There a few small and relatively inexpensive handheld VHF/UHF ham radio dual band transceivers that have cross band repeater capability, and they are light enough that with a bit of difficulty a drone (I have an MA2) should be able to carry it aloft for a short while. In theory, a person on the ground with a handheld radio could transmit to the radio suspended under the drone on, for example, a UHF frequency and the radio under the drone would translate that to a VHF frequency for immediate retransmission. Somebody miles away would hear the VHF transmission, transmit back on VHF, and the radio under the drone would translate back to UHF for the person on the ground. This might be useful for communication in a hilly, semi-remote area since the drone could legally be flown up to 400 feet above the nearby hill. I'm just curious if anyone has ever tried something like this. I know there are hams who have been camping in a valley and have hiked up to the top of a nearby hill to set up a cross band handheld for exactly this purpose ... it just seems like a drone would be easier and more effective for temporary use.
Just a thought ...
Just a thought ...