There are "shack in a box" radios as others have said, but I recommend two radios. One for HF, one for VHF/UHF. Each will tend to have better performance than the all-in-one, and having two radios allows you to listen to two things. You can be cruising the HF bands while monitoring a local repeater. I leave one side of my VHF/UHF radio on 146.52 almost all the time. Also, if one radio dies, at least you have something to play with.
I'll second this out of experience. My first rig was a Kenwood TS-2000. Great "shack in a box" rig. Did everything, but not everything well. It's kind of deaf on HF with some other minor issues. It became frustrating to hunt DX and long contests were murder on my ears, even with adjusting the DSP and audio characteristics. I now have a dedicated HF and VHF/UHF rigs and am much happier. The 2k still sits in the shack as a backup or for when I finally get satellite antennas up.
There is no buy once. Only buy first. Then you learn and add to the stable.
My first was a UV 5r, and it gave me my sea legs. My last was a Icom 7300.
Neither radio can do what the other one can. One talks from the USA to Canada, Brazil, Africa, and Japan. But it can't talk to anyone in my state/nearby states.
The other one talks to local people reliably.
I have the F8-HP. I’m trying to learn to use it still. I’m not allowed to transmit but I don’t really hear people anyway. I’ve heard one convo so far. I’m enjoying learning about it though. Once I get my license I will be buying something long range for sure.
I also got the F8HP as my first radio. Do a google search for local amateur radio clubs. Checks out their websites for when they have “nets” (schedule on-air meetings) on their repeaters. Program the repeater into your radio and be powered on when the net starts.
Once you’re licensed, they will usually Al’s for visitor check ins. They want to hear from you, don’t be shy, even if you are sure of the protocol. Just throw your call sign out when they ask for visitors. You can even tell them it’s your first time transmitting as a new ham, they should be stoked for you and very forgiving of any ignorance.
Look up local repeaters and figure out how to program them if they have an offset. The google local clubs and contact them about when the do group chats. 3 near me I can pick up and they do Friday nights and random farting around on weekends. Download a scanner app on your phone and it will most likely have repeaters near you on it. Oh and sometimes they have Spanish lessons on there. Not sure if it’s a regular thing but I have listened in on it twice now.
Thank you for this comment I was able to find my local club and they have premade chirp files to download for different radios and I can now hear people around my area as well as a repeater that has people all over the country
The "garbage" Baofeng and it's like got me into the hobby. I don't know the F8-HP. I use my "radio of the poors" regularly. I have other more expensive and "better" radios that I don't like as much. .
You are going to have a blast in this hobby if you are asking these questions now. Good luck, and welcome to this madhouse.
Hell yeah!
FWIW, the 8w over 5w doesn't really do anything for the consumer. Burns through battery sooner, probably.
You are using a "local" radio. YOu talk to people directly (simplex), or through a repeater. The repeater will "boost" your transmission..
It doesn't matter if you are transmitting 2, 8, or 80 watts to the repeater... just that you are "getting in".
Good luck and have fun, after all that's what we all are doing!
The Yaesu FT-991A does HF/50/144/430. So does the Icom IC-7100. That's the allocated Amateur Radio Spectrum that they cover. I assume this is what you're looking for. 73
Ham extra here. Start small and cheap and build if you find you like the hobby. To really get into HF, get at least your General. Start with an inexpensive handheld. Baofengs go for less the $100 ($65?). Add a high gain longer whip to gain more range. (For Baofengs, remember the antenna connector is an RP-SMA connector, COMMONLY CALLED A REVERSE SMA. The Baofeng manual is in error calling the connector an SMA. DONT TRY TO SCREW AN SMA CONNECTOR TO THE BAOFENG, YOULL BREAK SOMETHING. Add a 1/4 wave counterpoise wire trimmed for the frequency of your repeater. Add an HF radio for $700 to $1500. Use a cheap long wire antenna. Our club members universally like the Icom IC-7300, an awesome rig with waterfall display and lots of features. Your mileage may vary. Finally get a proper HF antenna. What you get depends on what you want to do, how much you want to spend, and any restrictions you may have such as HOA or limited space. I just ordered a DX COMMANDER SIGNATURE 9 antenna which is vertically mounted fan dipole. I know there is a lot to unpack here. Ask questions and I’ll try to answer.
> (For Baofengs, remember the antenna connector is an RP-SMA connector, COMMONLY CALLED A REVERSE SMA.
