Thank you to everyone for your continued responses. I'm logging them all to
make my final decision.

Allow me to add a few more details to the aforementioned info...

Although my first thought was a mag mount antenna, I have a '94 Jeep
Wrangler with a fiberglass hardtop. Because of that, it was suggested to me
to get a glass mount for the front window (as the other windows would be
removed by removing the hardtop). I do have a metal lockbox in the back
that a mag could mount to, but then the antenna would be inside and I
understand that's not ideal.

The reason I'm currently looking into a HT is simply finances. While some
day, I hope to have a base station in every room, a mobile in every vehicle,
and a HT for every occasion, I can only afford one radio at this time (and I
have to save for awhile for that!). I'm looking at a HT because of
versatility: I can use it in my home, in my vehicle, or walking down the
road. I'm hoping to extend it's range with the additional antenna and use a
speaker/mic or some sort of headset to facilitate mobile use.

Any further thoughts/ideas/suggestions based on this additional info? I'm
open to any and all comments.

Thank you again for all your help.

Struggling to get back on the air...
--
C. J.
KF6BLN
pipestix AT hotmail DOT com

"Bob Miller" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 27 Aug 2003 22:38:59 -0700, "Stix"
wrote:

Hey gang...

I've been off the air since my radio was stolen a few years back. Now
I'm
looking to scrape together a little cash, buy myself a handheld and car
antenna, and get back to a little 2M activity.

I went browsing at the local HRO, and spoke to a gentleman who
recommended
for my budget the IC-T7H and a particular glass mount antenna. After
flipping through a few catalogues, I'm thinking I might want to save a
little longer to get the IC-W32.

What are your opinions on this? Any experience with either radio? Is it
worth the extra or should I stick with the T7H? I will be using it in
the
car and the backlit number pad would be very convenient, although I'm
sure
after setting my pre-sets I won't need to fiddle with it much in transit.


For mobile use, I wouldn't use either handheld. Too little power; too
little selectivity for California's repeater madhouse; and controls
are too dinky for driving. For the same price as the t7h, look at the
Icom V8000. 75 Watts, over 200 memories, big knobs.

For an antenna, be wary of glass mounts -- especially if you have any
film on your window. A quarter wave whip on a mag mount, or a lip
mount, won't put a hole in your car, and will get out better.