In each price range, you will probably notice that each radio offers the
same features.
If you buy one that uses rechargeable batteries, there's an advantage to it
if it can also run on several AA batteries.
My radio came with a NiCad Battery pack that fits in a holder. The Battery
pack can be removed from the holder and replaced by AAs.
I also bought a spare rechargeable NiCad battery pack.
The one disadvantage of my radio is that the battery pack needs to be in the
battery while being recharged, and isn't to be operated while charging. So,
if a battery pack runs down while I'm out, I can replace it, but I can't
recharge it and use it at the same time.

"Mika the Spamkiller" wrote in message
...

I consider buying a waterproof handheld VHF to be used as some sort of
reserve radio in case mast and antenna are lost, fixed VHF fails or
need to abandon the boat...

What about radios that use AA cells instead of rechargable battery
pack? As far as I understand, rechargable batteries need to be charged
every now and then even if the radio is not used. And alkaline AA
cells, though have lower capacity, do not decay. I plan to leave the
radio in my grab pack, and would not like to worry about charging NiCd
pack every month...

Any suggestions for a good handheld? What about Icom M-31 ? Or some
similar reasonably priced set?

Mika