A glance through any of the "Antenna Restrictions" forums will reveal many comments from ops that bought homes and property with only hamming in mind.  A vehicle is typically much cheaper.

N5TWB wrote:  “It's really no wonder it's so hard to get and maintain a solid relationship with various agencies that might get value from communications support when needed.”


As someone who spent over a decade as a police sergeant & investigator in one of those agencies, I can share a little insight into their mindset.  The folks working in the police/fire/ems services are EMCOMM professionals.   They use a radio to send and receive life and death related transmissions every day.  Using a radio for emergency purposes is like breathing to them.  It’s not a hobby.  Every time they respond to an emergency call, it’s because “All Else Failed” for someone.  They are not impressed by an amateur radio license or war stories concerning Hurricane Oprah.  

These people are very suspicious of any swag or titles intended to make someone appear “OFFICIAL.”  From their experience, men that try to look official drive cars with magnetic “EMERGENCY” signs while they look for a child to entice at the bus stop after school.

If you want your group to be tolerated, eliminate all the silly “OFFICIAL” gear.  I’m sorry, but it makes you look like wackers in their eyes.  There is absolutely no need for that stuff if all you are going to do is talk on the radio.  Granted, half of your members will probably quit, but the people that will be left might be taken somewhat seriously if they handle themselves properly.    Good luck.  

The USA has spent the past decade fighting two wars, yet MARS is covered with cobwebs.  'Nuff Said.

I have run the SAMLEX 1223 (branded as the YAESU FP-1023) for a few years without a problem.  Its plain Jane, but it works.

I cut a section of garden hose to match the width of my window.  Then I cut slits on two sides of the hose large enough to pass through my ladder line, coax and ground wire.  Closing the window down on the hose creates a nice weather seal and doesn't crimp what's passing through it.  I also added a no-drill 'window pin' for security.  

It's a ham thing.  You wouldn't understand.

I love my 450 as well and that feature can be confusing.  There's a difference between the Voice Monitor and Voice Memory.  You need to go into the function menu and assign the Voice Memory to the Voice CS button via the PNL-CS option.  Select VMITX to transmit the recording.  If you don't do that, you will only have the Monitor feature available when you push the button.

When I find something that I like on their website, I check the list of their stores that have the item in stock and call them to see if they can beat the online price.  Quite often they will!  I love HRO.

Here's a link to a sample lease provided by the Nevada State Apartment Association.  I'm sure that the vast majority of complexes use them.  Page way down and read the Antenna Addendum.  It states that anything other than 47 CFR 1.4 antennae are prohibited.  47 CFR 1.4 clearly states that 'ham' radio antennae are not eligible for exemption.

Sorry.

https://www.bluemoon.com/products/forms_online/print/index.php?state=NV&form=ALL&sample=1

Those days were fun, kids today have more technology at their fingertips than James Bond ever had.  (And better weapons, too.)  Why would they want to play with CW when they can be Luke Skywalker in a role playing game on their computer? 

Times changed, we didn't.  No big deal.  Its the way of things. 

As a software engineer, I am very frustrated to read posts from 'no-code' computer users.  Back in the day, we had to build our own machines, code them ourselves and keep them running.  Today, you people simply plug them in and operate.  No knowledge necessary, other then how to point and drool in front of the screen.  It just ain't right.  Just ain't right.

 

I can find what I want online and have it shipped to my door.  My valuable leisure time is spent on the air, not on the road looking for gear.        

Could be because the LEO is wearing his HT mike on his shoulder applet and not turning directly to it to speak because he doesn't want to take his eyes off of the violator or sweet thing he's flirting with.  (X-cop)

Consider getting yourself Microsoft Word or something that checks grammar, syntax, spelling, etc.  (There’s freeware and reasonably priced word processors out there.)   Compose your messages in it then cut & paste them into the forum.
I’d hate to see you go.       

Any freq where I hear activity.  If that doesn't work, I'd go to 60m and call DX or ask if anyone is interested in a ragchew.  That will get the ham-police's attention.