thanks for the input K6CPO...and yeah, I see arguments on both sides on all sorts of forums around the topic of CCRs. and as mentioned.. I do own the Baofeng F8Hp..and thus far it has appeared to be doing what it is built to do...my only question has been around reception...and I'm seeing enough conversation around the front end of these radios that I had talked myself into spending the money on a better quality HT. I own a small biz that serves the music concert industry so we deal with a ton of electronic gear..15 years of it now has taught me to be wary and expect to have my feelings hurt by China/Malaysian/Mexican build, when I've needed a piece of gear to be reliable. In fact, when we've had to purchase guitar amps for example..even though they might say "fender" on the logo, but are assembled south of the border...I don't let those rigs go on stage before they get placed on our bench and checked for spec, handsolder the usual crack points, etc (thin wave solder pool stuff).... so if there's a bias at my end..yeah.. I'll accept guilty as charged....but who knows.. I may find the Yaesu, wherever it is made, doesn't perform any better than my Baofeng..if not..ok..fine.. I've got 2 HTs that talk to each other and a local HAM world that is just out of range most of the time anyway....
but I do really really appreciate your and everone's feedback on this forum...just a great place to learn and grow.