Posted: 2/25/2008 5:21:32 PM EDT
| I am currently in HAM classes and was wondering if a used dualband radio like a radioshack would be an ok investment. I don't want to spend tons of money til I know how much Iwill use it. These can be found for about $50. |
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If you end up with one that works and fits your needs, it can be a good start. Unless I absolutely NEEDED 440 I would try to spend $100-120 for a NEW 2 meter only HT. When I say if you get one that works, ask me about the FT530 that's almost deaf of VHF  But it was rather cheap so I got what I paid for it 
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IIRC, some of the Radio Shack talkies were made by Icom - and were pretty decent products. Before settling on any particular model, be sure to check out the VHF/UHF Hand-Held Transceiver Reviews section at e-ham.net. |
hmm, My FT-530 is still going strong. I did sorta 'replace' it with a FT-60R, but I needed something for work and the 530 didn't do as much.... still a very popular radio if you can find 'em.. I've worked sats with it and the hand held arrow antenna. |
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Well I have one that was likely owned by the average ham, of course it was modded for out of band use so there is no telling why it don't do much on VHF. I had to hook it to an external mobile antenna to RX a two meter repeater that is three miles away. I wanted to use it for short range crossband use, and maybe someone already did and burned it up with too much VHF use 
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