Your first radio can be a difficult decision. You may not really know what you want or need, and the decision is compounded by the plethora of choices available.
Many new hams will ask, “What radio should I buy?” The answer is always, “It depends.” What do you want to do with your radio? From where do you want to operate? What amateur radio activities do you want to participate in? How much money do you want to spend?
This list of radios and other equipment will hopefully help you narrow the field a little and make your decision a little easier.
We've listed Ham Radio Outlet as a source for most of these, but you can also find some of this equipment at Gigaparts. Their prices vary a little from month to month. Shop around. Also, Valley Enterprises sells feedline, connectors, power supplies, batteries and other equipment, including some radios.
All handheld radios come as a complete package. They include the radio, antenna, and a power source. If you purchase a handheld radio, you're ready to roll right out of the box.
Amazon: $29.99
https://www.amazon.com/Baofeng-UV-5R-Plus-Range-Radio/dp/B07CMZ2QCF/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=baofeng&qid=1585258940&sr=8-5
This is a 5 watt dual-band radio…meaning it will communicate on both 144 MHz and 440 MHz frequencies. Amazon is one source. You can shop around and purchase from whatever source you want, probably for less money.; it really doesn’t matter. If you get a UV-5R, make sure it is a UV-5R+ (plus).
You can also get Baofeng radios with 8 watts. There is not much difference in the range between 5 and 8 watts. Just make sure it is a dual-band radio.
Ham Radio Outlet: $89.95
https://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-015573
If you would like to get a good quality handheld, this is the one I would recommend.
Ham Radio Outlet: $154.95
https://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-007323
The FT-60 has been a tried and true radio for many years. It is the epitome of solid and reliable in the handheld space.
Mobile radios require a separate power source, antenna, and a cable to connect the radio to the antenna. If you are going to mount the radio in your vehicle, you can use your car's battery for a power source. You will still need a mobile antenna and feedline.
Ham Radio Outlet: $668.95
https://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-012910
This radio only does local communication, but includes some features that allow for some digital communication (think “email” and AOL-like dial up communication). It has a built-in GPS which may be handy when mounted in a vehicle. It can also operate as a repeater.
Ham Radio Outlet: $409.95
https://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-008951
This radio only does local communication and can operate as a repeater. N7TMS owns two of these radios. They are solid, dependable units.
Ham Radio Outlet: $149.95
https://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-015771
This mobile radio only communicates on VHF (144 MHz) frequencies, but it will transmit with 80 watts, where most other radios only put out 50 watts.
All base station radios will require an antenna, feedline to connect the radio to the antenna, and a power source – a power supply or a battery.
Ham Radio Outlet: $1,129.95
https://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-015268
This radio will allow you to communicate on just about any frequency and in any mode (voice, digital, or Morse code). If you are looking to upgrade your license in the near future, I would recommend buying one radio now….as opposed to buying a “local communication” radio now and a “long-distance” radio later.
Ham Radio Outlet: $1,299.99
https://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-017149
This Icom is a great little radio. Like the 991A above, it will transmit on all frequencies (HF, VHF, and UHF) and all modes. However, the maximum output power is only 10 watts – it is a QRP (low power) radio. Some hams like that challenge of communicating on lower power, but it can be a frustrating experience for a new ham. FYI.
All of these antennas are for local (VHF/UHF) communication. Given enough height (30’-50’), these antennas will send and receive signals 30-50 miles or more, depending on conditions and the environment.
Ham Radio Outlet: $99.95
https://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-000022
Fiberglass radome. Stainless steel hardware. Wide band performance. Factory adjusted - no tuning required. High wind rating. DC grounded. The Diamond X50A dual band, single section fiberglass antenna for the 2 meters (3-1/4 wave) and the 440 MHz band. Rugged base or repeater fiberglass vertical antenna - 66 Inches Tall with a SO-239 connector.
Ham Radio Outlet: $84.95
https://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-001498
DualBand 146/446 MHz. Length: a little under 6 feet. SO-239 connector. Heavy-duty fiberglass
Ham Radio Outlet: $58.99
https://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-008600
This Arrow J-pole antenna is a good solid antenna and holds up VERY well in Idaho weather. It will not perform as well as the Diamond and Comet, but if you want to save a few pennies, this is still a good antenna.
Valley Enterprises: $54.99
https://www.valley-ent.com/store/tram-1477-pre-tuned-144mhz-148mhz-vhf-430mhz-460mhz-uhf-amateur-dual-band-base-antenna.html?search=tram
The Tram 1477 is a Dual Band 2m/70cm Amateur High Gain Base Antenna with a 150 watt power rating. This single section antenna is 43“ tall with three 7” stainless steel radials and is pre-tuned for outdoor or attic use.
Ham Radio Outlet: $39.95
https://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-001521
If you are going to mount or use the radio in your vehicle, you’ll need an antenna on the car. This Comet M-24M is a mag-mount unit that will stick to the roof, trunk or hood … assuming they are metal.
Ham Radio Outlet: $109.95
https://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-010662
This power supply converts 120 VAC to the 12 VDC that your radio requires. I have two of these power supplies. One of them powers three radios and a couple of peripherals.
Powerwerx: $169.95
https://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-015910
This is the device that handles the battery charging and automatic switching from line power to backup power when the electricity goes out. This device is optional. It is convenient to have, but is not required to power or operate your radio.
LMR-400 UltraFLEX Coax Feedline
Valley-Enterprises: $ ???
https://www.valley-ent.com/store/index.php?route=product/search&search=flex
This is the coax I would recommend running from your antenna to the radio. If the distance is less than 50’, you could get away with an RG8 coax. You can purchase it from Valley Enterprises with the ends already terminated or in bulk.
If you get an Epic PWRgate, you’ll also need some Anderson Powerpole connectors.
Valley Enterprises: $10.99
https://www.valley-ent.com/store/30-amp-unassembled-red-black-anderson-powerpole-connectors-10-sets.html/page/3?search=powerpole
They require a special crimp tool. You can buy one if you’d like, or ask around. There is bound to be a ham near you that would let you borrow his/hers.
If you want to get a battery, it needs to be a 12 volt battery. It can be just about any size: 12Ah, 35Ah, 105Ah…whatever you’d like. The more amp-hours (Ah), the longer your radio will run on the battery. A 12V 12Ah battery would power any of the above radios for 2 to maybe 8 hours or more, depending on how much you use the radio (talking versus listening). I would recommend an AGM, SLA, or Lithium battery because they do not vent gas and are safe to have indoors.
Valley Enterprises: $various
https://www.valley-ent.com/store/index.php?route=product/search&search=Bioenno%20
Battery Sharks: $various
https://www.batterysharks.com/Lead-Acid-Batteries-by-Volts-and-Amps-s/456.htm