I really don't agree with starting with a handheld, unless it is at a disposable price (such as a Beofang or a TYT). They are really far too limiting. I recently got my first handheld, a QRZ Explorer (a modified TYT) for $34, and am underwhelmed. I can trip a few repeaters with it from my driveway, and no one answers, which is also not uncommon with my 20-watt mobile 2m rig. The handhelds simply don't have the power or antennas to get very far, unless you're in an area with no obstacles and many repeaters. Personally, I think the fun is in HF, which is where I spend most of my operating time, but if I could do VHF/UHF only, I would opt for a mobile unit that could double as a base unit. With limited funds, I'd get a basic mobile unit, fudge an antenna and/or buy a basic mobile one, and use a car/marine battery. Too many hams start with a Beofang and get discouraged because they can only reach a few local repeaters, if they're lucky. The same can happen with a $500 handheld. Then they get frustrated and quit. Handhelds simply don't do too much. Activity on repeaters in a lot of areas can be almost nothing, especially if you can reach only one or two.

Use brass or bronze brazing rod, it solders fine and does not oxidize as bad as copper.

Can you tell me if this would work for TV VHF UHF ????? Thanks

Back 3 years ago it was but now it is $114.37. I just ordered one from Home Depot.

New Tech here. Found this radio at a ham fest (friend of silent key) for $60. Glad that an Elmer programmed our local area repeaters in for me! Now, to learn it for myself so that I can program for any travels, as well as maybe figure out simplex on it. Great overview. One note: It will monitor dual bands (?channels?) (as shown in another video, but I'm too new to be able to explain what I previously watched). KJ5EMZ

Will this antenna work on the 150 frequencies?

You need a higher watt soldering iron. It makes such a big difference.

Keep your solder tip clean at all times for a smoother flow.

KJ5CHE Just this morning. All I have is a 10 meter radio right now. When the sun gets high maybe here will be some traffic. I will CQ and try. :D

I like the way you present your discussion. This was helpful. Best Wishes from Montana! M.H. KG7LOK.

La punta del soldador está sucia , por eso no suelda bien. Y , los planos de tierra mejor soldarlos, así no se aislan.Con tornillos producen electrolisis.TKS. OM 73 . CX2VA URUGUAY

Is the YAESU FR-4XR dual received?

Good Channel !!! Thanks for your work !!

HERE'S a question for you. Will the cloning Cable work to transfer the Memories from an FT-4 to an FT-65?????

I'm an Extra. My Wife is a Tech, and she wants to go no further. 3 Years ago, I bought an FT-4 as a Backup rig /something to trudge through the Bush with. When I'm out camping, or at a work site, I don't want to risk my VX-8. My wife's rig is a 13 Year Old FT-60, that is finally getting tired. I just listed the 60 on Craigslist at a bargain price, and for Christmas, the wife is getting an FT-65. I like the FT-65 SO MUCH, I'm going to buy TWO MORE OF THEM in the coming Months. I'll be building a Search & Rescue / CERT Go Bag around the two new radios.

Great job thank you

Thank you... excellent

DV Scotland Multi-Mode Net Tonight From 20:00 - 21:30 BST. kzbin.info/www/bejne/g6WcaWWOn6mNiMk

I don't agree with the CQ being "hf stuff." But maybe you are specifically talking about repeater? I think CQ is proper for any simplex operation including vhf/uhf. Just my 2 cents. Thanks for the video.

Thank you!

Big problem for duplex mode...

A very thorough review, quick and to the point. You hit all the important stuff. Thanks. I'm in! 73 W1RXA

Great video. Just make sure when you give suggestions that are different from what's in the manual, you also let people know what the book answer is. Could be confusing for a new HAM especially if this is a 101. Thanks again. 73.

Hands down the best guide I've seen so far. I just got my license and will be making my first contact soon. Thanks!

can a anytone dmr radio transmit clearer to a analogue baofeng uv5r?

Need to clean your iron tip with a wet sponge.

great tips. thank you 73

I’ve been looking for this for ages, I already have two of three of the UK licences and this is new information- well done on filling this gap !

Did you need a ground for this antenna? I have thought about this antenna after I save my pennies.

Surprisingly I can hit a repeater 42 road miles from my house with a Baofeng UV-5R and use an adapter to a Tram 1185 mag mount on a pie pan for a ground. I have received good reports using that low budget set up. I'm sure there are better radios But for a guy like me that's disabled and retired on a small budget I'm having a blast. KO4HPC 73 :)

What a difference a year makes! 50+% price increase, if you can find it anywhere... great review

Thanks for the video. I had bought the radio and was trying to figure out how to set the tone for repeater access using Yaesu's terrible manual. Your instructions were great. 73's, Bill

just got mine today from Amazon.

