TexasCHLforum.com

We have an antenna on the water tower, a repeater inside it. A backup repeater and antenna running at the PD. Radios at the fire stations as well. Several of our members are involved with citywide emergency planning, where HAMs are, formally, 3rd (4th?) level backup for emergency comms. Others have cross trained with the weather service and provide assistance with weather monitoring during severe weather.

If I was at my computer, I'd make a Gonzalez flag with an HT in place of the cannon.

ETA:

Its just about control

agreed.
I just signed up ARRL to better keep up with the assault on those rights.

http://www.arrl.org/
http://www.arrl.org/regulatory-advocacy
http://www.arrl.org/legislative-update-newsletter

Get the free software CHIRP to program the radio.

I suggest checking the Chirp supported radio list *before* buying a radio:
https://chirp.danplanet.com/projects/chirp/wiki/Home