Need Help in Choosing Your First Radio?

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Need Help in Choosing Your First Radio?

from Mike Davis, N4FOZ on March 8, 2006
View comments about this article!

Need Help in Choosing Your First Radio?

RADIOS: There are so many to choose from. For the new Ham, it would be best to stick with a reliable, time proven, name brand: (Alphabetical Order) Alinco, Icom, Kenwood, Yaesu

Base, Mobile, Mobile used as a base or an HT (Hand Held Transceiver)???

It all depends on your lifestyle and budget. If you are on the go a lot and on a budget, an HT might be a good choice. A 2 meter or 2 meter/440 might be your best choice. If you want to use it in your vehicle, a 1/4 or 5/8ths wave magnetic mount antenna for the outside of the vehicle might be the best bet. You can also get a second antenna for home use. More on the antennas later. The good thing about buying an HT is that is it portable. The drawbacks are that they have limited power output, and batteries must be recharged.

Base Station: Most new Hams start out with 2 meter operation. A fancy base station has a lot of options, but most are not necessary to Hams who use 2 meters. They are also expensive and are rarely used by new Hams.

Mobile radios: An excellent choice for permanent mounting in a vehicle and what many experienced Hams use on a daily basis while in their vehicle. There are few drawbacks and many advantages. The Mobile runs off the car battery (and the cables should run directly to the battery for best performance), the Hand Microphone is easy to use and, most of all, there is a lot more power available than with an HT. The only problem one might encounter is "noise" from the vehicle electronics, which can usually be resolved with the installation of a commercially made filter.

Mobile used as a Base: This is the rig you see the most for in-home use. It has the power needed, the features most used and runs from a 12 Volt power supply. This is also a good option as, if the A/C power fails, a 12 Volt backup battery can be used to continue transmitting in emergency situations, a primary use for Ham Radio. I have used this type of rig for years and have yet to find a drawback. You will need a 12 Volt power supply: For 2 meters, a 12 - 20 amp filtered supply should do very well.

SUMMARY: If you are on the go and will operate some from home on a tight budget, a 5 Watt HT Hand Held is your best starter radio. If you will operate from your home most of the time, a Mobile used as a Base is the best choice. New Hams with more resources should by an HT, a Mobile used as a Base and a Mobile for each vehicle. This is what most Hams end up doing during the first years. Remember, you still need a power supply and antennas!

Tip: New Hams with young children should be careful to not let kids play with the new "toy". Disconnecting the Microphone works well.

Member Comments:

This article has expired. No more comments may be added.

Need Help in Choosing Your First Radio?

by NI0C on March 8, 2006 Mail this to a friend!

Sorry, but I'm underwhelmed by the quality of advice given in this article.

I would not advise anyone, even someone on a tight budget to purchase an HT as their primary radio.

No mention of radios made in the U.S. by Ten Tec or Elecraft, etc.

No mention of HF, just 2m FM.

"More on antennas later" -- does that mean in another "article?" I can hardly wait.

RE: Need Help in Choosing Your First Radio?

by K4CMD on March 8, 2006 Mail this to a friend!

Taking note of his license class (technician), I think we can see a correlation between that and ham radio as it exists within his privileges. It would've been nice to see some mention of HF (don't all classes still have HF privileges?) and more equipment choices. I for one do not feel Alinco is "time proven" here, any more than I'd feel comfortable buying a Daewoo television from Best Buy.

Need Help in Choosing Your First Radio?

by W2NSF on March 8, 2006 Mail this to a friend!

Nice try, but you missed the mark. If it's the newcomers you're after, focus them on their operating goals first. These are usually defined by their license type. Then decide what type of ANTENNA is needed to satisfy their needs.

If there's any money left in the budget, then think about the radio. Otherwise, wait until you can afford what you truely need. Most amateur clubs have radio equipment to loan out. Many elmers also have a loaner shelf or closet. Easier to borrow a radio than an antenna.

So many personal pursuits today involve the acquisition of gear - more, bigger, higher, wider, stronger, etc. and so most folks miss the point - we're here to have fun playing radio. Comparing radio features in catalogs is certainly fun, but to be useful, you've gotta take a test drive.

So, newbies should get their own antennas up first, then try out several radios that are supposed to do what they think they want. Don't encourage them to succomb to the "gotta have gear" mentality, or they'll never be satisfied. Focus them on the homebrewing (mainly antennas, today), sharing, learning, and operating aspects of our hobby. They should visit an elmer's shack and try out their gear, or maybe their club has a station they can use.

The biggest investment a ham will probably make is the tranceiver - this decision shouldn't be made without lots of personal try-outs and evaluations.

RE: Need Help in Choosing Your First Radio?

by NE0P on March 8, 2006 Mail this to a friend!

And I would recommend something with 6 meter SSB on it, so the new ham can experience real distance communication. That is going to keep them more interested than talking to the same half-dozen people on the local repeater day after day.

73s John NE0P

Need Help in Choosing Your First Radio?

by N1QKH on March 8, 2006 Mail this to a friend!

I started out with a 2M HT and a Tech license. If I had it to do all over again, I would buy an HF car radio that could do 2 meters, even if I only had a Tech license. If I was on a tight budget, my first choice would be a used ICOM-706. A used 706mkIIG would be still better but, it would cost a bit more, too.
To begin with, I would set up the 706 in the house until, I got used to working all the different menus. I would copy down the code practice sessions from W1AW every night, until I had my General-Class-License.
If you like Kenwood, Alinco,Ten Tec or Yaesu better than Icom, that is fine with me. The same strategy will work for you.

Why do I say this? This is a strategy that will hold your interest after you work a few repeaters on 2 meters. Put up a simple 1/4 wave ground plane antenna for 2 meters and a simple 20 meter dipole for HF. This will let you squeak by with no antenna tuner if you are on a tight budget. You simply cannot fail to learn 5 WPM code with it coming out of your radio every night. You can do this in far less time than it will take the FCC to make up its mind to keep the code or not.

73 Don N1QKH

Need Help in Choosing Your First Radio?

by N8KOM on March 8, 2006 Mail this to a friend!

I think the author has good intentions - but I also disagree that HT's are a good investment or direction for a first radio. By the time you purchase a HT, 1 spare battery, a speaker microphone, a mag mount antenna, etc. - You could easily be within striking range of buying a nice used HF rig and a hunk of copper wire.

How about just buying a used police scanner to monitor the local repeaters as a first radio? Someone can learn a lot by just listening. If you find that after 3 or 4 months (maybe even 6 months) of listening to the local 2 meter traffic on a scanner that you still WANT and would USE a 2 meter tranceiver - a small footprint mobile with power supply and mag mount antenna and/or wire J-pole might be a smart first set-up. You can use the above for fixed station (I dislike the term "BASE" - but that's a seperate rant), mobile, or somewhat portable with a small gel cell battery.

Antennas are the key, because without an antenna, even a $10000 radio is a paperweight. But even a modest or compromise antenna will get on the air with the most inexpensive radio.

All the above has been said before here and elsewhere.... and has been said for a long time.

Steve N8KOM

RE: Need Help in Choosing Your First Radio?

by W3ETC on March 8, 2006 Mail this to a friend!

