Imagine how horrifying it must have been for hundreds of stranded Americans who couldn’t get cell service during the destructive 2017 hurricanes?
Guess who came to the rescue for Americans and many other people that had their communication services knocked out? Good old ham radio!
Also called amateur radio, ham radio is the term used for amateur radio operators that broadcast over the ham frequencies. However, this doesn’t mean these folks are amateurish. People in the ham radio community have a reputation for knowing their stuff. Ham radio enthusiasts are considered amateur only because they use non-commercial radio frequencies.
Any enthusiast will tell you that there are many types of ham radio equipment and for those new to the hobby, we often get asked: “what equipment is needed for ham radio”?
Ultimately, this is a difficult question to answer because the equipment you will end up buying will depend upon your interests and license class. However, most people new to the hobby will start on the popular bands of 2m (144MHz) & 70cm (430Mhz). But HF radios are also great for beginners because they are relatively easy to use.
So what do you need? Ham radio transmission typically involves a radio (Base, mobile or handheld) and an antenna.
But before you begin buying, make sure you do your research because getting started can be daunting! There are some great reference points for advice on getting started all over the internet.
So what equipment would we recommend for a new starter that isn’t going to break the bank but is good quality and will be a good investment?
FOR HOME HAM RADIO SHACK
If you plan to set up a home shack, asides from ham radio equipment, you will also need to consider the following:
- A space in the house that won’t disturb the other occupants
- An area that allows you to keep the optimum temperature required for all your equipment
- A space to install cable antennas
- A power source for the ham radio equipment
Here’s a list of the equipment that we would recommend for your amateur radio home shack:
Transceiver
First off, you need a transciever. Without a transceiver, you can’t communicate!
YAESU FT–991A
A great option that offers you the necessary HF, VHF and UHF bands for amateur radio operators is the Yaesu FT – 991A. The FT – 991A is an upgrade on the famous FT – 991. It packs in all of its predecessors’ features but also includes some massive upgrades, such as:
- Noise cancellation and reduction
- A filter for its triple conversion receiver that drastically reduces any interfering signals
- An in-built 3.5’ colour touch screen with a high-resolution display
The FT-991A transceiver can also handle as much as 100 watts of power (50 watts on the 144/430MHz) on SSB, AM, FM, CW, C4FM Digital and Packet on the standard HF/50/144/430MHz Bands.
It’s a great option if you are beginning as an amateur radio operator and a good investment into the hobby.
Power Supply
Next, you need a power supply for your amateur radio transceiver.
TekPower TP30SWII 30 Amp DC 13.8V Analog Switching Power Supply with Noise Offset
For your power supply, consider the TekPower TP30SWII 30 Amp DC 13.8V Analog Switching Power Supply unit. It comes with noise offset control to remove the pulse noise when switching circuits. This patent-pending feature is designed specifically for communication equipment.
Its output voltage is 9 – 15V; this is, however, adjustable.
VHF/UHF Antenna
Next, you’ll need a dual-band antenna. Your antenna choice is just as crucial as the Transceiver. This is an essential element of your setup and shouldn’t be underestimated. This piece of ham radio equipment is what makes it possible to connect with other ham radio enthusiasts.
Comet SS-680SBNMO – 2M/70cm Dual Band Spring Mobile Antenna
The Comet SS-680SBNMO MKII dual band 2/70 is a great choice. It’s a antenna that can handle the elements. It also comes pre-tuned. It transmits at 144 – 146MHz and 430 – 440MHz and receives at 25 – 1300MHz.
You will also need at least 10 meters of high-quality patch lead.
HF Wire Antenna
Next, we would recommend an HF wire antenna to enable you to use the HF frequencies, which makes sense if you are buying a transceiver with HF capabilities like the Yaesu FT – 991A.
MFJ-1982MP EFHW
Another excellent choice for your ham radio equipment is the MFJ-1982MP wire antenna.
It comes with a UnUn — never heard of the term “UnUn” before? Well, it’s another term for unbalanced to Balanced, which is an impedance transformer that feeds a high impedance unbalanced random wire of about a few hundred ohms and transforms it into a 50Ω (unbalanced) coaxial input for your equipment. Thus, UnUn.
