Portable ham for beginner...

Pinebox

I'd be better off
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Jul 3, 2017
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Vale, NC
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Can someone recommend a portable ham for someone who knows nothing about them. I'd like to add to my prepping junk.
Thanks.
 
SPAM has about as good a shelf life as you will find for your preps and packs well when mobile.


My suggestion is to get licensed and become familiar with amateur radio communications. A transceiver purchased and tossed in a box will be no good to you if you don't know how/when/where to use it.

What are your communication goals?
 
It really depends on what you’re looking for. HF, VHF or UHF.
 
I was thinking small hobby/ emergency information. I was hoping to obtain a cheaper unit to help familiarize myself a little (not yet broadcasting of course) before going for a license. It is ok to listen without a license, right?
Also, I don't know what range to expect from a smaller radio.
 
It sounds like you’re looking for HF so I’m out. I just never had the desire to mess with it after the Corp.
Yes it is legal to listen. It’s also legal to transmit in a true emergency.
 
A real easy way to play/listen is to purchase an RTL-SDR. $25 and you can listen to most everything around you, including HF. Look up ARRL amateur radio band chart for Freq ranges.

Check out repeaterbook.com for a listing of repeaters in your area. For a cheap vhf/uhf hand held you can't go wrong with a baofeng uv5r to learn on.

Another suggestion, google around to see if there's a local amateur radio club around you. Field day is coming up this Sat, if your local club is participating it would be an excellent function to attend and a perfect time to get on a mic.
 
Hi, you can find club(s) in your area with this link http://www.arrl.org/find-a-club many have classes for technician and general class license.
Reminder that morse code is not required to obtain the general license and that gives you many privileges. Check out eham.net you can take tests no cost to practice.
 
Feel free to drop me a pm with any questions you may have, I'll do what I can to help you get squared away. We need more young blood in the hobby.
I'll definitely take advantage of the offer.
Thanks again.
 
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