First of all I appreciate the article and that the author took the time to write. Unfortunately I think that it woefully missed the mark. With the newcomers that I tried to help along I have strongly suggested that a 2 meter/440 HT not be their sole Amateur radio. After you work a couple of repeaters it is all the same thing. Especially with youth today that are interested in what is the next thing after a couple of contacts it is okay what now ? Rather boring they say to talk to someone across town.

Better yet get them ionvolved in doing something, building something like an antenna and start to listen to something other than simple can you hear me now repeater stuff. Don't get them into instant I have to have the newest latest gear. That cycle never ends and yields litle joy over time. Used multi band small HF rigs with 2 meters can be purchased at reasonable prices and gives you something to grow with. One previous autrhor mentioned the 706 series. Great choice, forget the brand, they allow you the opportunity to grow and experience new things so you cna see the pupose and reason to upgrade.

Repeater operators get stuck operating repaeters and that is what an HT only Ham does. Please encourage other who are getting into the hobby that it is far far more than repeater operating. That is boring.

RE: Need Help in Choosing Your First Radio?

by KC9HVN on March 8, 2006 Mail this to a friend!

I agreee with N1QKH.

I found an old TS 570 for $150 on e-bay. With the tube finals you really don't need a tuner if you put up a carefully measured dipole. Plus, if I screwed the rig up I wasn't out a pile of dough.

The 5wpm test was easy after trying to copy actual qso's through the noise and static.

I didn't get onto 2 meters (with an old HTX202) until after I had several CW qso's under my belt. I still don't use the repeater much, am having way too much fun on HF.

The 570 was retired after several months of use, by then I had a pretty good idea of what I wanted in a radio.

I guess the point of all of this is that it really paid to get an HF rig as my first radio, I had huge incentive to pass the code test, even did a bit of extra studying so I could test in as a general and have phone priveldges (although I don't really use them). If I had started with an VHF FM rig, I'd still probably be a tech.

73's
Mark
AB9LZ

Need Help in Choosing Your First Radio?

by N5UV on March 8, 2006 Mail this to a friend!

Yes, I agree, this article is good, but needed to encourage the idea of HF a little more. I personally know several hams that are lifer-technicians, and they just don't even have an ounce of interest in upgrading to operate on HF...I know that's there personal choice, but I think it's kinda sad that many hams can get into this hobby without even an inkling of the joys of HF...

Nonetheless, tnx. for the contribution

Need Help in Choosing Your First Radio?

by N3AIU on March 8, 2006 Mail this to a friend!

Personally, I think that new hams SHOULD NOT get hand helds as their primary radio. Ninety-nine percent of the time, cell phones are much more useful, given that many repeaters are unused most of the time (except in urban areas). Hand helds are the perfect way for new hams to get bored with the hobby and drop out.

New or used, the best radio for a new ham is low-end HF/VHF/UHF radio (e.g., IC-706MkIIG). Yes, they can be used to operate through repeaters, but they can also be used for more exciting things like 6m Es opening, satellite, etc. This type of operating whets the appetite for eventual upgrading and HF operation. And, of course, a 706-like radio is a good radio to get started on HF as well.

73, Nick N3AIU

Need Help in Choosing Your First Radio?

by K0RGR on March 8, 2006 Mail this to a friend!

First, the newcomer needs to find some local hams and find out what they use, and what's really available on VHF/UHF in their area. Far too many newbies run out and buy an HT, then find out that there are no repeaters anywhere near their home. I know several who bought a nice radio, and only managed to use it when they are on a long trip - once or twice a year. One of them quit ham radio when the first repeater he found - somewhere in Nebraska - chased him off because it was a 'closed' repeater. What a waste!!!

If he lives in California, where all the repeaters are on mountaintops and provide coverage for hundreds of miles in all directions, an HT is not at all unreasonable for a first radio. If he lives in rural North Dakota, he's going to be disappointed (unless he's close to one their big linked systems). This is the whole problem with the Tech license - it's great for urban dwellers, but it just sucks if you live out in the sticks.

I think we do a rotten job of selling 6 meters to our newbies. For at least 3 months of the year, 6 meters SSB opens up very regularly for Eskip - and that's sure more fun than listening to dead repeaters. When there's no Eskip, there are other modes - WSJT provides a neat way to make random meteor scatter contacts any day of the year - something anybody can do with a 100 watt SSB rig and a small beam. It works on 2 meters, too.

Don't overlook used radios, either. A new FT-857, which provides all mode coverage of the three most popular Technician bands, in addition to all of HF, is in the $600's - you can find used IC-706's and FT-100's for less.

RE: Need Help in Choosing Your First Radio?

by N6AJR on March 8, 2006 Mail this to a friend!

I think this has been covered in elmers about 100 times in the last year.

I usually reccommend they start with something like a used ft 857 or equivlemt. this gives them 100 watts on 2 m and 50 watts on 440 and 100 watts on 6m, that they can use. they can also run it mobile or base, with a power supply, and it gives them ssb, psk31, cw, fm , and more. so they can do more than talk to other techs on the repeater.

all band all mode gets them off to a good start. tell them about satalites, or working 2 meter moon bounce.. much more to do than fm repeaters.

Ham Radio is not a cheep hobby, but $689 new or some what less for a used 857, 897 or more for a ts 2000 or ft 847, and they will have a rig that will serve them for years.

so spend the $ up front and get a radio. or buy a ht for $250, then add an mag mount antenna for the car and then a 5w to 50 amp for the car, then a mase charger and house antenna, and so on. buy the rifht rig first, and you are ready for 2 meter ssb, or 6 meter tropo, or Sats,or 440 mhx tv, or what ever. not near a bored as with a 2 m ht, talk to the repeater and thats it.

and when you up grade, you have the radio already.

Need Help in Choosing Your First Radio?

by KC0SHZ on March 8, 2006 Mail this to a friend!

Having been through this stage lately, I would argue that my choice of a first radio was not the best one looking back at it.

1. Went with conventional wisdom and got an HT. Thought I would use while hiking. Turns out that for the most part, its not very good at getting into repeaters in rural Nebraska (where I hike). Also bought used, to save money. This was an error.

2. Bought a second used HT at a hamfest instead of via ebay thinking that the hamfest would be more reliable. This was an error in that the Elmer that was helping me and I didn't really have the time to discern the weak spots of the ICOM HT's design. Constantly tightening the antenna mount (What science fair drop-out engineered that part?) and fussing with batteries that are no longer made has really put a damper on this unit.

3. Finally splurged and bought a NEW Yaesu FT-8800R for the car. This was a better play. Power enough to get into remote repeaters, and use during storm spotting trips. New technology so that when I call Yaesu for a question, they actually can answer it, without referring to a papyrus-based user's scroll.

4. As much as I like my FT-8800R, after working with some hams who had multiband radios mounted for mobile or variable use, this is what I would recommend. If you can afford an Mk-IIG or a FT-857, go this route.
Even if you can only use 2 meters and 440 to transmit, you can still monitor HF bands and get practice receiving CW. The 2 meter bands are largely empty as the higher licensed hams head toward HF. A new ham will have them when he/she needs them, but also have a usable HF rig.

Call it buyer's remorse, but if I added up the money spent on the various rigs I have bought, I could have bought a more functional multiband rig if I had started out that way in the beginning.

RE: Need Help in Choosing Your First Radio?

by KE4SKY on March 8, 2006 Mail this to a friend!