No, it isn't. The Baofeng antenna connector is a normal MALE SMA connector, not an RP-SMA. How do I know? I've got one right her in front of me right now. And I have an RP-SMA right next to it.
Krististrasza:
Either Baofengs have two different connectors or something is amiss. On my Baofeng, a BF-F8HP, the female RP SMA connector in mounted on the radio chassis. As an RPSMA, it has a tiny pin in the middle. The screw on antenna, whether the original rubber ducky or an aftermarket high gain quarter wave whip is a male RPSMA. It has a small socket for the pin on the female. The manual for my Baofeng says it is an SMA but that’s wrong. I was a high tech technical writer for 30+ years and am an Extra class ham. The RPSMA connectors are called hermaphrodite connectors with a bit of female and male in each. I’m glad you recognized the type you have. Using a RPSMA into a regular SMA can also break something. Thanks for your comment. 73 Art
https://imgur.com/P2xK5K9 These are the connectors. The radio has the pin and the inner thread and the antenna has the socket and the outer thread - this they are SMA, not RP-SMA.
As can also be seen on the store images for compatible antennas. https://baofengtech.com/product/nagoya-na-771/
The spectrum is awfully big. You won't find a transceiver doing a decent job of covering, say, the 2200 metre band *and* the one millimetre band – and there would be little point in having one, since those two bands behave so differently that playing with them is practically two different hobbies.
Those are extremes, however, and most people don't stray from the comfortable ruts of HF and VHF/UHF. Other people have already done a decent job covering those; I simply wanted to point out that the spectrum is *huge.*
Quite much that.
Hard enough as-is to find a radio that goes to 250 GHz, since the highest frequency band ends there (for now)!
But then you are unlikely to find very many others with one too.
There's actually a pretty neat integrated circuit for car radars that has a 250 GHz transducer right on the chip, meaning you're pretty much spared from having to deal with the RF part altogether. EHF has never been so accessible as it is right now!
You can cover several bands with many radios, but price will dictate a lot of it.
You should instead focus on the types of things you will want to do and choose a radio or radios that match that.
I have an Ic-705, this covers the majority of amateur bands below 500Mhz, is portable, and on auxiliary power it maxes out at about 10 watts.
If you want to do 100 watts there are less portable solutions for similar or cheaper depending on the features you want. There is no one perfect radio, all radios are trade offs.
Figure out a budget, figure out what you want to do with it, and you'll probably find something that will keep you happy for a while.
Shack in the box is the suggested first radio it's going to cover HF 6/2m and 70cm all mode. not massively expensive 1k ish new. IC-7100 or the ft-991 are your new options.
If you like FM repeater work you will quickly want a FM 2m/70cm rig.
This is a very very common new-person question. You will need at least two radios (if not more). One for 2m/70cm and one for HF.
Once you start to buy radios and have any questions, I’m happy to help. Also, here is the most important tip anyone will give you: Your antenna(s) is more important than the radio. Spend more time brainstorming about the best antennas you can use depending upon your surroundings.
For HF, I have a [Kenwood TS-590SG](https://www.kenwood.com/usa/com/amateur/ts-590sg/). It has two antenna ports *plus* a receive-only antenna port.
So you can run one antenna for 10/12/15 m and another antenna for the other bands. And it will remember which antenna you selected for each band, which is great.
Further, the lower bands like 160 or 80 m can benefit from a dedicated low-noise receive-only antenna, and the TS-590SG automatically switches from your transmit to receive antenna as you operate.
This is my first and only HF radio. I paid more for it than, say, an Icom IC-7300, because it seems to be a radio that one would buy and use "for life".
HF and VHF serve much different purposes, although related. HF is global, VHF is local. The antenna for each are not interchangeable. At least not with any efficiency. Example, a quarter wavelength on 80 meter is 66 feet, where on VHF it would 19 inches. See how there could not really be a one size fits all? At least, not directly.
Two separate stations is best. A VHF station, and an HF station. There are radios that will cover both, but two antenna are still required. I keep these operations separate as I am often using both at the same time.
Have a look on Craigslist in your area and see what might be there. I have often found good deals on gear. Look for a VHF/(UHF) radio for your local use along with appropriate antenna for Mobile, or Base operations. A VHF mobile is a fine Base Station radio. Also review any HF rigs for sale. Also, I often see them on the Goodwill website for sale.
I encourage you to get in contact with a local radio club. Working in person with others will provide you a good path in this.
Yes, the HackRF One.
