• More rugged and durable in every way.
  
  
• More rugged and durable accessories
  
  
• Longer battery life and in many cases, less expensive.
  
  
• Designed to be operated for at least an 8 hour work shift with considerable amount of TX.
  
  
• Better filtering to cut down on intermod and desense.
  
  
• Can be used as a Part 90 radio (business, public safety, etc) and on the ham bands.
  
  
• Can be programmed to RX only if necessary to prevent accidental TX.
  
  
• Most will operate in wideband and narrowband FM. Narrow band TX is a requirement on non-ham bands very soon.
  
  
• Many will operate analog and digital modes such as P25.
  
  
• Many will send and receive automatic ID and selectable status messages using MDC1200 data mode. Makes check ins a very quick process. The callsign of the transmitting station shows up on every receiving radio's screen.
  
  
• Use pre-programmed radios and direct folks to channel numbers. All the settings are pre-programmed and cannot be changed by mistake under stress.
  
  
• Superior audio power and audio “tailoring” for easier listening in high noise environments.
  
  
• Superior TX and RX voice quality.
  
  
• Many have pre-programmed scan groups that are user modifiable and much faster scan speed.
  
  
• Many have true priority scanning (in fact, on some, dual level priority!).
  
  
• Some radios allow front panel programming!
  
  
• Better Receiver front end filtering and sensitivity.
  
  
• Less susceptible to front end overload and intermod issues.
  
  
• Many mobiles offer 110W RF output on VHF and UHF.
  
  
• Most all radios (HT and mobile) that have enough audio when turned up that you don't have to run it full tilt AND hold it to your ear to hear it in a moving vehicle with the windows down.
  
  
• The commercial gear is more user friendly. There are, in some cases, 100s of options for optimal performance and additional 'bells and whistles' that are pre-programmed and cannot be mistakenly changed during operation.
  
  
• Manuals are MUCH easier to read and understand.
  
  
• Service Manuals and Operator Manuals are available in PDF form.
  
  
• Immense amount of information on the internet. Forums, targeted web sites from manufactures, dealers and “geeks”.

VHF ranges:

• 136-150.8 MHz - Government/military surplus and usually referred to as the government split. Programs up on amateur, MARS or CAP channels with no problems.
• 146-162 MHz - This will cover the entire USA 144-148 MHz amateur band with modifications to the programming software.
• 146-174 MHz - Wideband split.
• 148-174 MHz - This is a wideband split only found in low power H33 series Sabers.
• 157-174 MHz - This is the most useless VHF split to an amateur, but they make good trading radios or parts radios. Also, these can be changed to a more desirable band split by swapping the modules. For example if you had a Saber III on this split and a Saber I on 136‑150 Mhz you could swap the modules around and end up with a 136‑150 Mhz Saber III and a 157‑174 MHz Saber I you could sell to someone on a commercial channel.

UHF ranges:

• 403-433 MHz - Government / military surplus and usually referred to as the government split. These are useless for USA ham use as they will not cover the 440-450 MHz (repeater) segment of the amateur band. 
• 440-470 MHz - The absolute perfect USA amateur split radio! Will stretch down as far as 438 with no problems.
• 458-490 MHz - This split will not extend down to the ham band, making it a trading radio or a parts radio.
• 482-512 MHz - Again, not useful to an amateur... Another trading radio or a parts radio.