Deciding on a Radio

Short Answer: buy any handheld. Any radio out there will let you talk radio-to-radio (simplex) and radio-to-repeater (duplex). Any radio will have at least 20 memories. Any radio will have a built-in speaker and microphone, and jacks for an external speaker and microphone.

For me, shopping around was the funnest part so far--deciding which radio to buy. It was also the most time-consuming part of the process (I spent more time comparing radios than I did studying for the tests!).

When you're shopping for the radio, it may seem as if there were no end to the brands, models, and options available. If this is the case with you, probably the best way to approach your purchase is to write a list of the features you need (the "needs"), then a list of the features you want (the "wants")--then stick with the list. The list keep you from getting distracted by other bells & whistles a unit may have. With the list, you are armed with a tool you can use to eliminate several models of radios, simplifying your decision.

Click here to load the Need/Want list I used. In spite of my own features list and the many hours spent reviewing radios, our budget was tight enough to make price the single most important consideration, so the cheapest won. Rats. All that work for nothing, although I am satisfied with what we ended up with.

For technical specifications of several common HT's, click here.

For information on the modifications ("mods") available for a particular radio, link to Here, Here, or Here.

For reviews of several common HT's, click here.

The biggest hurdle for me was figuring out what the features meant so I could decide whether I wanted something or not. I read a lot and studied a lot and wasted a lot of time figuring them out and writing them down. They're available here on the following link so you don't have to waste the same time I did! You welcome!

See the Feature Glossary to see list of common features and their explanations.

It's not always the case, but generally speaking, you get what you pay for. Within any particular make or brand of radio, the more expensive units are generally the more desirable. But realize that this doesn't go across brands; that is, a $400 Kenwood unit isn't necessarily better than a $200 Alinco unit, although it might be. You can't get pricing information from the manufacturers--they only sell through dealers--so you need to call or otherwise contact the dealers.

See the Dealer Contact Information (phone, fax, address, web, and e-mail).

For the latest brochures and product information, call the manufacturers directly and ask them to send them to you. (When I had them send me brochures by mail, Standard replied the fastest, followed by Yaesu, then Icom finally trundled along after about a month.) Have specific model numbers in mind when you call. You can also have them fax the info to you (they all faxed the info to me within a day), but the faxes don't come through too well (many of the spec sheets are in teeny tiny print and contain dark graphics). If you call the distributors, you may get slanted information, pushing the units they want to get rid of. If you talk to a sales rep, see if you can ask their advice as a HAM, not as a sales rep. They'll usually be very helpful.

See Manufacturer Contact Information (phone, fax, address, web, and e-mail).