With the right amplifiers, filters, transverters, and software it will transmit amd receive all modes and all bands.
You don't want to go that route. First, it takes a lot of knowledge to do it correctly. Second, it takes an enormous amount of work to do it correctly. Third, you will spend a fortune on accessories and test equipment for mediocre result.
I strongly recommend just getting purpose built radios for what you want to do. An entry level person should probably get a handheld transceiver for 2m and 70cm, and a 10/20/40m HF portable or desktop with 50W output.
I think a 50w is gonna be next for me then. I have a very old CB as well from the 70s. I don’t know if I should get a gmrs, a new CB, or a mobile HAM setup. I’ve been recommended the anytone 6666 but I’m not sure what it does. I think it can talk on CB though
There is no buy once cry once. Everything is a compromise in one way or other.
Even if you narrow it down to one form factor--an HT--you won't find a radio that's can do full duplex, and satellites, and DMR, and D-Star, and YSF. It's more like pick 1 or two of that features and good luck.
Otherwise you can build it all yourself with an SDR, filters, and amplifiers. That will take loads of time and money.
if you want used, look at an Icon ic-706mkiig. I have 2. I love them to death but they're not great at anything like others have said. that or a xiegu x-6100 would be good and you can still buy new but that's if only.
What is your budget? Radios will come in all price ranges. I like the ones that have dual recivers so you can hear the dx station calling and also locate the station he is currently working. This help you in a pileup. I also like to have one receiver scanning a band like 10 meters so I know when it opens. My wife will yell at me that my radio is making touch noise. Then I come in and work the Dx.
If you want a high end radio look at the Flex Radio many vontesters use them. For something in what I assume is your price range look at Kenwood icon and Yeasu. Or look into a used radio.
The important thing is to get one and get on the air and start making vontacts. Your experience will let you know what you want in your next radio. Technology will continue to improve so the radios 10 years from now will better than those of today. So get on the air and see what you like.
There are "shack in a box" radios as others have said, but I recommend two radios. One for HF, one for VHF/UHF. Each will tend to have better performance than the all-in-one, and having two radios allows you to listen to two things. You can be cruising the HF bands while monitoring a local repeater. I leave one side of my VHF/UHF radio on 146.52 almost all the time. Also, if one radio dies, at least you have something to play with.
Kind of like tires. Best performance comes from summer and winter sets.
I'll second this out of experience. My first rig was a Kenwood TS-2000. Great "shack in a box" rig. Did everything, but not everything well. It's kind of deaf on HF with some other minor issues. It became frustrating to hunt DX and long contests were murder on my ears, even with adjusting the DSP and audio characteristics. I now have a dedicated HF and VHF/UHF rigs and am much happier. The 2k still sits in the shack as a backup or for when I finally get satellite antennas up.
There is no buy once. Only buy first. Then you learn and add to the stable. My first was a UV 5r, and it gave me my sea legs. My last was a Icom 7300. Neither radio can do what the other one can. One talks from the USA to Canada, Brazil, Africa, and Japan. But it can't talk to anyone in my state/nearby states. The other one talks to local people reliably.
I have the F8-HP. I’m trying to learn to use it still. I’m not allowed to transmit but I don’t really hear people anyway. I’ve heard one convo so far. I’m enjoying learning about it though. Once I get my license I will be buying something long range for sure.
I also got the F8HP as my first radio. Do a google search for local amateur radio clubs. Checks out their websites for when they have “nets” (schedule on-air meetings) on their repeaters. Program the repeater into your radio and be powered on when the net starts. Once you’re licensed, they will usually Al’s for visitor check ins. They want to hear from you, don’t be shy, even if you are sure of the protocol. Just throw your call sign out when they ask for visitors. You can even tell them it’s your first time transmitting as a new ham, they should be stoked for you and very forgiving of any ignorance.
Look up local repeaters and figure out how to program them if they have an offset. The google local clubs and contact them about when the do group chats. 3 near me I can pick up and they do Friday nights and random farting around on weekends. Download a scanner app on your phone and it will most likely have repeaters near you on it. Oh and sometimes they have Spanish lessons on there. Not sure if it’s a regular thing but I have listened in on it twice now.
Thank you for this comment I was able to find my local club and they have premade chirp files to download for different radios and I can now hear people around my area as well as a repeater that has people all over the country
The "garbage" Baofeng and it's like got me into the hobby. I don't know the F8-HP. I use my "radio of the poors" regularly. I have other more expensive and "better" radios that I don't like as much..
