Daniel, For 30 mHz and above, try to find a rig that does 6M and 2M, an "all mode" where you can do both FM and SSB
I used to run a packet BBS on 2M FM about 17 years ago. While there is plenty of packet activity in the St Kitts area, I am not sure of there is a BBS active or not. Last I checked for WNY, there were none. Most of packet activity is Flexnet, nodes that link areas for emergency communications. Getting something other than your handheld's rubber duck will be important. I will be happy to do some 2M FM digital experiments with you. Since I moved I am no longer line of site to your area but should be able to work you . Packet radio does fairly quick switching between transmit and receive, so you will need a circuit that automates this for your handheld. There are some commercial ones available , but they may expect a TNC rather than a soundcard PC interface. I'll leave it to others here to advise on that. Andy
