Choosing Your First Radio
Your first radio depends on two things: your license class and what you want to do.
For Technician License Holders
With a Technician license, you'll mostly operate on VHF (2 meters) and UHF (70 centimeters). Your main options are:
Handheld Radios (HTs)
Budget Option ($25-50): Baofeng UV-5R or similar
- Pros: Cheap, gets you on the air quickly
- Cons: Can be tricky to program, audio quality is mediocre
Mid-Range ($100-200): Yaesu FT-65R, Yaesu FT-70DR
- Pros: Better audio, easier to use, more reliable
- Cons: Still limited power (5-6 watts)
Premium ($300+): Yaesu FT-5DR, Kenwood TH-D74, Kenwood TH-D75
- Pros: Excellent features, APRS capability, great build quality
- Cons: Expensive for a handheld
Mobile/Base VHF/UHF Radios ($150-500)
If you want more power (25-50 watts) for home or car use:
- Yaesu FT-2980R (2m only, simple)
- Yaesu FT-8900R (quad-band)
- Icom IC-2730A (dual-band)
For General/Extra License Holders
With HF privileges, you can work the world. Here are popular first HF radios:
Budget HF Radios ($400-600)
- Xiegu G90: Compact, 20 watts, built-in tuner. Great for portable use.
- Yaesu FT-891: 100 watts, very compact, no frills but reliable.
Mid-Range HF Radios ($800-1500)
- Icom IC-7300: The most popular HF radio of the decade. Excellent receiver, waterfall display, easy to use.
- Yaesu FT-710: Newer competitor to the IC-7300 with similar features.
Premium HF Radios ($2000+)
- Icom IC-7610: Dual receivers, top-tier performance
- Yaesu FTDX10: Great for contesting
- Elecraft K4: American-made, modular design
What Else Do You Need?
For VHF/UHF
- Antenna (rubber duck that comes with HT is mediocre; consider a roll-up J-pole for better performance)
- Programming cable (for Baofeng radios)
- Extra battery or AA battery pack
For HF
- Antenna (dipole is cheapest to build yourself)
- Feedline (coax cable, usually RG-8X or RG-213)
- Power supply (if radio doesn't have built-in)
- SWR meter (many radios have this built-in now)
My Recommendation
Tight budget: Get a Baofeng to start with VHF/UHF. If you have General/Extra, save up for an IC-7300.
Some money to spend: Skip the Baofeng, get a Yaesu FT-65R for VHF/UHF. For HF, the IC-7300 is hard to beat for the price.
Money isn't an issue: Get quality equipment from the start. You'll enjoy the hobby more and won't need to upgrade as quickly.
Remember: the best radio is the one you'll actually use. Don't let analysis paralysis keep you off the air!