2 meter will do a lot more than one thinks if you get a decent Mag Mount antenna with 4-5 DB gain. With that you should be able to easily hit repeaters in 20-30 miles of your location on 5 watts. I would expect the DLINK to go down if it got bad.
The easiest thing is you and the person you need to contact would ideally, be able to hit that same repeater such as calhoun.
Good luck its a great hobby!!
The easiest thing is you and the person you need to contact would ideally, be able to hit that same repeater such as calhoun.
Good luck its a great hobby!!