beginning ham radio

[Draykas]

looking at getting Ham radio for new rig and am not looking to spend alot (bargain). I plan on getting license taking test next week and need a good starter radio. I saw this on amazon and like that has antenaa and radio to get started. Plan is as I get better and understand wil later purchase a better radio and setup. This can be moved to Jeep to augment CB. Link and info below and thanks in advance for input. (including overland bound videos I watched already and took advice and started looking for ways to take test and now need to study

Radioddity QB25 Pro Quad Band Quad-Standby Mobile Ham Amateur Radio Transceiver Car Truck Vehicle Radio, VHF UHF 25W with Cable & CD + 50W High Gain Quad Band Antenna

 

[Sparksalot]

Radios with so few faceplate buttons can sometimes be diff8cult to drive with the menus. Be sure you can program it easily, at least with software. Chirp can possibly be used, but you still need a compatible cable to connect it to your computer.

 

[M Rose]

What @TahoePPV said... programming on the fly is going to be a PITA... for 20 bucks more you can get a Yaesu FT-2980, which once you learn the programming is very easy to setup on the fly.

YAESU FT-2980R

144 MHz 80 Watt FM Mobile Transceiver - 3 Watts of RX Audio - With MH-48A6JA DTMF Microphone

www.hamradio.com

 

[TerryD]

The inexpensive little radios are OK. I have one of the BTech 25x4 radios setup as a go box or camp radio.

I do not personally like a menu driven squelch because you run into low signals and you're digging through the menu trying to open it up whereas with a knob, it's a simple twist and you are wide open, and listening.

I've owned several different 2m and dual band mobile radios and personally will be sticking with Kenwood in the future. I have the baby brother of that FT-2980R, the FT-1900R, in my garage and while it's been a good little radio, the Kenwood radios are easier to program from the faceplate. I think it's like 5 button presses from the faceplate to store a repeater one you set the RX frequency with a TM-D710G or TM-V71 and I think the TM-281 is the same.

I understand not having the money to put into it or not wanting to dump $600 on a new hobby (which it will drift toward once you learn the utility of it and start hearing about all the neat things is capable of) but I would urge you to invest in one of the "Big Three" units (Kenwood, Icom or Yaesu) and seriously consider a dual band to begin with. I really wish I had.

You might ask your local club if anyone is selling a radio, you might get a good deal in an older dual band. I think i gave $150 for my first Kenwood dual band (TM-G707) used at a Hamfest.

 

[Dilldog]

Honestly, look at a "big three" hand held. Yeasu has 2meter 5 watt units that can be had for $70. The 2meter Icom I just picked up was $124. You will be amazed what a quality hand held can do. If I were in a pinch I would grab an entry level single band Yeasu. At least around here 2meter is the most used Tech level band. Get on repeater book and search for your areas repeaters, tailor your first rig for the band with the most repeaters on it. Learn, listen, and save. The best resource will be local hams you meet on the air.

 

[RoarinRow]

I recently got my ham license, so I don't have any real wisdom to share. Getting an inexpensive handheld is a good place to start so you understand how it works and how to navigate around the bands, etc. But for a mobile unit I would go with as many features as you can afford. In my short time surfing the net and listening to other veteran ham operators, they seem to gravitate to this shop for bargains on ham radios. I agree, they are cheaper than Amazon in most cases, especially for the units themselves - You are being redirected...

Good luck!

 

[M Rose]

I recently got my ham license, so I don't have any real wisdom to share. Getting an inexpensive handheld is a good place to start so you understand how it works and how to navigate around the bands, etc. But for a mobile unit I would go with as many features as you can afford. In my short time surfing the net and listening to other veteran ham operators, they seem to gravitate to this shop for bargains on ham radios. I agree, they are cheaper than Amazon in most cases, especially for the units themselves - You are being redirected...

Good luck!

HRO is awesome... I bought my Icom IC-7100 from them. Super fast shipping (I have a store 250 miles away and normally 2 days, but it was here the same day I ordered it), great customer service, and the monthly deals are awesome. Another good recourse is GigaParts.

