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Equipment

Welcome to the equipment page. We knew you couldn’t stay away too long. After all, if you are going to become a licensed amateur radio operator, you’re going to eventually need a radio, right?

Most operators begin with a basic handheld transceiver or HT (Did you know that HT actually came from the term “Handy Talkie?” Sounds a bit silly to contemporary ears. So, yeah, that’s why we just say Handheld Transceiver now 🙂

Below you’ll find a list of radios that other operators in the our area own and use on a regular basis. The ideas is to give you a start on pricing and a few pros and cons of each unit as wee see it.* The goal is to give new hams a number of good options for radios between approximately $50 and $200 including after market antennas.

Categories

Handheld Transceivers (HTs)

If you do not see a radio or manufacturer listed here it is not because there is a problem with either. As stated above, these recommendations are limited to our local club’s members and their recommendations. We limit the number of units listed precisely because we don’t want it to be confusing. It is or opinion that any of the units listed here will be great starter radios.

Note on Antennas: Most, if not all HT units come with an antenna that hams often refer to as “rubber ducky” antennas. Popular on commercial and police radios since the 1960s, these antennas have a relatively low gain, meaning that they do not do a great job of magnifying the power of the transmitter’s signal. Essentially this means that you will not get great performance from the antenna that comes with your radio. We recommend buying an after-market antenna with high gain ratings to improve your radio experience from the beginning. The right after-market higher gain antennas are not expensive and are well worth the money.

Yeasu Radios

Yeasu FT-60R

The Yeasu Ft-60R is the workhorse of handheld radios. Yeasu is recognized as a leader in high quality handhelds for new hams wanting quality and price in one unit. This newer radio is a great, low-price radio listing for less than $170 on Amazon. Other sources are even cheaper but may not have the same accessories in the box. So, double check. Yeasu radios are a clear step up from the Baofeng models above, but there is a price jump as well. I’ve own my FT-60R since 2007 and it is still going strong. I’ve replaced the battery once. (This radio has been manufactured since 2004 with very few changes. When you get it right, few changes are needed.) Also, though not technically rated as dust and water resistant, there are a number of anecdotal stories on the internet about how well this unit can survive an accidental swim.

Pros:

  • Solidly constructed case. Feels good when holding it.
  • Thee power settings, .5, 2, 5 watts
  • Dual Band (2m and 70 cm)
  • 1,000 memory channels
  • Programmable via free CHIRP software
  • Manual Squelch dial
  • Easy-on-the-eyes orange backlit screen for low light operation without drastically affecting night vision.
  • Great quality and performance for half the price of some analog HT radios

Cons:

  • Cost about double the price of some starter radios
  • Accessories can be more expensive
  • Uses a Ni-MH battery instead of a Lithium Ion battery. (Some hams still consider this a pro.)
  • Heavier than a plastic-bodied radio

More Information and Shopping for this Radio:


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Yeasu FT-65R

The Yeasu FT-65R is a cheaper alternative to the FT-60R. This newer radio has a few upgrades that the FT-60R is missing and so makes a great buy at under $100 on Amazon. This radio has been described as Yeasu’s version of the Baofeng UV 82HP or the UV F8HP. It features a lithium ion battery and it is dust and water resistant. It also uses the SMA-Female antenna connector and so again is more like the Baofengs than the FT-60R with uses the SMA-Male connector. This remains Solid radio from a top-notch company. Many believe it is preferable to the older FT-60R because of the battery upgrade alone.

Pros:

  • Great starter radio at under $100.
  • Thee power settings, .5, 2.5, 5
  • Dual Band (2m and 70 cm)
  • Dust and Water Resistant
  • Programmable via free CHIRP software
  • 3.5 hr Rapid Charger Included
  • LED Flashlight

Cons:

  • Fewer memory channels than its big brother the FT-60R
  • Feels more like a Chinese-made radio (similar to the Baofeng models below)
  • Plastic case is of uncertain durability
  • Lacks backlit keys
  • No manual dial for adjusting squelch

More Information and Shopping for this Radio:


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Baofeng Radios

Baofeng UV 5R

The Baofeng UV-5R/5RE is a legacy HT from Chinese manufacturer Baofeng. By legacy I simply mean that you can still buy the radios but they are no longer manufactured. I list the two versions of this radio here because of the price. At the time I put this page together (Early 2020) the 5R was selling for less than $25 and the 5RE for less than $30 on Amazon. If you need to buy your first radio “on the cheap” (or if you are thinking of having several radios for emergency purposes) these units will do the job.

