My preference in this sort of an environment is to have multiple windows.  I like to be able to pick and choose the information being displayed.

Dennis - KG4RUL

As far as I am aware, the newer radios with built-in TNCs do not have sufficient memory for a digipeater function.

Dennis

In some cases, the damage to a file is so great/critical that recovery is not possible at all.  As far as a manual recovery, not possible.

Dennis - KG4RUL

Considering the vibration level in the average semi tractor, I would advise shock mounting whatever rig you purchase. I have seen commercial equipment, not shock mounted, in a Military vehicle that literally came apart while shock mounted, MIL SPEC, gear next to it survived.

As far as a screwdriver antenna, get the biggest one you can.  You definitely have a large enough platform for mounting.  

Also, consider an APRS installation.

Dennis / KG4RUL

Funny, my Rascal did the same thing with a TS2000 (that is, before I converted the Rascal back to a soap dish.

Dennis - KG4RUL

If you are sitting at a base station, the GPS is not needed.  You can just key your lat/lon into the  APRS program you are using.  If mobile, you have to consider whether you are going to be able to transport and power a computer or use just a simple interface to transmit your position.  Computers can be as elaborate as a laptop with a soundcard interface or as simple as a PDA connected to a TNC.  For posits only, there are simple interfaces such as a tinytracker that accept GPS output and provide the TNC function to directly drive your transceiver.  As to APRS software, there are numerous programs and, I will not attempt to tout one over another, as they each have good and bad points.

Dennis - KG4RUL

Same answer as was posted here:

http://www.eham.net/forums/Digital/1477

You can do packet with any HT that has a Microphone jack and Speaker/Headphone jack.  You will need an interface, a TNC and a computer.  The interface provides impedance matching from the HT input/output to the TNC input/output along with PTT keying for the HT.  The interface and cables are specific to your particular HT. The computer runs the packet software and drives the TNC through a serial connection.  The serial cable is specific to the TNC and computer being used.

Dennis - KG4RUL

The Kenwood TH-D7A(G) does exactly what you want.

Dennis - KG4RUL

The GP-15 only works on the FM portion of the 6M band.

If I understand your question, you are looking for pictures of Code Keys and Transmitters/Antennas?  If so, try this site:

http://www.rigpix.com/

Dennis - KG4RUL

BUT, here is the rub - The FCC, in their infinite wisdom, has determined that the voice sent, from the TS2000, to the controlling station, is also part of the command link structure.  Therefore it must be on 222MHz or above. This makes the SkyCommand system, as implemented by Kenwood, illegal to operate.  

Dennis - KG4RUL

If you are going to use a soundcard with the KAM-XL, why not save hundreds of dollars and not buy the XL in the first place?  It seems to me that the point of having the XL is to simplify the system.  I can use my handheld, HP, MSDOS computer to run an XL in PSK31 mode.

Dennis - KG4RUL

Why not try the obvious?

http://www.kantronics.com/support.htm

Dennis - KG4RUL

My understinding is for any Amateur radio operation, you MUST use only antennas which have been installed on the aircraft by a licensed A&P mechanic, inspected by the FAA and recorded in the aircraft logbook.  Now to the real question, how would you coordinate a frequency pair?  If the aircraft is operating at any kind of altitude, the number of repeaters that you could cause interference to is mind boggling!

Dennis - KG4RUL