Ham Radio! Choosing your first VHF/UHF radio!!!

[@breins16]

Hi! Excellent video! I've been away from amateur radio for quite some time up this this past year when my wife dug an old HT out of our desk drawer and I started playing with it again. After 30 years, the only HT out of my two that still worked was my Yaesu FT-530. My Kenwood TH-28A had given up the ghost. Since then, I've been checking in on local repeaters and have found it very pleasing. I'm wanting to replace my Kenwood with a dual band UHF/VHF rig but am not 100% sure of what to invest in. Apparently digital has come a long way since I first became a ham. I've never toyed with digital modes except for minimal experience with a packet TNC (Terminal Node Controller). I think I'd like at least a touch of digital in my new HT. I've been looking hard at the AnyTone AT-D878UVII and the BTECH DMR-6X2. I'm sure they've probably got more digital than I'll probably ever need, but it'll be nice to know it's there. If there's any other brand of radio you think I should consider, please let me know. Money doesn't grow on trees here. Thanks in advance for any advice you can give! :)

[@joshbloom9646]

@breins Seems like one of the most popular radios right now is the Anytone 878. It is a dual band that does DMR (digital) and regular FM. The one thing it is not great at is programming in the field. It's really designed to be programmed by a computer. If you just want an analog radio that is easy to program in the field without a computer the Yaesu FT-60 is tried and true. The Yaesu VX-6R is also tried and true plus is a tri-band radio. There are less expensive radios like the Wouxon radios, but Yaesu makes better quality radios in my opinion. Good luck getting back into the hobby.

[@breins16]

@@joshbloom9646 Thank you so very much for your expertise, Josh! You have for sure given me some things to consider. :)

[@tradedate]

This was very helpful. You actually gave concise well reasoned opinions I could use. Maybe do without the music in the background. It doesn't flow as well as just you talking. Thanks!

[@zarmril]

music didn't distract me

[@manoffaith2501]

I’m currently studying for my technician license. Your video was very helpful in determining which dual band HT to buy. Thank you and I subscribed.

[@kd0duj]

I would recommend the Yaesu FT-70DR

[@langstonzachariah546]

I guess Im kinda off topic but do anybody know of a good site to watch new movies online?

[@landyncolt9083]

@Langston Zachariah i watch on Flixportal. Just google for it =)

[@davismohammed2319]

@Landyn Colt definitely, have been watching on flixportal for since april myself :)

[@langstonzachariah546]

@Landyn Colt Thanks, I signed up and it seems like they got a lot of movies there =) Appreciate it !

[@kd0duj]

My ht was the Yaesu ft-60

[@kd0duj]

Don't forget P-25

[@davidtrainham4238]

What do you recommend if Linux is used rather than Windows for programming ? Ty

[@joshbloom9646]

Two options. Option 1 is to get Chirp. Chirp is a free sottware that programs many radios. You'll still need a cable, but it does run on linux. Second option is to run a virtual machine on your linux machine or dual boot, so you can run some version of Windows to run the Windows software. That's all I've got. Good luck.

[@dr.stevenpennym.d.3241]

What do you mean software?

[@joshbloom9646]

software to program the radio is probably what I was talking about?

[@kd0duj]

The FT-65R is a bitch to program