Hi... well, I suppose "best" is relative and subject to the individuals likes and needs. I have a Yeasu VX-170 and it's sturdy, submersable and puts out 5 watts, which isn't bad for a hand held. All handhelds are limited by two things though... their batteries and their antennas. I get out well with my Yeasu but the battery will drop off fairly rapidly if I get very long winded. That will of course, reduce range along with the antenna limitations. I can say this though... when I attach an external antenna to my little Yeasu and have a fresh charge on it, it performs just as well as my mobile on low power... not bad, so for me, I'm sold on the VX-170... and they aren't very expensive either... another plus! Andrew
Ah, the P word. If your main goal is a handheld "that puts out the most power" then take a look at the newer Icom radios. The V82 and V85 are rated at 7 watts. The rest of the handhelds are generally 5 watts or less. If price is an issue, the V82 is cheaper than the V85. From my experience with my 5 year old V8 (not V82) you won't be disappointed with a V82. I'm trying not to be partial to brands, just addressing your power concern. In fact, the only major brand that I don't own is Alinco. But shop around. Get the catalogs from AES, Ham Radio Outlet, etc. Browse their web sites. Information is power. There's that P word again...
The best handhelds that I've ever found are the ones that some one else owns, that way they can have the scratchy signal,and have trouble listening to the substandard speaker. IMHO if you can, buy a decent mobile.
I own both the VX 170 (2m) and the VX 177 (450Mhz) handhelds by Yaesu and for the money are the best deal out there. They come with large capacity batteries (1.4Amp) and have loud audio that sounds as good as any commercial radio I have heard. I work at Boeing and can hear them very well even in the factory! They are also built like a commercial radio NOT cheep and breakable toy like most of the others. They can even withstand being under water up to three feet. A very nice radio combination for $120 fro the VX 170 and $150 for the VX 177, they are even easy to program. I highly recommend them as a matter of fact I bought the 450 version after using the 2m model, you won't regret the purchase.
As you have found from the other contributions, an HT has limitations--but it looks "sexy." You can "multiply" the power output by taking off the "rubber duck" that comes with the set and connecting a Gain antenna, such as a 5/8 wave whip. These are available for $18+ at hamfests or through amateur radio distributors. This type of antenna "focuses" the radiated power in a more effective pattern, so you will notice a better transmitting (and receiving) range for your Five watts. Mind that you don't poke your eye out--these are much longer and sometimes more flexy than the "ducks."
...another factor or two to consider; the amount of RF that is emitted so close to your eyes may be an adverse factor over time. Using MORE power may shorten the time or increase the problem (or both). If you can, use a "speaker microphone", tilt the antenna away from your head/eyes & use the lowest power setting you can under available conditions.
The use of a "gain" type antenna or a connection to an installed setup will further reduce the need to have more power for given conditions. Also, there are several amplifiers available that work quite well to boost the basic HT output; this would be for a setup that will put (hopefully) your antenna much farther away from you and others during operation.
Good luck and enjoy the ongoing Amateur Radio experience!
PS I own HT's from Yaesu, Kenwood, Icom, Alinco & Standard. I enjoy the features of each of the devices and can usually work-around any deficiencies they may have. Look and work with the one that seems "best" for you as the operator, as you may be using the equipment for many years, barring sale or breakage.
)
)
)
