While I was preparing to write this column, I was thinking (and that can be somewhat dangerous) about why we would operate or need to operate mobile. Other than just having fun while driving, maybe it is staying in contact with friends and fellow hams via the local repeater while taking a trip to Costco, or looking for Bouvet Island while taking the kids to water polo practice. There are also awards that are earned by working mobile operators, or being the mobile operator.
For example, provides several awards, found at the website, <>. Along the left column there is an awards tab. Of the award programs listed, at the bottom is the USA-CA, the United States of America Counties Award (not California). The basic award is given after working 500 different counties and receiving a QSL card or approved electronic verification. There are a total of seven award levels, including working all 3,077 USA counties. Methods of approved electronic QSL verification can be found at <>, but basically at this time, the only electronic confirmations accepted are via . Rules and access to a county-hunter spotting network are available at the website, and at>. There used to be a county-hunter HF net, but that is no longer formally operating. The county hunter spotting system is available for hunters to know where county activators are located and operating, and for the activator to enter their location and frequency, the “spot.”