For the new uncoded tech, my advice is that if you drive a car, get a mobile rig first. A modern mobile costs little more than a HT, but has far better simplex capability. A sturdy 2-meter or dual-band mobile is a viable choice of first rig. In suburban areas a dual-band mobile makes more sense. If you can, find one which also has which also has DUAL RECEIVE.

In high RF urban environments 2 meters may almost useable due to intermod. Rigs which don't have wide receive outside the amateur band are less susceptible, but are less common these days. So if you live in intermod alley plan on buying a Par Electronics notch filter to put in line with it.
Two meters is also less effective in urban concrete canyons due to terrain, ground clutter or building attenuation. So haviung UHF or 220 capability makes sense here, depending upon repeater availability.

If you have a General license, the do-everything HF to UHF all-mode radio makes more sense than an FM only mobile. If you can only afford one rig, DO get the best that you can afford.

If you don't own a car or drive or have impaired mobility, THEN you should get an HT first. For most people the HT is the second rig you get later. Most people should have an HT as a spare or backup for when the primary rig is in the shop, or for solo foot assignments if you are a member of ARES, RACES, Skywarn, CERT, Neighborhood Watch, etc. If you buy an HT get the best one you can afford.

An HT should ideally be able to operate from three power sources: 1) its NiCd or NiMh battery pack, 2) from AA batteries using a battery case which fits the rig, and 3) from an external DC source using an adapter cord capable of connection to a gel cell, cigarette plug or external power supply.

RE: Need Help in Choosing Your First Radio?

by K3UD on March 8, 2006 Mail this to a friend!

I wonder when the term "Base Station" became part of the Amateur Radio lexicon. Typically the term base station referred to a commercial two way operation or a CB station that was in a fixed location. Up until relatively recently hams would use the terms 'station, mobile or portable' when describing where the station was or the equipment being used.

I still cringe a bit when I hear the term base station being used on the ham bands. But this is probably a typical OF reaction. :)

73
George
K3UD

Need Help in Choosing Your First Radio?

by WF7A on March 8, 2006 Mail this to a friend!

Another consideration about installing a mobile unit in a vehicle is that the antenna draws the attention of thieves: a ham antenna must mean a ham transceiver is inside the vehicle...and it'll fetch a flap-eared, beetle-headed knave a fair amount of $$ at the local pawn shop (where they'll buy it for 20% of its street price and will sell it at 80% of it). Airports and mall parking lots are notorious areas for vehicles to be broken into.

I only mention this since if a newbie spends his or her hard-earned cash on a mobile unit, if it disappears it might be upsetting enough that he or she won't replace it and will abandon the hobby/service altogether.

A pox upon those knaves!

Cheers,
Rich

Need Help in Choosing Your First Radio?

by KN7T on March 8, 2006 Mail this to a friend!

If you live in a large urban area with multiple local repeaters, then this advice is OK - otherwise, I think that a newbie is better served acquiring a good, used HF rig. Regardless, I've never been a fan of going out and buying a brand new radio as your first - personally, I think that homebrewing and kit building is a great way to get yourself indoctrinated into the world of ham radio but our societal shift towards instant gratification has slowly moved us away from that. Toss in the out of control CC&R neighborhoods that many now live in and the world of HF seems out of reach for most. I definitely agree that newbie hams should seek out local clubs - many of them do have radios and/or test equipment that they are willing to loan. The reality is you don't know what you want in a radio until you've used one or two that you ended up not liking.

RE: Need Help in Choosing Your First Radio?

by VE3HBB on March 8, 2006 Mail this to a friend!

One good reason for choosing a HT is to get into working the LEOs (Low Earth Orbit Sats). Five watts in a radio capable of dual-band "odd-splits" together with an Arrow hand-held satellite antenna will have you working these FM "repeaters in the sky" with ease. One can easily work stations all over North America without the internet with a set-up like that. I was big into LEOs before I got my HF rig. I sold my first multi-band HT but now have a great little dual bander. This spring, I will reacquire an antenna for it and get out and work the birds again.

73 Charles
VE3HBB

RE: Need Help in Choosing Your First Radio?

by N5PVL on March 8, 2006 Mail this to a friend!

I thought the article was just fine.

Charles, N5PVL

RE: Need Help in Choosing Your First Radio?

by KA4HWX on March 8, 2006 Mail this to a friend!

" N5UV on March 8, 2006 said Yes, I agree, this article is good, but needed to encourage the idea of HF a little more. I personally know several hams that are lifer-technicians, and they just don't even have an ounce of interest in upgrading to operate on HF... "

The correct term you are looking for is Terminal Tech.
That is as far as they go.

In the last class that our club instructors taught, most of the students had already bought 2 meter rigs, either a mobile or ht before they even knew where 2 meters was located.

Guess some would say that is confidence, while others would say well here comes the terminal techs.

Someone asked doesn't everyone have hf privileges?
The answer is no. Not the terminal techs.

What I hate to see is the tech who does get stuck as a terminal tech and has no desire to upgrade.

Some say I'll wait for the code to go. I wouldn't be holding my breath to see if the code disappears, you might die first.

The FCC may decide that they are tired of the ARRL telling them what to do and keep the code, just to get back at the ARRL.

This would not surprise me at all.

RE: Need Help in Choosing Your First Radio?

by N5XM on March 8, 2006 Mail this to a friend!

There is nothing wrong with 2 meter repeater work. It allows the new Ham to get their feet wet and begin to learn some on-air procedures and get comfortable with them. You gotta learn the ropes from the ground up. My Elmer gave me a 25 watt 2 meter rig, and they are very cheap. I would get a rig for home use like this, and a mag mount antenna works fine, but an idea I had ended up working very well for me.

After about 6 months, I got really bored with 2 meters. I knew that I had to upgrade and get on the HF bands in order to work other states and countries consistently. I was very lucky to find an excellently cared for Kenwood TS 520 for 250 bucks, and I ran some coax from an 11 meter antenna into my bedroom, and put the radio in a place where I had to look at it as I went to bed and when I woke up. This helped to motivate me to study to upgrade, because that was what I needed for long distance communications. Also, I could listen to all the bands with my crummy vertical antenna, and I could tune up on 10 and 15 meters and make some SSB contacts as I was a Tech Plus at that time.

We can do a lot for the newbies by encouraging them, by teaching them, by bringing them into our shacks and showing them how much fun HF is, and allowing them to do some 3rd party stuff to stimulate their interest. There is absolutely nothing wrong with VHF/UHF communications, and a lot of veteran Hams enjoy the challange of this kind of communications, so I'm not saying there isn't plenty to learn and do on these bands. Good luck to all! Richard, n5xm

RE: Need Help in Choosing Your First Radio?

by W7COM on March 8, 2006 Mail this to a friend!

I'm a "Terminal Tech" I guess.. 13+ years. I've found more than the I.K.Y. handhelds to play with. Hacking Motorola HTs and mobiles is a blast. So is playing with IRLP and repeater building. This also leads to non-part 95 stuff like playing with older trunked radios and getting them to hear modern trunked systems. And the things I've done with "Wi-Fi" (even that term was coined) would astound many. 6m FM simplex with an old SyntorX at 110w is a blast. Even talking up the coast to VE7 land on 73cm is great fun. Lot's of 900MHz repeaters around here too. And I haven't even touched SSB yet! Lots more for me to do up here in "TT" land!

