Equipment & Gear Reviews

Popular radios, antennas, and accessories for all budget levels

Handheld Radios (Handies)

Baofeng UV-5R

Budget-friendly dual-band handheld. Great for beginners on a budget. VHF/UHF capable.

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Yaesu FT-3D

Advanced dual-band handheld with GPS and digital modes. Great for experienced operators.

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Icom IC-V86

Durable and reliable dual-band handheld. Known for excellent build quality.

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Wouxun KG-UV9D

Feature-rich budget option with P25 digital capability for serious users.

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Kenwood TH-K20

A powerful communications tool in every sense, KENWOOD’s new TH-K20A radio offers 5.5 watts of RF output to ensure reliable performance.

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Mobile & Base Radios

Yaesu FT-7900R

Popular dual-band mobile radio. Compact size with solid performance.

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Icom IC-2730A

Compact dual-band mobile. Small footprint, big features.

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Kenwood TM-V71A

Dual-band transceiver with excellent audio and build quality.

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Elecraft K3

High-end HF transceiver for serious contesters and DXers.

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Icom IC-718

Popular HF radio. Great starter HF radio.

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Icom IC-7300

The Innovative HF Transceiver with High Performance Real-Time Spectrum Scope

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Kenwood TM-V71A

Dual-band transceiver with excellent audio and build quality.

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Elecraft K3

High-end HF transceiver for serious contesters and DXers.

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Antennas

J-Pole Antenna

Omnidirectional VHF/UHF antenna. Easy to build or buy, great for repeaters.

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Dipole Antenna

Classic HF antenna. Simple to build and surprisingly effective.

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Yagi Antenna

Directional antenna for long-distance communication and weak signal work.

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Vertical Antenna

Space-saving option for DX work. Good all-around HF antenna.

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Accessories

Item Purpose Typical Cost
Microphone Improves audio quality for transmission $30 - $100
Headset Hands-free operation, comfort for long sessions $20 - $80
Power Supply Provides stable power to radio equipment $50 - $300
SWR Meter Tunes antennas and monitors antenna health $30 - $150
Coaxial Cable Connects radio to antenna $1 - $5 per foot
Battery Pack Extended operation for portables $30 - $100
Antenna Tuner Improves voltage standing wave ratio $100 - $500

Equipment Resources

QRZ.com Equipment Database

Extensive reviews and specifications for ham radio equipment.

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ARRL Product Reviews

Independent reviews from the American Radio Relay League.

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Major Radio Manufacturers

Direct links to official manufacturers and retailers.

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Used Equipment Market

Find deals on pre-owned ham radio equipment from trusted sources.

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Getting Started Setup

Minimal Setup for Technician License Holder (Budget: ~$150-200)

Comfortable Home Station (Budget: ~$1000-2000)