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Your first ham radio: what to buy after you pass
You passed Technician. Here is what most new hams buy first, why, and what to check before you pay. You do not need all of it on day one.
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Before you buy anything
- You may transmit only after your license is granted and your call sign shows up in the FCC license search. Until then, listening is fine.
- Find the repeaters near you on RepeaterBook, and look for a local club. Club members often lend or sell used radios and will help you program one.
- Start small. A handheld and a better antenna get most new Technicians on the air.
Model names below are examples of radios widely used by beginners, not rankings or reviews. Features change between versions, so check the manufacturer's page and the listing before you buy.
Step 1
A dual-band handheld (2 m and 70 cm)
A handheld radio, often called an HT, is the usual first radio. Dual-band means it works on the 2 meter and 70 centimeter bands, where most local repeaters and nets are. With a repeater, a small handheld can talk across town.
What to look for
- Covers both 2 m (144-148 MHz) and 70 cm (420-450 MHz in the US).
- Can be programmed with CHIRP or the maker's software, so you do not have to enter every repeater by hand.
- A battery that lasts your typical day, and a charger that is easy to use. Spare batteries are worth checking for.
- A brand with a US manual and support, if you want help from the seller.
Examples many beginners use
The Baofeng UV-5R and similar low-cost models are very common as a first radio. The Yaesu FT-65R and Yaesu FT-4XR are popular entry-level handhelds from a long-established ham radio maker.
Low-cost radios can transmit on frequencies outside the ham bands. Program them carefully, and do not use a ham-only radio on FRS, GMRS, business or public safety channels: that is not legal even with a ham license.
Baofeng UV-5R on AmazonYaesu FT-65R on AmazonYaesu FT-4XR on Amazon
Step 2
A better antenna for your handheld
The short antenna that comes with most handhelds is built to be convenient, not to work well. A longer replacement antenna is one of the cheapest ways to reach repeaters you could not hit before.
What to look for
- Made for both 2 m and 70 cm.
- The right connector. Handhelds use SMA connectors, but Baofeng-style radios and Yaesu or Kenwood-style radios usually use opposite versions. Check that the listing names your radio, or buy a matching adapter.
- A length you are willing to carry. Longer usually helps, but it is less handy on a belt.
- For the car, a magnetic-mount antenna on the roof with a cable to your handheld makes a big difference over using the handheld inside the car.
Examples many beginners use
The Nagoya NA-771 is a long-time favorite whip for Baofeng-style radios. The Diamond SRH77CA is a common choice for Yaesu and Kenwood-style radios.
Nagoya NA-771 on AmazonDiamond SRH77CA on AmazonMag-mount antennas on Amazon
Step 3
A programming cable and software
Entering repeater frequencies, offsets and tones on a small keypad is slow and easy to get wrong. With a cable and a computer you can load all your local repeaters at once and save a backup.
What to look for
- CHIRP is free, open-source programming software that supports many handheld and mobile radios. Check that your exact model is on its supported list before you buy the radio.
- A cable that matches your radio. Baofeng-style radios use a two-pin plug; many Yaesu, Kenwood and Icom radios need their own cable.
- For Baofeng-style cables, listings that mention a genuine FTDI chip tend to cause fewer driver problems on Windows than unbranded ones.
- Always download and save a copy of your radio's memory before you write anything new to it.
Examples many beginners use
The BTECH PC03 is a widely used FTDI cable for Baofeng-style radios. Yaesu sells model-specific cables; your radio's manual names the one it needs. RT Systems also sells paid software and cables for many models.
Step 4
A mobile radio for the car
A mobile radio runs on your car's 12-volt power and uses an outside antenna, so it reaches much farther than a handheld. Many hams also use one at home as their main 2 m / 70 cm station, with a power supply.
What to look for
- Dual-band (2 m and 70 cm), unless you know your area only uses one band.
- A detachable front panel, if you want to mount the radio body under a seat and keep only the controls on the dash.
- An outside antenna: a magnetic mount to start, or a permanent mount later.
- Power wired to the battery with fuses on both leads, as the radio's manual describes, not to a cigarette lighter socket.
- Keep your eyes on the road. Check your state's rules about using radios while driving.
Examples many beginners use
Common beginner mobile radios include the Yaesu FTM-6000R, the Kenwood TM-V71A and the Icom IC-2730A. A dual-band mobile antenna such as the Comet SBB-5 is a common pairing.
Yaesu FTM-6000R on AmazonKenwood TM-V71A on AmazonIcom IC-2730A on AmazonComet SBB-5 on Amazon
Step 5
A power supply for home
To use a mobile radio, or later an HF radio, at home, you need a power supply that turns wall power into about 13.8 volts DC. It is the "battery" for your home station.
What to look for
- A continuous current rating above what your radio draws when transmitting at full power. The radio's manual lists that number.
- Room to grow. If you plan to add a 100-watt HF radio later, buying a supply sized for it now saves buying twice.
- Switching supplies are light and compact; linear supplies are heavy but electrically quiet. Either works for most people.
- Fuses in the DC leads. Many hams use Anderson Powerpole connectors so every radio plugs in the same way.
Examples many beginners use
Well-known supplies include the Alinco DM-30, the Samlex SEC-1235 and Astron supplies.
Alinco DM-30 on AmazonSamlex SEC-1235 on AmazonAstron supplies on AmazonPowerpole connectors on Amazon
Later
HF: the path after General
HF (high frequency) bands are where you can talk across the country and around the world without a repeater. Technicians already have a little HF: Morse code (CW) on parts of 80, 40 and 15 meters, and voice on part of 10 meters. The General license opens most HF voice privileges.
What to look for
- Pass General first. Our General practice uses the same tools as Technician.
- A transceiver that covers the HF bands. Many beginners choose a 100-watt radio; small low-power (QRP) radios are good for portable use.
- An antenna is just as important as the radio. A wire dipole or an end-fed antenna is a common start. An antenna tuner helps match it; some radios have one built in.
- Coax cable, a way to check SWR, and a power supply sized for the radio (see step 5).
- Try before you buy: club stations and friends' radios are the best way to learn what you like.
Examples many beginners use
Popular first HF radios include the Icom IC-7300 and the Yaesu FT-710. The Xiegu G90 is a common low-power portable choice.
Icom IC-7300 on AmazonYaesu FT-710 on AmazonXiegu G90 on AmazonEnd-fed antennas on Amazon
Rules to remember on the air
- You need a license to transmit on amateur frequencies. Anyone can listen.
- Stay inside the frequencies and modes your license class allows. The ARRL band plan is a handy chart.
- Say your call sign at the end of each contact and at least every 10 minutes during one (FCC Part 97.119).
- No business use, no music, and no codes meant to hide what you say. You may not be paid for operating.
- Use the least power needed to make the contact.
The full rules are in FCC Part 97. Review them with our T1 Commission's Rules questions.