Just a few extra bits of info on a few items here. As a ham for the past 25 years, I've done my fair share of modding radios! Yes, there really ARE radios that are "modifiable" to be used on cb frequencies, although its technically illegal to transmit on cb channels with a ham radio. Personally, its sort of silly, as long as you keep your power down to its minimum, there's really no difference in the way a ham radio transmits vs. a cb, but just so I don't get a bunch of shite, I am in no way condoning the use of ham radios on the citizens band!
Of course, radios that do HF that are also modifiable, are quite expensive, and you need to be handy with a range of electronic stuff to do some of the mods for transmitting on the cb band. There is a plus to having one of those radios, as you can usually modify them to also transmit on the FRS/GMRS frequencies too, so one radio does all the bands. I have been using an Icom IC-706 for the past 10+ years now and absolutely love it.
My suggestion would be to get yourself a ham repeater book, that will be the best way to find repeaters in the area you visit. It also helps to understand a few things on your radio, such as band scanning (for 2M, you would scan between 144.900 and 148.000), as well as using PL tones (and how to program your radio to transmit them so you can access repeaters).
If you're with a group or club, and they use amateur radios for communications, just ask them what frequencies they will be using. More than likely, they will probably use FRS radios or cb radios, as most folks don't have a license for the amateur frequencies.
If you do intend on using ham frequencies while you're out, you really won't want to be on any repeaters, as the local users will not be happy about tying up the repeater while you're out in the hills! Yeah, a lot of the old fogies will get a bit testy with their repeaters being tied up!
Try setting a "simplex" frequency with your buddies around 146.500 (use this chart
http://www.pasty.com/~ccraa/band-plan.png for finding what frequencies are for what type of transmissions), you'll be close to the national simplex calling frequency of 146.520, but won't bother anyone that might want to call out on it, yet still near it for others who might be scanning around to listen in or contact ya.
Congrats to the OP on passing the license! It really isn't that hard, so long as you're good at memorizing the answers! The tests nowadays are nothing compared to when I took mine, and I've held an extra class license for a long time! Yes, I really did have to learn morse code to get my Novice, General and Extra-class licenses back in the day!
If you're thinking of doing it, I've helped many folks pass their tech tests just by doing the free online tests, over, and over, and over, and over, and over!!! About a month's worth of doing that (and passing them) and you'll be ready for the real thing! It also helps to find someone who can explain things that make no sense, so find someone who's been a ham for a while and bug the hell outta them. I promise, they'll actually enjoy it more than you!!!
hone:
