Batboard

We are planning to put a 10m FM simplex link on the local 33cm repeater. For now we are going to use my Rat Shack 10m rig, but I would like to put something more reliable and durable up there.

What is a decent choice that is easy to get down to 29.6?

MY first choice would be a mitrek. Xtal controled but since
it will be one freq anyway it will be rock stable and they are cheap
and easy to tune up. I know maratracs and syntors will work also,
but the mitrek can be had cheap enough to offset xtal costs. Phrawg

Syntor X9000

29-42 Mhz Orion

One problem with the Syntor X 9000, or X for that matter, is that quite a few of them do not maintain transmit VCO lock below 30 MHz at temperatures below about 50 degrees. This can be a problem in mountaintop vaults which are not heated. You can mess with the striplines in the VCO and solve this issue but all you really need is a Mitrek or other crystal controlled radio.

I'd use a Mitrek, a Mitrek or possibly a Mitrek.

Second place goes to the Kenwood 30 or 90 series.

If the Moto route doesn't work for you, try a GE MLS low (29-42 MHz) split.

Look for model number MLS L 160 or 161.

Control E, baby, and you're good to go.

Low split Maratracs do 29.6 no prob. Just do the shift key thing wilst programming the freqs.