I have a number of the Baofeng handhelds. If you do decide to get a couple, get the programming cable as well - you'll find it worth the money. You can program them using a free software package called Chirp. That package will program most common handhelds.
I got one last April and spent a month reading up on setting it up. I must be retarded because I couldn't figure shit out. :(
Programming the thing by keyboard is an exercise in futility and poor design. I've done it, but I don't wish to do it again and I don't think I could.
The programming cable is well worth the money if you want to use the things.
(post is archived)