If you are considering a Ham Radio, now may be the time

[Neps]

I missed the last time Ham Radios were on sale with any meaningful discount and have been awaiting the Hamvention Sales, and they have arrived. There are some pretty attractive deals being offered thru 5/18/26.

Ham Radio Outlet shows sales on Yeasu appear to be the best deals

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[KreeHBronco]

Thanks! I have considered getting my Ham license, but so far, I am too lazy. I think I should be able with a background in RF/microwave, but you never know!

 

[Neps]

Purchase a radio to motivate you to get the license, that's what I did

If I passed, anyone can

 

[Felix808]

Thanks! I have considered getting my Ham license, but so far, I am too lazy. I think I should be able with a background in RF/microwave, but you never know!

Tech license isn't too hard. Like @Neps said " If I passed, anyone can" There are some good online study links.
Here is what I used.
https://hamstudy.org/tech2022

 

[Smocaine]

Tech and even General licenses can be pretty easily crammed with the public question pool - Amateur Extra is the one where you actually might need to know how a radio works.

 

[Phil B]

I got my license in January only because I wanted more than GMRS in my Bronco. It opened the door to a fantastic new hobby. I am having so much fun, and the technology I have in my Bronco now is over the top. My first radio was less than 20.00 and fits in my pocket. People wait all year for the sales that are going on right now. KJ5NWU.

 

[3People1Body]

What's a good Yeasu radio model to mount inside the Bronco? I need to get the Tech license... Been putting it off for a while (decades).

https://www.hamradio.com/onsale.cfm?srsltid=AfmBOooOWDKJhwUS7XzgS3o-9ywRCFh4xduqAfpxQ8Y0Rw8G4bJOrf1j

 

[EasternSierra]

What's a good Yeasu radio model to mount inside the Bronco? I need to get the Tech license... Been putting it off for a while (decades).

https://www.hamradio.com/onsale.cfm?srsltid=AfmBOooOWDKJhwUS7XzgS3o-9ywRCFh4xduqAfpxQ8Y0Rw8G4bJOrf1j

Among VHF/UHF models there's a range from basic to high end. All of them are good; it's just the old question of cheaper price vs. more features.

One thing to look for is single band vs. dual band (144 MHz vs. 144 plus 440 MHz). I'd recommend dual band for more flexibility.

Another question is just analog FM vs. digital modes like C4FM. Digital modes add more cost. As a beginner you could start with analog and upgrade later if you feel like it. Or you could get a more expensive radio with digital and see if you can 'grow into it'.

Finally, there are other available features like:
-ASP (Advanced Signal Processing) which gets mixed reviews
-APRS
-GPS, etc.

At the basic end there's the FTM-150R which gets good reviews. As you go to higher numbers (FTM-310DR and FTM-510DR, both with ASP versions available) you get more capability and a higher price. I'd suggest looking at the reviews on eham.com to see which features you might really want vs ones you may not want to pay for. Then you can see how much radio you're willing and able to pay for.

Disclosure: I haven't used any of these radios. I'm just going by listed features and reviews.

 

[Phil B]

What's a good Yeasu radio model to mount inside the Bronco? I need to get the Tech license... Been putting it off for a while (decades).

https://www.hamradio.com/onsale.cfm?srsltid=AfmBOooOWDKJhwUS7XzgS3o-9ywRCFh4xduqAfpxQ8Y0Rw8G4bJOrf1j

The best answer might be the one that fits your budget. All of their products are good. There are websites that will teach you how to pass the test. A few days of study and you will be ready.

 

[MilesTeg]

What's a good Yeasu radio model to mount inside the Bronco? I need to get the Tech license... Been putting it off for a while (decades).

https://www.hamradio.com/onsale.cfm?srsltid=AfmBOooOWDKJhwUS7XzgS3o-9ywRCFh4xduqAfpxQ8Y0Rw8G4bJOrf1j

I went with a Yaesu FTM-510. My criteria were:

• Dual Band (2m/70cm)
• Being able to mount the control head/mic separately of the main body -- this was a major limiter
• Needed APRS (automatic position reporting system -- digital mode that lets you broadcast your position over repeaters)
• had digital connectivity that was actually used where I am. That was Yaesu Fusion for me.

I went with the cadillac version because the low end didn't do digital, and the mid range wasn't that much cheaper than the high end.

As to license: you can study for and get a tech license *very* easily as they publish all the questions that can show up on the test and the material is very basic. These days you can take the test online too -- but you have to shop around for a VE group that will do it sanely. Some basically want you to strip down naked in a bathroom with 12 cameras on you after going through an xray and submit to a lie detector test to prove you aren't cheating. Some are a bit more... realistic, hah. It's actually easier to go do it in person if there is a club near enough that is doing it.

 

[Bronco21Maybe]

I've always been interested in this, but what do people do with the Ham radios? The setups always fascinated me.

 

[TrailDamage]

I've always been interested in this, but what do people do with the Ham radios? The setups always fascinated me.

Talk to strange men from other places. I thought Grindr was good enough for that.

 

[VirginiaHeritage]

I've always been interested in this, but what do people do with the Ham radios? The setups always fascinated me.

In some ways, it was the internet before there was an internet. I’ve wondered about its relevance today also, other than the hobbyist and prepper/SHTF appeal.

 

[3People1Body]

The Morse requirement kept me from doing it years ago... In the Air Force there were a lot of ditty bops (Morse code folks) in the 80's/90's around the Elephant Cage's (FLR9). That didn't look that fun... I worked on the space side of the house..but, I had a lot of Ham (MARS) friends. I've had extensive radio spectrum training and different modulation techniques. Used oscope, spectrum analyzers, ociligraphic paper for oscope output. Of course that was a long time ago, in a life long past.

 

[Oilbrnr]

Gigaparts (maybe HRO too) will do the MARS/CAP mod on most mobile radios so you can talk to your Midland Roger beep GMRS buddies on the trail. Just keep it on the DL as some folks get their panties all in a bunch over it. (got nothing better to bitch about)

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