When I run across a really good prepping deal, it gets my attention, but when I find two in the same day....
I bought them both;
I have enough radios to set up the network we need out on Keystone lake, but as with all prepping, I'm looking for redundancy. These are Kenwood transceivers, which is the Cadillac of ham radios. I found the first one at 20% of what it is worth, and when I looked, the other one was 33% of it's used value. These are 60 watt units, while the ones I now have are 5 watt units. Both will reach where we need, but these will offer full quieting...solid communications, all the time! I'm buying new microphones for both, as that is where the wear damage concentrates.
I will be able to make some home made J pole antennas, that will give about double the reach. I can make them for about $20 each location.
This is why I recommend getting a ham radio license, it will allow you to get the systems fully running and tested before the SHTF in case you need to buy parts!
Once the SHTF occurs, anyone can use a ham radio in emergency conditions; but it's damn hard to scratch build one with no parts!
I tried to help a Lady in Nicaragua get a radio online after the SHTF down there. I got her the diagram for a radio, and helped her scrounge some parts; but the government shut down their internet before she could finish the transmitter! I never heard from her again...
I don't intend to be in that same bind here! Our local area network will allow our 5 homesteads to help one another, linked by water with 2 sailboats. We should be able to keep all homesteads safe and supplied, and in full communications!
The smaller 5 watt radios can be used for remote communications at each homestead, possibly at a sentry position.