I have two Yaesu's and FT-60 and a vx-6r. Both are pretty lightweight, but the latter especially so. The vx-6r is also a tri-band. Both are 5 Watt radios. I think you can pick up those units for about $150 and $250 respectively. I have found Ham's to be invaluable in working with the scouts. Invariably, there is a fast group and a slow group. If we have enough leaders to stay with both groups, the two groups can separate but still stay in constant radio contact. This even worked when we were stretched a couple of miles apart on the long hike through the canyons at Havasupai. Being able to separate permits the fast group to be unyolked with those who need or want to hike slower and the two groups dont' get cranky at one another. Some people try to achieve the same thing with the family radios you pick up at Costco, but I think those things only broadcast at 1 to 2 watts of power.
Brent N
KI6NEJ
