What changed
Your first radio — edited Aug 29, 2026 by Unknown editor
This is the first recorded version, so every line is shown as added. Note: Imported from content/wiki
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## The realistic starting point: a dual-band handheld
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A $30–$60 VHF/UHF handheld gets you on local repeaters the day your call sign is issued. It is not
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a great radio; it is a cheap way to find out what you actually enjoy. Buy one that is
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[FCC Part 97 certified for amateur use](/wiki/rules/part-97-basics) and avoid models sold as
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"no license needed".
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**Upgrade the antenna first.** A $20 aftermarket whip typically outperforms the supplied rubber
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duck by more than a $200 radio upgrade would.
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## Second purchase: a mobile radio or an outdoor antenna
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A 25–50 watt mobile radio in the car or on a desk power supply, feeding an outdoor antenna, is a
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much bigger jump in performance than a fancier handheld. Height and a clear view matter more than
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watts.
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## Going to HF
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Entry HF transceivers start around $600 new and much less used. Budget for the whole system:
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radio, power supply, coax, antenna support and an antenna tuner. A $40 wire dipole in the clear
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beats a $400 compromise antenna hidden in an attic.
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## What you also need
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- A power supply or charged batteries
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- Coaxial feedline of the right type and length
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- Something to hold the antenna up — a mast, a tree, a fibreglass pole
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- A copy of your local [band plan](/wiki/operating/band-plans) and repeater directory
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## Before you buy anything
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Go to a club meeting and say you are new. Someone will hand you a radio, let you listen, and tell
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you which local repeaters are active. That is worth more than any review.