To quote a New Yorker comic, "I'll think out of the box when the box is empty!"

73 -Joe

RE: Need Help in Choosing Your First Radio?

by WB4QNG on March 8, 2006 Mail this to a friend!

Actually I think the HT is a good choice for a first radio. The reason is they are cheap. You can pick up a 2 meter one for around $100. In my location a dual band or triband is a waste of money. Nobody is on 440 or 6 meter FM. Second it can be used in the home, in the car and by itself. I know a lot of people disagree but I think talking someone into buying a 6 meter rig or a 10 meter rig is not a good idea. With the sun cycle the way it is he is going throw up a dipole, the easiest antenna to build and listen to a lot of white noise. A lot of interesting listening there. As for as putting up an antenna and going to your elmer or club and borrow radios to use until you find the one you like. I am sorry but I think you guys are living in the past. This was fine when most hams got a novice ticket and actually had an elmer or went to clubs to get their ticket. It seems like most of the newbies I hear get their ticket by going to the internet and buying a Tech book then they looked up where they could take the test. They never even met a ham before they got their ticket. When we had the novice ticket we got our feet wet on HF. Not so today. The reason I recommend the HT is I think most of them are going to be dead end techs. No use for them to waste a bunch of money on something that they won't be using a month from now. If they do go on they will have a rig I thing every ham should have for emergencies.
Terry
WB4QNG

Need Help in Choosing Your First Radio?

by N4FOZ on March 8, 2006 Mail this to a friend!

This is a good example of what happens when a three part article is written and only part of the first one is published.

Check out www.NOFARS.org for the full scoop.

RE: Need Help in Choosing Your First Radio?

by KI4HYT on March 8, 2006 Mail this to a friend!

See, I'm exactly in this dilemma right now. I've had my ticket for over a year now and have an old HT I traded out some work with Bill at hamradiofun.com.

I'm enjoying listening to what's going on the 2M bands and have been wanting a Yaesu VX-7R.

Here's what I'm having to base my decision on:

1. I hike in the mountains of NC and want something for communications.

2. My wife isn't going to let me install a mobile in our car.

3. I don't have the moolah to shell out for a all band HF mobile to make a base station.

I'd love to be able to do so, but I would like SOME type of radio that will let me transmit on most bands that I'm allowed (I'm a Tech) before my ticket comes up for renewal.

I thought the article was a little lacking, but any information is great and all the suggestions you put forth are helpful indeed.

Chris
KI4HYT

RE: Need Help in Choosing Your First Radio?

by W3LK on March 8, 2006 Mail this to a friend!

<< Another consideration about installing a mobile unit in a vehicle is that the antenna draws the attention of thieves: a ham antenna must mean a ham transceiver is inside the vehicle...and it'll fetch a flap-eared, beetle-headed knave a fair amount of $$ at the local pawn shop (where they'll buy it for 20% of its street price and will sell it at 80% of it). Airports and mall parking lots are notorious areas for vehicles to be broken into. >>

I think this is WAY overblown. I have had various radios in my vehicles for 40 years and haven't had one stolen yet. That runs the gamut from living in Dallas, Houston and other Texas cities to Atlanta and now Baltimore. I travel extensively through the Northeast and have never had a problem.

I have four antennas, including a 9' tall motorised, on my current vehicle and the control heads are all mounted down the front of the dash in plain view. I park in mall lots, at airports and elsewhere.

This is more urban myth than reality, just like the statement that putting holes in the roof for antennas will destroy trade-in value.

In the event I DO have a radio stolen, that's why I have insurance!!!

73,

Lon - W3LK
Baltimore, Maryland

RE: Need Help in Choosing Your First Radio?

by W3LK on March 8, 2006 Mail this to a friend!

<< 2. My wife isn't going to let me install a mobile in our car. >>

Did she pay for the car or is making the payments?
Is it in her name?
Does she pay for the insurance?

If the answer to the above is NO, then tell her it's YOUR car and you are going to do it.

Does she let you control HER interests and hobbies?

If the answer is NO, then tell her it's your car and you are going to do it.

I pity anyone married to someone this selfish, but NO pity for those husbands who let them get away with it! You guys that do that deserve what you get.

73,

Lon - W3LK
Baltimore, Maryland

Need Help in Choosing Your First Radio?

by AB5CC on March 8, 2006 Mail this to a friend!

I just had to add a comment.

First of all, I think the article was just fine. I say this considering that most of todays hams are entering as Technicians. But, I would also like to add some of my own experiences:

I received my no-code tech license on July 3rd 1991. My first radio was a Kenwood TH-2600 HT. I really enjoyed the local repeater rag-chews for about a month, then I dedided that having a nice local 2m rag chew day after day with the same crowd was not my idea of ham radio. So, I set about upgrading. By sept 16th, 1991, I had my 20 wpm Extra license. I really enjoy the hobby almost 15 years later and operate mostly 160m daily.

So, I would say that a HT is a fine choice for a first radio and if the new ham gets bored with its limitations, it might just spur them on to greater aspirations.

Of course the idea of getting a HT in the middle of nowhere is not good, but in general I say that most new hams are smart enough to figure out what is best for them if they don't think it is challenging enough, they can upgrade. On the other hand, if they buy a rig capable of 75m, they may never upgrade.

Kenneth
AB5CC

RE: Need Help in Choosing Your First Radio?

by KG6WLS on March 8, 2006 Mail this to a friend!

I've seen the ol' "shack-in-the-box" 706's selling for $400 on QTH.com and eBay lately. That and some wire for cheap (fan dipole comes to mind) and ur set. I know, I know... the 706 isn't the only cheap rig out there look at. Just my 2 cents though.

73
Mike

RE: Need Help in Choosing Your First Radio?

by NS6Y_ on March 8, 2006 Mail this to a friend!

OK start out by building the NorCal SST. 30 meters is a good band if you're mostly operating during the day, 40m if you're mostly hamming at night. Or, get both! Once you get your soldering skills down and have a rig to sharpen your CW skills, consider a tricked-out NorCal 40a, or Norcal Sierra. Or, the Elecraft K1. Once you have some building under your belt, the K2 and its various amps, transverters, etc will meet or beat anything made and you get to build it all yourself.

There are other rigs too, the Small Wonder Labs series, and a bunch of others, but for the beginner the SST or NorCal 40A are the most beginner-friendly. The Heathkit code practice oscillator used to be one of the standard first kits too, but they don't sell those any more. Building power supplies is another way to learn, and PS's for QRP rigs are not too complicated.

Yes, hams use HTs, and they're great. Just go buy one and have fun - you can get a great HT these days for little over $100. They're cheaper than any cell fone and great for keeping in touch with the local ham community and coordinating those kit and antenna building projects!

Need Help in Choosing Your First Radio?

by WA2JJH on March 9, 2006 Mail this to a friend!

As for HF only rigs for newbies......

1)The Icom 718 has a front mounted speaker(a big plus)
It can be had NIB for about $600. It has DSP as well as
a decent front end. The 718 comes with an AC supply.
The 718 looks identical to ICOMS marine HF radio.

2)One might do well with a used TS-520,830, or TS-850.
A used TS-520 can be has for $250.

As for DC-daylight swiss army knife radio's...The 706 mark II-G is decent.

