[Icom] HT dilemma-HELP!

[John Geiger]

Thinking about getting myself a multiband HT as a
Father's day present (now a late one-due to the
dilemma) since it is my first father's day as an
actual father, and with a new baby in the house it
might be awhile before I get to buy any other
equipment.  I currently own an Icom T2H, which is a
great performer, and has very long battery life.  Like
it, but would like something with a couple of other
bands, and something a little smaller.  I will be
using this HT mainly for bicycle mobile work to and
from work, and around town.  I don't use a
speaker/mic, or portable antenna or anything like
that.  Just hold the HT and talk on it.

I am looking for an HT that does 2, 440, and at least
1 other band.  I also want it to at least receive on 6
so I can monitor for band openings from work.  I want
AM broadcast receive, FM broadcast, and TV receive.  
So far, I have narrowed down my choices to 3 HTs: The
Kenwood F6A, The Yaesu VX7R, and the Yaesu VX5R.  I
ruled out all Alinco HTs due to lack of 6 or 222
coverage, and broadcast AM  receive.  I ruled out the
Radio Shack HTX420 due to narrow receive, although it
is a pretty good HT.  I had one for a few days.  I am
ruling out the Icom T90 because according to the QST
review, it looks like it has very low speaker output. 
I need something loud enough to hear over traffic,
barking dogs, etc. Maybe somebody with a T90 can
convince me that this isn't the case.  The Yaesu VX2R
looks promising, but am waiting on that one to get a
little more feedback. It would be nice to have 5 or 6
watts as an option at times also, although the T2H
does OK on 1 watt while mobile and sometimes in the
house (have steel siding).

So, between those three, here are the faults of each,
as I see them:

Kenwood F6A-no 6 meter transmit, terrible stock
antenna, possible low transmit audio (according to
eham), only 2 power settings-5 watts, which drains the
battery, and 500mw, which can be useless

Yaesu VX7R-AM broadcast receive not as good as F6A,
due to lack of ferrite bar antenna, low power on
222-but doable during contesting from the Mountain top
here, possible transmit audio problems (per eham), no
SSB/CW receive

VX5R-only single receive, AM broadcast receive not
good, no 222, possible transmit and receive audio
problems (per eham).  I have thown this one in because
there are some good deals on used ones now.

So, I am sure others have faced this dilemma, how did
you resolve it?  Did you like your choice, or do you
now wish you went with the other HT instead?  Any
comments good or bad about any of them.  I kind of
miss having 6 on the F6A,but at least it can be used
for monitoring band openings.  Wish some company would
combine the VX7R and the F6A into one HT, and put a
real antenna on it, I would get it.  

Also, I don't consider the 817 an HT for my purposes,
and can't afford one right now anyway, so that is not
an option. Thanks for reading through this long winded
message

73s John NE0P
  

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