Christmas is coming up and I'm thinking a HAM radio would be the perfect gift for my dad. He doesn't have a license yet, but is planning to take the exam soon.
What would be a good handheld HAM radio to use in Eastern Ontario? I'm looking for something basic for beginners. My price range is <$200. From online sources, I head BaoFeng BF-F8HP is popular, is there any other recommendations?
WTB -- Handheld Radio
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VA7TD
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Re: WTB -- Handheld Radio
Welcome to the site! I don't know your technical level, so some of what I write might be unnecessary. I moved this thread to the General forum, as you're more looking for information rather than trying to buy a specific radio from the Classifieds.
I would check with Amateur Radio operators in his area, such as at the local ham clubs. See what they are using, and what works or doesn't for the available systems in the area. For instance, DMR (a digital mode) is becoming quite popular, and the hams in his area might have local DMR repeaters that they like to use. So in this example, not having DMR capabilities would limit him somewhat. The radios can be a little (or quite) difficult to program at first, and in that situation it's nice to be able to get a profile (programming file) for the radio that's already set up for what's available in his area, which is why I'm suggesting you purchase what the others local to him are using. Once he becomes more familiar with the radio, he can modify the profile to his liking, but at least he'd be able to use the radio right away while he's learning.
DMR radios also operate in analog. So he can even start out with just analog operation and migrate to DMR without having to buy another radio.
The reason I'm suggesting a DMR radio is that it's the least-expensive digital-mode radio you can buy new, and I believe it's the most-popular digital mode (which I attribute to the price of the radios). When he connects to a local repeater that is connected to the Internet, he can make contacts with hams all over the world, who are on their own local DMR repeaters. Just from a hand-held. Helps keep things interesting for a new ham.
With a $200 budget, you should be able to find a decent DMR dual-bander for him. I highly suggest doing as much research as possible before purchasing. Read the reviews. The common complaint with the CCR's (cheap Chinese radios) are firmware issues. Most of the manufacturers are fairly good about addressing firmware bugs and releasing new firmware, and most of the established models have undergone several revisions. As I said, see what the hams in his area are using. While doing the research, you may find that a lot of people look down at CCR's. While I agree that some of them have been quite crappy, they have been steadily improving, and the low cost of entry has enabled a lot of new operators to get on the air without breaking the bank.
The hams in my area seem to like the Anytone DMR radios. I've actually got my eye on Anytone's new tri-band (VHF, 220, UHF) mobile DMR radio. Waiting to see how the early-adopters make out, and waiting for a few firmware revisions to occur. I personally am not concerned about what the others are using though, as I'm proficient at DMR programming, and I create profiles from scratch.
If you're looking for a very inexpensive radio, more of a stocking-stuffer class (lol), an analog CCR might fit the bill. Baofeng recently came out with a tri-band analog hand-held, with VHF, 220 MHz and UHF. It was selling for $25 USD with battery and charger, which is amazing. One of my buddies bought one, and another bought 2 of them. They appear to be working well, but they're only a couple months old. At that price, it's not even worth looking at a "just" a dual-band analog radio. Apparently CHIRP (free programming software) will program them. I have no experience with them myself.
Greg
I would check with Amateur Radio operators in his area, such as at the local ham clubs. See what they are using, and what works or doesn't for the available systems in the area. For instance, DMR (a digital mode) is becoming quite popular, and the hams in his area might have local DMR repeaters that they like to use. So in this example, not having DMR capabilities would limit him somewhat. The radios can be a little (or quite) difficult to program at first, and in that situation it's nice to be able to get a profile (programming file) for the radio that's already set up for what's available in his area, which is why I'm suggesting you purchase what the others local to him are using. Once he becomes more familiar with the radio, he can modify the profile to his liking, but at least he'd be able to use the radio right away while he's learning.
DMR radios also operate in analog. So he can even start out with just analog operation and migrate to DMR without having to buy another radio.
The reason I'm suggesting a DMR radio is that it's the least-expensive digital-mode radio you can buy new, and I believe it's the most-popular digital mode (which I attribute to the price of the radios). When he connects to a local repeater that is connected to the Internet, he can make contacts with hams all over the world, who are on their own local DMR repeaters. Just from a hand-held. Helps keep things interesting for a new ham.
With a $200 budget, you should be able to find a decent DMR dual-bander for him. I highly suggest doing as much research as possible before purchasing. Read the reviews. The common complaint with the CCR's (cheap Chinese radios) are firmware issues. Most of the manufacturers are fairly good about addressing firmware bugs and releasing new firmware, and most of the established models have undergone several revisions. As I said, see what the hams in his area are using. While doing the research, you may find that a lot of people look down at CCR's. While I agree that some of them have been quite crappy, they have been steadily improving, and the low cost of entry has enabled a lot of new operators to get on the air without breaking the bank.
The hams in my area seem to like the Anytone DMR radios. I've actually got my eye on Anytone's new tri-band (VHF, 220, UHF) mobile DMR radio. Waiting to see how the early-adopters make out, and waiting for a few firmware revisions to occur. I personally am not concerned about what the others are using though, as I'm proficient at DMR programming, and I create profiles from scratch.
If you're looking for a very inexpensive radio, more of a stocking-stuffer class (lol), an analog CCR might fit the bill. Baofeng recently came out with a tri-band analog hand-held, with VHF, 220 MHz and UHF. It was selling for $25 USD with battery and charger, which is amazing. One of my buddies bought one, and another bought 2 of them. They appear to be working well, but they're only a couple months old. At that price, it's not even worth looking at a "just" a dual-band analog radio. Apparently CHIRP (free programming software) will program them. I have no experience with them myself.
Greg
Re: WTB -- Handheld Radio
Thank you Greg! Your post is very informative! I'm still trying to digest it all.
DMR looks very neat, but perhaps a bit out of our skill level for now.
I ended up ordering an inexpensive "Baofeng UV-82".
DMR looks very neat, but perhaps a bit out of our skill level for now.
I ended up ordering an inexpensive "Baofeng UV-82".
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VA7TD
- Site Admin
- Posts: 315
- Joined: Sat Jun 27, 2015 6:23 pm
- Location: Metro Vancouver, BC
- Real Name: Greg
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Re: WTB -- Handheld Radio
You're welcome! Be sure to tell your dad about this site, AFTER Christmas of course. lol
Greg
Greg