The use of repeaters in the private and business sectors is encouraged and is used heavily. Skip and other interference minimal. Very good penetration in buildings. Repeater range is directly proportional to repeater antenna height. For example to get the 100-mile range you could get with a 100' low band system, you would need your antenna at 1000'.
Equipment is very available and moderately priced.
Currently the most popular band for private or business application. Offers the best compromise out there. 800 MHz.- from 800 to 912 MHz. Virtually interference free. Shortest radio to radio range of the batch.