Your *NEXT* Amateur Radio?

Ham radio is an amazing hobby and many of you after buying your first cheap radio already start looking into better options for their next radio. This videos is hopefully walk through some of the things you need to consider when researching your next radio.
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[@AzPauly]

Josh, extremely well stated video..terrific advice for the newer folks. I'm currently running a 7300 at home-a pleasure to operate, and a 891 for camping etc..I actually feel the 891 hears better than the 7300 when I had them side by side on the same antenna. Considered a G90 but the absence of N.A. servicing steered me to the Yaesu and the 3yr warranty and track record sealed the deal for me, also once setup and in use the 891 is quite easy to drive+great filtering to boot... cheers!

[@JonathanKayne]

So I have been collecting various radios lately and I'll toss in my two cents: - if you cannot afford an 891 then the Xiegu G90 is a great radio for both shack and portable use. It's the only radio under $600 I recommend to anyone. - for CW, I recommend the QCX mini or QMX from QRPlabs. The mountain topper radios are awesome and all but they aren't that easy to obtain. - for some more pricey options: you can get the ic-705 or elecraft KX2 if you want to do ultra portable operation. For high power, the FTDX10 is a phenomenal radio. (My first HF radio was an ICOM IC-706mkii. I still have it but I get reports of audio distortion whenever I use it for SSB so it doesn't get used as much as my other radios)

[@jge]

Whoa - called out by name on HRCC! Checking off that item on my life’s bucket list! Thanks Josh - appreciate the detailed and thoughtful response. I had the chance to try a bunch of radios out at a recent POTA and ended up going with an Icom 705. Thanks for all you do for the community. 73! - “Other Josh”

[@stingy49]

Wanted to say the SOTA community has a lot of great members in the Bay Area! I’d be happy to do a POTA or SOTA with you sometime! -W6DER

[@KO4VNX]

A lot of great angles here.... tons of info packed into a short space, but with the right emphasis and not some panicky speed-race of a firehosing information session! It's truly an art in communicating a lot of great info and still giving a bit of your personal observations and flavor without creating sensory perception overload. You are not only an incredibly experienced HAM, you're and artist and communicating with people in a real way! Go figure that you're also a teacher of HAM prep classes!

[@isaacschmitt4803]

5:06 I've got that exact laptop! The Panasonic CF-C2 Toughbook. It's a handy little bugger, and for being ten years old, it still keeps up with my other devices (as long as I'm conscientious about RAM and program loads). My only real gripe with it is that unlike the previous model, it doesn't have hot-swappable batteries. If you're using it for short periods with relatively light work loads, it'll serve you well!

[@ghostmandka5498]

Great video Josh…as usual. For those on a tight budget, the 891 is also a respectable ham shack radio! Buy an extra power cable and a knockoff pelican case and take it in the field for POTA.

[@robertfwagnerjr9480]

My first radio after Baofeng was an iCom 718. It is easy to turn on and just get on the air. Also added an iCom AH-4 automatic tuner and 29 feet of wire for an antenna. Only draw back is it does not tune on 160 meters. Later in I added an iCom 7300. Many more features, but a steeper learning curve to use them all. I took my Technician and General on the same day. Went to a Technician training class at a local ham club and studied for the General concurrently using the ARRL course manual. Good DX to you all and 73 de Bob W4YDC.

[@rollandmason5596]

You addressed the question of all times: What radio do I get? You explained it very well. Deciding what you want to do with ham radio is the ultimate question isn't it. Good luck all and hope to hear you all on the radio.

[@ehayes5217]

Kudos to u, for extolling the virtues of CW, 1st time I've ever heard anyone do that! Thanks! dit dit🇺🇸

[@NathanMazanec]

I really appreciate when you make a video that pulls back on specific deep ham radio, and is just an excellent intro walkthrough to radio selection. You definitely have covered this subject before, but an update definitely enhances the subject for current trends and advice. I really appreciate all your efforts! De K1MAZ

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Thank you!

