Best starter amateur handheld radio

Best starter Amateur 2m/70cm handheld radios with simple displays.
Criteria: Analog (no digital), simple display, rugged, and priced between $80 and $160
Yaesu FT-60_
Yaesu FT-65_
Alinco DJ-VX50_ My pick
Wouxun KG-UV7D
Full model numbers:
USA EU
FT-60R FT-60E
FT-65R FT-65E
DJ-VX50HT DJ-VX50HE

[@azizonacruiser]

Nice review of starter radios. I wish I had seen this before I bought my first radio. Thanks for sharing!

[@personalradiofun526]

I wish I would have had these choices back in 2009 when I got my Ham ticket.
The FT-60 seemed to be the only one that was recommended.

[@michaelscafe2818]

The Alinco DJ-VX50t has the same antenna configuration as the FT65 and Baofeng. The Alinco also has a very nice sounding and very loud speaker. I would like to compare it to find out if the direct conversion reciever can hear as well as the old double conversion superheterodyne recieve in the ft60r

[@RandomWire107]

The FT-65 does indeed have memory banks.

[@personalradiofun526]

Thanks RB, You are correct. Yaesu publishes 2 manuals. The banks are described in the advanced manual. My brain was thinking banks would be in the standard manual.