Cheap Comms - Baofeng Radios

Radioddity is good to go.

They have private labeled some stuff, and they resell good radios and antenna's.

I have bought more than a few radios and antenna's from radioddity.

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Originally Posted by Grant H.

Radioddity is good to go.

They have private labeled some stuff, and they resell good radios and antenna's.

I have bought more than a few radios and antenna's from radioddity.

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Not a fan of their antennas. Prefer the Expert Power. A little more, but better built IMHO.

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Originally Posted by thedave1164

I have a BNIB Baofeng UV-5R that I will give to someone that does not have a radio and has recently gotten their Ham license, or gets their license.

The tech license is a few hours of study/memorization and a test that you pay about $15 to take.

I have tested and programmed the radio.

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I would take you up on that. I've been looking for the motivation to fully jump in...

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Originally Posted by brutal

Not a fan of their antennas. Prefer the Expert Power. A little more, but better built IMHO.

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Interesting. I've never had a problem with them. They are reselling private labeled Nagoya antennas, which are well liked in the ham radio world.

Now I'm curious. Just bought a couple and will put them on the network analyzer.

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Originally Posted by Grant H.

Interesting. I've never had a problem with them. They are reselling private labeled Nagoya antennas, which are well liked in the ham radio world.

Now I'm curious. Just bought a couple and will put them on the network analyzer.

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They seem to perform fine, just terrible fit and finish. The expert Power are so much nicer (and more $).

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Originally Posted by esizer

I would take you up on that. I've been looking for the motivation to fully jump in...

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Sure, just let me know :)

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Originally Posted by thedave1164

Sure, just let me know :)

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Much appreciated! My grandfather passed almost a decade ago ago now and one of his great passions was amateur radio. While I didn’t have the capacity to take in his equipment when it needed to find a home, I did inherit his course materials, books, etc. I dug out the technicians handbook and took the home study this weekend so I plan on taking the test online within the next week or two. From what I’ve gathered, he was more interested in the shortwave/HF stuff...but I figured getting my toes wet in at least the 2M/70cm bands would be a good start to honoring his memory.

@esizer, I'm sorry for your loss. Once you get your ticket and get acquainted with the gear, I suggest you buy a new handheld radio for vhf/uhf. There are so many features on new radios, even stuff that's 10 years old seems like a dinosaur. HF is alot of fun, but keep in mind that we're still near the bottom of a solar cycle, it won't be 'good' for a few years.

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Originally Posted by battlemidget

@esizer, I'm sorry for your loss. Once you get your ticket and get acquainted with the gear, I suggest you buy a new handheld radio for vhf/uhf. There are so many features on new radios, even stuff that's 10 years old seems like a dinosaur. HF is alot of fun, but keep in mind that we're still near the bottom of a solar cycle, it won't be 'good' for a few years.

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I appreciate the condolences and thank you for the tip on the HF band/solar cycle correlation. I have my technician's exam scheduled for tomorrow at 4 PM.

I passed my technician's exam with a 34/35 [Beer]