RE: Need Help in Choosing Your First Radio?

by KE5HCD on March 9, 2006 Mail this to a friend!

I fought this issue for months before getting my ticket. As a matter of fact, I delayed testing because I was not clear as to what to buy first.

Being a scanner owner, I was able to monitor the local repeaters and based on that decided a 2m/440 radio was best to start with.

After that was out of the way, I thought of my habits. I've got a 15 minute drive to work. I spend a great deal of time at home and when I'm not working or at home I'm often out fishing. (I probably spend at least 40 hours a month at the lake).

So based on that, I bought an HT as my first radio. An Icom IC-T7H. Upto 6 watts output. I've got an external dual band antenna on my truck, and a discone and a jpole at home. When not at home or in my truck, a Pryme 17" dual band whip works fine. (The kind you can nearly tie into a knot). Living in the DFW Metroplex repeaters are not a problem. (In fact, the only complaint with the IC-T7H is it doesn't have as many memory channels as I'd like.)

I don't regreat an HT being purchase #1. Not one bit. It allows me access to a radio 99% of the time.

Purchase #2 is the tough choice for me. Ideally leaning towards a mobile rig that I can use in my truck or inside my apartment with a power supply. 2 meter all mode is what I want, but I'm also highly wanting to get into 6 meters.

As far as an HF rig goes, that is going to be a little while. I'm still a NCT, but see that changing by the summer. Apartment dwelling at the moment makes HF operation discouraging due to antenna restrictions.

But I didn't want a vehicle mounted only radio as my first rig. I didn't get my ticket finally for 30 minutes a day of use.

Need Help in Choosing Your First Radio?

by KB9YUR on March 9, 2006 Mail this to a friend!

Why not consider a Yaesu FT-290RII as a first radio. It's not been made for a while, but can still
be found as both an almost new and used condition for a little as $100. Though it's a bit larger
then todays HT's, it offers SSB/CW QRP (2.5 watts portable) or with a clip-on amplifier,
25 watts for mobile or base usage. It's also simple to use compared to some of todays HT's
and allows the new Ham other possibilities beyond FM simplex and repeaters.
George ...

RE: Need Help in Choosing Your First Radio?

by KI4HYT on March 9, 2006 Mail this to a friend!

Frankly, Lon, I was just describing the conditions that I am looking for in choosing a radio. Plus I have kids that ride in the car and I don't want to keep pulling $1000 radio out of a car to keep something from happening to it. By by your comments, I should probaby get rid of my kids.

You're marital advice is unwarranted and unwanted. I love and respect my wife. I have to live with her and not you. She's by no means selfish.

This is how old fart Hams end up divorced, as they'd rather tinker and talk on their radios with a bunch of other old men.

So stick to talking about the Ham Radio article, stop passing out worthless advice and shut up.

RE: Need Help in Choosing Your First Radio?

by W3LK on March 9, 2006 Mail this to a friend!

<< Frankly, Lon, I was just describing the conditions that I am looking for in choosing a radio. Plus I have kids that ride in the car and I don't want to keep pulling $1000 radio out of a car to keep something from happening to it. By by your comments, I should probaby get rid of my kids. >>

I don't know how you read any of this into what I said. What does having a radio in the vehicle have to do with kids. I never said anything about getting rid of anyone. Contrary to some people's belief, family and radio are NOT mutually exclusive.

<<I love and respect my wife. I have to live with her and not you. She's by no means selfish. >>

I am not trying to demean your wife. My wife and I have been happilymarried for 39 years and not once has she thought she had the right to tell me what I can and cannot do with any of my hobbies, as I would never presume to tell her what to do with hers. You may not agree with my definition, but I consider any spouse who attempts to dictate the other's hobbies to be selfish.

<<This is how old fart Hams end up divorced, as they'd rather tinker and talk on their radios with a bunch of other old men. >>

See above paragraph. My wife doesn't care two hoots about ham radio, but she runs coax, helps install antennas, holds parts when I am soldering, and HELPS me install radios in my vehicle(s). That's my definition of a non-selfish wife. Oh yea, with two children and five grandchildren and full time occupations for both of us, ham radio is just one part of my life.

<<So stick to talking about the Ham Radio article, stop passing out worthless advice>>

All depends upon your view of things.

<< and shut up.>>

Why? Is your opinion more valuable than mine?
73,

Lon - W3LK
Baltimore, Maryland

Need Help in Choosing Your First Radio?

by N8QBY on March 9, 2006 Mail this to a friend!

I think that the original author's advice was ok. It was his opinion. I think that many readers took his opinion to the next level.
A newbie to the hobby can buy a h/t, and a cheaper antenna for about $100.00. With this, he can check in with the local repeaters, and in turn, meet many of the ham operators in his/her area. Someone will surely help them by slowly introducing the many different directions that one can go in this fine hobby. This way, it is not overwelming to an individual. By purchasing a multi-menu type hf/vhf radio like many have suggested, might just chase the newbie out of the hobby. Taken time getting to know the locals, and maybe even joining a local club, might just be the right recipe. Even though things are getting easier to join the hobby, to a newbie, this hobby could be intimidating. Just another view.

RE: Need Help in Choosing Your First Radio?

by KI4HYT on March 9, 2006 Mail this to a friend!

This is all I'm going to say about this:

I don't think my opinion is greater than yours. The "shut up" part, really meant to keep your personal opinion about people's wives to yourself.

But you came across in your post specificaly addressing the issue of not having a mobile installed in the family vehicle, because my wife doesn't want it in there. Having the rig in the car has to do with kids that like tinker themselves. I'd rather them tinker with it when I'm there. Being my family has one car, I don't want the issue of it meeting an accidental death by inexperienced hands when I'm not around. But I'm going to teach my children Amateur radio, so they'll be able to use it when they are old enough to understand it.

You didn't offer any information of value to me, as far as a new ham that would help me make a good judgement on how to choose a new radio based on my needs and requirements.

But nonetheless, have a good day.

Need Help in Choosing Your First Radio?

by WA0ZZG on March 9, 2006 Mail this to a friend!

NOW THAT YOU HAVE SPENT SO MUCH TIME BASHING THE AUTHOR, YOU FORGOT ABOUT THE INTENT. NOW TAKE THAT SAME ENERGY AND HELP A NEW HAM.
Dave
WA0ZZG

RE: Need Help in Choosing Your First Radio?

by KI4HYT on March 9, 2006 Mail this to a friend!

Dave,

Based on the requirements I posted further above in the page, would you suggest a new Tech get an HT or continue saving until a mobile that can be used as a base for HF/WHF/UHF operations?

I'm stuck really, as I don't necessarily see myself with an Icom 706MkIIG anytime in the next few years, pending I win the lottery (which would better be used to save the money spent to a new radio).

Thanks for your advice in advance..

Need Help in Choosing Your First Radio?

by K9MI on March 9, 2006 Mail this to a friend!

No mention of hf rigs? Where have you been for the last 10+ years. NEW HAMS IN 2006 (and at least 10 years previous) enter as NO CODE TECHS. What in the world would they need an HF rig for?

The article was aimed at the NEW HAM.

K9MI

RE: Need Help in Choosing Your First Radio?

by WA0ZZG on March 9, 2006 Mail this to a friend!

