In the images you will note the Rat Tail is attached to both the telescoping and rubber duck antennas. The three radios in the comparison shots are the Wouxun UVD-1P, the Anytone 3318, and the Baofeng UV-82. The headlamps in the shots are the Spark ST6, and the Spark SL6S flashlight. The rubber duck is the 5/8 wave color coded SAR antenna (the color codes are to match our frequency programming bank schema). The speaker Mic is the Pryme Heavy Duty waterproof Mic with very loud audio output capability. The First Aid Kit seen in shot 4 is our ULW 1 person kit. The Tracker 2 avalanche beacon is in the picture for scale only, and in fact, given the support (or lack thereof) that we have gotten from them regarding our concerns with their lack of RFI shielding and how radios can damage their Beacons, we do not recommend using BCI Products. Update: after posting the above, BCA did get back to us. Apparently they tried to contact us with no luck, and they pointed out that the unit we returned was an old unit that was beyond the warranty period. We plan to do further field tests of the same nature with the newer Tracker 2's and update accordingly. If any users wish to share reports of their use with this popular brand, we'd be happy to note them.
As we missed the shot of the side with the Push To Talk switches on it, it is included below the slide show. You'll note the rather unique feature of the Baofeng (far right), where you can key either the A or B channels directly from the PTT without having to toggle the desired channel to 'active' first. The Anytone (middle) however, has got the best landing zone for a thumb that is a prisoner in a glove. And just like my spouse, the Anytone, being the shortest in the crowd, can never see the parade over anyone's shoulders unless it is given a boost up, and being light footed, can get easily blown over by a strong gust of wind.
