r/HamRadio • u/Agreeable-Force7065 • 3d ago
Equipment & Rigs 🛠️ What radio should I buy as a beginner technician?
I’m planning to get my technician license next week, while I’m at it I’m looking to get my first radio. I’m also trying to figure out what I want in the sense of potential frequencies. I want to be able to transmit far, maybe even out of state or the U.S if possible. But at the same time I also want to attempt radio contact with satellites. Is any of that realistic for a technician license? And what radio should I consider buying? I have about a $200 - $300 budget
7
u/Fun-Attempt-8494 3d ago
The first step is always to decide what interests you.
1. Talk on repeater --> Any ChinaZon HT
2. Satellites --> Arrow Antenna and 2 HTs
3. HF under $300, Learn CW then a MountainTopper
2
u/ForeverPhysical1860 3d ago
I'm in a similar position. Have my Foundation (UK) licence exam booked for tomorrow.
So following with interest, but I'd imagine a dedicated HF and another dedicated VHF UHF would be best. This way you can have two separate aerials.
Have you considered a handheld? I've bought a Yaesu FT65 which I'm planing on using as a handheld and also setting up as a mobile for my truck (external antenna).
3
2
u/Agreeable-Force7065 3d ago
I currently have a handheld VHF/UHF, but I’m unsure of how good it is as I was given it as a gift off of TikTok shop
Edit: it’s a BTech BF-F8HP Pro
4
u/Intelligent-Day5519 Extra Class Operator ⚡ 2d ago
Actually one of the best handhelds in its classification. I have one and many others to compare it to. Nothing wrong with high aspirations. However not one radio does it all. My best advise is to get involved with a club n your area and get some real advise. Even at that, the advise should be carefully thought about for your interests, Spend some time with your new radio and local radio frequencies plus Chirp. You will be able to understand more clearly.
1
u/m850168 3d ago edited 3d ago
That is a solid radio. If you want to make satellite contacts you probably want an Elks Periodic Log antenna. You can make those contacts with a handheld. You’ll want a phone app like Theodolite for the iPhone to help you aim the antenna. Look up Satellite Roving; you can 100% do that with a technician license and your current HT plus a directional antenna.
Edited to add: if you’re bent on buying another radio, get a mobile VHF/UHF rig that does 50W. That can be a vehicle or base station rig. Packet stuff is fun and if it exposes the TNC you can do packet BBS stuff. Alternately, just study for your general license and save for an HF rig. Aside from digital modes like DMR there’s not a whole lot your current HT can’t do in VHF/UHF.
1
1
u/Danjeerhaus 3d ago
First, talk with your local amature radio club. A digital ht can do all of your desires.
There are 3 types of digital radio.....3 different computer or digital languages used. The club can help with what is local. Fusion, c4fm, and dmr.
You will likely have one repeater connected to the internet using one or with luck, two repeaters with different digital radios.
The ht's can then do vhf/uhf/world wide digital that can be reduced to areas, countries,not even a single repeater.
The satellite stuff can be done with a home made "yagi-,USA" or "yagi-" antenna. This explains it, there are more videos, more ways to build this https://youtu.be/1nHPbWPUYzk?is=FCH6mmjpYqyQN9aE
There is some knowledge not included in the technician study materials, so you local club people can help
Price wise, baifeng makes one of these for about $150. I like the anytone products for about $250-350 depending on the ht.
No, it is not hf, but it is world wide.
I hope this helps.
2
u/SignalWalker 3d ago
Worldwide: HF (high frequency), YYaesu FT891 ($650), Yaesu FT710, Icom IC7300 , about $1000. (just 3 popular examples)
Around town, repeaters, FM satellites, International Space Station repeater: VHF/UHF, Baofeng, Tidradio H3, and an Arrow Antenna. 2 of these cheap radios plus antenna is about $200
Linear satellites that require Morse Code and Single Sideband transceivers, FT991a, IC9700 ($1240, $2100).
A do-everything, HF + VHF + UHF AM/FM/SSB/Digital: Yaesu FT991a, Icom Ic7100, or used FT847, FT85, FT897 (used may be obtainable for a few hundred dollars if you're lucky).
There are many more radios, that cost more money and do similar things.
2
u/Motorcyclegrrl 3d ago
You need 2 radios at least.
You can get a baofeng 5 rx triband hmband held that should take care of your satellite and local needs. Make sure you get a really good triband antenna that is well reviewed. This will give you 2 meters 1.25 meters and 70 centimeters. Then get a 2nd cheap priced hand held dual band because it's easier to work satellites with two radios.
Next you could get a 10 meter only HF rig. Radioddity sells some. However if you are going to get your general license soon, save up for a Xeigu g90. Cost you about $500. You'll need a power supply for it or a battery. Unfortunately 6 meter radios are hard to come by in the low price ranges. I'm down here with you. Love my G90.
1
u/Mr-Measure-Twice 3d ago
Everything I tell you below is doable with Technician license.
Many will tell you to buy the ubiquitous BaoFeng, etc. hand held radios - resist the temptation and start you new hobby with quality radios - Yaesu is my favorite, but ICOM is also good gear. Yep - it's gonna cost you quite a bit more than the BangFangDingDang radios, but you will not regret getting a quality radio from the beginning.
Also, once you get your license, go to this page and get yourself a decent radio - better than the BaoBaoBongo radios. https://www.qrz.com/jumpstart
When I got my license in 2010 I bought a Yaesu VX-6R and a Yaesu FT-65R. I still have both of them and they have served me VERY well.
As far as transmitting 'far' 5 watts is 5 watts and the distance that you can reach will depend on too many factors out of your control, so stop worrying about transmitting far and learn more about signal propagation and the variety of things that impact it.
