boog - 4/6/2014 17:47

Since the feds forced everyone to go "narrow band" radios last year we have been running Vertex. Actually bought our first ones a couple years before the change was required then had them reprogrammed last year. So far they seem to be a good radio and are cheaper than Motorolas. We get the range plus some of what you're wanting and don't have the expense of a repeater. If we need to talk farther we always have our cell phones but they are a PITA to use when in the field. Depends upon your terrain but we went with VHF when we got or first radios back in the mid'80s. I have been told that UHF is more "line of sight" and VHF follows the contour of the earth. I would recommend finding a radio technician in your area and find what he recommends / sells. FWIW, if buying used radios be sure they are capable of being converted to "narrow band" to be "legal", can be some pretty steep fines if not. We threw away several good radios that could not be converted, a couple less than 5 yrs old :~(