 

[RoarinRow]

HRO is awesome... I bought my Icom IC-7100 from them. Super fast shipping (I have a store 250 miles away and normally 2 days, but it was here the same day I ordered it), great customer service, and the monthly deals are awesome. Another good recourse is GigaParts.

Yes second place after HRO would be GigaParts. I price comparison between the two (as well as Amazon since I have an Amazon credit card lol).

 

[M Rose]

Yes second place after HRO would be GigaParts. I price comparison between the two (as well as Amazon since I have an Amazon credit card lol).

Both sites have Amazon stores as well.

 

[Sneaks]

The best radio on the planet is just a noise box if the antenna is crap or poorly mounted. I would avoid "packages," get a decent radio that is in your budget and a GOOD antenna.

 

[Downs]

The inexpensive little radios are OK. I have one of the BTech 25x4 radios setup as a go box or camp radio.

I do not personally like a menu driven squelch because you run into low signals and you're digging through the menu trying to open it up whereas with a knob, it's a simple twist and you are wide open, and listening.

Press the "moni" button and it opens the squelch immediately without digging though menu options. Press the "moni" button again and it closes it and goes back to whatever setting you had it set to before.

 

[LEXIRNR]

I have a TYT TH-9800 as my mobile radio and they work really well. They can be had for about $200. It’s basically a clone of the Yaesu 8900 quad band. It has all the same features with a squelch knob and true dual receive. I will be looking to upgrade it soon though to a Yaesu 400XDR as I feel the additional features are worth it. If I did it again I would consider going with a better radio first I could “grow into.” No matter what radio you get the comment about the good antenna is spot on! Get a good antenna and you can always upgrade the radio later. Antenna has the biggest effect on oerformance

 

[Dilldog]

Boafengs are good, but over rated as far as power output. My uv5r that had an output of 5 watts was less capable when hooked up to my Ed Fong J pole than my Icom at 2watts with the rubber duck. It did however pick up a lot, so it was great for just listening.
I will say that they are a great trail radio though, but if you are trying to get into the hobby and this will be your primary for a while, for $50 more you can do much better.
To add, I was a fan of the Boafengs until I saw how much more capable other HTs are. Dont get me wrong, they have their place and I would rather see someone run what they can afford rather than never get into the hobby. But with a $100ish budget you can buy some good stuff.

 

[Defender 90 Keith]

This Ham radio thing is something I've been considering recently. I am really new to this and am wondering whether is worth it. I currently have a CB in my Defender but there is very little traffic where I am in the UK.

Firstly would I have more contact with other users here in the UK?

What the difference in ranges I could expect from CB?

The picture above is a particular model I have been looking at. Any thoughts anyone? it's an ICOM IC-2730E (E for Europe)

thanks in advance

 

[Dilldog]

View attachment 158166

This Ham radio thing is something I've been considering recently. I am really new to this and am wondering whether is worth it. I currently have a CB in my Defender but there is very little traffic where I am in the UK.

Firstly would I have more contact with other users here in the UK?

What the difference in ranges I could expect from CB?

The picture above is a particular model I have been looking at. Any thoughts anyone? it's an ICOM IC-2730E (E for Europe)

thanks in advance

Icom stuff is solid, I have 3 of their radios and they are all over built well performing units.

 

[M Rose]

View attachment 158166

This Ham radio thing is something I've been considering recently. I am really new to this and am wondering whether is worth it. I currently have a CB in my Defender but there is very little traffic where I am in the UK.

Firstly would I have more contact with other users here in the UK?

What the difference in ranges I could expect from CB?

The picture above is a particular model I have been looking at. Any thoughts anyone? it's an ICOM IC-2730E (E for Europe)

thanks in advance

Don’t get me wrong I love Icom as well... but check out the new Yaesu FTM-300DR. True Dual Band Transiver, 50 watts of power, and APRS capable out of the box, very economically priced for what it is...
as for range compared to CB... I can hit a repeater that’s close to 40 miles away. I have talked simplex about 60 miles on 50 watts (I was on top of the mountain and they were on the Valley floor). CB, I’m lucky to get 14 miles here.
Now add in Wires-X and you can digitally talk around the world... just link to a node and transmit. Can’t do digital on CB.

