Hi folks. I just past the first basic HAM radio test. I was looking at
getting a hand held radio that I can keep in my car or in my backpack
for use in am emergency, like the 2003 Northeast Blackout.
The problem is, there must be a billion choices out there!
I'm not rich, and I'm not on food stamps either. I'm willing to spend a
pretty decent amount for a product that's worth it.
I'm in the US.

I used the 2003 Blackout as an example, because I was lucky enough to be
in NYC when that happened. I was stranded with somebody who had a hand
held radio, he used a repeater and was able to have his friend (with
power) on the other end call people and say they were OK. I thought
that was pretty awesome.
I used to have a pair of Maxon GMRS-210's but I sold them on eBay many
moons ago.