Extremely powerful and robustly built radio. Has a menu system the likes of which you may not have encountered before in a HT. But once you realise using the menu requires more than usual key pad interaction, it's a pleasure to use, especially regarding setting up memory channels. The RSSI works on memory scan as well as vfo mode, and the screen backlight goes off when scanning. Normal Kenwood style Mike plug used, so no special plugs needed. Tx and RX Audio good, although airband Rx audio could be a little better. Would make a perfect slip seat radio for mobile use combined with a mag mount to get all the rf power safely away from you. The battery life seems good, although using high power all the time will reduce it. Perhaps however, not a radio for long Sunday morning rag chew overs on 144 etc due to the rf output power. This can of course be controlled though in three power settings. The take away from all this?... For the money it's a steal, but be aware that it's a bit of a monster. I'm loving it.

Extremely powerful and robustly built radio. Has a menu system the likes of which you may not have encountered before in a HT. But once you realise using the menu requires more than usual key pad interaction, it's a pleasure to use, especially regarding setting up memory channels. The RSSI works on memory scan as well as vfo mode, and the screen backlight goes off when scanning. Normal Kenwood style Mike plug used, so no special plugs needed. Tx and RX Audio good, although airband Rx audio could be a little better. Would make a perfect slip seat radio for mobile use combined with a mag mount to get all the rf power safely away from you. The battery life seems good, although using high power all the time will reduce it. Perhaps however, not a radio for long Sunday morning rag chew overs on 144 etc due to the rf output power. This can of course be controlled though in three power settings. The take away from all this?... For the money it's a steal, but be aware that it's a bit of a monster. I'm loving it.

Extremely powerful and robustly built radio. Has a menu system the likes of which you may not have encountered before in a HT. But once you realise using the menu requires more than usual key pad interaction, it's a pleasure to use, especially regarding setting up memory channels. The RSSI works on memory scan as well as vfo mode, and the screen backlight goes off when scanning. Normal Kenwood style Mike plug used, so no special plugs needed. Tx and RX Audio good, although airband Rx audio could be a little better. Would make a perfect slip seat radio for mobile use combined with a mag mount to get all the rf power safely away from you. The battery life seems good, although using high power all the time will reduce it. Perhaps however, not a radio for long Sunday morning rag chew overs on 144 etc due to the rf output power. This can of course be controlled though in three power settings. The take away from all this?... For the money it's a steal, but be aware that it's a bit of a monster. I'm loving it.