Thanks alot for all that good information. I was kind of thinking to start with mobile for the reasons you listed. It kind of made sense. I figure it will have less range, but if things go really bad you can not be sure you are going to be able to sit at your base. Sounds like there is a lot to learn.
Range is a matter of selecting the right band for the time of day. I've worked Santa Barbara with a 1 watt VHF handheld using a rubber duckie...from San Diego. Ducting effects over the ocean. I had a chat with a Swiss ham around 1 PM on 10 meters...using a 4 watt mobile rig and mag-mount. Check into QRP (low power) operation. It is a passion with some people.
My favorite activity is transmitter hunting. My wife and I participated in many hunts while we were dating. Our hunts started at 5 PM on Saturday afternoon from the Sears parking lot in Chula Vista. Odometers were recorded for each participant. The boundaries were drawn at the San Diego County line in all directions. The winner is the person who finds the transmitter in the fewest minutes and fewest elapsed miles on the odometer.
February 26, 2004
Abbott Laboratories Has Recalled Desmopressin Acetate Injection
(SafetyAlerts) - The FDA has released the following information.
PRODUCT
Desmopressin Acetate Injection, (desmopressin acetate
4 mcg. and sodium chloride 9 mg) 4 mcg/mL, 1 mL UNI-AMP
unit dose pak ampuls, 10 ampuls per box, Rx Only, For I.V.
or Subcutaneous Use Only. Recall # D-110-4.
CODE
Lot Number 014203A, Expiration Date: February 1, 2005
http://www.safetyalerts.com/recall/f/02.2/f0003652.htm