suggestions needed

[kalspa55]

I am looking for a good radio to get my feet wet....I am thinking a dual band handheld or a mobile with a dipole...I'm not a rockafeller so I cant get a unit that is big enough to fry the space station,,,just a beginner

[wb7sgl]

Second time writing this reply as my login session timed out on the first one 

I am a loyal Yaesu owner & user. I have been hearing a lot of people on the nets and on the air talking on these Wouxun radios. Their audio quality has been as good as any other radio from what I can tell. You might consider starting with one of these if you don't want to spend the money on a Kenwood, Icom or Yaesu.

This is the eHams Reviews Summary for the Wouxun KG-UVD1:
http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/8172
 
Some of the Pro's are compelling until you really consider the Con's. ... Take a look through the reviews and decide for yourself. Example concerns from my perspective include such simple things as the fact that the antenna connector isn't standard; I like knowing the SMA antenna connectors for my  HTs will work with any other radio that uses the SMA connector. (think adapters allowing external antennas during disasters)

Let us know what you decide and how it works for you.

Rob
WB7SGL

[KF7ATL]

I started with a Yaesu VX-170 hand held (now discontinued and replaced by the FT-270--I understand that they are essentially the same). It is a single-band (2 meter) radio, and is very rugged and reliable. The only complaint I have had is that it is waterproof and has a membrane over the mic port. This causes it to have low transmit audio. This is easily overcome by the use of a non-waterproof speaker mic. You can even use the cheap MFJ speaker mic made for the Icom if you have the microphone adapter plug. Overall I would say it is a good beginner radio and is fairly easy to program and use (as long as you read the owner's manual).

I now have a dual-band Icom. It's nice to have 440, but for ruggedness and ease of use I still prefer the Yaesu.

One other suggestion I have is to get an SMA adapter cable and use an external antenna when indoors or in the car.  I made a simple 1/4 wave ground plane which is mounted outside the house, and use a 1/4 wave mag mount when in the car. They help a lot.

Those are my 2 cents, for what they are worth.

Garth

[AC0PR]

Hi and welcome to the hamming world! Any good dual band radio would be a great starter, although I would be much more partial to an HT than a mobile for your very first one. (I use a Yaesu FT-60 myself).

I noticed from another post that you'll be coordinating other hams. I would suggest seriously looking into continuing your licensing to be able to operate HF. If you want information from outside your area (Phillipines correct?), it'll have to be HF. Just a thought.

Thanks and best 73.