One of the biggest things I like about this is how much I have learned about these radios since I bought one. I got my ICOM installed, and didnt know the first thing about using it. Because I dont like not knowing how to use things, I went into the software, and read the whole help guide it comes with. That showed me how to go in and manually input each bank entry, and that allowed me to really understand HOW the radio works. The instruction manual it comes with isnt good for wiping your ass, but the software gave me an immediate crash course in all the settings it has.
Im still dont know how to use the some of the functions, such as the DTMS and the scan function wasnt explained well enough for me to understand how it works, but I was able to input the freguencies, label them, set the squelch, set the power gain, and understand how the buttons actually work the unit.
The Raptor run will be valuable to me simply because we will be able to ramp up everyone on how to use these radios properly and get them tuned in just right. I value that just as much as getting the seat time on the course to be honest.
I may be buying my crews (road construction) a couple of these radios for comm since many roads we build are out of cellular range, and a job might be 10 miles or longer. (I have a SAT phone for that already)