The MFJ-1982MP is excellent when used with an antenna tuning unit (ATU). With the ATU, you can get good quality signals on all radio frequencies. It also comes with a ground connection if you need to connect it to an earth rod.
You will also need at least 10 meters of patch lead. We would recommend The PL58-10-10M which is a standard 10 meters RG58 patch lead, and it comes with 2 PL259 connector plugs.
FOR CAR/MOBILE HAM RADIO SHACK
However, not every amateur operator wants a home shack. Some prefer to use their car for their mobile ham radio equipment, so they can use it wherever they go.
Here’s a list of ham radio equipment we would recommend for your mobile amateur radio shack:
Mobile Transceiver
For mobile shacks, a VHF/UHF radio is your best bet.
Anytone AT-5888UV
We would recommend the Anytone AT-5888UV. The Anytone AT-5888UV is a complete Dual Mode (Analog/DMR) Dual-Band Radio (144/440) and comes juiced up with a 50W RF power output.
It has a great microphone with a full feature of buttons meaning you can run the whole radio from the microphone if you want, which is excellent when you are on the move. What’s more, it also has BlueTooth audio and PPT technology for totally hands-free operation!
The AnyTone AT-5888UV can be used for digital DMR radio systems and is compatible with MOTOTRBO Tier 1 and 2. Traditional FM mode is also supported.
In addition to the well-known functions such as FM APRS, digital roaming and the new Bluetooth option, the AT-D578UV-Plus now offers the possibility of receiving both a DMR and an analogue channel at the same time. Of course, two analogue channels can also be received simultaneously.
The transmission power can be set to four levels: the maximum power is 50 watts in VHF and 45 watts in UHF.
The brightness of the 1.77″ colour display and the backlit keys on the unit and microphone can be adjusted in steps, ensuring ideal readability even in sunlight and glare-free operation when driving in the dark.
The AnyTone AT-5888UV is equipped with a GPS receiver and position data can be transmitted via radio (DMR-APRS and FM-APRS).
The AT-5888UV Pro also comes with a few out of the box accessories such as a mounting bracket, USB programming lead and power cable.
Mobile Dual Band Antenna
Next, you’ll need a mobile antenna fitted to your car shack.
Dual Band MRQ-575
The MRQ-575 2/70 is a perfect option to handle the various range of call signs. Its configured to handle a half-wave at 2 meters and 2 x 5/8 wave on 70 centimetres. This gives you a dual-band frequency with outstanding performance and signals quality despite its size.
The MRQ-575 also makes use of the widespread PL259 connector. Best of all, it’s DMR compatible, fusion compatible and Dstar compatible.
Other key features include:
- Radiofrequency range of 144 -146/430-440MHz
- 200 watts power output
Mobile Antenna Mount
Lastly, you will need to mount your antenna to your vehicle.
Sirio Mount Mag-145PL
The Sirio Mag 145-PL Magnetic mount is a suitable option to wrap up your fantastic setup. It’s a larger than usual, robust magnetic mount. It comes with a 4-meter RG58 coaxial cable and the widely used PL259 connector.
It also comes with a padded rubber casing to prevent scratches, and it is water-resistant. The base is approximately 160mm wide.
FOR A COMPLETELY PORTABLE HAM RADIO EXPERIENCE
It’s also possible that you might want a portable experience, so you can backpack your equipment around or carry it in a portable bag.
In such scenarios, you will need to decide how you prefer to carry your ham radio equipment. It would be best if you also considered your weight limits. Power sources are essential for ham radios, so you need a suitable battery pack.
Also, note that it’s easier to operate full-size radios than a hand-held, especially in the case of an emergency or when dealing with the elements.
However, if portable models are your preferred way to begin as an amateur radio operator, you can’t get better than the Senhaix 8800. It’s the best portable radio for newbies to ham radio.
The Senhaix 8800 is a feature-crammed dual-band hand-held radio. It also comes with accessories such as a hand strap and a belt clip if you prefer to carry it that way.
You can choose between the Android or IOS software depending on your preference. You can download these from the App store.
CONCLUSION
Getting started as an amateur radio operator doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Once you have the right equipment, you should be able to get going in no time.
You can always choose to upgrade your ham radio equipment as you garner more experience. The ham radio community is also beneficial, and you are sure to get tips from your fellow amateur radio operators!