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The starting place for most hams, immediately after getting their Technician's license, is almost always a Handheld Transceiver (HT). And if you're brand new to the hobby, I'd have to say an affordable HT is the way to go. They've been the entry radio of choice for many hams (myself included), and if you don't already know check out my New Hams page to see exactly how versatile these transceivers can be. With the right repeater system, these radios are capable of talking to hams across the globe.
Before buying any UHF/VHF radio, have a look the RepeaterBook section on the UHF/VHF Frequencies page to make sure your QTH is within reach of a repeater. Handhelds do have a limited range. I am able to hit my favorite repeater some 45 miles away on a 10-watt radio and occasionally a 5-watt radio depending on my location.
My first VHF/UHF handheld was the old 5-watt UV5R. It was the entry radio for technician-class operators at the time. This radio is a definite improvement with AM aircraft control receive, preset NOAA weather stations, and...
I ordered two of these radios a few weeks ago, and have to say I am impressed! The radio is larger than most Baofeng transceivers, comes with a screw-in battery, and a stock antenna that would impress most hams...
I have to admit, I'm rather impressed with the new Baofeng K6 model. It's priced similar to the classic UV5R, but does so much more. The firmware allows for alphanumeric programming straight through the faceplate...
No lie here - this model was my first radio. One could almost say it's obsolete considering the new radios out there, but I went ahead and bought two more out of nostalgia. They're small, they're cheap, but they last. And why not?
It's tiny, it's portable, and it's actually a lot of fun to work! Smaller than a UV-5R but with a larger, color screen - this little guy packs a lot of features into a unit that can fit right in your pocket. Definitely an upgrade in the micro-transeiver market!
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