I am fairly new to GMRS, have only had my license for 6 months, and just set up a RA87 this weekend and been programming repeaters around my area with CHIRP. The radio seems pretty solid. Can't speak to durability-offroad use, as I am using as a base station in my home with the Retevis RA09 antenna currently mounted on a tripod on upstairs floor - HOA prevents having radio antennas above roofline but those unsightly dishes are everywhere... go figure.