Exactly what percentage of use would the average user be subject to a Hamvention/hamfest situation? Little or none. I have had my FT-60 at loud hamfests. I have no problem with it. But that environment is the last place I would test an HT audio. I would test it in any environment that it would be used the vast majority of the time. Car, shack, work, etc.
Gee I thought one of the functions of a true HT was its ability to work well in any environment or weather not just controlled ones......
I chimbed in earlier to point out features available on the FT-60R, many of which aren't in any other HT of this price. Like expanded, multi-mode receive. Useful for assisting in aircraft disaster work, and for monitoring several UHF bands.
One point not mentioned about audio, is that in truely noisy environments, any HT worn on the belt will not be heard. That's why speaker-mikes are used. Something to keep in mind.
I spend most of my time monitoring or scanning. If I"m going to do band scans, I'd rather have flexibility ito scan several bands to monitor activity. For the price, the FT-60R offers exactly what I want in band coverage.
Of course, I'm spoiled. My mobile of choice is my FT-8900. But, I go to the trouble of using single band whips to maximoze receiver and transmitter gain. Of course, if I want to do crossband repeat, that's another story.
