I live in a poor spot for 2m, we have some active club
repeaters. Someone is always listening on those repeaters,
but they probably don't want to chat with you.
The west coast has more VHF and UHF action than any place I have been on the east. There are repeaters with people who talk nonstop in English, Spanish, other languages. You hear people talking on 2m at 4:00 in the morning around Van Nuyes.
https://www.amazon.com/Yaesu-FT-60R-Handheld-Amateur-Transce...
which works on both the 2-meter and 70-cm band, particularly if you use this kind of antenna:
http://hamuniverse.com/2mladjpole.html
I live in a poor spot for 2m, we have some active club repeaters. Someone is always listening on those repeaters, but they probably don't want to chat with you.
The west coast has more VHF and UHF action than any place I have been on the east. There are repeaters with people who talk nonstop in English, Spanish, other languages. You hear people talking on 2m at 4:00 in the morning around Van Nuyes.