A friend of mine uses a small Midland on vacations, and keeps it in the glove box during other times. He has a Wilson antenna, and can talk about 1.5 - 2 miles at best. He says that he normally can get out about 1-2 hill tops, which in East Texas is about .5 miles. So let me suggest something.
The only drawback to the Midland 77-285, is the modulation control. There is a mod (which canbe found online) that allows this radio to have a higher deadkey and modulation. The problem is that, other than that mod, there is not a lot that you can do with it. It is a very nice radio, and I know many people who like them.
Or you could get a Cobra 75 WXST. This way, you can mount the radio under the seat, and hide the mic when you don't need it. If this keeps you from getting out like you want, you can always add some power behind it like a Palomar 100 or Galaxy 80. Both of these models will fit in very tight places easily, and draw very little amperage.
If you don't want to go this route, I suggest trying to find a Magnum 257. These radios are compact in size, and will allow you to get out well. The price is going to be somewhere between $140 - $220.
Another radio to consider is the Uniden 68XL or 68LTW or the Uniden 520. For a compact radio, you can't find one much better than the 520. The RF gain is a big plus as well. The 68 series has ASC, which helps eliminate the noise, without causing problems on the transmitting side. The 68 is built like the old Cobra 25. I like these models better than anything Midland, Cobra, or Maxon offers.
As far as noise is concerned, the more expensive the radio, the better the filtering will be. However, I seriously doubt that you will have that much of a problem with noise. (unless you are driving for a Ford) I do suggest an external speaker, though. The speakers in the compact radios are really too small, and leave a lot to be desired.
</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://pub86.ezboard.com/upacetronics.showPublicProfile?language=EN>pacetronics</A> at: 10/17/02 10:06:03 am
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