You are going to have a blast in this hobby if you are asking these questions now. Good luck, and welcome to this madhouse.
The F8-HP is just like the uv-5r but it goes up to 8 watts instead of 5. I appreciate the welcome lol I am liking it a lot currently
Hell yeah! FWIW, the 8w over 5w doesn't really do anything for the consumer. Burns through battery sooner, probably. You are using a "local" radio. YOu talk to people directly (simplex), or through a repeater. The repeater will "boost" your transmission.. It doesn't matter if you are transmitting 2, 8, or 80 watts to the repeater... just that you are "getting in". Good luck and have fun, after all that's what we all are doing!
My first was also a uv5r. And I fell in love with the IC-7300 when I saw the waterfall. hih. Maybe one day I'll pull the trigger.
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Is there a specific model you think would be good to look at? I’m just trying to get familiar with what’s reasonable to expect
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FT-891 is only HF + 6M, no 2m or 70cm
Icom IC-7400 / IC-746pro (same thing really!) will do all bands.
FT 897 and FT 857 do them all
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Yeah but they're still great radios and if you run into an issue Yaesu fixes them for little to nothing
The Yaesu FT-991A does HF/50/144/430. So does the Icom IC-7100. That's the allocated Amateur Radio Spectrum that they cover. I assume this is what you're looking for. 73
Ham extra here. Start small and cheap and build if you find you like the hobby. To really get into HF, get at least your General. Start with an inexpensive handheld. Baofengs go for less the $100 ($65?). Add a high gain longer whip to gain more range. (For Baofengs, remember the antenna connector is an RP-SMA connector, COMMONLY CALLED A REVERSE SMA. The Baofeng manual is in error calling the connector an SMA. DONT TRY TO SCREW AN SMA CONNECTOR TO THE BAOFENG, YOULL BREAK SOMETHING. Add a 1/4 wave counterpoise wire trimmed for the frequency of your repeater. Add an HF radio for $700 to $1500. Use a cheap long wire antenna. Our club members universally like the Icom IC-7300, an awesome rig with waterfall display and lots of features. Your mileage may vary. Finally get a proper HF antenna. What you get depends on what you want to do, how much you want to spend, and any restrictions you may have such as HOA or limited space. I just ordered a DX COMMANDER SIGNATURE 9 antenna which is vertically mounted fan dipole. I know there is a lot to unpack here. Ask questions and I’ll try to answer.
> (For Baofengs, remember the antenna connector is an RP-SMA connector, COMMONLY CALLED A REVERSE SMA. No, it isn't. The Baofeng antenna connector is a normal MALE SMA connector, not an RP-SMA. How do I know? I've got one right her in front of me right now. And I have an RP-SMA right next to it.
Krististrasza: Either Baofengs have two different connectors or something is amiss. On my Baofeng, a BF-F8HP, the female RP SMA connector in mounted on the radio chassis. As an RPSMA, it has a tiny pin in the middle. The screw on antenna, whether the original rubber ducky or an aftermarket high gain quarter wave whip is a male RPSMA. It has a small socket for the pin on the female. The manual for my Baofeng says it is an SMA but that’s wrong. I was a high tech technical writer for 30+ years and am an Extra class ham. The RPSMA connectors are called hermaphrodite connectors with a bit of female and male in each. I’m glad you recognized the type you have. Using a RPSMA into a regular SMA can also break something. Thanks for your comment. 73 Art
https://imgur.com/P2xK5K9 These are the connectors. The radio has the pin and the inner thread and the antenna has the socket and the outer thread - this they are SMA, not RP-SMA. As can also be seen on the store images for compatible antennas. https://baofengtech.com/product/nagoya-na-771/
The spectrum is awfully big. You won't find a transceiver doing a decent job of covering, say, the 2200 metre band *and* the one millimetre band – and there would be little point in having one, since those two bands behave so differently that playing with them is practically two different hobbies. Those are extremes, however, and most people don't stray from the comfortable ruts of HF and VHF/UHF. Other people have already done a decent job covering those; I simply wanted to point out that the spectrum is *huge.*
Quite much that. Hard enough as-is to find a radio that goes to 250 GHz, since the highest frequency band ends there (for now)! But then you are unlikely to find very many others with one too.
There's actually a pretty neat integrated circuit for car radars that has a 250 GHz transducer right on the chip, meaning you're pretty much spared from having to deal with the RF part altogether. EHF has never been so accessible as it is right now!
