FCC regulations require that you the minimum power necessary to communicate. However, using the minimum power necessary does not dictate a signal so weak that copy is difficult or the signal is intermittently "in and out" of the repeater receiver as the transmitting station moves or as propagation conditions change. If someone says that you are noisy, increase power, relocate your antenna, or take whatever measures are necessary to improve your signal. The quality of your signal is representative of both your station and you as an operator. Continuing to make transmissions after being told that your signal is poor is inconsiderate.

Amateur radio manufacturers continue to come up with newer, smaller handheld radios, many with power levels well under a watt. Many new amateurs start out with a handheld radio as their "first rig". Although convenient, they are not the most effective radios in terms of performance. Without a good external antenna, operating a handheld radio indoors or inside a car is going to result in a lot of bad signal reports. There is simply no substitute for a full-power radio and external antenna when operating mobile. Indoor antennas at home stations are a compromise at best; a small antenna mounted as high as possible outdoors is almost always better than a larger antenna mounted indoors.