Harrkev, thanks, I really hate devices that depend on proprietary batteries. I don't want to buy one that can't use AA's. The Yaesu apparently can't use AA's at all. The Icom has the IC-215 pack available that holds two AA's, but output power is limited to 0.1 watts and the AA's (1.2v 2500mAH x 2 = 6 WH) have much less total energy than the 7.4 volt 1300 mAH lithum battery (9.6 WH). The Kenwood's lithum pack is a little bit bigger (1500 mAH or 11.1 WH from Kenwood, 1800 mAH third party if you can believe the spec) but its AA pack holds four cells (12 WH) which is basically as good as the lithium pack. It looks like there's an extra-thick third party lithium pack with 3600 mAH which is also of interest. (I don't mind using a lithium pack when convenient, I just want the option of using AA's at other times). I don't know if it's even still possible to buy the proprietary packs for my old IC-2AT or IC-P4AT any more, but the AA packs still work fine.

It looks like the Icom is cheaper though, $255 at HRO.