WRUU653

I’m glad to hear you say this. It has been my experience as well. I was thinking it odd that someone would do this when everyone around where I am has some inexpensive radios as well as their expensive ones and I don’t hear anyone giving grief over using them.  

I like this approach. Kind of a Chevy Chase response.
Q) what kind of radio you using?  
A) Motorola.  
Q) A Motorola?  
A) Icom. 
Q) wait, an Icom?  
A) Kenwood, it’s all I use. Nothing else, why would I?  
Q) huh?  
A) I like you Betty. 

Help me understand , please. You were able to hear voice transmissions on the db20g without an antenna, but once you connected the coax and antenna you no longer could hear voice transmissions (annd you made no other changes?)
Go back to a configuration that works, even if that means listening without an antenna.  Then change one thing at a time so you can eliminate distractors. 

First congratulations on getting your Tech license.
Yes the TYT TH-UV88 is a pretty good radio for the price. I have the Explorer QRZ-1 that is nothing but a TH-UV88 with custom firmware that can't be unlocked. Check with QRZ to see if they still have their New Tech program where they sell the QRZ-1 at a discounted price. I think I paid $25 for mine a year ago.
https://www.qrz.com/jumpstart
I actually started out with a Baofeng GT-5R and a borrowed Icom IC-208H. I was using a mag mounted antenna in the vehicle with the GT-5R and had another mag mount antenna placed on a cookie sheet right outside the house.
I'll echo what others have said. Start out simple and inexpensive until you decide exactly what you want in a radio. In hindsight I should have spend a little more and got an Icom IC-2730 first instead of the TYT TH-7800 for my base station. Nothing wrong with the TYT mobile radios but the Icom is better.
I'll be a parrot again. Using a good antenna and good coax is as important as what radio to get. And you will want to get your antenna as high as you can.
When it comes to coax, use LMR400 or equivalent for VHF/UHF. Avoid the cheap stuff on Amazon.

Congratulations on becoming a ham!  Great job diving in to help with REACT!

Congratulations on becoming a ham! A home base would have more power, but one of the first things you’ll learn is that power is one of the least important aspects of a radio, especially on VHF and UHF.  Power isn’t totally unimportant, but the range of a VHF or UHF radio is affected much less by power than a person might expect. 

Hear hear!
A person always needs a handheld radio to throw in the pocket of a coat. You can use a handheld radio with a mobile antenna or a base station antenna for many basic purposes. Beginning with just a base station or just a mobile station doesn’t allow the same flexibility.

Here’s a video review from HRCC on the TYT (I like Josh’s videos). My first ham radio was a Baofeng GT-3WP. Cheap, waterproof, good for hiking and it works. I have the bug and my purchases continue to grow but I don’t regret my first cheap radio. 

Here’s a video review from HRCC on the TYT (I like Josh’s videos). My first ham radio was a Baofeng GT-3WP. Cheap, waterproof, good for hiking and it works. I have the bug and my purchases continue to grow but I don’t regret my first cheap radio. 

People talk about equipment choices, but that's not the only thing.
Some new Hams are interested in using their new found ability to communicate in a volunteer capacity. A few guys I know like to work at various parades, marathons, take part in emergency training drills etc. In fact one buddy just took part in an "active shooter" training drill conducted at the major regional airport a couple of days ago. Others are involved with "SkyWarn", "Races" and "CERT" groups.
https://www.weather.gov/skywarn/
https://www.usraces.org/
https://community.fema.gov/PreparednessConnect/s/article/Keeping-Lines-of-Communication-Open-CERT-Ham-Radio
He's also a volunteer "first responder", plus uses his skills to build communication command vehicles used by local Ham clubs and some cities. I've seen a few of his projects he's worked on. Top notch work and VERY professionally done too.

You and Wayoverthere have a good point.. getting my license is kind of like being a kid and your mom gives you $20 and turns you loose in a candy store. The buck wild starts itching…

That frequency will be on channel Rp21 with a tone number 22. I’m not much more help than that as I don’t have this radio. 

I’m a proponent of starting with an inexpensive HT and get acquainted with the hobby. Lots of radios with different purposes to spend your money on out there. Take your time getting to know what interest you. 
Congratulations @GMRSJohn and @RevEric on passing your exams and getting your amateur radio license. 73’s

I’m a proponent of starting with an inexpensive HT and get acquainted with the hobby. Lots of radios with different purposes to spend your money on out there. Take your time getting to know what interest you. 
Congratulations @GMRSJohn and @RevEric on passing your exams and getting your amateur radio license. 73’s

I just passed my TECH and am awaiting arrival of my sparkling new call sign. I can say that the best thing I am doing is being a part of REACT. Their mission gives me a sense of purpose and gets me out of the house once in a while. Plus the people in the group are wonderful and so helpful. Find a group like that John. One that gives you a reason to grab your radio with great people to support you.

Good point.  It's easy to get caught up in all the different flavors of digital, but it's worth looking at what's on the air in your area, or areas you frequent before going down one of those roads. 
I have mostly Yaesu mobiles in use (mainly for the APRS), but there's basically no Fusion repeaters around me, so that feature is not super useful.

Handheld plus a spare battery at first, preferably inexpensive and simple. The Baofeng UV5R is a good one to learn the basics.
Then, as you learn what appeals to you you can always get something else. 

It really depends on what you want to do with your new-found ability to communicate with radios. A lot of us have base stations, handhelds, and mobile radios in our vehicles. Examine your possible use cases and you'll have a better idea of what to get. I use a base station when I'm running my weekly net on my repeater, I use my mobile radio every day in the car, and I use my HTs when we're out hiking.  But not everyone needs all three of those capabilities.

Last time I checked it still wasn’t available in Chirp. That has been a month probably. 

Still only shows the DB25-G, not the DB20-G.

Checked the requests....doesnt look like any updates or progress for months, at this point.
https://chirp.danplanet.com/issues/9241
https://chirpmyradio.com/issues/8953
 

I suspect they said Chirp but this was a reference to the radios program software in general. It certainly seems Chirp isn’t moving forward for this radio for whatever reasons, though I’m sure it would be welcomed as the radio is so popular in its various forms. 

I suspect they said Chirp but this was a reference to the radios program software in general. It certainly seems Chirp isn’t moving forward for this radio for whatever reasons, though I’m sure it would be welcomed as the radio is so popular in its various forms. 

That frequency will be on channel Rp21 with a tone number 22. I’m not much more help than that as I don’t have this radio. 

Thanks to both of you who answered me, like I mentioned I’m new to the radio system appreciate your responses.