Good one John. Watch the FCC website for your call to be posted.

Doug you are right about the eham reviews. A good place to start. I think that almost any of the top brands offer up superb radios. Talking to local fellows about their stuff is a great idea too. Not only can they assist but you may want to lean towards their choices as they can instantly offer up assistance.

My RACES group has a large contingent of Kenwood users, with Icom and Yaseu running distant second places. The Kenwood gang knows the various oddities of their gear well and really can assist the new guys well.