[@the_mad_swimbaiter455]

I have the 891 paired with an atas 100 on my Honda. Love it.

[@russellyeley2561]

Thanks, I have only been a technician for about a month. Your point about hands on makes a lot of sense. I hear there is a brick and mortar store about a hour away near Cincinnati.

[@davidgraf197]

Another great video Josh. You are a great ambassador for the Ham radio community. I am a couple of years into Ham radio and I really appreciate your videos. KQ4FNH 73

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@randygc3704]

Good advice on going hands on before buying a radio. 13 years a go I picked the IC-706MKIIG over it's Yaesu and Kenwood counterparts after playing with the display models at the local Candy Store (R&L Electronics). The ergonomics just worked best for me. Some suggestions of other places to get some hands on different radios: Hamfests: many have new dealers and there's usually a flea market where you can see just about anything. Filed Day: Good chance to look at (and operate) different radios. Club stations: Check out local clubs, many have club shacks, again with a variety of radios to play with. Plus you get Elmering from the members.

[@softwarephil1709]

The IC-706 is a classic.

[@klutch545]

Been a technician for about a year now and I plan on getting my general soon. Started off with a UV5R8watt and then got an AnyTone 5888 tri-band. I don’t have a permanent antenna, but it is quick to setup and connect a tripod mounted antenna. Next radio I get will be a Xiegu G90 or TYT md-uv390. I want to get into HF and POTA, but I also like the ISS repeater and am interested in openGD77

[@walteredwards544]

I'm hoping the 891 is coming due for an upgrade, a long with the 818. Thank for the video. Sometimes when you hear the information again you learn something new and I'm happy to say I always do

[@frankmccormick5766]

Really helpful. Thanks Josh. I learned something about the ICOM 7100.

[@IronApples]

I'm new and I find your videos quite helpful! Thank you for all the good info. I can't wait to my radios up and running.

[@TheToastDog]

I’m feeling really satisfied with the rigs that I have currently (but that doesn’t mean that I wouldn’t buy more.. I am a Ham, afterall). FTDX10 for the shack, FT891 for the truck, and FX4CR for POTA/SOTA or any time that I need to travel light.

[@jameski5oeb668]

My second was a FTM-100DR. My third was a FTM-400DR, sold it after getting general and got an IC-706 MKIIG. Then went and bought back my FTM-100DR. Got an IC-7600 from a SK. Recently picked up VS-50m that was a door stop, and fixed it up, should put it into service this afternoon. No permanent antenna at the house, yet. Thinking about a 71’ end fed random wire on the roof with Christmas light shingle holders. My wife doesn’t want to have the TOWER. Thanks for the Video Josh!

[@Sonicgott]

I think my purpose for learning Ham is to expand my knowledge in computer electronics, and then see where I go from there researching clubs and meetups and making contacts. As I live at the bottom floor of an apartment, there’s very limited options I have as a Technician. I’m working towards my General and may have more options in the future. There’s a nearby park within walking distance in which I may be able to do things.

[@brontoab1]

If only there was a technology where people could talk to each other without requiring an internet connection!

[@ryany4326]

Ummmm

[@cyleleghorn246]

And doesn't cost a monthly fee like a pager or a briefcase phone

[@KD9ZHF]

Bwahaha…

[@pewtuber243]

And was relatively easy to obtain.

[@ChanteurOrthodoxie]

hmmm...

[@heilingML093]

Great video. My first radio, like many people's, was a Baofeng. I had CB radio SS6600, VX6, FT-891, Now I have CB President McKinley, FT-60, FT-817ND, FT5D, FTM-300 and FTDX10. Yes, I know, I'm a Yaesu freak. 😋 It's like an addiction 😊 I was still missing something, but now I feel complete and I only want to listen to other radios out of curiosity. 73

[@DanielHallmark]

...and it was for UI reasons that I went with the Kenwood TS-590SG for my last radio purchase. I like the buttons and knobs, limited menu usage, and I don't need the waterfall on the rig for digital modes, which is my main ham radio activity.

