Hi all, been a while since I visited. I did take my Technicians Exam this year -- and passed.

What motivated me was the low price of gear and a desire to have improved comm's with other members of my group when off-roading, as well as access to ARES/RACES nets in the event of a local disaster. There's a couple of Chinese manufacturers that are turning-out decent vhf/uhf handhelds for under $50. I figured at that price it was worth trying out.

We tested them on an expedition this summer with mixed results. Obviously, they are no substitute for a PLB, of which we had one but, thankfully, no need to use it. Operating mostly in the valleys we were blocked from any local repeaters. But we did get more than double the range using 70cm than we did with CB when talking simplex between members of our group. We got slightly better than 1 mile on 70cm and less than 1/2 mile on CB in the foliage. This was using 5W 2m/70cm handi-talkies, mine from Baofeng and the other from Yaesu, with externally mounted antennas.

I think there is some value to amateur radio. I remember periods of landline and cell phone interruption during 9/11 and Sandy. An alternate method of reaching loved ones or emergency services is not a bad idea, particularly if it only costs around $50 and a week or two worth of studying.

But I can't think of any reason to carry one on a hike.