Entry Level Reccomendations

[ArkTex]

Heya all. Finally got around to testing for my technician and passed it. Studying for the general next.

In the meantime, I’ve been on the hunt for a entry-level transceiver to at least get me started. I eventually want to get into building and tinkering with my own stuff, but a recommendation for a stopgap would be appreciated. Not looking for anything fancy, just a simple handheld that I can work the normal bands on. I’m looking into getting info on repeaters from my local ham club.

I have looked into the QRZ jumpstart program, and it seems like a good deal. However, the included radio doesn’t receive good reviews from y’all here on RR.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

Stay away from CCRs (Cheap Chinese Radios) like Baofeng. CCR's a classic rock band and has no place in ham radio IMHO . One exception to this rule would be the Anytones. If you want a decent 2M/440cm analog HT to get your call on the local repeaters, go with something like a Yaesu FT65R. Congrats on getting your ticket & best of 73s

 

[ArkTex]

Stay away from CCRs (Cheap Chinese Radios) like Baofeng. CCR's a classic rock band and has no place in ham radio IMHO . One exception to this rule would be the Anytones. If you want a decent 2M/440cm analog HT to get your call on the local repeaters, go with something like a Yaesu FT65R. Congrats on getting your ticket & best of 73s

Appreciate it. I was already skeptical of it when they’re offering a radio for $22. Might be a decent deal for the additional software depending on what they include, but I’ll look into the FT65R.

Thanks.

 

[mmckenna]

Appreciate it. I was already skeptical of it when they’re offering a radio for $22. Might be a decent deal for the additional software depending on what they include, but I’ll look into the FT65R.

Thanks.

I think you are on the right track.
Yes, you can get an entry level radio in the $20 range. But you are getting a $20 radio (figure in the cost of shipping and profit, and it's probably more like a $5 radio).

It'll work if that's what your budget allows. It's an option to get into the hobby with minimal investment.

But, if you plan on sticking around, you will absolutely want a better radio. So, spend now, or spend later.

 

[ArkTex]

I think you are on the right track.
Yes, you can get an entry level radio in the $20 range. But you are getting a $20 radio (figure in the cost of shipping and profit, and it's probably more like a $5 radio).

It'll work if that's what your budget allows. It's an option to get into the hobby with minimal investment.

But, if you plan on sticking around, you will absolutely want a better radio. So, spend now, or spend later.

I decided to bite the bullet and go ahead and get a FT70-DR. I noticed a good amount of digital around my area, and plus ya'll here on RR generally have a favorable opinion on it. I did consider the FT-60 for a short time, but I thought with everything slowly moving to digital it might be a good time to just eat the cost of the technology.

Now, I'll still get a CCR. The goal is to make my equipment last, but if something has to take a beating over time, I'd rather the CCR take it than my FT-70DR.

 

[ladn]

I decided to bite the bullet and go ahead and get a FT70-DR. I noticed a good amount of digital around my area, and plus ya'll here on RR generally have a favorable opinion on it. I did consider the FT-60 for a short time, but I thought with everything slowly moving to digital it might be a good time to just eat the cost of the technology.

Congratulations on earning your Tech!
The FT70 is a decent radio, but remember "digital" comes in different hammy flavours: (D-Star, C4FM/Fusion, DMR). There is no direct cross compatibility. Yaesu supports C4FM/Fusion, Icom supports D-Star. None of the Japanese ham brands support DMR in their ham radios (but all support it on their commercial line). The FT-60 would have also been a good choice as an fm-only radio.

 

[ArkTex]

Congratulations on earning your Tech!
The FT70 is a decent radio, but remember "digital" comes in different hammy flavours: (D-Star, C4FM/Fusion, DMR). There is no direct cross compatibility. Yaesu supports C4FM/Fusion, Icom supports D-Star. None of the Japanese ham brands support DMR in their ham radios (but all support it on their commercial line). The FT-60 would have also been a good choice as an fm-only radio.

Thank you! Now if only the FCC could update its database a little quicker. At least here in the Little Rock area, there is a mix of different types of repeaters. I've identified a couple of D-Stars, a couple that supports fusion, and a couple of DMR repeaters. Most everything here is straight FM, but time will tell which repeaters are the most active.

I just looked at ICOMs since I might want to get into D-Star, but I don't think I'm ready to shell out the prices they want.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

I just looked at ICOMs since I might want to get into D-Star, but I don't think I'm ready to shell out the prices they want.

I had an ID-51 for a hot minute but wasn't a fan of lack of number pad. D-Star isn't huge in my area either. DMR is king, then Fusion

 

[marlin39a]

The FT65R is a great analog radio. I’ve been using mine for 4 years. It’s always with me.

 

[ArkTex]

The FT65R is a great analog radio. I’ve been using mine for 4 years. It’s always with me.

Would you say you'd prefer it over the FT-4XR? One of those two will be my next purchase. It doesn't look like there are many differences between the two.

 

[AK9R]

Would you say you'd prefer it over the FT-4XR?

Yes. More buttons. More operating flexibility.

 

[ArkTex]

Yes. More buttons. More operating flexibility.

I'll never say no to more buttons.