[@00Klingon]

I absolutely love my 705 and its extreme flexibility and portability with all of its features. The biggest miss by Icom is that they didn't produce a 100w amplifier built specifically for it, like they did with the AH-705 tuner. This alone would allow a near 1 radio solution for most use cases a new ham could want (especially if they don't know what all they want to do at first).

[@softwarephil1709]

By the time you add a tuner, you may as well get an IC-7300 with 100W and a tuner for less cost.

[@00Klingon]

@@softwarephil1709 7300 is a fine radio but I can’t fit it, batteries and everything to run it in my backpack to do a remote POTA with digital modes using wifi to my laptop. Everything is a trade off.

[@thomasmaughan4798]

My next radio may well be the Lab599 TX-500 from HRO. I have the Icom IC-705 shack-in-a-small-box but the ruggedness, sexy military look and easy to see in sunlight of the TX-500 is appealing.

[@TaylorKulovitz-gr4mm]

I really appreciate your videos. Thanks so much and keep doing them!

[@johnkaelberer237]

Very good suggestions, all great radios. The FT-891 also makes a good budget base radio. I would add a couple other radios to the list for those on a tight budget. The Ziegu G-90 @ $440. and/or 6100 @ $600 (which puts out 10 watts on battery). The Icom 705 only does 5 watts on battery. The G-90 gives you 20 watts output which is only about one "S" unit down from a 100 watt radio. It does not have a built in battery and would need something like a Digi Rig for digital work, so that does add to the price. It also has a small, but good waterfall. The 6100 has a built in battery, built in sound card and a very good waterfall. Both Ziegu radios have excellent built in antenna tuners and SWR graphs (saves the need for a $$$ antenna analyzer). The Icom 705 is really feature rich and digital ready. It will require an antenna tuner if you are not using resonate antennas. It also has 2M and 70CM as well as D Star. If you don't need all the features the 705 offers, either of these Zigu radios is a great choice when saving money counts. You can use your HT for 70cm and 2M. If you have the $$$, you can't go wrong with the Icom or Yaesu radios. As to the base radios, I have a Icom 7300 and really like it. That said, the Yaesu FT-10 radios have better noise reduction and are slightly more sensitive. The Yaesu would be worth the extra money over the 7300 if you can afford it. I also think the menu system on the Icom is superior to the menu's on the Yaesu.

[@lmy5pence481]

I do have the Xiegu G90 radio, an excellent radio at that, but it hasn't got the 2m and 70cm bands with the extra and 100W and that is what I also need.

[@johnkaelberer237]

@@lmy5pence481 As long as you just need FM-VHF/UHF, a hand held radio will do just as good. I agree, 100 watts is good to have. That said, 20 watts is only one "S" unit lower in broadcast signal strength than a 100 watt radio. Use a very efficient antenna and you will make plenty of contacts. Unless you are contesting, you'll do great with the G-90.

[@gregsmith1116]

Thanks Josh. I have the IC-7100 and love it. Got it during pandemic in 2021 on black Friday for $200 off with $100 mail in rebate from Icom. I use it on digital modes with just a cat cable. Fun!

[@hemitj]

Thanks, Josh, for this video. You mentioned the FT-857D but never got back to it. All In One radio.

[@softwarephil1709]

My first HF radio was an FD-897D. It was a lousy radio with a very noisy receiver. An IC-7300 is an order of magnitude better.

[@thelostiowan]

Great review, I must point out that Motorola and Kenwood also make over 1k Portable H/T radios for P-25/NXDN and DMR. Also, I wish Kenwood would replicate this new HT into a mobile radio. Keep up the great work 💪👍👍

[@ehayes5217]

& btw, ur intro for "base" radios was excellent, very interesting & insightful (coming from an Old Timer, LOL😂)

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Thank you!

