New to this i need help.

[Dlongmuir]

i know this is probably the stupidest thing ever but im interested in buying a ham radio but idk what i need and what kind to get if somebody could please point me in the right direction with this i have a budget of about 100 dollers but im willing to go a little over so can someone please help me with finding a good beginner radio to start and learn the ropes with.

[yelp]

No sweat, unless you've gone through whatever-it-is-you're-preparing-for, everbody's new.

Questions:

Why do you need a ham radio? Who do you need to communicate with? Will a CB or Motorola Talk-About do the same thing for you?

Are you a licensed ham operator? It doesn't require a lot of work to become one, but the payoff is huge. It's not the licensing but the understanding of how radio works that gives you the advantage.

For what scenario? I prep for a power outage here in Colorado, where I can satisfy comms with mere AA batteries, but I also prep for friends in New York City - who I have recommended generator*, fuel storage*, batteries and chargers, etc...

* If you need these things in NYC, you should have evacuated some time beforehand. Hindsight, right?

So, back to the point: who do you need to talk to, and why? There's probably an off-the-shelf solution to your problem.

[gary in ohio]

i know this is probably the stupidest thing ever but im interested in buying a ham radio but idk what i need and what kind to get if somebody could please point me in the right direction with this i have a budget of about 100 dollers but im willing to go a little over so can someone please help me with finding a good beginner radio to start and learn the ropes with.

Like the second poster said, what do you need the radio for? How far do you need to communicate, How often do you need to communicate, How many people do you need to communicate with. From where (mobile, home, self) do you need to communicate. What kind a reliability do you need, 24x7 guaranteed connections or daily checkins.

For ham radio $100 is going to be on low side depending on answers to the questions.

[Redemption]

The Wouxun KG-UV2D is a well liked unit and close to your budget @ $109 plus shipping give or take. You can read reviews on it at eham http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/9242?page=1
You will need an amateur radio license to use it. If you don't already have an amateur license you can obtain one with a little study and a 35 question test. Costs associated with testing are less than $15.
If you want more information on getting your license you can try, http://www.arrl.org/
or http://www.qrz.com/ . If you need more help just ask here, I just passed the technician test and I'm studying for the general test. Feel free to PM me.

Edit: fixed link

[DialM]

+1 on the Wouxun. Nothing can touch it for the price, although it is not the easiest radio to program in the field. What area are you in?

[zommoz10]

You will need an amateur radio license to use it.

That's why it was important to get answers to the other questions from the first and second replies.
A license to use a ham radio is needed for transmitting regular traffic but if they only intend to use it the event they need to make a distress call, well, one doesn't need to be licensed to legally make a distress call.

If what they plan to use it for can be better be served by another radio service, then we won't know until those questions are answered. They may be better served by FRS. Or maybe they just want to monitor. At this point all anyone can do is speculate.

[Sailor]

If you are going to get one radio only get a Yaesu FT-1900 mobile unit.

Super easy for a beginner to use, tough, and has enough power to be used as a base or mobile. About $139.00

I have a wouxan, and it works fine. One of the knobs came off, but I dont think an HT is the best choice for you if you are going to have one radio only, you are limiting your range.

[DialM]

If you have only one radio, it absolutely should be an HT. One should also get a license and learn to use local repeaters.

[Dlongmuir]

thank you everybody for the help ill answer some of your questions.

i saw the radio section on this website and i thought it was pretty interesting so i said why not ill try it
i live in Connecticut and i am not licensed but to get one should i just call the city hall?
and if possible could i pick a decent radio up at radio shack or best buy or wal mart?

[TacAir]

thank you everybody for the help ill answer some of your questions.

i saw the radio section on this website and i thought it was pretty interesting so i said why not ill try it
i live in Connecticut and i am not licensed but to get one should i just call the city hall?
and if possible could i pick a decent radio up at radio shack or best buy or wal mart?

Licenses for use of most radios are issued by the FCC. For fun, stop by and visit the site
http://www.arrl.org/

All kinds of radio information there.

[Redemption]

You will need an amateur radio license to use it.

That's why it was important to get answers to the other questions from the first and second replies.
A license to use a ham radio is needed for transmitting regular traffic but if they only intend to use it the event they need to make a distress call, well, one doesn't need to be licensed to legally make a distress call.

If what they plan to use it for can be better be served by another radio service, then we won't know until those questions are answered. They may be better served by FRS. Or maybe they just want to monitor. At this point all anyone can do is speculate.

So are you saying that it is legal to purchase/use an amateur band radio for the sole purpose of making a distress call? Just want to clarify,thanks.

[Dlongmuir]

yes because i was thinking about buying one at radio shack just as a peace of mind thing during the hurricane which is expected to hit my location tomorrow and use it for emergency then after the hurricane get my amateur license.

[Redemption]

yes because i was thinking about buying one at radio shack just as a peace of mind thing during the hurricane which is expected to hit my location tomorrow and use it for emergency then after the hurricane get my amateur license.

