Just ran across this watch on Amazon and thought I'd pass it along - looks pretty cool now that xmas is coming up.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000R7EIFO/ref=amb_link_4712222_2?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-7&pf_rd_r=1NT6STMYMGRNJ370WZ0G&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=292665201&pf_rd_i=507846

MAN!! - Thanks for this post! I'm doing the same thing, and had not considered running the wire in the attic. Now I can use that big roll of ugly Orange 10ga stranded that I have kicking around in the garage.

Wouldnt the HiQ marine stainless antenna be a logical choice? I was thinking ahead for next year for a fishing boat application. Now they have an antenna designed for submarines available as well - it's got to be the ultimate in intrusion protection...

KD6CPA - Here is a list you might use this weekend:
147.435 - Sylmar - Warning! Rednecks and foul language here.
*146.730 - Palomar
446.100 - San Diego
448.800 - San Diego
146.640 - Mt. Otay
146.700 - Palomar
447.675 - Santa Ana Mountains
447.175 - Santa Ana Mountains
*147.210 - Sunset Ridge - WIN
*147.090 - Catalina
448.900 - Catalina - WIN
*147.030 - Palomar
448.400 - San Bernardino

* indicates the generally most used frequencies - really depends on the day though. Check the directory for PL's and such... You should be able to connect to most of these from anywhere in the LA Basin.

That would be a nice resource to have - when I got my first radio 2 months ago the first thing I did was to run my Bearcat scanner on the Ham frequencies as I drove around town. I wrote the frequency down in a notepad as I found them, then looked them up in the directory. Most 220 is private around here so I ignore them, then some seem to be closed to RACES and such so they got scratched off the list. Now I have a list of the 20 or so most used repeaters in the San Diego/East LA area that I will program into the first bank.
When I am on the road the Bearcat is usually on, and if I find a hot repeater I can always program it into the radio by hand if it is not already there.

KD6CPA - this one I like! I may have to borrow it and start studying the repeater guide for routes and coverage. I had already considered putting the WIN system all on one bank - in fact I already have the system repeaters printed out and ready for input.

Well, this question is not so much how to program my HT - I can do that - but how ot ORGANIZE the frequency entries. How do most of you decide what to put in each bank? In the San Diego area we have dozens of repeaters on 2 meter and an equal number on 70cm. I cant decide whether it is better to split up the banks by frequency, or make each bank a different location - and continue filling up the radio as I radiate in distance away from home for road trips. I'm leaning toward the second option, but have no idea what the norm is.