freakinshoe69
Member
I'm wondering if anyone can give me a link to the best Ham radio for $300. I would really like to get in to that.
Best Ham Radio
- Thread starter freakinshoe69
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It all depends on what you are wanting to do in amateur radio.
Do you have your amateur radio license?
Do you have your amateur radio license?
freakinshoe69
Member
I'm going on the 10th to take the test for the technicians license. I want to b able to talk mostly and get as far out as I can.
To get out as far as you can with a Tecnician Class license what you need is to be on a mountain top or skyscraper on the top floor. Or a 6 Meter band opening. If neither of those seems possible or practical to you then you need a General Class license and an HF-capable radio.
Best ham radio
10 meter radios are more popular and within your budget than 6 meters and when conditions are good, Europe on 10 watts with a good antenna is not impossible. Even a simple dipole or end fed antenna can be satisfactory, depending on your location.
10 meter radios are more popular and within your budget than 6 meters and when conditions are good, Europe on 10 watts with a good antenna is not impossible. Even a simple dipole or end fed antenna can be satisfactory, depending on your location.
KC4RAF
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+1 what jaspence posted about the 10 meter band. From 28.3 to 28.5, you can use SSB or CW. When condition are right, you can work a whole lot of countries with a little power.
BTW, for three hundred or less, you can buy into all the name brands that offer VHF or UHF or dual banders. I would suggest a dual band to start.
If you decide to go after the General class license, you can buy into some of the name brands again in the used market for < $500 for the HF transceivers.
BTW, for three hundred or less, you can buy into all the name brands that offer VHF or UHF or dual banders. I would suggest a dual band to start.
If you decide to go after the General class license, you can buy into some of the name brands again in the used market for < $500 for the HF transceivers.
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freakinshoe69
Member
This is what I'm looking at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KG41ZLS/_encoding=UTF8?coliid=I3Q95HV745CME8&colid=1NLNYCTWAVOSD
osros
Member
Good luck on your Test!
Tech myself for about a year, really 6 months active. You will find 10m and 6m to be great when they are open, but when they are closed boy it's closed.
I enjoy mostly the digital modes and any SSB I can when it happens. Learning what I can will go General soon, it's a good place to be.
Cheers
73
Oscar
Tech myself for about a year, really 6 months active. You will find 10m and 6m to be great when they are open, but when they are closed boy it's closed.
I enjoy mostly the digital modes and any SSB I can when it happens. Learning what I can will go General soon, it's a good place to be.
Cheers
73
Oscar
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I would strongly advise against buying off-brand radios from TYT or Tytera or any other chinese brand.
There are plenty of high quality, repairable, supportable offerings from the REPUTABLE amateur brands Yaesu, Kenwood, and Icom and any of them are superior products that you can actually get support for if you need it.
The bitter taste of low quality lingers long after the sweetness of low price has faded away.
There are plenty of high quality, repairable, supportable offerings from the REPUTABLE amateur brands Yaesu, Kenwood, and Icom and any of them are superior products that you can actually get support for if you need it.
The bitter taste of low quality lingers long after the sweetness of low price has faded away.
N8IAA
Member
Just so you know, the portion of 10m in that radio requires that you have a general class license. You will get all sorts of replies because it isn't made by one of the big three. But, I remember being on a budget when I first was licensed.
If that fits into your budget. Go for it
Larry
freakinshoe69
Member
I am eventually gonna work my way up to the extra license so I can talk on all frequencies. Can u recommend a good Ham Radio. I am complete newb and I'm just starting out.
freakinshoe69
Member
which of these is better https://www.amazon.com/Yaesu-Origin...1-4&keywords=ham+radio&refinements=p_89:Yaesu or https://www.amazon.com/Yaesu-Origin...1-6&keywords=ham+radio&refinements=p_89:Yaesu and what do I need to use them as a base station in my house? A power supply, an external speaker, and what kind of antenna? I think I could afford this one but I'd have to save up for the things I'd need to get running https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00792YPVM/_encoding=UTF8?coliid=I3D2FWZ8K9ZWF9&colid=1NLNYCTWAVOSD
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osros
Member
I maybe from a different line of thinking but I knew what I wanted to do when I started and I knew the type of equipment I wanted/needed when I do become General. For the most bang for your buck I would say the Alinco as far as the bands, but am not sure on its capabilties and reliabilty long term.
I would caution on keeping it simple, save and what you can use now as a Tech because when you do become General or more your requirements and tastes may have grown as well. If the time between Tech and General will be short then yeah maybe get all that you want now.
