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A new radio

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Tex:
After a person passes their tests and they have the money for a radio burning a hole in their locket, what kinds of things should they be aware of or ask about when they go to purchase equipment? Is there a certain list of criteria that a newbie should be aware of? Are there any pitfalls that could bite you in the rear on your new purshases?

Thanks

Tex

GDP:
The first question I would ask myself is, "exactly what do I want the radio to do for me?"  There is a variety of frequencies to Hams, and the different frequencies offer different ranges of communications.  If you need short-range comms, you will need a 2 meter rig.  Longer-range comms are usually done with an HF (high frequency) rig.

Do you want to operate mobile from a vehicle or from your home/base location?  Vehicle operation will require your rig to operate from 12 volts DC.  The same radio at home will need a 12 volt DC power supply of some type.

Do you want to operate while hiking?  The best type of rig for this would be a HH (handheld).  These rigs, however, are limited in their range.

And in the final analysis, it's antenna, antenna, antenna.  The type of antenna you use and how it is installed will make or break your comms.

I doubt that this post really appears to answer your questions.  There are a number of manufacturers for Amateur equipment, and many of the radios have similar features.  My best advice would be to decide what you need.  After a while here with this bunch of folks, you'll get enough info to make a good decision.

Just keep that money cool and don't let it burn your pocket!!   ;)

AD:
Tex wants to operate from his horse!  8)

idial1911:
I think there are two questions that you need to answer and that really helps break it down to what you need..

Is there VHF/UHF activity in your area? In Wyoming my guess is probably not. So an HT would basically be useless.

Second where do you want to operate from? Mobile? Or base? Or Both? That dictates which radios you look at it. I ended up answering both, and I decided to get a base station a 756 proIII and an Icom Ic-7000 for mobile ops.  The 7000 would do both, but working base it's nice to have bigger larger knobs and screens to operate on.

The big deal in the ham world is Yaesu vs Icom. It like ford vs chevy in the car world.. At the end of the day they both work well.

Lastly you can get some really good deals on used rigs. I bought an 857d new sold it used, and MADE money...

GDP:

--- Quote from: idial1911 on February 04, 2012, 09:20:18 AM ---I think there are two questions that you need to answer and that really helps break it down to what you need..

Is there VHF/UHF activity in your area? In Wyoming my guess is probably not. So an HT would basically be useless.

Second where do you want to operate from? Mobile? Or base? Or Both? That dictates which radios you look at it. I ended up answering both, and I decided to get a base station a 756 proIII and an Icom Ic-7000 for mobile ops.  The 7000 would do both, but working base it's nice to have bigger larger knobs and screens to operate on.

The big deal in the ham world is Yaesu vs Icom. It like ford vs chevy in the car world.. At the end of the day they both work well.

Lastly you can get some really good deals on used rigs. I bought an 857d new sold it used, and MADE money...

--- End quote ---

Kenwood also manufactures Amateur equipment.   (Those ICOM and Yaesu folks don't like to talk about it, however!)   ;D

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