Rob,
 
I'm very fond of the Yeasu branded UHF/VHF HAM systems.  You'd need to get your ARRL callsign, but the frequency scope that this pretty simple move opens up can really expand and extend your horizons.  Plus, most of these radio systems have controls integrated into the mic.

-- 
Matt Thyer

 
> Date: Thu, 17 Mar 2011 17:51:56 -0700
> From: musomuso@GMAIL.COM
> Subject: Re: CB Radio
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> 
> I'll second this.
> 
> My Cobra has NOAA channels though my little Eton crank radio "pulls"
> them in better when camped in remote spots. (likely because I can
> position whip on an angle etc.) Still. Its a really nice feature.
> 
> Rob: FWIW, this is the model I have. http://tinyurl.com/64vula6 It may
> be a relatively pricey model though.
> 
> The front fire speaker is nice too. It's mounted on a wood box I made.
> It's sort of visible in this pic: http://tinyurl.com/4gh3qph
> 
> Antenna is a "road fix" affair. But its up high and clear of van body.
> Antenna is base loaded and short, but with line of sight is good for a
> couple miles.
> 
> Hard to see, but it's there: http://tinyurl.com/4p8sa5s
> 
> On Thu, Mar 17, 2011 at 4:21 PM, Loren Busch <starwagen@gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> 
> > The feature I find myself using the most is the NOAA weather channels, all
> > covered on the 75.
> 
> 
> 
> --
> Neil Nicholson '81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco"
> 
> http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
> 
> http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines