We've been using the VRC-12 family of radios in our HMMWVs for the past 20 years. Typically we operate in the bottom of the 6 meter amateur band on 51.00 mhz. There's no license to listen here but to transmit you should have a minimum of a Technician Class radio license. Since the FCC dropped the morse code requirement the test is relatively easy to pass and the license is valid for 10 years. A couple of evenings studying the online tests and you shouldn't have any problems getting licensed.
We normally operate in low power mode (<10 watts) to avoid interfering with other amateurs on the band for a couple of reasons. One is that the VRC-12 family of radios are wide band radios and most amateur radios are narrow band sets. You will still be able to talk to them but your signal won't be as clear as talking to another military set. The other reason is we seldom need to talk over long distances and 10 watts is more than enough power for convoying. Naturally you want to use proper protocols and obscenities are never acceptable. Much unlike the Citizens Band!
With an RT-524 you'll be able to talk to other radios like the PRC-6; PRC-8,9,10; PRC-25/77 and any of today's modern radios.
Kurt
KG6KMJ
