Radio Recomendation Vx-8DR, VX-8GR or Kenwood TH-D72A

[Fred Neidermyer]

Guys - thanks for your help here but I am researarching a handheld for a hunting elk hunting trip where I go into the Idaho wilderness in the cuddy mountain area. I always have a Garmin GPS with me, but wanting to get the best radio to suit my needs:
- Weather station available
- Ability to send messages back to my wife here in Poway on her phone
- Lightweight
- Easy to use
- good battery
- good radio distance

Everyone thanks for your help

 

[Moleculo]

Which radio you choose isn't going to be the issue for you. The real issue is if there will be adequate digipeater coverage where you will be hunting and if your HT can hit that digipeater to send the messages you want to get out. Look at this map on APRS.FI of that area. I see a digipeater at Cold Springs that says it has range of 134 miles, so it might work.

The Yaesu VX-8Dr is the toughest radio of the three you mentioned and is the only waterproof version. That's what I would use in a hunting environment. I would purchase the 1800mAh extended life battery and invest in a both a better handitalkie antenna and also a larger, portable antenna that I could get up in a tree or something.

 

[Moleculo]

BTW, you mentioned "weather station available". I don't know of any HT that has complete weather station functionality, but the VX-8Dr does have a built in barometer, so that's a start.