And HTs operating on the 2M amateur band (144-148 MHz) are the most popular for there are many repeaters in this band that can be used to extend the range of the HT.
But to access a repeater, you need to know the input and output frequencies and possibly a PL tone ("PL" stands for Private Line, but that's another subject). Switching from repeater to repeater can take at least a few minutes when you have to change these settings - plus you have to remember the different settings for each repeater.
HT manufacturers make this easier for you by building a number of "memories" into their product. Each memory can be programmed with all the information for a particular repeater, so all you need to do to change from one repeater to another is turn a knob one click, or tap a button.
Convenience comes at a price, and the price is that you have to know how to program the memories and other functions on an HT. A few HTs are easy to program, many are not, and the procedures vary a lot from design to design - even for the same manufacturer. Mike Meltzer, K2SDD, of DeWitt, drew upon years of experience and recently offered some suggestions for programming HTs:
Don't be afraid to try it. You can't break your HT (unless you drop it on the floor), so run through the process a number of times until you understand it.
If you program a lot of different repeaters into your HT's memory, be sure to write the information down. You'll never remember it all if you have to reprogram your HT.
And finally, the most important point: Never, ever lose the instruction manual.
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