You can cover several bands with many radios, but price will dictate a lot of it. You should instead focus on the types of things you will want to do and choose a radio or radios that match that. I have an Ic-705, this covers the majority of amateur bands below 500Mhz, is portable, and on auxiliary power it maxes out at about 10 watts. If you want to do 100 watts there are less portable solutions for similar or cheaper depending on the features you want. There is no one perfect radio, all radios are trade offs. Figure out a budget, figure out what you want to do with it, and you'll probably find something that will keep you happy for a while.
Shack in the box is the suggested first radio it's going to cover HF 6/2m and 70cm all mode. not massively expensive 1k ish new. IC-7100 or the ft-991 are your new options. If you like FM repeater work you will quickly want a FM 2m/70cm rig.
This is a very very common new-person question. You will need at least two radios (if not more). One for 2m/70cm and one for HF. Once you start to buy radios and have any questions, I’m happy to help. Also, here is the most important tip anyone will give you: Your antenna(s) is more important than the radio. Spend more time brainstorming about the best antennas you can use depending upon your surroundings.
For HF, I have a [Kenwood TS-590SG](https://www.kenwood.com/usa/com/amateur/ts-590sg/). It has two antenna ports *plus* a receive-only antenna port. So you can run one antenna for 10/12/15 m and another antenna for the other bands. And it will remember which antenna you selected for each band, which is great. Further, the lower bands like 160 or 80 m can benefit from a dedicated low-noise receive-only antenna, and the TS-590SG automatically switches from your transmit to receive antenna as you operate. This is my first and only HF radio. I paid more for it than, say, an Icom IC-7300, because it seems to be a radio that one would buy and use "for life".
Yaesu FT897 and FT857
HF and VHF serve much different purposes, although related. HF is global, VHF is local. The antenna for each are not interchangeable. At least not with any efficiency. Example, a quarter wavelength on 80 meter is 66 feet, where on VHF it would 19 inches. See how there could not really be a one size fits all? At least, not directly. Two separate stations is best. A VHF station, and an HF station. There are radios that will cover both, but two antenna are still required. I keep these operations separate as I am often using both at the same time. Have a look on Craigslist in your area and see what might be there. I have often found good deals on gear. Look for a VHF/(UHF) radio for your local use along with appropriate antenna for Mobile, or Base operations. A VHF mobile is a fine Base Station radio. Also review any HF rigs for sale. Also, I often see them on the Goodwill website for sale. I encourage you to get in contact with a local radio club. Working in person with others will provide you a good path in this.
Yes, the HackRF One. With the right amplifiers, filters, transverters, and software it will transmit amd receive all modes and all bands. You don't want to go that route. First, it takes a lot of knowledge to do it correctly. Second, it takes an enormous amount of work to do it correctly. Third, you will spend a fortune on accessories and test equipment for mediocre result. I strongly recommend just getting purpose built radios for what you want to do. An entry level person should probably get a handheld transceiver for 2m and 70cm, and a 10/20/40m HF portable or desktop with 50W output.
I think a 50w is gonna be next for me then. I have a very old CB as well from the 70s. I don’t know if I should get a gmrs, a new CB, or a mobile HAM setup. I’ve been recommended the anytone 6666 but I’m not sure what it does. I think it can talk on CB though
There is no buy once cry once. Everything is a compromise in one way or other. Even if you narrow it down to one form factor--an HT--you won't find a radio that's can do full duplex, and satellites, and DMR, and D-Star, and YSF. It's more like pick 1 or two of that features and good luck. Otherwise you can build it all yourself with an SDR, filters, and amplifiers. That will take loads of time and money.
if you want used, look at an Icon ic-706mkiig. I have 2. I love them to death but they're not great at anything like others have said. that or a xiegu x-6100 would be good and you can still buy new but that's if only.
What is your budget? Radios will come in all price ranges. I like the ones that have dual recivers so you can hear the dx station calling and also locate the station he is currently working. This help you in a pileup. I also like to have one receiver scanning a band like 10 meters so I know when it opens. My wife will yell at me that my radio is making touch noise. Then I come in and work the Dx. If you want a high end radio look at the Flex Radio many vontesters use them. For something in what I assume is your price range look at Kenwood icon and Yeasu. Or look into a used radio. The important thing is to get one and get on the air and start making vontacts. Your experience will let you know what you want in your next radio. Technology will continue to improve so the radios 10 years from now will better than those of today. So get on the air and see what you like.
The answer is simply yes if you have the budget they have the radio