[@DJK9RAA]

Great video Josh! Thank for all you do. You said something about a ic 7100 in a pelican case. Would like to know if you can do a in depth on it. I have a 7100 and looking for some other build ideas. Thanks.

[@andrewrobb633]

My first hf radio was a 2nd hand 703 fabulous radio. My second was a FT 891 even though I can only operate qrp due to my licence. I love it. My next radio will be another FT891 as if a radio is a good fit for what you do, then you need two. 73 Andrew VK2ZRK

[@petefrys545]

Great vid, plenty to think about

[@Thunderontheroad]

First radio FT-70DR amazing ht still running strong 5 years later. Second FT-2900R the 2M tank 80 watts all day everyday like it’s nothing only used at the house. Upgraded license 3rd radio needed to be multi use home and field FT-891. Next radio will be QRP all in one meaning battery and tuner included. So I’m either getting a xiegu X6100 maybe wait for new model or keep saving to get the Icom 705 and use the z100 plus tuner I already have. P.S I found this channel based off the old original HT video that you made sadly no one had it in stock at time and really wanted to get on the air now so I went with the FT70.

[@Screamingtut]

Good Vidio Josh. I got an FT-817nd for sale any new hams looking also an oldie but goody TS-430S that just came out of the shop aligned and a new meter & display board plus a 2.7 SSb Collins filter. great for a new ham on a budget.

[@trevorhaines2274]

Great vid Josh. One thing you could have suggested at the end of the video is for the new ham to visit and maybe join their local radio club to meet other hams to check out their radio gear. Keep up the great work as you along with Hayden (VK7HH)’s channel are doing wonderful things growing the ham community here in Australia. 73s Sir. Cheers Trevor VK3DCQ

[@AD6DMDennis]

I was waiting for you to say a radio and I would buy it.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

lmao

[@chip9177]

FT-710 right now (Thanksgiving 2023) $899......had to order it, good deal.

[@AlexGtheOG90]

As much as I love a waterfall. I’m going to get an FT-891. Since I mainly want to do portable.

[@LavxaGames]

Thank you for this!!!

[@betterbprepared]

Hey Josh, great explanation of the various radio types. My next radio is going to be a portable radio for CW. I am planning on learning CW this winter and then purchasing a radio in the spring as my reward. That Mountain Topper is intriguing for a small cw radio and the price is not bad. For a little more money you can get the FX-4CR that has 20W, digital modes and SSB along with CW. I'd love that KX2 that you have or even the KX3, but now you are jumping up in price, but I also like the fact that these are USA made. I've also been eyeing the Lab599 Discovery for a rugged, portable rig. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Also, it was great meeting you in Dayton!

[@lieutenantcolonelnicholson9228]

BINGO! Nice Video Josh!

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Appreciate it!

[@stevehildreth1934]

Started with a UV5R. Went too a VV898. And recently picked up an FTM 500. The VV898 has decided to abandon the audio, sometines it's there... sometimes it's not. I should pass the General exam in a little over a week. Looking at HF radios and gear, cost is a big factor!

[@raymondmartin6737]

I have the Yaesu FT-891, which is very enjoyable, I believe since 2016, except for my antenna, I needed to add the Yaesu FC-50 Autotuner, which added about @$300.00 to the $680.00 891 price, close to the FT-7300 price now with coupon rebate of $100.00. However, I went with the FT-891, even with tuner attached, which to me seems more suited for portable and home use combined. 73 de W2CH 😊

[@davidsradioroom9678]

Great video. I think you just about covered the topic.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Glad you think so!

[@KG4JYS]

I went with a Yaesu 991a after the Boo-fang F8HP.

