What You Need To Know BEFORE Buying Your 1st Ham Radio

BEFORE you buy your first Ham Radio, you must answer these 5 questions. I will help guide you through the process of selecting the right Ham Radio for you. I will also show you various options based on price and features.

[somethingcool]

Exactly the path I took bought 3 Boafang HT the yaesu Ft-70 and Ed Fong J-pole. Just got the F-400 and power supply and set in progress now. It took a couple weeks watching videos and learning running into problems especially with the FT-70 but learning how program the Boafangs helped a lot giving me a good basic understanding of how ham radio works....glad I started there and watching videos like this one.

[carolinawoods-n-water]

Just bought my first ham - Baofeng BF-F8HP. Being a newbie to this hobby, I find your videos very helpful, even though I don’t yet understand everything you’re saying! Thank you for this beginner playlist & the other content you’ve posted.

[suds]

Fantastic video Old Man! I got my tech license last week and have zero idea where to start. Thank you for sharing your experience and knowledge. The breakdowns by tier and capability were great - Only found some slightly dated stuff (like Kenmore not making any new products - post covid they now have the D75). Please keep up the great work. I’ll be checking out the rest of your videos this week/liking and subscribing now. Much obliged!

[rickharms]

I have a rant, but is not about you. I did a google search for a GMRS hand held. I kept getting good reviews for the BF-F8HP. I bet you know where this is going. Bought 2. This was for my wife and I, both do not have HAM licenses. I went ballistic with the world when I discovered the truth. I am 74, memory stinks, but I may go ahead and get my technician license, but my wife will never do it. Still not sure what to do in regards to my wife. Oh, love your series, thank you.

[Yozimbo]

Thank you sir, for your excellent videos! They are made in a fantastic way and convey the information to the general public in a such easy-going and easy-to-understand way... Kudos

[justsumname]

so glad I found this channel, you sir have a knack for teaching and are making all this mumbo jumbo mean something

[F_viper_pilot]

“Duel band”….dem’s fightin’ words!🤣 Pretty sure you meant “dual”. lol Love your content….subscribed!

[saifal-badri]

This is gold for ham operators, thank you so much!

[bobmac]

AS ALWAYS, MJ, you do an excellent, organized and informative job with your well thought-out videos. Best vids on the internet for ham in my opinion.

[DonzLockz]

Great video, very informative and practical info for us new guys. 🍻👍🤓

[tribulationprepper]

"DUEL" purpose... Two guys fencing with long HT antennas.

[shovelheadkev]

Love the videos and information. Really appreciate that you do this for us just getting into ham!

[FewPewPewRah]

Nice job! Thank you for your advice. It is extremely helpful.

[williamhowe]

Thanks MJ we appreciate your valuable insight

[gregorypaolini]

Hello there! Excellent content, thanks. Please keep it up fellow tar heel!! You call out the B Tech UV-5X3 as the best value starter radio in your video. I’m the kind of person that would rather buy quality once, and be just as happy with my purchase in 10 years, than buy a value today that’s relegated to a drawer in a year. With that in mind, If money were not an obstacle, and your primary criteria is prepper, what would be your recommendation for an HT in the Technician class?

[thomasjehn]

Well rounded coverage of information for those just coming on-air.

[tulenik]

Pretty different from european reality :)
In Europe, in most countries there's nothing like Technician class (and if it is, it is a remain of old rules from 30+ years ago). CEPT Novice is the standard exam for lower operator class (usually called N) and after that, the operators have access to at least some (mostly non-DX parts of 160/80 m and 15/10 m bands) or all (like in my country) HF bands, but with limited power (in my country 100 W, in Czech Republic, for example, only 10 W). CEPT Novice is considered to be equal to General in US.
VHF/UHF HTs are seen as kinda of bad substitute for cellular phones, I am using HT only for things like APRS (on my way to SOTA activation to be easily spotted :D) or as an auxilliary communication during testing. Or for hunting SSTV images from ISS. HF bands are much more interesting :D
Of course I know some people who did their N exam only to have an access to 2 m/70 cm HTs. After some time, there are basically two types of them. If they will not find the beauty of HF, they will end up bored and left the hobby. Second will find the enlighentment of HF. In our club, usually a 100 W HF of HF/VHF/UHF "all bands all modes" rig is what we would recommend to a beginner. I am a bit non-typical being QRP field operator. But still HF operator.
And what is interesting, most of cheap dual-band HT users are in fact unlicensed pirates.

[WRND]

I got a 991A, 818ND, FT-60R, and a bunch of accessories and supporting gear before even getting my Technician license, but I'm... a bit on the eccentric side. 😅

[Gizelle-dqge]

"It can even make your dinner for you" HA 😂 sign me up

[kygent]

I am going to take the test for a ham radio then I will need help to pick one out.