[Milsurplus] MAB vs BC-611

[Hue Miller]

Well, the PRC-6 DID have a handset option, and during the KW was not the
only portable radio, as the backpacks PRC-8, 9, 10 replaced the BC-1000.

The Viet Nam war didn't seem to find any use for a handheld tactical radio.
It looks like guerilla forces and armies of poor countries are now using a lot
of handhelds - i assume this is because of the low cost and easy availability,
and multichannel ability above that of the earlier handie-talkies.

Another thing about the MAB, is the antenna is quite a bit longer. That 
plus the greater coupling of the radio to "ground", the operator, i would
think, would give some distance advantage - but i have not tried this out
myself. I have been told by another ham that the BC-611 had noteworthy
sensitivity - picks up overseas communication stations on same frequency,
at night, so i suppose its range limitation is mostly due to great inefficiency
in the antenna system. And yes- i believe the manuals right - it's a few 
milliwatts, not 100's of milliwatts. -Hue Miller