Just Curious did you ever unlock the clairifier on your 979 ? I have 2 of those 979s with the external freq. counter and like the receive on them but feel they need to be unlocked because they jump up 3 digits when transmitting. I was thinking I should give him 1 of those because they seem easier to tweak as compared to that 980. From what I've got out of these posts it is worth the effort if I could penetrate his rock ! LOL When ever he comes to my place to help me test my radios he seems to enjoy himself like back in the old days when he was into CB radio talking skip.That's about what I get with my mobile mag mount and barefoot 979. 18 miles to a base antenna is about 3 s-units in SSB both ways, only 1 s-unit worse than my base talking to the same person on a sirio827 20' higher. This is hilly wooded terrain too. Mobile setups have potential if done right. I have neglected that antenna, its under a kayak. Latest vehicle makes way too much EMI and I'm too lazy to trace it.