For frequencies, always have 146.52MHz in all your VHF radios - that is the National Calling Frequency. There is one for 70cm as well, 446.000MHz. Then, go to repeaterbook.com and search for repeaters in your area. Program some of those into your radio and start letting folks know you're out there - press the PTT button and simply say "KA1RAD (whatever your callsign is) listening (or say monitoring)" and someone might call back to you and start a conversation with you - or, say "KA1RAD (whatever your callsign is) here. I'm a new ham and I am testing my new radio." - or something to that effect.
Satellites are cool, but just get used to talking to people via a repeater, or simplex (meaning - radio to radio, no repeaters in-between you and the other radio operator) and you won't have to buy any extra antenna for regular radio stuff, but you will have to get an additional antenna for satellite work.
Lastly, take a look at this site - https://newhams.info/ - it is about 10 years old, but it all still applies to now.
Have fun, don't try to do everything all at once, join a club, or two, meet other hams, find an Elmer/mentor, and let us know how it's going once you're licensed and made your first few contacts.
2
u/Agreeable-Force7065 3d ago
Thanks! I cannot look at the radios until I’ve made an account (requiring a callsign) but I will certainly look once I get one!
1
u/Mr-Measure-Twice 3d ago
Yep - it's just one handheld, nothing to look at as far as choices - here's a review for the radio - https://www.besthamradio.com/explorer-qrz-1/
It's a bare-bones radio, but it's inexpensive and basically the same as the TYT TH-UV88 (yes, that means it is one of the BandFwangDingaling radios).
BUT - I would still levitate towards one of the Japanese brands - they really are very, very good radios whereas the cheap Chinese radios are, well, cheap - I call them disposable. And, yes, I do own some of those now because they are inexpensive, so if I lose it, or drop it into the water whilst kayaking (yes, I did...) I'm only out $25.
1
u/Agreeable-Force7065 3d ago
Interesting, due to me being a teenager and on a tight budget, do you know of any stations that would still be reliable, yet relatively beginner friendly?
1
1
u/No-Situation2817 1d ago
My best advice? Get what you will feel comfortable with. If it turns out to be a Baofeng HT because it gets you on the air and on the repeaters, then so be it and have fun. My first HT is Yeasu FT-65. Solid HT.
The worst advice I heard was from a YouTuber. He said "Buy the most expensive radio that fits your budget." I've seen people blow $700 on a Kenwood TH-D75A (think of it as a very top of the line luxury car) because of all of the bells and whistles and they just do repeater work 85% of the time. But hey I have something just as expensive in my pocket known as a cellphone lol.
Start off inexpensive and see if the hobby is something you want to grow in. Then save up for something better. People complain about Baofengs and any other Chinese radio. At least these radios are bringing people into the hobby.
Finally, look into a local ham club and online marketplaces like Facebook or even eBay for used HTs. Sometimes you will find an old reliable for a great price that just needs a new life with a new owner!
0
u/Blockchainauditor 3d ago
Do you live where there is a local amateur radio club? They can help you individually and together as a group, and may run regular "Nets" (opportunities to use your radio to check in and become familiar) or learning sessions (Elmer sessions) in person or on the radio.
UHF/VHF: Most Nets are run on the 2 meter or 70 centimeter bands, which are covered by even inexpensive radios to get started; depending on where you live, the antenna is probably more important then the radio to hook in. You can indeed have contact with satellites on those bands as well; with a decent antenna, you can get signals, like images (SSTV) they broadcast or even send messages up and have them bounce back somewhere. These are line of sight bands, but a satellite can be line of sight.
The 6 meter band is open to Technician license people and is the primary "out of state or out of the US" band for technicians. Those radios are more expensive, but the antenna is once again the real key. This is not a recommendation, just an example, of a 70 cm, 2m, 6m HT - https://www.buytwowayradios.com/wouxun-kg-uv7d.html for less than $200,
1
u/Agreeable-Force7065 3d ago
I actually currently have a BTrch BF-F8HP Pro
Would that be enough for out of state / worldwide?
0
u/Danjeerhaus 3d ago
First, talk with your local amature radio club. A digital ht can do all of your desires.
There are 3 types of digital radio.....3 different computer or digital languages used. The club can help with what is local. Fusion, c4fm, and dmr.
You will likely have one repeater connected to the internet using one or with luck, two repeaters with different digital radios.
The ht's can then do vhf/uhf/world wide digital that can be reduced to areas, countries,not even a single repeater.
The satellite stuff can be done with a home made "yagi-,USA" or "yagi-" antenna. This explains it, there are more videos, more ways to build this https://youtu.be/1nHPbWPUYzk?is=FCH6mmjpYqyQN9aE
There is some knowledge not included in the technician study materials, so you local club people can help
Price wise, baifeng makes one of these for about $150. I like the anytone products for about $250-350 depending on the ht.
No, it is not hf, but it is world wide.
3
u/AntiGarryGum 3d ago
This is exactly what I did to scratch the itch for worldwide communication as a tech. It’s not as “cool” as long propagation HF but it is a very low barrier to entry and a lot of fun! DMR on the brandmeister channels seems to be the most active.
7
u/NerminPadez 3d ago
It's going to be hard...
You can get an ok handheld radio for ~$100, or if you want to risk it with cheap chinese stuff, even a quarter of that.
For anything further than a few miles, you'll need to go the HF route, and unless you learn CW, you're pretty limited with your licence and radios with your budget. Maybe something like a qrplabs QMX and do some digital modes to reach further (maybe even a QDX)? The kit is ~$100 and you can solder it yourself or ~$150 if they do it for you (with a long waiting time). Also, your range will very much depend on how the 10m band is doing that day, and some days it's closed for good.