I see I forgot to answer these:
Rob wrote:Does one battery pack last through a day of hiking? Car antenna? Mini-manual? Case? Advertising for Yaesu VX-7R mentions PC software -- what's that about?
The battery for those radios SHOULD last for a day. It depends on how you use it. I usually leave my radio off and only turn it on to use it. Of course, this means no one can call me, but that's ok because I'm hiking. Still, take a second battery - they're small. There are also cases available to use AA batteries, but on most radios those don't last long and don't provide the same power output. (On the VX6, it's 5 watts with the provided battery but I think only 1/2 watt with 3 AA batteries.)
A car antenna makes a big difference if using the radio driving. A cheap mag mount is fine. However, if you will use it in the car much, I strongly recommend buying a second radio, one designed for mobile use. It is easier to change frequencies, has more power (usually 50 watts instead of 5), and safer. Also, I've had the handheld radio in the car banged around enough to damage the antenna fitting. You can get amps to boost the power of the handheld when used in the car, but spend your money on a mobile radio instead.
Mini-manual - probably not a bad idea. I made my own cheat sheet, but Bernie makes some nice ones
http://www.niftyaccessories.com/ and he's a hiker too.
There's two uses for a case. One is just to protect the radio from scrapes and scratches. Use or not as you want. I used to use them, but now am just careful and prefer to save the weight
. In my pack I do put the radio in a ziplock in case it rains. The other use is a case that goes on your belt. This is nice IF it has a strap to make sure it can't fall out. But, watch that antenna, I broke one when it caught on a branch.
The PC software lets you program the radio from the computer rather than the tiny radio keyboard. It's like a spreadsheet. Some of these radios have 1,000 memories, and you'll use a few to program in all the repeaters on your hike. (I also program in some public service freqs like SAR and CalFire and weather - the radio will not transmit there but will work as a scanner.) Consider that programming a repeater includes the frequency and PL tone, and you'll want to give them an alpha name for ease of use.