[d-star] A couple of questions

[Jason Godfrey]

Hello.

Hopefully this is an appropriate topic for this list. Please advice me if
not.

I am looking at replacing my mobile radio, and am strongly considering an
ID-5100a. I have two questions that will help me decide.

1) The reason I want to replace my TM-V7a is the display to terrible.
Basically unusable in sunlight in a car. I've read some online reviews that
say the 5100a's display is hard to read in sunlight (some people have
called it terrible.) But I've read other reviews praising the display as
crisp and easy to read. I've also seen some hints that a firmware upgrade
helps.

Does anyone here have an ID-5100a in their car? If so, how is the display?

2) What is the D-STAR activity like in the twin cities? Am I going to be
able to talk to anyone if I go this route? I live in Inver Grove Heights
(south east metro) for whatever impact that has.

Thanks in advance.
- Jason, N0RPM

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