What would be a good handheld or Base station for entry level ham radio operator?
gary s asked:
I can’t decide on the features I want,but I work for a Public water utility and like to listen to Aircraft and Great lakes ships on vacation.I’m also a railfan.I need something with good receiving range and portable.
I can’t decide on the features I want,but I work for a Public water utility and like to listen to Aircraft and Great lakes ships on vacation.I’m also a railfan.I need something with good receiving range and portable.
cobra makes some good ones
COBRA??? heeheehee — no, they DO NOT.
First, I would NEVER recommend a handheld for your first radio.
Evaluate your needs. If you spend most of your time sitting in the office and want to listen to aviation and marine radio, maybe you need a scanner. Yes, a modern handheld will listen there, but if you spend your time driving, then you do not want a portable. By the time you add a power cord, then the external antenna, external speaker, and now an external mic, you might have just bought a real mobile radio. After over 35 years experience, I can tell you that a hand held radio as the primary radio is the reason why new hams lose interest.
Handheld… Kenwood or Yaesu. I happen to like Kenwood.
Fixed or mobile… Icom or Kenwwod. I like Icom mobiles.
All modern VHF HT’s will listen to Aviation AM radio and FM Marine radio. Same with modern VHF mobile radios.
yuesu 9600R 2MTRS 70CMS and marine=air.as your in USA your rules a differant to UK.licensed since 1975.