Buying a Hand Held

[Bruce Fenstermacher]

You have to accessorize!

You are right John. don't know if it still holds true today but 10 years ago the radio didn't seem to come with ALL the goodies you wuold need. An adapter to plug in a head set comes to mind. One thing to look at when purchasing today.

[Blue4]

I'll second the Lithium Batteries (AA) option. They're expensive, but in addition to being lighter and lasting much longer they will operate at extreme cold temperatures (some say down to -40, which is impressive). That's useful in austere locations.

I try to get all of my gadgets operable on the same power source -- that being AAs. In a pinch, you've got spares in your other devices--after you've exhausted your resupply, of course.

My chief complaint about modern GPSs is that most don't operate on any sort of "disposable" battery. Same thing for my Iridium.

Handheld radios, SPOT trackers, satphones, GPSs, and even flashlights -- they can all be useful, but the operator must have some knowledge, and they have to be within reach. You could go an entire pilot career using all of them frequently, or none of them ever. Like anything, its a tool for each individual to choose or leave behind.
-Scott

[GAHorn]

Hand-helds are poor back-ups unless you go to the trouble to install an external antenna, and provide for headsets. ...

Just felt the need to qualify my earlier comments.

The Garmin GPS 196 (best all-around value in a portable GPS, in my opinion) will not only use AA batteries...it will use re-chargeable AA batteries, which are MUCH more affordable than any others.

[Blue4]

At the risk of taking this thread further off topic, I'd feel remiss if I didn't mention the fact that air carriers are really concerned about lithium batteries on board aircraft. If they start a fire, they can be really nasty. The recommendation is that you don't fly with "loose" lithium batteries; ie keep them in the package or a device until ready for use. A less desirable solution would be to find lithium batteries with a higher moral standard.

FAA information sheet: http://www.faa.gov/other_visit/aviation ... O09013.pdf

All this said, I like them and use them, especially when performance might be critical.

Happy skies and tailwinds,
-Scott

[W.J.Langholz]

After reading all these comments...I think maybe a "Leatherman" multi tool on my belt maybe more useful (in and emergency) than a Hand Held radio

These radios are not cheap......maybe I'll just borrow my friends if I think I really need one

W.