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I'm already entirely nerd in at least three domains. I don't think my family would notice a new one. :-) But having done an honest assessment of my needs, I'm fairly sure the HTs will do me fine.

Correct. Unless your using pretty old programmable gear most stuff on the market supports both NM and WB. My radios are all programmed with both for this reason. Just know what is in your area and what you want to talk to. Knowing the gear you are buying is a plus. Most of the decent used gear that programs with windows does NB. There is still alot of old gear (GE MVS<MLS< Motorola GM/Maxtrac) stuff thats out there but normally a PITA to program so folks dont grab it like they used to.

Just order a UHF NMO 1/4 wave UHF on a magnetic mount. The ghost or phantom antennas only work well with repeaters and good repeaters. I use them on my county TLMR system but we have 15 sites in one county. For GMRS I run a 1/4 wave.

Blister packs are gateway radios man... just say no. Just one outing and you will be jonesing for more power. Before you know it, you're going to have a Rohn 65 holding a rotating beam in the front yard fed with 100' of hard-line and you family and friends won't even be able to recognize you.

Keeping in mind, older part 90 radios are all wide band, while newer ones are narrow band. Though, some newer radios have the option to turn on narrow banding with appropriate software and/or permissions.

Topic locked for the greater good.