In article ,
(known to some as Bert Hyman) scribed...

They all carry the same stuff, they all charge the same prices and
I assume they all have the same ability to stick an address label on
a box and hand it to the UPS guy.

So, other than the obvious need to minimize sales tax, what
contributes to your decision?

For me, it's the application, the overall quality of the radios
involved, and how self-repair friendly it is. Price is about third or
fourth down on my list of considerations.

Part of the issue is that I'm an engineering tech for our state's
patrol agency. As such, I have need for radios that are legal to use on
commercial frequencies (as in Part 90 type accepted) as well as amateur
repeaters.

Motorola Spectra units filled the bill nicely. Durable,
programmable, reasonably inexpensive on the used market, simple to
operate once programmed, and perfectly legal for both Part 90 and 97
operation.

For HF, I usually go after the best I can possibly afford in terms
of retired commercial gear. Sunair, Collins, and Harris are all
favorites of mine.

I'm not keen on most of the dedicated amateur gear manufacturers
because you practically need a microscope to even see the components on
the circuit boards, let alone service them.

Keep the peace(es).



--
Dr. Anton T. Squeegee, Director, Dutch Surrealist Plumbing Institute
(Known to some as Bruce Lane, KC7GR)
http://www.bluefeathertech.com -- kyrrin a/t bluefeathertech d-o=t calm
"Salvadore Dali's computer has surreal ports..."