 

[Trad77]

looking at getting Ham radio for new rig and am not looking to spend alot (bargain). I plan on getting license taking test next week and need a good starter radio. I saw this on amazon and like that has antenaa and radio to get started. Plan is as I get better and understand wil later purchase a better radio and setup. This can be moved to Jeep to augment CB. Link and info below and thanks in advance for input. (including overland bound videos I watched already and took advice and started looking for ways to take test and now need to study

Radioddity QB25 Pro Quad Band Quad-Standby Mobile Ham Amateur Radio Transceiver Car Truck Vehicle Radio, VHF UHF 25W with Cable & CD + 50W High Gain Quad Band Antenna

Lots of good replies in here. Lots of good suggestions too. In the end, get what works for you. Personally, I feel that HTs only work good in the cities. Get yourself a new or used 50w dual band transceiver, a good high gain antenna and learn (if you don’t already know) how to install a radio the proper way. Like antenna placement, bonding, grounding and best placement for the radio itself. Once you have the radio, learn how to manually program it. RT Systems is a great program (I use it myself) but when you are out on the trails and someone suggests to use a repeater that you don’t have in your radio, getting out the laptop to program when driving is not that fun. Haha. Good luck with your choices, have fun and remember to USE it!

 

[Sparksalot]

View attachment 158166

This Ham radio thing is something I've been considering recently. I am really new to this and am wondering whether is worth it. I currently have a CB in my Defender but there is very little traffic where I am in the UK.

Firstly would I have more contact with other users here in the UK?

What the difference in ranges I could expect from CB?

The picture above is a particular model I have been looking at. Any thoughts anyone? it's an ICOM IC-2730E (E for Europe)

thanks in advance

I have two of the 2730A units and really like them. I’ve also been using Icom mobiles for a very long time. I have one mounted in my overlanding rig, and another in the shack.

 

[MattLew]

looking at getting Ham radio for new rig and am not looking to spend alot (bargain). I plan on getting license taking test next week and need a good starter radio. I saw this on amazon and like that has antenaa and radio to get started. Plan is as I get better and understand wil later purchase a better radio and setup. This can be moved to Jeep to augment CB. Link and info below and thanks in advance for input. (including overland bound videos I watched already and took advice and started looking for ways to take test and now need to study

Radioddity QB25 Pro Quad Band Quad-Standby Mobile Ham Amateur Radio Transceiver Car Truck Vehicle Radio, VHF UHF 25W with Cable & CD + 50W High Gain Quad Band Antenna

first off, as it was a couple weeks since you started this thread, how did your test go?

if still looking for advice on radios, I might suggest giving an approximate budget you would like to stay under, and what bells and whistles you are looking for.

I would have more than a few concerns about buying a radio from someplace that appears to think an antenna has wattage of it's own or is trying to sell an antenna that can only handle 50 watts of output. At best it indicates they are sitting in china and there is a language barrier problem. at worst it indicates they are just buying bulk junk and reselling it with no actual clue about radios. You can get a kenwood or yeasu 2m (mono band) radio for just a few bucks more. ($120-150) though you would still need a separate antenna (my first magmount cost me something like $25 at ratshack)

 

[Draykas]

first off, as it was a couple weeks since you started this thread, how did your test go?

if still looking for advice on radios, I might suggest giving an approximate budget you would like to stay under, and what bells and whistles you are looking for.

I would have more than a few concerns about buying a radio from someplace that appears to think an antenna has wattage of it's own or is trying to sell an antenna that can only handle 50 watts of output. At best it indicates they are sitting in china and there is a language barrier problem. at worst it indicates they are just buying bulk junk and reselling it with no actual clue about radios. You can get a kenwood or yeasu 2m (mono band) radio for just a few bucks more. ($120-150) though you would still need a separate antenna (my first magmount cost me something like $25 at ratshack)

Test was delayed due to work trying to reschedule for July 8th like to keep under 200 but flexible if must for antenna and accessories. I am reaching out to local company that deals with radios and was told to spend money on Kenwood. havent decided which going to get test passed and ask around for maybe used radio to start and get the hang of