You can use this time to save up more money if needed to get the best you can later when you get your General think of it as a reward for you acomplishments. And dont forget their are antennas, tuners and other nick nacks to get it all adds up. You can save some by making your own Antennas and other kits, fun too! There are good sources for used gear also to save but I did not go that route yet.
Cheers
freakinshoe69
Member
Well I'd like to b able to talk to ppl everywhere. I am going for the extra license which is highest that they do. 3rd step up. I have a lil hand held scanner to keep me content if u think I should wait to get like an $800 one instead.
freakinshoe69
Member
I've decided to buy the tyt and save money for when I out grow it. When I get a really good 100w I'll put the tyt in my truck.
You might want to go for a simple dual band (144/440) radio. The Quad band TYT you posted a link to is FM only on 10 and 6 meters. Unless you have repeaters for these bands nearby, FM won't be of much use. Single side band is the preferred mode on 10 and 6 for long haul communications..
Although, I have had worldwide contacts using FM on 10 meters (29.600 Mhz).. I've worked Europe, South America, New Zealand and Japan.. But with the current low solar cycles, contacts like this are extremely rare.. (Like a couple of times a year at best).
And.. The difference between 50 Watts and 100 Watts is barely noticeable. (It's a logarithmic thing ) There isn't much of an advantage buying a 100 Watt FM rig.
Although, I have had worldwide contacts using FM on 10 meters (29.600 Mhz).. I've worked Europe, South America, New Zealand and Japan.. But with the current low solar cycles, contacts like this are extremely rare.. (Like a couple of times a year at best).
And.. The difference between 50 Watts and 100 Watts is barely noticeable. (It's a logarithmic thing
) There isn't much of an advantage buying a 100 Watt FM rig.freakinshoe69
Member
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/handle-buy-box/ref=dp_start-bbf_1_glance what about this one or this one can i use it as a base station with a power supply https://www.amazon.com/AnyTone-AT-7...keywords=ham+radio+transceiver#productDetails
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osros
Member
I think you got a plan there, yes get your feet wet first. I can't say anything on those off brands but I tend to be stand offish on them, I see a couple issues in the comments section of that second link, the first link does not work. Here is an option on a brand name item, I don't have any experience with it so do some research, also Amazon is not always the cheapest option.
Icom IC-2730A, Icom IC-2730 Amateur Mobile Transceiver
Also DStar capable radios give you the option to talk to others around the country and the world. Do some research see if there is a Dstar Repeater close enough to you I sure there is, I tried it, it works but I still prefer HF but that's just me, also the price goes up, however looks like a capable dual band radio for home or vehicle.
Icom ID-4100A, Icom ID-4100 Transceiver
There certainly can be equivalent or better options with Yaesu or other brand names but I became a Icom fan boy so....
Cheers
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D
DaveNF2G
Guest
I would hope that someone who is preparing to take the license test would be able to figure out at least some of the basic stuff on their own. Maybe you should take a class so you will know what you're doing if you pass the exam and can keep out of trouble on the air.
The first link you posted doesn't show anything, The second is OK.
Any radio can be used with a power supply as a base station. Actually, using a mobile in the house with a power supply for 144/440 FM is the most common practice.
The cheap Chinese radios (CCR's) work. But for dependability and better receive performance, the big Japanese names do a bit better. For a budget of under $300, I would consider one like this -> Yaesu FT-7900R, Yaesu FT7900 Amateur Transceiver
But, you might want to go with the lower priced Chinese radio until you know for sure that the hobby is for you. Many do get their ticket and 'fade away' within a year or so.
And.. The antenna you use will make a difference. Height is everything. A 10 Watt radio with a 100 foot high antenna will always outperform a 50 Watt radio with a 10 foot high antenna.
Any radio can be used with a power supply as a base station. Actually, using a mobile in the house with a power supply for 144/440 FM is the most common practice.
The cheap Chinese radios (CCR's) work. But for dependability and better receive performance, the big Japanese names do a bit better. For a budget of under $300, I would consider one like this -> Yaesu FT-7900R, Yaesu FT7900 Amateur Transceiver
But, you might want to go with the lower priced Chinese radio until you know for sure that the hobby is for you. Many do get their ticket and 'fade away' within a year or so.
And.. The antenna you use will make a difference. Height is everything. A 10 Watt radio with a 100 foot high antenna will always outperform a 50 Watt radio with a 10 foot high antenna.
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