If you have a privately owned radio shack near you they may have a ham radio or two however it is highly unlikely. Your best bet (to actually have in hand by tomorrow) would probably be to get a radio that will receive am/fm and weather bands, you obviously won't be able to call for help but you can stay informed with it. Some other considerations when selecting are if it is rechargeable, battery powered, does it have a 12v adapter for charging in your vehicle, or all three? Just my thoughts on it, oh and something that would be a neat feature is one that picks up short wave too. Good luck in whatever you decide on, and in the approaching storm.

[Dlongmuir]

thank you i will just use my a.m f.m band radio for now and i have a pretty extensive fak and im gonna be in my basement so im not too worried thank you tho.

[Dlongmuir]

ok so i looked online and did some research and attempted to take a few online tests (keyword attempted) i don't understand any of this shit does anyone have a website or something i can study so i can learn a little more about this because i am obviously not as smart about this subject as i thought i was.

[Redemption]

Dan Romanchik's no nonsense study guide:
http://www.kb6nu.com/wp-content/uploads ... _Guide.pdf

It really starts on page 5, I feel that if you read it once then take practice tests at qrz until you get a consistent 85% you will pass no problem. Good luck

[SteveD]

goto www.arrl.org and get their tech book and study the hell out of it.

[Redemption]

goto http://www.arrl.org and get their tech book and study the hell out of it.

I'm not sure of the cost associated with the book (and frankly some may prefer a book over a PDF file) ,but the aforementioned study guide and several practice tests (over the course of a week)are what led me to passing the tech test last Saturday for free! I only missed two.
I did pay the $14 fee associated with the testing process and was able to take the General test as well in hopes to save an additional test fee, but failed by two.

[zommoz10]

You will need an amateur radio license to use it.

That's why it was important to get answers to the other questions from the first and second replies.
A license to use a ham radio is needed for transmitting regular traffic but if they only intend to use it the event they need to make a distress call, well, one doesn't need to be licensed to legally make a distress call.

If what they plan to use it for can be better be served by another radio service, then we won't know until those questions are answered. They may be better served by FRS. Or maybe they just want to monitor. At this point all anyone can do is speculate.

So are you saying that it is legal to purchase/use an amateur band radio for the sole purpose of making a distress call? Just want to clarify,thanks.

Yes. Anyone can legally buy an amateur radio, even if you're not licensed. The only way you can legally transmit on it without having a license is if someone who is licensed is under control of the station (aka 3rd party communication) or if you need to make a distress may day type call. (§97.403 and §97.405)
Of course that doesn't mean keying up to report your car has a flat tire when you can just pick up the phone. It's for life threatening emergencies.

So the OP can go buy an amateur radio at any time and monitor it and get a feel for how hams operate. If they get an HT and bring it to a local club meeting, they can most likely find someone to be their control op and give them a chance to make some transmissions.

[zommoz10]

There's been some replies in this thread that say something like
"If you can only get one radio, get ____"

But those were recommending portable HTs or a 2m mobile.

There are many many scenarios where an HT or 2m mobile won't do a lick of good. Why limit yourself to 2m?

If you ask me... if going to get only one radio, get a T$2000, or something capable of transmitting on every band.

Seriously though, in an urban disaster setting, FM can be helpful and even a lifesaver. But in survival situation in remote places or terrain where there's no cell phone coverage (even on a good day), that's going to require an HF radio.

I always thought of an FT817 to be a good radio to have. Fits right in the BOB. Runs on its own battery. TX on HF or vhf and uhf. You can bring string up some wire if you need to.

Edit:
By the way, even after a local urban disaster like a hurricane, which I've been through plenty myself having lived in FLA previously, after something like that, the repeaters do go down. And even tif they don't people don't really like to talk to much because a lot of the time they're keeping the air clear for urgent transmissions. Lots of hams will be assisting with a relief effort and the emergency management end. But it like so many people, you're sweating your ass off in a house with no power and nothing to do, an HF rig can definitely help one regain their sanity.

[Sailor]

He stated a price limit of $100 thats why the HT or mobile only recommendation.

If you want to rely on repeaters than an HT will be fine. Simplex you better have a mobile unit.

[Dlongmuir]

well i can probably go above 100$ budget if im really not going to get anything good for 100$

[zommoz10]

He stated a price limit of $100 thats why the HT or mobile only recommendation.

Oh.

[zommoz10]

well i can probably go above 100$ budget if im really not going to get anything good for 100$

Depends on whether you buy new or used. Did you decide if you want to start out with a portable radio or a mobile/base?
In a prior post you said you're going to be in your basement. If this is the case, then you can get a mobile radio and a power supply and base antenna for it. If you buy all new stuff, that route will run you approximately $300 if you start out with a basic 2m mobile like the one mentioned or a kenwood TM-271, which I personally would recommend.