I’m an Intermidiate here 2E0XRG
Got involved in radio through Motorsport – Stage Rallying to be precise. The very nature of the location of the sport -like MTB- dictates that you can be in far flung remote places with little or no mobile coverage ergo comms between you and your support crew can be ropey.
CB just doesnt cut the mustard rangewise so it was a simple decision, that and the Motorsport Club I was in actively encouraged members to get qualified. Took my foundation via the club, a year later upgraded to the intermidiate to access more power.
I’ve only ever used it for event safety cover, remote comms and chatting to mates, never got into the “this is ahh not tokyo” palaver.
Used to use it when I was driving silly milages for a living to chat via internet repeaters – i.e. I could have a chat with someone in the US by the route of my radio – internet tranciever – internet – internet tranciever – their radio
Used to chat with this lad as he drove up a mountain every morning in montana to work, think he was a forester or something…. slightly surreal at times when i think about it.
Anyway useful skill to have.