Well let's see.........the Yaesu FT-857D or the Icom 706 Mk 2G come to
mind right away. With either rig you have all mode 160 thru 70CM operation.
They are not too large and do 100W 160 thru 6M--50 W on 2m and 20 W on 70CM.
If you want QRP then the FT-817 is the rig you want, ALL MODE 5W 160 thru 70
CM.

wrote in message
...
I have a general class ham license but have been out of
it a LONG time

I want to get back into some form of free ham radio
comms that would allow me to stay in touch with people
while living in an RV

So.... I want something small and compact. And Im not
sure what "mode" of communications I want. I may want
some form of digital comms like packet or pactor....
not sure

Any advice on all this? What to get equip wise? What
modes to get into?