Suggestions for a beginner

[Nick23]

I have had a CB Radio for about five years and really want to switch over to the ham radio. I now am studying for my Amateur radio license. I have decided to get a dual band radio and I could really use some help on what brand and model to get.

Thanks,
Nick

 

[Beetle]

Find a club in your area. Go to a meeting, introduce yourself. Ask to actually see what radios they use. What works fine for me might not be the best for you. It'll be YOUR radio; it has to be your decision.

 

[Nick23]

Right now I can't join a club. In the next few months I will be moving from Phoenix to a small town in western Kansas. I don't know of any clubs close to that town, so you understand my dilemma? I would like to get my radio right now as I will be making a few trips back and forth in my vehicle. I was wondering if everyone could tell me just some of the most common radios that preform well.

 

[W5LZ]

Nick23,
That's like asking which is better, Fords or Chevys. It depends on YOUR preferences like 'Beetle' said. I have a preference for Kenwood radios and naturally I would recommend one of them. I have a preference for how they are programmed, they are just not that complicated. I also like their 'style', the display I have to look at, etc.
When you 'homogenize' all the characteristics of all brands of radios you end up with some 'standard' features. Except for very few exceptions, almost all 'modern' radios have the same abilities. There is no -clear- advantage with any brand radio (except for Kenwood, naturally! ).
I know very few hams that ever just have one model/style/brand of radio. Your preferences change over time so swapping radios is almost a 'given'. There's no such thing as a 'best' anything, there's only what's 'best' for you.
Howzat for a 'generalized' answer to your question? Oh well...
- 'Doc

(It's not a good way of discovering the 'best' radio, but see what's commonly available on the used market, and what's seldom seen. The 'seldom seen' radios are the 'keepers', right? That's not the best advice by any means but it can be a clue.)

 

[Nick23]

Sorry guys if I am overgeneralizing this. I am a complete beginner to ham radios. I don't know even where to start. With CB radios people know what radios preform better than others. There are many top 5 or 10 lists you see about CBs and many radios show up again and again. I just thought there was at least couple of ham radios know for being great on the air.

 

[W5LZ]

You're right, there are a few radios that are really nice. But that depends on who'z doing the deciding which is 'nice' or not, and what your 'aim'/purpose is. And how the whole thing is set up. One little goof here or there can turn a 'nice' radio into a real dog. It doesn't have to be the radio at all.
So having the 'best' isn't an initial accomplishment. It's a matter of making all those 'stupid' mistakes and then correcting them. (It ain't a 'stupid' mistake unless you've made the same one before, or a number of times!)
- 'Doc

(This is a day-off for me. I have no idea why I'm even awake right know, so I think I'll go back to bed. If I'm not making sense, that's about normal so don't sweat it.)

 

[Nick23]

Since every one is saying any new radio will perform about the same as the next one, is there a couple great antenna companies or do they all preform about the same too?

 

[Lil'Yeshua]

Maybe a list if ham radios he could check out to point him in the right direction and duds to steer clear from.

 

[222DBFL]

Get a good antenna system and radio wise, the magnum 257hp is a decent radio for not too much money. Can do 10 and 11 meter. Small radio with a small amp built in/on. JMO as to what to do. Good luck and god bless.

 

[kd-5-bgt]

Hey Nick !! Welcome to the board!

I would have to say keep it simple.

Personally I would stay with the brands of radios that have been around for a while,Kenwood,Icom,Yeasu and Alinco. All of these brands for the most part have had a decent record of putting out well made radios that perform well, last a long time,and have all the features that are required to get you on the air.But these brands are somewhat pricey

There are some radios that are being made in China that are starting to show up for sometimes half the price of the above mentioned brands .
Wouxun and Anytone just to name two ..I have not heard much about these two brands,from what little I have heard it is a tossup as to weather or not they are worth buying...

Here is a link from a dealer that I use that has the duel band radios they sell and if called they might have more than what is on the list

Associated Radio - New and Used Amateur Radio Gear


Personally if I were to buy a radio from that page the Yeasu FT 7900R and the Kenwood TM V71A would be at the top of my list

There are alot of other dealers out there ,so dont lock yourself into what you see on the link I posted....

Above all,take your time,do your homework it will sure pay off in the long run !!

 

[binrat]

I would say "keep it simple" as well.

My first VHF was a simple IC2200H in the truck and I used a HT in the shack connected to a 1/4 wave antenna. Around my area (Central Ontario) there is very little UHF activity so for me its pointless. At the shack I have a Kenwood HF and an older Kenwood VHF.

 

[Gary]

Go with an ICOM radio if you can. They are a fine product and will go the distance. Dual Banders are nice however you will find most people who get a tech license will spend more time on 2 meters thier first year or so while they learn and a two meter is usually less than a dual bander. Of course if money is no issue that would be another thing.

 

[2RT307]

I'm going through the same thing, Nick23. And the guys aren't giving you the runaround... it's hard to pick a rig for you and your area. I found through a local club in the DFW area that hardly anyone uses 220 here. So a tri-band is a waste of money for me. Most people use 2m here, but some use 70cm too. So a dual band is the way to go. But wait, do I need cross band capabilities? That's more money! So just to say, yeah, go out and buy a Yaesu FT-8800 might be a waste of money for you in your new digs in Kansas. And what about 10 meters? If you want to play there, you need another rig. Or should you just buy an all-in-one rig like the Icom IC7000 or Yaesu FT-857D that covers everything? Again, more money.

I'm still trying to decide what I'm going to do for my mobile setup, and considering all of the things I mentioned above. It's nice to know exactly what you want and need, but those things can change over time, too. For the time being, I'd definitely recommend getting a Baofeng UV5R HT. Very inexpensive and dual band capability. I got one off of Amazon for 38 bucks shipped to my door. Not hard to program if you use Chirp. Look on the HT forum here to read about them. Good way for you to listen to the local scene while you are in Phoenix until you pass your test and get your license.

As far as antennas go, I have talked to several guys that swear by the Comet SBB5 and SBB7, and the Larsen NMO270B. Both of these are dual band 2m/70cm.

Good luck in your decision!

73,
RT307

 

[Beetle]

"Small town in Western Kansas? Sounds like Kanorado. That wouldn't be it, would it? I have some distant relatives there! (City motto: Welcome to Colorado!).