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| howto:newhams [2020/09/20 18:04] – [What to Buy] va7fi | howto:newhams [2020/09/20 18:25] (current) – [What to Buy] va7fi |
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| ====== Welcome to the Amateur Radio ====== | ====== Welcome to the Amateur Radio ====== |
| This page lists basic information that new hams are probably wondering about. For information specific to our club, see [[/howto/newmembers |this page]]. | This page lists basic information to help new hams get started with the hobby. For information specific to our club, see [[/howto/newmembers |this page]]. |
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| ===== What to Buy ===== | ===== What to Buy ===== |
| Traditionally, the major radio brands have been Icom, Yeasu, and Kenwood. Recently, many Chinese radios have appeared on the market that can be much cheaper (both in cost and quality). As a result, many new hams get a Baofeng handheld as their first radio. Unfortunately, the issue with (only) using a handheld is that even though they might hear the local repeaters just fine, they often have difficulties talking to them because of their lower power. | Traditionally, the major radio brands have been Icom, Yeasu, and Kenwood. Recently, many Chinese radios have appeared on the market that can be much cheaper (both in cost and quality). As a result, many new hams get a Baofeng handheld as their first radio. Unfortunately, the issue with (only) using a handheld is that even though they might hear the local repeaters just fine, they often have difficulties talking to them because of their lower power. |
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| In general, the antenna is the most important part of the system and the radio is the least important. So for those on a budget, the **minimum** setup should consist of an external antenna (mounted on the side of the house or on a balcony for example), with a cheap Chinese mobile radio like the [[https://www.eham.net/reviews/view-product?id=12549 | QYT KT-8900]]. | In general, the antenna is the most important part of the system and the radio is the least important. So for those on a budget, the **minimum** setup should consist of an external antenna (mounted on the side of the house or on a balcony for example), with a cheap Chinese mobile radio like the [[https://www.eham.net/reviews/view-product?id=12549 | QYT KT-8900]]. That being said, if you can afford a good radio from one of the big three, they are well worth it. |
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| | A very good basic antenna is the [[https://www.eham.net/reviews/view-product?id=1863 |Comet GP-3]]. If the coax line is not too long, RG-8x works, but if you're able to mount the antenna higher (and height makes a huge difference!), then it's worth buying good coax like LMR-400. |
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| | Finally, ham radios usually run on 12V (13.8V to be more precise), so you'll also need a power supply, which are rated in Amperage. With only one (basic VHF/UHF) radio, you'll need at least 5A. The club has a bunch of these low output power supply so ask us to borrow one. Eventually, though, you'll want a power supply that can provide at least 20A so that you can power more equipment. |
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| A very good basic antenna is the [[https://www.eham.net/reviews/view-product?id=1863 |Comet GP-3]]. | |
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| ===== Where to Buy ===== | ===== Where to Buy ===== |
| Looking to buy some equipment, check out these pages: | Now that you're ready to buy some equipment, check out these pages: |
| * [[/links#amateur_radio_equipment_retailers |Retailers]] | * [[/links#amateur_radio_equipment_retailers |Retailers]] |
| * Our club's [[memberscorner/inventory |Inventory]] page. | * Our club's [[memberscorner/inventory |Inventory]] page. |
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| | And ask around for opinions. Also, if you google a radio and add "eham" to the search term, you'll get some very good reviews. |
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| ===== Frequencies ===== | ===== Frequencies ===== |
