Handheld HAM unit

[rentprop1]

Can you make some suggestions, makes and models. It is time that I start working on getting something. Also how about adding and external antenna to these units for more distance? Speaking of which what is their range?

if you decide on this radio you will at least need a Nagoya NA-771 antenna ( rubber duck ) to replace the crappy antenna they give you with the radio, these will improve reception of VHF signal 2-3 S units according to the reviews on E-ham.net......you RANGE will vary depending on your location , especially will vary greatly depending on terrain, here in Central Florida they do achieve about that YMMV..
even better would be a magnetic mount antenna for your vehicle at about $ 30, but you will need to buy a SMA-F to UHF-F that way you can connect it to a PL-259 connector found on most base and mobile antennas

I started this off with " if you decide to go with this radio ", I have made several comments in this thread about how there radio's are bottom of the line at best, but on every prep and survial forum folks ask about them cause they are cheap. I know almost 12 people ( local CERT members ) that have bought these and they are beginning in the HAM radio hobby and they all claim, its an OK first radio, but many have already upgraded and kept this as a back up or secondary radio

the one I have is in the wife's car in her GHB and I'm almost never in the wife's car, thats how little I consider this radio as worthy and would still take my other handheld should we ever take her car on a long trips or whatever

p.s. that's how little I worry about the wife having coms in a event too , she could talk your ear off man ............but shhhhhh .....lol