I go down to N.Central NC on occasion and I use the repeater over at Ashville Mount Mitchell 145.190Mhz -.600Mhz no PL or the Danville VA repeater White Oak Mntn 146.700 Mhz -.600 Mhz PL 107.2
Just a suggestion: Do a search on your browser for "Your County" amateur radio club. Typically, a club will come up. Then go to their site to see what repeater they use for their weekly nets. Once you have that information join the net at the agreed upon day/time.
Check out
this antenna I built and wrote about over at American Partisan. It will handle almost every band out there but 15, 30, and 60-meters.
You can always PM me, by clicking on the PM icon under my name.