Subj : Re: packet radio
To   : All
From : dotslash
Date : Fri Aug 19 2022 03:56 pm

Hi!

On 16/08/2022 10:51, Irish_Monk wrote:
> Got the book in yesterday. Reading thru it, not just studying answers to the questions. Luckily being a cable guy for 21 years, alot of it (sine waves, electrical theory) I have a really good knowledge of already. Take the test Sept. 1 for the technician license.

Good luck with your exam, I'm sure you will ace it.


> Is there a particular radio that you guys would recommend for someone just getting into this hobby? Brand, model, best place to purchase? Thanks for any info.

This will depend on a number of factors ranging from budget to 
application. In all cases I would suggest that you keep to the KISS 
principle, because if you get that one radio that can do it all (like 
the Icom ID-52), you will end up forking out a pile of money. Not that 
the ID-52 is not worth it, but while you are right at the start why not 
get some "Lego blocks" instead of buying a Cadillac.

For packet, any decent HT would do. Since we are talking about things 
like Raspberry Pi's, you can just as well get the equivalent in the HT 
world - the Baofeng UV-5R or similar. Alternatively you can get it's 
slightly more upmarket cousin, the Baofeng UV-82. These radios are all 
approx $30 US each, and are excellent tools to experiment with due to 
their low cost.

For general usage, you have even more choice. If you stay in the analog 
world, anything from Baofeng, Retevis, TyT, Yaesu and a mountain of 
other makes would probably do you fine. For general analog usage I got 
myself a Retevis RA685, which is a fine little radio for around $50 or 
thereabouts (I bought it for £49 in the UK from Amazon). I also have a 
Baofeng UV-82 for general voice and packet use.

Just pre-empting discussion about digital modes, ease yourself into that 
later on when you have read up more about it, and also asked more 
questions about it. There are loads of really knowledgeable people here, 
so don't be shy  to flood us with questions.


Cheerio,
Jan (dotslash/M7HNK)

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