Reasonable handheld radio, prefer older with a 60-100 mile range

[slickrock]

Right; he also wants it for SHTF-type emergencies, when repeaters are not very likely to be in operation. I can only offer my best advice based on my experience. For one station contacting another on an agreed-upon frequency (he wants to be able to talk to his dad), it doesn't get much simpler or more reliable than 10M or 20M HF bands, and 50 miles is no problem at all.

This sounds like where I need to focus my efforts. Any radios come to mind that a teachers salary could afford?

 

[mr jits]

Take a look at Baofeng. Not a lot of the features as the big brands have and can be a pain to program, but they have a good reputation in the reliability department.