[@AlexCausey]

For new HAMs starting out I think all mode HF/VHF/UHF/SHF radios are the best for a base station or mobile because you need to explore all bands and all modes to find out what you like in Amateur radio. You might want to look into Q5 transverters for satellite, EME and weak signal work. Personally I like to make long Yagi's for EME and Tropo on VHF/UHF/SHF . I only use a handheld to call for an emergency on the road. I do not like FM repeaters. --N6JJI

[@BobBroeking]

I am waiting for ICOM to build a 705 "like" high tech radio in a small package with..... 100 watts! I love my 705...would love 100 watts for SSB!

[@jneale5204]

Great video Josh. I wish Yaesu hat put VHF/UHF in the 891. I still love my FT-857D. I also just bought a Icom IC-746PRO for my base station and love it. I also love Fusion but after seeing a lot of videos on the FTM-500 and am really disappointed with that rig. I definitely will never get one of them.

[@JohnJones-op8uf]

Thanks Josh

[@NM5RF]

I regret not getting a G90 or FT-891 instead of my IC-7300. I got a big heavy base station only to find that my apartment (made in the 70s) has the dirtiest RFI imaginable. Permanent outside antennas are not an option, and my temporary deployments have been minimally helpful against interference. Portable operation is very possible for me, but not with that clunky and expensive radio. It's not impossible to pack and travel with and operating from home is sometimes workable, but my HF operations would have been so much better from the get-go had I started with something I could go portable with. My dad bought me the radio after I passed extra and I wish I used his money more intelligently. I could have saved him some dollars while having more fun.

[@UDX4570PalmSprings-yh1mv]

My next amateur radio will have vacuum tubes!

[@Blake-jl8lh]

Ft 101 is the best for that imo. Its so well documented and so many people work on them

[@duckgoesquack4514]

Got myself an angry 9 to fix up. A radio with a roll cage was a fast buy for me

[@CampingandHamRadio-W4POT]

I have more radios than I have time to use. I should probably cut down to a primary and backup QRP and the same for QRO radio.

[@kennygraves489]

I found it useful. I'm thinking my next purchase hase will be the baofeng uv 5x3. It has alot of new features I like, and I want to play with 1.25m.

[@jerryKB2GCG]

I use and ft-710, Xiegu G90, and QRP-Labs QDX all are different price points, power out and modes/bands.

[@Chriswilsie]

I love all you videos. I could use a FT-8, Ft-891, and Digirig video. So far I have 2 FT-8 contacts on record. But no idea how I got them lol. W1LSE ,73

[@imstrng]

I love to see a video where BITCOIN transaction is done via MORSE code.

[@freedomfiye]

Hi! Josh it is Awesome channel

[@DominicMazoch]

In Houston, people are waiting an all mode 2m rig

[@mrheart4242]

I have a gmrs and a technician. I want a simple single channel simplex and repeater radio. I want it for my truck, pull it for a pack, or put it on the table for a base station. I am not into the dual watch thing. I tend not to be fast enough to choose the Chanel for response. I would like it to be better than a baofeng. The budget is 600.00, that's the cabels antenna and all. I use gmrs daily. Local and repeater. Give me a direction.

[@robertmeyer4744]

that was real nice. gets me to think about what my needs are and what do i want to do. with so many good radios out now just give them a try and see what I like better. after all it is me that will be using the radio. I have old ICOM and a NEW 7300 . and a few old rigs. tube type. for me thinking the ICOM 705 or 905. I may want 900/1296 Mhz. but the price. sill 2 meter/1.25 meter/70 cm is fun. do want digital modes and SSB. for now just getting a tri band or 4 band HT is my next step. nothing wrong with 7300 POTA . for me. I may just get that 10/12 meter that does PL tones and not as big as 7300 . gave me some thinking. after all just want to have fun making contacts with a radio easy to use for me, 73's

[@gregmitchell2257]

Something that needs to be talked about is transmit cleanliness. A lot of amateur transmitters spew barely legal signals. A big problem with these is when you have another ham in your neighborhood or you are out with a club at a multi-transmitter setup and there will be interference.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

You should go back and watch my recent videos. We’ve been talking about that.

