Handhelds?

"Robert Barker" wrote in message
...
The airport where I'm a student is pretty busy and I'm still getting used
to the high volume of radio traffic. I was wondering about getting a
handheld radio to listen to at work and at home and get used to the patter
and that I could also use later as a backup. I bought an I-COM IC-5 Sport
but couldn't hear anything from my house so I took it back. I'm about 5nm
from the local tower but line of sight might be an issue. I was wondering
if anyone had any suggestions...


Thanks to everyone for all the great suggestions. I'm thinking the Sport
was a little weak, perhaps, and it didn't have a rechargable battery or VOR.
I'll look for a little bigger unit and see what I can get. Getting
reception at work isn't a problem as I can watch the other students practice
touch and gos from my office window! I thought of the internet thing, but
was thinking that my own radio would be a good backup and I can also keep an
ear out for the club's planes and help to sort out the wheat from the
chaff...

I've heard some good things about the I-COM units...