NOT RELY ON COMPUTERS TO DO YOUR WORK FOR YOU! You need to be able to do this shit in the field on the fly, know your gear, "Love your Gear, It'll Love you Back"