Choosing Your First Radio

If you're like I was, you're looking for a radio even before you've got your license. I don't blame you--I wanted to hit the ground running when my license came, and was very frustrated when I got my "ticket" but couldn't broadcast. That's what this page is for--preparing you for your first radio purchase. Because an HT (handheld transceiver) is the most common first purchase for a new ham, that's what this page covers.

Reviews give you the opinions of "real people" that have used a particular radio. No marketing hype here. Most comments here are from e-mail the hams have sent me.

Technical Specifications give you the nitpicky details you might be interested in. Learn all about the bells & whistles you'll never use, but can never live without. (Most of these pages are just links to the manufacturer's web site, so it's up to them to keep the info up-to-date and accurate.)

Mods list "hard" and "soft" modifications you can make to your radio to extend its capabilities. The available mods may give a so-so radio the features you'd otherwise pay more $$$ for in another model. Of course, you implement the mods at your (and your radio's) own risk.

Deciding on a Radio gives you some pointers on narrowing down the plentiful choices out there.

Feature Glossary explains what all those cool-sounding features really are. Answers the question, "CTCSS encode/decode sounds cool, but what the deuce is it?"

Dealers contains links to many amateur radio HT dealers.

Manufacturers contains links to most amateur radio manufacturers.