my first radio???

Posted: 9/1/2010 7:11:03 PM EDT

with all the choices for a handheld what do guys recommend for me?....i just passed my exam saturday and received my call sign on tuesday....now im looking at getting a dual band to start off with and slowly become comfortable then upgrade....price unfortunately is a concern for me but im willing to pay a lil extra to get on the air......73

Posted: 9/1/2010 7:24:32 PM EDT

[#1]

I've got an FT-60 and a VX-7R. Both are great HTs and can be found used. I bought both of mine used and they are practically brand new.

Posted: 9/1/2010 7:40:14 PM EDT

[#2]

I have an FT-60 and have had VX-7, VX-170, FT-270

I really like the FT-60

Posted: 9/1/2010 10:19:48 PM EDT

[#3]

The Yaesu FT-60 is probably the most perfect dual band starter radio.

Buy the N9TAX dualband dipole antenna, and you've got a good at home unit as well.

Posted: 9/1/2010 10:31:13 PM EDT

[#4]

another vote for the FT-60R

Posted: 9/2/2010 12:21:19 AM EDT

[#5]

I vote mobile. Handheld will underperform your expectations.

Posted: 9/2/2010 5:30:48 AM EDT

[#6]

Quoted:
another vote for the FT-60R

+1

Posted: 9/2/2010 6:10:39 AM EDT

[#7]

i would check to see what repeaters are in your area and find out how active they are before buying a dual band. a VHF HT might be your best option.

Posted: 9/2/2010 6:36:10 AM EDT

[#8]

Quoted:
I vote mobile. Handheld will underperform your expectations.

+1

A 5w HT just doesn't have the poop to get out. Since I've gotten my base station together I probably haven't turned on the HT more than once a month.

I'd rather see you get a good single band mobile such as the Yaesu FT-1900 or something similiar. Hook it up to a decent vertical such as a Diamond X50 or even a beam such as the Elk Log Periodic. Set up as a base station and you are good to go for a long time. I've been told by more than a few hams that they've seen too many Techs get frustrated with a 2m HT and give up on amateur radio completely.

Posted: 9/2/2010 6:42:43 AM EDT

[#9]

Quoted:
The Yaesu FT-60 is probably the most perfect dual band starter radio.

Buy the N9TAX dualband dipole antenna, and you've got a good at home unit as well.

+1 This is a great combo to start out with.... But I did get a mobile FT-8800 at the same time.

Posted: 9/2/2010 8:51:16 AM EDT

[#10]

Quoted:

I vote mobile. Handheld will underperform your expectations.

I disagree completely. I have never had a problem hitting a repeater, be it in the metro of MN or out at school in ND.

a mobile is hardly mobile, it either stays in your car, or you have to be able to get it set up in your house, if you rent odds are you cant set up an antenna. if you get a mobile and put it in your car as a first radio all of a sudden you are only getting air time while you drive. if you get a HT you can get on the air where ever you are, carry it around the house with you, so you have a radio near you.

until you can afford to put a radio in your bedroom, car... kitchen.... garage... and most everywhere else we would love to have a radio, a HT can solve a lot of those issues.

anyway, I love my ft-60, I let arfcom decide my first radio and that was it, my only regret is that I didnt buy a spare battery right off the bat.

Posted: 9/2/2010 8:57:17 AM EDT

[#11]

Mobile rig first. I bought an ht first and as stated above I was disapointed. If 440 gets much use in your QTH get a dual bander. If not a Kenwood TM-271 is a nice 2m rig.

Posted: 9/2/2010 9:32:45 AM EDT

[#12]

Quoted:
Mobile rig first. I bought an ht first and as stated above I was disapointed. If 440 gets much use in your QTH get a dual bander. If not a Kenwood TM-271 is a nice 2m rig.

Agreed, but before installing the mobile in your car or truck, use it in your home. That way you are not fiddling with channels, tones, etc, while running over nuns in crosswalks or 1st graders in school zones. You can sit in your home, cup of coffee, manual open, relaxed, feet up, learn to operate the radio, get the local and wider area repeaters programmed, and learn to operate on the air. Sit back, relax, play radio without being a distracted driver.

Later you can worry about getting installed in your vehicle.

Buy a full 22-25 amp (or even 30 amp) power supply. That will not only operate a 2m rig with power to spare, but later operate a 100 watt HF rig, too.

Then all you need is a length of coax and a J-pole (Arrow and B-Square Engineering), you are in business.

73
AFM

Posted: 9/2/2010 9:42:46 AM EDT

[#13]

Quoted:

Quoted:

Mobile rig first. I bought an ht first and as stated above I was disapointed. If 440 gets much use in your QTH get a dual bander. If not a Kenwood TM-271 is a nice 2m rig.

Agreed, but before installing the mobile in your car or truck, use it in your home. That way you are not fiddling with channels, tones, etc, while running over nuns in crosswalks or 1st graders in school zones. You can sit in your home, cup of coffee, manual open, relaxed, feet up, learn to operate the radio, get the local and wider area repeaters programmed, and learn to operate on the air. Sit back, relax, play radio without being a distracted driver.

Later you can worry about getting installed in your vehicle.

Buy a full 22-25 amp (or even 30 amp) power supply. That will not only operate a 2m rig with power to spare, but later operate a 100 watt HF rig, too.

Then all you need is a length of coax and a J-pole (Arrow and B-Square Engineering), you are in business.

73

AFM

Good advice.

FWIW: I really like the Icom VX-8000 as a beginer mobile rig.

Posted: 9/2/2010 2:02:37 PM EDT

[#14]

If you do want to go HT and don't need 440 the Yaesu VX-110 is a nice radio. I think it runs about $125 or so. HTs have the advantage of being cheaper and portable, which is great if you're outside and not moving too fast. I can hit several repeaters from my house with a VX-5R, and also some when I'm driving. However, when mobile you can lose a repeater quickly, especially if you're on the outskirts of its coverage to begin with.

Posted: 9/2/2010 2:39:17 PM EDT

[#15]

Quoted:
That way you are not fiddling with channels, tones, etc, while running over nuns in crosswalks or 1st graders in school zones.

Some of you guys are real buzzkills.

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