Good First Ham Transceiver???

[cobra jet]

I would like some suggestions for a good starter ham transceiver with full coverage for $500- or less. Was looking at the Yaesu FT 101. Any suggestions with a brief explanation would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

[HI-TECH]

I would like some suggestions for a good starter ham transceiver with full coverage for $500- or less. Was looking at the Yaesu FT 101. Any suggestions with a brief explanation would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

get yourself a hand held to start out on.. like a yesu vx3r or a vx7r so you can get the basics down after ya get your ticket then work yourself up from there..

[beebuzzbee]

For that I buy the 301D with digital read out.

[Slim Jim]

I've been trying to find a Kenwood 430 or 440. They're 80's vintage, but remain a classy rig. I did a little trading with a local about 2 weeks ago and acquired an old, but clean Kenwood TS-120 and MC-50 mic. It's sideband/CW only and there are absolutely no "bells-n-whistles", only the essentials. But I couldn't turn it down, kenwoods have just always had an unbeatably awesome sound to me on sideband.

[pipsqueek]

Cobra Jet.....what would be your preference, HF ? VHF ? UHF ?

The FT101 you suggested is HF only, 10 through 80 only. (160 some models). The tuning can be a little tricky if your not familiar with plate and load tuning, but if you follow the manual you'll get it.

The handhelds suggested are 2 meter if that's your thing.

I would think a good beginner rig is a used Icom 706 (older model), easy to use, gives you HF, 6 & 2 meters. 6 meters can be a lot of fun during the summer months when "E" openings provide long range DX-ing.

The older models are about your price range, the newer MK-VII or something models also have UHF but are still pricey on the used market.
pips

[cobra jet]

Pips, good question! Not sure about the other bands. Which of those bands can be worked with a general ticket?

[pipsqueek]

A general ticket will give you access to all the bands. Just not the full range on all the bands.
(but most).
pips

[cobra jet]

Thanks Pips! I need to get back to ticket hunt for my general. There are some active clubs around my area. Need to hit the study sites again!

[Circuit Breaker]

If HF is all you're after, then a a Kenwood TS-440 or 450 would be good radios. For a little more, the TS-930 or 940 are awesome radios. One of the best radios Kenwood ever made was the TS-830, but it is strictly SSB and CW but is worthy of consideration if you aren't interested in AM. The Icom 735 is a good older radio that sounds good on all modes. From Yaesu, there's the FT-101 (as you mentioned). Also consider the FT-757 or 767 models. For the size, the Icom 706 and Yaesu FT-100 can't be beat...they have all bands from 160 all the way up 70 cm. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. I went with the FT-100 because I liked the lay out of it more than the 706 and it had a better NB for a mobile environment. Another good contender in the small category would be the Kenwood TS-50 but it doesn't have VHF/UHF coverage. And finally, there's the Alinco DX-70 which does have 6M and sounds fairly decent.

[PONY EXPRESS]

I would like some suggestions for a good starter ham transceiver with full coverage for $500- or less. Was looking at the Yaesu FT 101. Any suggestions with a brief explanation would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

If you want good advise Save a few extra dollars and get a newer radio and put it in a power supply.
Lots of the mobile radios include vhf 2 meters UHF 430-450 50 MHz 6 meters and hf 10-160 for just a little more waiting on $$$s

[Please login or register to view this link] nice sounding radio here $709.00

[Please login or register to view this link] little better radio $809.00

[Please login or register to view this link] My favorite small mobile type radio 1 of these a little more $$$s

[1skywalker]

I agree with pony, go ahead and put your money on a newer rig. The icom 706mIIg is a great choice "I have one and love it" The kenwood ts 2000 will be my next rig, then the icom will do back up or vhf only duty. If you are still going to look for an older rig, look for a kenwood 440 or 450

[cobra jet]

Thanks for all the great suggestions guys! This helps narrow the field. Any other insights are appreciated!

[Bow]

For base use, and HF.. the IC-718 from Icom is a good choice.

I have been using one for 6 years and it does very well.

[djrebel236]

Yaesu FT990, it was my first HAM Radio, it covered 10-160 meters, that is a oldie but goodie, if ya can find one, good luck...Dj

[preacherman]

I have a FT990 and wouldn't let it go for a newer one...
and I've tried the 897d etc....just didn't compare IMO.
Now...for a first rig...the Kenwood 450 can be had under
that $500 price as can a Icom 718....or if you find a nice
one...my fav. Icom is the 735. For Yaesu...a clean 757 or
better yet, a 890 with a tuner is a real nice rig.
preacherman

[doctor]

Ayaesu ft757 is nice, but if you want a vhf/hf radio get a alinco dx70t they are around $300 and operate 6meters/10watts 10-160 at 100 watts and perform good.I have one for a stby radio and use it on the non licensed fun band also.

DOCTOR/795

[cobra jet]

Thanks guys for all the great suggestions! I decided to take the advice to save up for a newer version rig. I was very fortunate to find a mint Yaesu FT 1000MP Mark V Field from a very nice gentleman who was downsizing. I was told by a ham radio tech that this is a solid radio. So for now I'm studying away and hope to sit for my ham ticket in the next few weeks. Can't wait to get on the air and work some ham bands!

73's

[linx]

Dude, that's a killer radio. It has a lot of addons you can do. Any newer Kenwood, Icom, or Yaesu are the real deal and years of research and development go into them.

[231]

Thanks guys for all the great suggestions! I decided to take the advice to save up for a newer version rig. I was very fortunate to find a mint Yaesu FT 1000MP Mark V Field from a very nice gentleman who was downsizing. I was told by a ham radio tech that this is a solid radio. So for now I'm studying away and hope to sit for my ham ticket in the next few weeks. Can't wait to get on the air and work some ham bands!

73's

Indeed, the Mark V-Field is a terrific radio!

[pipsqueek]

Great radio. HF, 100 watts. and if opened for 11, is one of the few radios that can sound terrific on AM. Talked to a few on AM on 3885 MHz. Sounds great.
pips

[Slim Jim]

You'll love it! That's a nice find, for sure. Have fun with it, Cobra!

[Silver Wraith]

OK, so let me get this straight...if I get into HAM (I plan on getting my ticket in Feb.), there are radios that I can buy that would serve me well on various HAM bands as well as CB? What kind of antenna would I need (or would I need more than one)? I'm looking for a good base station to start, but I may just end up getting a mobile unit as well if I can do so without having to have a few radios and a half a dozen antennas on my vehicle.

[linx]

OK, so let me get this straight...if I get into HAM (I plan on getting my ticket in Feb.), there are radios that I can buy that would serve me well on various HAM bands as well as CB? What kind of antenna would I need (or would I need more than one)? I'm looking for a good base station to start, but I may just end up getting a mobile unit as well if I can do so without having to have a few radios and a half a dozen antennas on my vehicle.

For a base radio you could get something like a 10-80 dipole which is basically just a wire antenna. You use the antenna tuner in the radio or if it doesn't have a tuner you use an external tuner. For a mobile, if you want a multiband antenna, you'll have to get something like a screwdriver (big bucks) antenna. You will also need various items to make the screwdriver work. There's possiblities to have a radio that does all the HF bands and VHF/UHF bands, if ya have the right amount of cash. Something mobile like a 706mk2g would cover all the bands, and something base like a Kenwood TS-2000 would do the same.