Yeah many call me gear heavy. And Im ok with that. Im working to lighten my load of things like then, bag, cookwear... the radio i take because I never hike alone and often end up with people that are either fast or slow. so I give each of them a small FRS radio. My ham radio acts like a repeater and is good for 5watts where the small FRS radios are only good for 0.5watts. My radio weighs in at 8.5 oz

I don't like the ultra light minimalist attitude because I've plucked to many under prepared backpackers out of the mountains. My pack weight including all my "extras" are about 35lbs max I hip carry my handgun, and the radio is also fun for making contacts from mtn tops. You would have to be a HAM to understand that part. and its not the huge table top radio you may be thinking

You may not see it that way but I also tend to head out despite the conditions. The worse the weather the more excited I get!