Recommend a new HT radio

[Lowdown3]

Still milking these Icom T81s from the early 2000's and other than finding original Icom battery packs for them, they are working just fine. I'm loathe to get rid of them for a number of reasons including possibly spending money that it isn't necessary to spend.

Still though, always good to explore options.

What I'm looking for-

At least a dual band HT, preferably more, but specifically has to have 2meter band. Has to have battery pack that takes AA's. A decent brand/warranty. Water resistant is a plus. Easy to operate, I want to program in scan bands and be done. Has to be something that can be adapted to the Peltor Comtac III headsets.

Contrary wise- if anyone knows where to get ICOM (not chinese knockoff) battery packs for the Icom T81s, please let me know. Looking for both the plug in kind and another AA battery pack.

[Bill Foster]

I know I will get a lot of crap for this suggestion, but...I have been using Baofengs for the past 6+ years with no problems. A couple of the Elmer’s in my area have them as well. They also own Icoms and other expensive HTs and they like the idea of a disposable radio. I have a UV5R, 5-watt and a BF-F8HP 8 watt. Both are 2m and 70cm. Mine are programmed for GMRS* and FRS use and I monitor the local fire, police, and weather bands. I purchased the speaker-mike for <$20 and the AA battery pack for <$20 from Amazon. *use of GMRS requires a license in the US. Before I purchased my high-dollar mobile, I used a UV5R with a magnet mount in the truck. 73

[protus]

Yaesu makes small dual band radio's that are water proof.
But they'll run twice to three times what bauefengs do.
But.
You can but 2-4 packs of baofengs what 1 yaesu or icom cost.
I'm in the boat like you. My older hts need Batt packs but are getting harder to find.