I have a Fang same model. Passed my Tech license. Now I need to get on the air. My background is USAF aircraft communications, HF, UHF, VHF. Nice info for beginners. Too many people in the hobby talk over the head of new people, not you. Good job.

Thank you for the instructions! I just made a smaller one 1/4 wave for GMRS that ended up working for 2m and 70cm as well, all though not the best.

Need a larger iron?

I Mine is tuned for 433. I wish to target 449 MHz. Anyone ever tried to trim to raise the UHF Freq sweet spot? I don’t use it for VHF at all. I assume trimming at the center?

Scott, thank you so very much for this review. I am new to ham radio and in the process of getting my license. I have also been watching Josh Nass and he placed this same ham on a beginners list. I have had my eye on this one and I think I may go ahead and buy it. I love the review you did on this it just confirmed what I was questioning. Thank you Scott. Jan

6/5/21 No longer available at CountryComm but you can just buy a DBJ2 from Ed Fong. That's really all this antenna is.

Don't the vast majority of radios come with a charging cradle?

Hi there-new ham. I built one for 2m/7cm and I would like to put it on a pvc mast but would like to leave it outside permanently and run coax to my house for winter use. My question is does this type antenna need to be grounded, or just the coax? Trying to figure out the best way to do that if it's necessary. Thanks

Now 100% off since they no longer sell it. That sure didnt last long. Ed Fong roll up here i come

I'm starting to look at pouches now. Tired of the cheap belt clip.

Great video.. Just got a Yaesu FT 65R for the same price and it's a great radio and would make an excellent radio for the new ham also..

How well can this work on a mobile rig? I might look at getting this for my Icom 5100.

Looks like the DBJ-2 that Ed Fong makes.

Hi, thx for the great video. What is the name of the antenna on the FT70 and FT2 and would you still recommend it? (I know the video is about a year old;-))

Thank you for not recommending Baojunk, like most amateur radio channels do. I have never owned one, actually never used one, but I was able to tinker with a UV-5R, and I have never before seen such a piece of junk. Compared to my Yaesu FT-60, which I paid around $150 for, it is absolute trash. I can understand a beginner wanting something inexpensive, but it still needs to be at least decent quality, and none of the Chinese brands are. IMO, if you cannot afford to pay $100-$150 for a decent radio, you need to find a new hobby. Plus there are other issues. One, it is made in China by a Chinese company. Do you really want to support the Peoples Republic?? Two, as you mentioned, many of the Chinese brand radios are not FCC legal. They also tend to be somewhat dirty, both on transmit and receive. I am not sure I would recommend a handheld for a beginner. If you don't live VERY close to a repeater, a handheld simply won't work. Even with my FT-60, hooked up in the car, connected to 12V, and a Comet external antenna, I am unable to hit a repeater that I am more than maybe 5-6 miles from. I may be able to trigger it, but my signal is so poor that it is almost unintelligible. It does work better on a couple of repeaters not far from my house, when used with a 13.8V power supply and an outdoor antenna around 30 feet in the air. When I first got my license back in 1987 (when the new novice voice class rules came out) I bought a new Kenwood TH-215. I loved it's simplicity (it only had 10 memories) I wish someone still made such a simple radio. Today's radios have gotten way too complicated. When you need a computer to program it, it's gone too far, IMHO. Anyway, I had the same problem I have with my FT-60. I just couldn't get my signal out there, and lost interest for quite a while. (BTW, that TH-215 was 2 meter only, and cost around $350) I recommend a mobile radio, like the Yaesu FT-2980, which puts out as much as 80 watts (but can still be used on 5 watts) can be used in a car/truck, or can be used at home with a power supply and external antenna. It is amazing the difference there is between 5 watts and 25 watts on VHF. Yes, the FT-2980 is 2 meter only, but that is where most beginners wind up, and can be found new for around $150. There is no need to spend a fortune on radios, unless you want to. I do just fine with the Yaesu FT-60 HT, an FT-2900 mobile, and an Icom IC-718 HF rig. I also have a Yaesu FT-DX 560 tube radio, which I bought on eBay and completely rebuilt. Nothing like HF on a tube radio.

Can this be used for CB Radio?

You got it less than $100 unlucky us , here in Australia $178 ...