Radio for new Ham

[mep1811]

What radio to buy ?

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I am looking at the Yaesu FT-7900R for my first ham radio.

Any comments on this radio? I am not looking for bells and whistles but just communication. I prefer a dual band since that will give me the most interoperability.

I also want to keep the price down.

I appreciate your advice.

http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/fm_txvrs/0790.html

 

[gary in ohio]

The 7900 or the Alinco 635 are about the lowest price dual band mobiles around. The 7900 is a nice starter radio. Back that up with a quality antenna and your on your way.

 

[1leglance]

depending on your overall needs and how likely you are to travel in multiple rigs i would recommend instead a good handheld like the Yaesu 170, cheap and with a good long antenna or vehicle antenna you get great range. Also you can hike with it, use it when out of the rig, go in another rig and travel.
On the dual band, well in the 3 yrs I have overlanded with a ham radio everyone & everything I have done has been 2m

 

[gary in ohio]

I would disagree with the handheld... If portability is a need then HT are great, otherwise get a mobile. You can always get sub $120 chineese HT for portable ops..

 

[DaveInDenver]

The FT-7900 is a solid radio, fine choice if it works in the budget. Lots of people use it, as well as it's close cousin the FT-7800. I agree with Gary, unless you need an HT I find them tough to fiddle with and operate while driving. There's an antenna lead, a plug lead, maybe an external mic coming off them and the cables seem to always get tangled for me.

I happen to find UHF handy, Lance, particularly once you get an HT. A gain antenna is still short on 70cm, plus having the ability to at least RX on UHF is handy to listen to FRS. I try to use UHF when I can, linked repeaters, simplex, the spectrum needs to be used! It's pretty easy to find unused channels for caravans...

 

[mep1811]

Thanks for the feedback.
A portable radio is good for outside the vehicle and I will get a cheapo for that. I also have a 5 watt GMRS HT
for interoperability with the FRS crew. Nothing more annoying than trying to talk with someone who is using a $10.00 FRS Hello Kitty radio.

 

[kai38]

Thanks for the feedback.
A portable radio is good for outside the vehicle and I will get a cheapo for that. I also have a 5 watt GMRS HT
for interoperability with the FRS crew. Nothing more annoying than trying to talk with someone who is using a $10.00 FRS Hello Kitty radio.

It wasn't a Hello Kitty radio, its a Sponge Bob radio.

 

[CanuckMariner/Nomad]

It wasn't a Hello Kitty radio, its a Sponge Bob radio.

Hey,Kirk the sponge Bob one worked great! :costumed-smiley-007

 

[1911]

I would disagree with the handheld... If portability is a need then HT are great, otherwise get a mobile.

+1. 50 Watts on the 7900 trumps 5 Watts on any HT every time in the back country.