JOEIs ssb worth looking around for,

LS Yes. If you want improved range and less noise
LS then SSB is the way to go. You just have to make
LS sure those you wish to contact on the air are also
LS using SSB radios in order to take advantage of the
LS mode.
LS

That's the catch, ain't it? I don't find myself using SSB
much, as I'm almost always mobile. Other drivers don't
seem to use sideband for some reason. Still, it's there
when I want/need it

It's not THAT expensive, really. A perfectly fine sideband
rig can be had for under 200 bucks.

JOE or should I skip it and just get an am unit?

LS In my opinion AM radios are a waste of money
LS compared to the performance you get using SSB. Of
LS course there are those who like AM even with its
LS technical deficiencies. If the people you talk to
LS don't use SSB then you can save yourself some
LS money and get an AM only radio.

I'm with you. I encourage sideband operation.

My brother-in-law and I use SSB
when we run into each other around town. It's much
easier to talk to him across town on sideband rather than
AM. Less noise, more efficient, more power...


--
Alan Strawinski

http://alan.strawinski.net