To KI4HYT
WELCOME TO AMATEUR RADIO <smile>
I have seen many new hams have a handheld radio as their first piece of equipment. It allows the radio to be used in the house,car, on trips,work, or many other places. I would suggest two meters only for the first one. Stay away from the very tiny ones. If possible, look at the instruction manual first. You can add an external antenna and power cable later, if you use it in the car a lot. The costs go over a broad range, but a good budget start is to expect to pay around $150. Expect to make many new friends with it, but do some listening at first. Do spent time reading the manual, but no quection is too dumb here or to your new ham friends.
Good Luck.
Dave WA0ZZG

RE: Need Help in Choosing Your First Radio?

by W3LK on March 9, 2006 Mail this to a friend!

HYT:

<< But you came across in your post specificaly addressing the issue of not having a mobile installed in the family vehicle, because my wife doesn't want it in there. Having the rig in the car has to do with kids that like tinker themselves. I'd rather them tinker with it when I'm there. Being my family has one car, I don't want the issue of it meeting an accidental death by inexperienced hands when I'm not around. >>

You never said any of this and I see the point, even if I don't agree with it. From the start my kids knew the radios were not to be played with and if they did they got their hands slapped.

I have the same situation with five grandchildren in my vehicle on various occasions - they don't play with grandpa's radios.

BTW, kill the power to the radio(s) and it doesn't matter if the kids play with the knobs. :)

End of speech.

73,

Lon - W3LK
Baltimore, Maryland

RE: Need Help in Choosing Your First Radio?

by N5XM on March 9, 2006 Mail this to a friend!

If I had to make the choice again, I would get a decent 2 meter mobile rig, one of those with 50-65 watts that you could easily remove from your car and use inside your house. You can buy a used HT at a later time. I wish they made HTs with 10-15 watts. They would sell like hotcakes.

Need Help in Choosing Your First Radio?

by KB4EMF on March 9, 2006 Mail this to a friend!

I'm surprised at the amount of negative and appauling comment from veterans. There is nothing wrong with new person sharing his limited knowledge and trying to contribute.

A new person with limited budget (ie. middle school or high school student), a handheld may be the only radio he/she can afford. With a AA battery case, one can be had for less than 150 dollars NEW. This is all he needs to get a TASTE of the ham radio.

A used HF gear can be had for a modest amount, but buying used gear comes with its own risks. Without knowing much and having no other equipment, if the radio does not work, he/she has just wasted the money.

I think many of us has forgotten what it is like to be on a budget and be a newbie in a hobby.

RE: Need Help in Choosing Your First Radio?

by K5LXP on March 9, 2006 Mail this to a friend!

Why does the choice of what rig to buy come down to just one rig? A radio is a tool in a ham's toolbox, and different tools are better in some situations than others. Why limit it to one? Why not 2 or 3? Or 10?

Radios have never been at such a high features per dollar than right now. New rigs today are full of whizbangs and offer decent performance, at the same price I paid for the boatanchors I had a quarter century ago, not even counting inflation. If you count that, they're way cheaper today.

I put together my first station with paper route money when I was a kid. Within a year of being licensed I had several 2M FM rigs, two HF setups, and homebrew antennas all over the house. I did it at age 16, so it's hard for me to imagine a working adult that owns a car and pays rent, or owns a house that can't come up with a few hundred bucks over the course of a year to buy equipment. You can put together an excellent station today with contemporary equipment for about the same cost as a mediocre PC. People drop thousands for big screen TV's and PC's all the time, which cost way more than decent ham radios. As cheap as they are, why limit it to a choice of just one? Two hundred bucks will get you a used HT *and* a mobile. Why not?

My advice to new hams is to get *more that one rig*. There is no point in trying to decide between mobile, portable, HF or VHF. It's not like you only get one chance at buying a rig, and that if you make the wrong choice, you're stuck for life. It's not a heart lung machine, it's a radio. They're cheap. If you don't like what you got, sell it and get something else. There's very little consequence to trying different stuff, in fact it can be fun to buy some used rigs, try them for a while and sell them off for something different. A $1000 HF rig will be worth $500 in 5 years, a $1000 PC would be worth nothing. People spend more a year for *internet access* than a lot of radios cost. Which hobby would be better to invest in?

There is no point in trying to come to a concensus on what is the 'best' first rig, because there isn't one. Everyone's circumstances and interests are different. I think more importantly we need to downplay the significance of which make/model/band to get and instead focus on what activities ham radio has to offer, and let the newbie then decide which path they want to go down. And, that it's OK to have more than one rig at a time.

Mark K5LXP
Albuquerque, NM

Antennas

by WB2WIK on March 9, 2006 Mail this to a friend!

I see nothing wrong with the suggestions posed in the article.

However, other than mentioning "you still need antennas," the article didn't say anything about them, and this is kind of a sore point.

Many newcomers, like housewives of the 1950s, must believe that signals come in through their AC outlet or something (I believe my mother thought that, about television reception). In reality, they arrive and depart via antennas, and antennas are more important than equipment -- they do most of the work, and they do it in both directions.

Every time I hear of a new ham giving up and tossing his license in the trash because he was unsuccessful at having any fun in this hobby, it seems the common thread is these are all people who knew nothing about antennas and thus weren't actually prepared to make a single contact on the radio.

A flex whip antenna on a hand-held is good for chatting with somebody on the other side of the house, if the house isn't too big.

WB2WIK/6

RE: Antennas

by A9KW on March 9, 2006 Mail this to a friend!

THIS IS GOING NOWHERE
AS IT ALLWAYS DOES.

Need Help in Choosing Your First Radio?

by KB1IKD on March 9, 2006 Mail this to a friend!

In retrospect based on my own experience, I like the idea of starting with the IC-706 "station in a box" if the initial outlay is not too great and there is room at home to install a simple dipole antenna for HF operation, after a license upgrade. You will need a 12V power supply. A tuner is also needed later for HF operation upon license upgrade. If you do not stay with ham radio, it will be easy to sell an IC-706.

If it is necessary to start very cheap, try a 2M or 2m-440mhz HT for about $ 150. Get a cigarette lighter adapter for power, a speaker mike, and a mag mount antenna to run it in your car. Screw on the rubber duck to go pedestrian portable using the internal battery.

Get a real 2M or 2M 440mhz base antenna and use the HT in your home. The 5W does suprisingly well when connected to a good antenna, better than the mobile antenna and far superior to any rubber duck.

Using an HT only with a rubber duck may prove dissapointing unless there are a lot of nearby repeaters. You can find local repeaters by searching the web to ID frequency, offset, and tone or by scanning the band for contacts. Using an HT with a rubber duck inside a vehicle has lower performance than using it outdoors.

You could also get a 2M mobile which performs better than an HT if you do not need portable operation. You would also need a 12V power supply for base operation.

You will not need to drill the roof of your car if you use a magmount antenna, but that will not help you out with the XYL if the issue is really the appearance of an antenna on the car.

MFG makes a very small inexpensive magmount that could be taken off when you would not be using the car alone. The XYL would not have to contend with radio gear when using the car, if you remove the HT, the antenna, and unplug the power supply.

Three years ago, I started with a VX-150 2M, speaker mike, magmount, and cigarette lighter power cord. I later bought an IC-735 on e-Bay as my first HF rig. I now use an Elecraft K2/100 as well as the IC-735 and have more than 6000 QSOs logged. While I do not regret any of my rig choices, starting with an IC-706 would have been less expensive in the long run.