That's not going to be a problem with any recent rig from the big three companies (Icom, Kenwood, Yaesu), or with an Elecraft or FlexRadio product. The Xiegus I have looked at are also good enough, though not quite as clean. The DMR radios from China also seem to be fine. Many of the inexpensive analog handhelds from China are another story.

[@JamesHannibalKH2SR]

Well done video Josh!

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@frankENZC]

Awesome video Josh. I've been a Ham for a long time! I've been thinking about doing something new, POTA. I'm looking at the Xiegu 5105. Has a great battery and built in tuner. I have a crazy idea. There is a park near me where there is a 2500 long bridge, over a river. I plan to connect to the metal railing! :) I've done other crazy Ham things in the past like a antenna connected to a kite, and a 3000-foot wire connected to a Helium Balloon. It's time for more crazy fun stiff! 73 de WA3RSL.

[@CECS1]

My G90 went through a failure during FD. The x5105 I had did great. Sorta. But it's front end is really sensitive from outside rf. I'm thinking it's time to getting the 891 as my on-the-go radio

[@softwarephil1709]

When you add a tuner to the 705 or 891, it ends up being about as big as a 7300. IMO, the 7300 is the best general purpose HF radio in that price range. It costs less than a 705.

[@Aimsport-video]

Fantastic video!

[@nickl3872]

Thank you

[@jpb5385]

This was helpful! Thank you.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Glad it was helpful!

[@YouTubeIdeas-gk6xd]

Thank you. I am catching the bug.😃

[@SQ5TK]

Great video. Thank you.

[@giovannipolegato1607]

Yeah,yes Sir I choose Icom 7300 WX1PJ Giovanni

[@kaseywidness]

What a great resource.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Thanks.

[@DD5LP]

Interesting that your top choices FT891 or IC705 both lack an ATU. For someone looking for their first HF radio, I think a radio with a built in antenna matching unit would be better. Yes of course we should all use resonant antennas but this is someone just starting on HF. I hadn't heard that the FT991A was coming to end of life. It hasn't been around that long are you mixing up with the FT857/897/817/818 range perhaps? Another thought for the hands-on need to consider a new radio is to visit your local radio club and if the club doesn't have modern radios to the members will have and usually will be willing to invite you round to see the radio. 73 Ed.

[@CriticalThinker-42]

Budget??? Is that that that thing goes screaming by when I'm researching equipment? Another good video Josh! -mike

[@LeeMcc_KI5YPR]

I think I saw an ad saying "7100 AVAILABLE SOON !!!"

[@Stealthmodeactivated-h8w]

Power/antenna/radio in that order

[@rob-k2wrdsabato313]

Good Day, I'm a tech upgrading to General

[@daniellandwehr443]

Another great video Josh 73 from KF0myu

[@ihatesmartphones]

My Base HF Radio at the moment is a Drake TR7. I wanted to do portable HF for Camping and SOTA and POTA. So i got the FT-891. and am glad I did.

[@thomasmaughan4798]

"My Base HF Radio at the moment is a Drake TR7" I had one of those. It's a beauty!

[@smoberdeen]

Josh, Thanks for another good video. I have the 991A and I plan on getting the FT-891 as my next POTA rig. I often hear chatter from ICOM owners regarding the menus on the Yaesu products, but I don't understand why. I watch Tom, ND3N on KZbin and he gives excellent menu settings for these radios. It's a set it and forget it process. He has a configuration for SSB to break through pileups and one for working other modes like FT-8. So with RT Systems I should be able to save configurations for each mode and send the data to the radio (similar to the SD card on the 7300). Maybe this is what the ICOM folks are talking about? I'm strictly phone and I haven't gone into the menu in well over a year. Did I answer my own question, or is there something else?

[@Aegieon76]

Thanks!

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

No problem!

[@davenewmyer3735]

FT-710 Field when the price drops to around $800.

