Glock-A-Roo: At the same price point as the Yaesu VX-8R I would recommend instead the Kenwood TH-F6A. It's dramatically easier to use/operate, and has a wider wideband receive (I believe it's actually the widest wideband receive available in any HT). It's even a touch smaller (in width and height, it is a touch deeper). Mine has been rock solid.

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