HTH, 73 de KB1IKD

Need Help in Choosing Your First Radio?

by N3UMH on March 9, 2006 Mail this to a friend!

You can't go wrong with a IC-706 or an FT-857 if you have the money.

There's a lot in that box for a no code tech. I just got an FT-857 and am looking forward to V/UHF SSB/CW. I've already made a couple of contacts through FO-29 and one aborted one through VO-52...

You've got six meters, you've got two meters, you've got 70cm. Sideband, CW, FM, AM. You've got about as much power as you'll get out of FM mobile rigs.

They're not super cheap, but neither is building up a multimode three band VHF station rig by rig.

Nice gain antennas for 6m and up can be constructed from parts from Home Depot or your favorite building supply store.

So even if you never want to upgrade, and never develop an interest in HF, it's a good investment.

And when that 6m Es opening happens, and you work Italy and Cape Verde and realize that that sort of thing happens *every day* down on HF, you can go listen and be inspired to upgrade so that you can USE ALL THE BANDS in your radio!

My FT-857 is an admirable HF rig. It rivals my TS-440 for receiver specs and A/B tests have certainly shown them to be similar. (I got the collins 2.4kHz ssb and 300Hz CW filters, to be fair, adds an extra $300).

I've used IC-706's too, at field day and such also great radios.

I think the all-heavily-used-ham-bands-in-a-box radios would be fantastic first radios even for the no-code tech licensee...

Multimode is the way to go; there's a lot you can do with a no-code ticket and 6m/2m/70cm multimode capability.

73,
Dan
N3OX
www.n3ox.net

Need Help in Choosing Your First Radio?

by W7RJR on March 9, 2006 Mail this to a friend!

The author's target audience seems to be those only interested in becoming Technician Class licensees.
If that's the case, the article is fine and well written, although like many others I would not recommend an HT as a starter rig. I would recommend an older rig that covered both HF and VHF (all mode).
An original IC706 might be found at a reasonable price. That would allow the newly licensed to explore and consider upgrading.

73

RE: Need Help in Choosing Your First Radio?

by KC0RDG on March 9, 2006 Mail this to a friend!

In general, your first radio really depends on alot of things:

Are you curious about amateur radio or is it something you know you will dive into?

What is your budget? What will give you the most satisfaction - homebrew, plug and play?

Do you want local, satellite, sporadic E or world wide communications?

I bought a VX-7R & listened to the local repeaters. I studied and got licensed within 2 months of buying it. I keep it in the car with me.

I just recently bought a IC-7000. Listening and improving my station and antenna situation has encouraged me to upgrade to General. I am passing my written at about 80% consistantly, once I hit 90%, I'll take the written, then comes the code :)

Defining what radio you should buy first is a very complex issue and it's different for each and every person. I don't knock the author of the post at all. Great job at stirring the converstation pot!

RE: Need Help in Choosing Your First Radio?

by K7VO on March 9, 2006 Mail this to a friend!

KA4HWX:

> Some say I'll wait for the code to go. I wouldn't be
> holding my breath to see if the code disappears, you
> might die first.

The code will go. The FCC has made that pretty clear.

> The FCC may decide that they are tired of the ARRL
> telling them what to do and keep the code, just to
> get back at the ARRL.

Actually, the ARRL is pushing for retaining the code, at least for the Extra Class license. Dumping the code completely was the FCC's idea, not the ARRL's. You've got this completely backwards.

The FCC has long ignored the ARRL on many, many issues. The ARRL's proposal for a new Novice license was the most recent example. The ARRL has never been able to tell the FCC what to do, which in this case is a shame.

73,
Caity
K7VO

RE: Need Help in Choosing Your First Radio?

by K7VO on March 9, 2006 Mail this to a friend!

I personally think the article is absolutely terrible advise. The ARRL believes the reason the drop out rate for new Technician licensees is so high (as in >50%) is that they start on 2m FM. I agree. Nothing gets boring faster than being limited to local repeaters.

All mode rigs are definitely the way to go with a beginner. 6m SSB is probably the best place to start in many if not most parts of the country. A lot of areas have good local activity (local defined as 300-400 miles around) and when the band is open there are real chances each and every year to work DX. Once the DX bug bites there is every chance a Technician will decide they want to upgrade. There is also CW activity, especially during contests, and that's an incentive to learn.

2m SSB is also good in some parts of the country and, once again, the occasional band openings provide some very interesting opportunities.

Older, used all mode gear is pretty darned inexpensive nowadays. You can get started with an FT-857D or FT-817ND for $550-$700 if you have the money to spend. Antennas are all important, of course, but they usually don't represent a big investment. Even horizontal loops up 30-35' are enough for someone to get their feet wet with a minimal investment.

Handhelds? What a lousy way to get started. Thank G-d my Elmer didn't start me that way.

73,
Caity
K7VO

RE: Need Help in Choosing Your First Radio?

by KI4BNP on March 10, 2006 Mail this to a friend!

This is getting really old...give the guy a break.

Need Help in Choosing Your First Radio?

by N8QBY on March 10, 2006 Mail this to a friend!

Want to chase someone out of the hobby? Have them wait for a 6M opening. How does one spell boring???
Some of you's have to get off of your high horse. Just because someone's opinion is different from your own, doesn't make it wrong. If someone does happen to stay a Tech, are you going to look down your nose at him/her?? Maybe that is as far as they wish to go, or can afford to go. Why go balls to the wall for expensive equipment when a ht might be their gig.
Time to put those stuffed shirts in the closet. As for the original author, don't be offended by some of what you read. Most times these forums end up the same way. Your point was well intended, so you stand by it. How do these forums always get off on a tangent, drifting away from the original authors intent?? 73 to all.......

RE: Need Help in Choosing Your First Radio?

by K7VO on March 10, 2006 Mail this to a friend!

N8QBY: Waiting for a 6m opening? If you have a good antenna the band can be fun 365 days a year. With even a modest station you have reliable communications within a 300 mile radius. In many if not most parts of the country there is no lack of people to talk to. If you're in rural Montana or Alaska then maybe not. The key is to be horizontally polarized. With a vertical you *do* have to wait for an opening. I feel that is why people give up on 6m -- wrong polarization or poor antennas. That and not calling CQ when the band sounds "dead". You'd be surprised how often you get an answer.

Expensive? A good used 6m rig can be had for ~$100. A new MFJ rig (OK, not a great radio, but it works) is under $250. A brand new loop antenna is around $50. In other words the cost is similar to that HT if you get a little help selecting a used radio.

I'm not on my "high horse". This is how I was started in the hobby 21+ years ago. If I had been started on 2m FM I suspect my interest in ham radio wouldn't have lasted 3 months. Based on the 50% dropout rate among new Technician class licensees I'm obviously not alone in feeling that way. I feel a new direction in getting people started works better than the current common method which is failing miserably.

73,
Caity
K7VO

RE: Need Help in Choosing Your First Radio?

by NE0P on March 10, 2006 Mail this to a friend!

K7VO wrote: "The ARRL believes the reason the drop out rate for new Technician licensees is so high (as in >50%) is that they start on 2m FM. I agree. Nothing gets boring faster than being limited to local repeaters."