Pros:

  • Legacy starter radio for under $30.
  • Dual Band (2m and 70 cm)
  • Inexpensive Accessories
  • Programmable via free CHIRP software
  • Built-in LED flashlight

Cons:

  • Relatively low output power at a max of 4 watts
  • Only 2 power settings (1 & 4 watts)
  • Limited to 128 memory channels
  • User manual can be difficult to understand
  • No manual dial for adjusting squelch
  • Cheaper Chinese radios are known to create “noise” on nearby frequencies (Spurious emissions).

More Information and Shopping for this Radio:


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Baofeng UV 82HP

The Baofeng UV 82HP is the next generation HT from Chinese manufacturer Baofeng. This newer radio is a good, low-price radio listing for less than $65 on Amazon and on the Baofeng Tech website (Baofeng Tech is the Authorized US distributor of Baofeng radios.) The “HP” designation refers to its “high power” capability. With a number of pros and just a few cons, the UV 82HP is a good starter radio for a new ham.

Pros:

  • Great starter radio at under $65.
  • Thee power settings, 1, 5, 7/8 (7-UHF/8-VHF)
  • Dual Band (2m and 70 cm)
  • Dual PTT buttons
  • Inexpensive Accessories
  • Programmable via free CHIRP software
  • Built-in LED flashlight

Cons:

  • User manual can be difficult to understand
  • Feels less substantial than some more expensive units
  • Plastic case is of uncertain durability
  • No manual squelch dial
  • Limited to 128 memory channels
  • Cheaper Chinese radios are known to create “noise” on nearby frequencies (Spurious emissions).

More Information and Shopping for this Radio:


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Antennas

You are going to need an after-market antenna, I promise. They are not expensive. However, different radios use different connectors. It is important that you get an antenna whose connector matches your radio.

We will only be talking about two connector types here for the radios. Both are SMA connectors, but some radios use an SMA or SMA-Male connector and some use and Reverse SMA or SMA-Female connector. Adapters are available for other antennas that use another connector such as a BNC or a PL-259, two common connectors seen around many a “ham shack.”

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15″-16″ Whip Antennas (SMA or SMA-Male)

Of the radios recommended on this site, only the Yeasu FT-60R uses the SMA-Male connector. If buying the FT-60R, consider one of the following after-market SMA-Male antennas.


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15″-16″ Whip Antennas (Reverse SMA or SMA-Female)

Of the radios recommended on this site, the Yeasu FT-65R and the Baofeng radios use the SMA-Female connector. If buying the FT-65R, the UV5/5RE, or the UV 82HP, consider one of the following after-market SMA-Female antennas.


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Rollup J-Pole/Slim Jim Antenna (SMA or BNC)

A 15″ whip antenna is ideal for operating where you are walking and moving around. But there are times when you may be more stationary and want more gain or radiated power from your antenna, especially if you are working a simplex frequency (without a repeater). The Roll-Up J-Pole/Slim Jim style of antenna is a great choice, especially if you need an antenna for a go kit or a 72-hour kit and don’t want a lot of extra weight.

Essentially a roll-up J-Pole is length of twin lead TV antenna cut and configured in a way that makes it a relatively high performing antenna for mobile situations. These antennas literally roll up and fit in the palm of your hand. They are easily stored in a kit or backpack and can be hung inside your home or from a nearby tree branch if you’re on the go. For the price, this type of antenna makes a great next step for a new ham looking to extend the range of their radio communications.


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* Unfortunately, the owners and operators of this site cannot be liable or responsible for any equipment purchase or usage decisions. Information offered here and on other pages of this website are for informational purposed only. Any decision to buy a radio or other equipment is solely the decision and responsibility of the purchaser and operator.