As a non radio person, would these with updated antenna work for talking between say Longmont and Westminster off repeaters or whatever? Dad has his ham licence and some equipment. Figured these might be fun for him to play with as a gift and possibly get setup to call each other with.
I was taught to usually figure 1 watt per mile of communications without using repeaters. (Line of site, no obstacles) If mountain top to mountain top, you can get some distance. Bigger and better antennas help.
Sometimes people trip and fall down stairs.
Sometimes assholes push people down stairs.
That doesn't mean "stairs are bad" nor does it make someone who pushes someone down the stairs any less of an asshole.