I agree with Caity completely on this one. However, instead of constantly pushing for a new entry level license, and saying that the current Technician license doesn't work, why doesn't the ARRL do more promoting of what you can do with a Technician license. Go look at the ARRL's "Now You're Talking" book which is the study guide for the Technician license. It is almost entirely geared towards getting on 2 meter FM and APRS. Why isn't the ARRL pushing 6 meter SSB more? Or satellites? Or 2 meter/70cm weak signal work (hate that term). Most newcomers to ham radio have no idea what they can do with a Technician license. I always make it a point to really push those more interesting aspects when I teach a license course.

And remember, from 1991 to 2000 we had 2 point of entry licenses: The Novice with HF privledges, and the Technician license without HF. The ARRL completely ignored pushing the Novice in favor of the Tech. Now they complain that the entry license doesn't have HF, when they spent a decade ignoring the entry level license with HF.

73s John NE0P

RE: Need Help in Choosing Your First Radio?

by NE0P on March 10, 2006 Mail this to a friend!

As one who has owned alot of different HTs (I love my current VX7R), and who uses an HT on a daily bases, they are very useful and flexible radios, but I wouldn't want to be limited to one. If I was only doing 2 meter FM work, I would have quit the hobby by now also. I am really glad that the novice license was the point of entry when I got licensed and I had to learn CW and use HF.

However, I think I would recommend an HT over a mobile unit just because it is more flexible. You can take it with your around the house, when you are out walking, on the bicycle (which I use to get to work 3 or 4 times a week) or with the VX7R, even in the shower!! (haven't done that yet).

Also, as has been stated recently, many hams get into ham radio solely for the local communcation aspect of it. This doesn't interest me, but it does for many. They don't have any interest in distance communication, awards chasing, studying propagation, meeting new friends all over the world, and the like. They just want to provide communications for the local parade or bike race. However, many new hams do quit because 2 meter FM gets old after awhile. That isn't a fault of the license, it is a fault of not being elmered into what you can do with a Technician license, and this fault starts at the top with the ARRL and works down to you and me.

73s John NE0P

RE: Need Help in Choosing Your First Radio?

by W9OY on March 10, 2006 Mail this to a friend!

So lemme see the advice is basically:

1 Buy a radio

2 Don't forget to buy an antenna

3 Don't forget to buy a power supply

4 Disconnect the mic when not in use so your bratty little kids don't play with your toy.

I especially am glad he thought to include #1

73 W9OY

Need Help in Choosing Your First Radio?

by N4FOZ on March 10, 2006 Mail this to a friend!

This is the first of three articles that came from the NEW HAM ADVISOR at www.NOFARS.org. The articles were written for NEW HAMS with less than 3 months of license, and not for the experienced Ham with practical experience.

Less than 1% of newly licensed Hams get HF privileges during the first 3 months, so HF is not discussed.

If you want to read the full article, please visit the NEW HAM ADVISOR at www.NOFARS.org

Need Help in Choosing Your First Radio?

by N8QBY on March 11, 2006 Mail this to a friend!

My point being that a newbie, can meet the potential "Elmers" through his/her local 2M repeaters. This may be the way for his road to amateur radio to be paved. This is where the advice will come from as to what avenues are available to him in this fine hobby. All for the price of a ht. He/she can then decide whether to spend more money on the hobby.
How can a person tell the original author that his advice is bad?? It is HIS opinion. There is no right or wrong when it comes to one's opinion. Keep the focus on the original intent.

RE: Need Help in Choosing Your First Radio?

by K6LCS on March 11, 2006 Mail this to a friend!

I am underwhelmed by the responses...

>>...I would not advise anyone, even someone on a tight budget to purchase an HT as their primary radio...

And why not? I can access literally HUNDREDS of repeaters in my locale...as well as talk 'round the planet via IRLP with a measley ole handheld radio.

An HT for ME in MY REGION can do an awful lot.

What a person new to the hobby needs to be before purchasing equipment is find out what is occurring in their neck o' the woods. Go to the ARRL's Web site at...

http://www.arrl.org

...and click on "Clubs" at the top. Find a local club or two, and visit them. See what is happening - and discover more of what one wants from this magnificent hobby. THEN and ONLY THEN can "intelligent" purchasing decisions be made as far as equipment purchases is concerned.

Clint Bradford, K6LCS

RE: Need Help in Choosing Your First Radio?

by K7VO on March 11, 2006 Mail this to a friend!

N8QBY:

> How can a person tell the original author that his
> advice is bad??

His advice, start on 2m FM with a simple, inexpensive radio, is the advice the ARRL gave for many, many years. They have done a 180 recognizing that they did, indeed, give bad advice. They now identify our biggest problem is not attracting new people to the hobby but rather keeping people in the hobby once licensed. They have correctly identified the problem (very high dropout rate for new hams), have correctly identified the cause of the problem (hams starting out on VHF and repeaters with equipment that allows nothing else), and have proposed a solution (going back to a Novice license).

The author's suggestions have been tried over and over. For way too many people, probably a majority, they have proven to be the road to failure and frustration.

> It is HIS opinion. There is no right or wrong
> when it comes to one's opinion.

Sure it's his opinion just as what you wrote is your opinion. You can still be wrong. I contend you both are. You disagree and that's fine. I still stand by my opinion that he is giving horrible advice to new hams.

Oh, and I went and read his second part. He goes on to suggest antennas that depend on people following his advice in this first part. More information (in that case mostly correct information) predicated on going in the wrong direction to start with.

73,
Caity
K7VO

RE: Need Help in Choosing Your First Radio?

by NN6EE on March 12, 2006 Mail this to a friend!

Geezzzzzzzz Guys why not PROMOTE the use of 6m. in any damn mode!!!

All the newer HF rigs have 6m. capability but in most areas of our country those 4 (HUGE) megahertz are not used AT ALL!!!

When I was a TECH back when "DINOSAURS" roamed the Earth (circa 1963) there was quite a bit of 6m. AM activity on a daily basis even with problems with TVI when I lived at home with Dad & Mom in East Oakland. Ca. @ aged 16!!!

There's no reason why our NCTS have to "ROT" on local 2m FM repeaters!!! But alas "If it takes some brain-power" the majority of the "NEWBIES" are turned off???

Jim/ee

RE: Need Help in Choosing Your First Radio?

by KE5HCD on March 14, 2006 Mail this to a friend!

One of the reasons I'm in the market for a mobile rig to use as a base is the display on my IC-T7H is not terribly
easy on the eyes at home.

Currently the thing is standing upright on my desk and scanning the local repeater frequencies. In additon to the coax going to my antenna on the other side of the room, it's got the power cable, and a speaker mic plugged into it. So it's somewhat clumsey.

I'm going to grab a an IC-2200H this Friday to use at home.

I don't regret the IC-T7H being my first radio. It's making my choice for my second radio easier. Let's me know what I'm looking for. For example, I've not done much on 73cm band here so I don't need a dual bander for my next radio.

The 2Meter all mode is going to wait and after i get the the IC-2200H and likely a 6M setup.

A local repeater guy speaks very highly of his FT-857 but I think I'd rather own alot of radios each with its own purpose rather one rig that does it all. Does that make me an idiot?

Need Help in Choosing Your First Radio?

by CDESHA on March 16, 2006 Mail this to a friend!