[@P10101G]

Hi, what about a first time radio for my car? A CB radio, maybe? Thanks.

[@charlesmoon4290]

hey love the Videos abd a newbie here. I find them interesting and studying fir tech and General. Did a Pota awhile back and i am Hooked. I joined the discord also. Thanks,

[@meola69420]

I really want to upgrade my HT It's still a UV5R, and it's worked, but it's old and tired, and I want new fancy features like APRS. Budget isn't a problem, but devices are! Basically been putting a bit away to splurge on a TH75D, but yeah, still waiting! Could already completely pay for a FT5DR and still have a couple of hundred left over, it's literally money burning a hole in my pocket! Kenwood is being a complete cock tease on that HT, and I am almost over waiting.

[@thryce82]

on one level this all seems silly. on another while I dont get the appeal but I appreciate who the ham community seems to be helpful amongst itself. Would I drop 1200 for a radio in the sdr age? Nooooo. Do I appreciate that people are willingly help others to make a decision that gets them the most money for that 1200. Yes. Still though its pretty insane and Im gald yall found very understanding significant others.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Please show me a hobby where this sort of spending doesn’t exist. I mean that honestly. Ever hobby I have be been interested has been thousands in gear.

[@bryantwalley]

Next radio would be an Anytone D570uV with a BT-01 if they would hurry up and release it.

[@markw365]

If you join online we'll just tell you to get a Flexradio. :)

[@shellybelknap1524]

what about the icom 9700?

[@HAMFunko4pdi]

I have one. They are great a triband radio. I use it for scanning local repeaters and talking to Satelites. Not an HF RADIO.

[@rj2para]

Darn there was me thinking you would say buy x or y 😂

[@KageShi]

I would really like to get the Icom705. I already have a Kenwood D710 and some HT radios but the packet backbone isn't that strong in my area. I also have a number of CB and 10m radios that I sometimes power up. Looking for a new local ham buddy to help in experiments and debugging. EM73xo

[@hzilla5550]

Can't expand from my current limited space using a Buckmaster 7 band 10-80m which is bent 30 degrees horizontally to fit on the property . Can't use vertical. The only option is to go big gun since my Elecraft KPA100 @ 100 watts, can't reach anyone except via JS8Call.. I've been stranded since getting my extra 13 years ago. Think I am going to go with K4D KPA 1500 and be done with it. You only live once and I am getting old.

[@Klaatu-ij9uz]

Is any manufacturer producing "New" modern-day radios with vacuum tubes??

[@FrankKatalenas]

I just want a radio that can be programmed without software ie: Anytone 5888uv mobile rig.

[@redeyegooner]

I've been looking at the ERMAK sdr transceiver and really look forward to seeing some more user reviews and videos. It looks awesome but Idk if it would be worth it, or if I should get something already well known for the same price?🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔

[@adubs.]

I recently got into GMRS, but its limitations with my local terrain are unavoidable. My initial thoughts: JS8Call and APRS appeal to me, but I want something I can grow with. Is there anything that covers most modes and bands? is the IC-705 the "do most things" radio? am I setting myself up for failure by wanting a single radio to do everything or can I buy once cry once? The radio arena seems more confusing than the test material.

[@LeeMcc_KI5YPR]

Mobile, portable, or base? Budget? I bought a used Icom IC7000 for portable. HF, VHF, UHF. So JS8CALL on HF and APRS on VHF. Add a Digirig and cables. Or IC7100, new ones are allegedly becoming available again. Or an HF/6m radio without VHF/UHF, then get a 2m/70cm portable also. I have a new Yaesu FTDX10 and very used FT2600M at my shack. There are many options, these are what I chose. Be sure to get good antennas. I suggest buying your first antenna(s) to remove one variable in things that can go wrong. EDIT: I suggest a 100W radio for your base to start. QRP adds a variable when you are getting started.

[@justawfulgamer7738]

$700 is a cheaper radio😂 boy i wish i was in a position to agree with that.