Old topic nut new user

[WSEL330]

I got my tech license recently and I am excited to get going. I have a HT and find it interesting but I am looking for a budget friendly base station for the general bands I am authorized to use. Budget friendly means under $800 for a radio that has room for me to grow and not limiting in a short time. Thank you in advance for your suggestions. P.S. I have Radioddity and BTech GMRS bases, Radioddity and Bufwang HT's. I am not brand loyal so.....

[SteveShannon]

Just now, WSEL330 said:

I got my tech license recently and I am excited to get going. I have a HT and find it interesting but I am looking for a budget friendly base station for the general bands I am authorized to use. Budget friendly means under $800 for a radio that has room for me to grow and not limiting in a short time. Thank you in advance for your suggestions. P.S. I have Radioddity and BTech GMRS bases, Radioddity and Bufwang HT's. I am not brand loyal so.....

Are you talking about UHF and VHF or HF which will allow you to grow? The Icom IC-7100 goes on sale from time to time for $899.  It does all of the popular HF, VHF, and UHF amateur bands. The Yaesu FT-991A is another, but it’s incrementally more expensive.  The color spectrum scope is nice though.  

If you’re really just talking about 2 meter and 70 cm, there are few purpose built “base stations” but many mobile stations that can easily be used in a fixed location.  I would look at Icom, Yaesu, Alinco, and Kenwood, although it’s hard to find Kenwood now.

[WSEL330]

1 minute ago, SteveShannon said:

Are you talking about UHF and VHF or HF which will allow you to grow? The Icom IC-7100 goes on sale from time to time for $899.  It does all of the popular HF, VHF, and UHF amateur bands. The Yaesu FT-991A is another, but it’s incrementally more expensive.  The color spectrum scope is nice though.  

If you’re really just talking about 2 meter and 70 cm, there are few purpose built “base stations” but many mobile stations that can easily be used in a fixed location.  I would look at Icom, Yaesu, Alinco, and Kenwood, although it’s hard to find Kenwood now.

My mistake, I am guilty of being vague. I am looking for a station which can reasonably handle all bands I have voice privileges on (6m and up). Agreed the spectrum scope seems helpful. I am initially interested in building antennas. The contact thing will be fun once I find folks on the air but I need to spend more time searching for traffic instead of just 'scanning'. I programed my HT with all local repeaters within 25 miles but only heard one organized net one time. I am investigating the local HAM clubs.

[SteveShannon]

8 minutes ago, WSEL330 said:

My mistake, I am guilty of being vague. I am looking for a station which can reasonably handle all bands I have voice privileges on (6m and up). Agreed the spectrum scope seems helpful. I am initially interested in building antennas. The contact thing will be fun once I find folks on the air but I need to spend more time searching for traffic instead of just 'scanning'. I programed my HT with all local repeaters within 25 miles but only heard one organized net one time. I am investigating the local HAM clubs.

You also have SSB voice privileges on a portion of 10 meters: 28.300-28.500 MHz. 
Here’s the problem. VHF and UHF radio’s typically do not include 6 meters, even though 6 meters is technically VHF. But 6 meters is almost always included in HF radios, as is 10 meters. 
I would not try to buy a radio that includes just the bands you’re allowed. 

[WSEL330]

2 hours ago, SteveShannon said:

You also have SSB voice privileges on a portion of 10 meters: 28.300-28.500 MHz. 
Here’s the problem. VHF and UHF radio’s typically do not include 6 meters, even though 6 meters is technically VHF. But 6 meters is almost always included in HF radios, as is 10 meters. 
I would not try to buy a radio that includes just the bands you’re allowed. 

Noted, Sir. I think I will go with two radios with a price point that is palatable and play. Having said that, I will continue to actively work the bands with the HT on an aerial antenna. Thank you for your time again. I just didnt want to get a radio(s) that would be next to the treadmill and bread maker in the garage....

[SteveShannon]

52 minutes ago, WSEL330 said:

Noted, Sir. I think I will go with two radios with a price point that is palatable and play. Having said that, I will continue to actively work the bands with the HT on an aerial antenna. Thank you for your time again. I just didnt want to get a radio(s) that would be next to the treadmill and bread maker in the garage....

Treadmills make great clothes hangers…

A good way to get started is to pick up a Radioddity db20g and swap it to 2 meters and 70 cm. It’s inexpensive and versatile. Most people like them. It’s 20 watts but for those two bands that’s usually enough. 

[WSEL330]

Finally! Checked in on a local net and got to talk to real humans!!!!! Totally  stoked, rabbit hole, here I come!

[WSEL330]

how do you feel about the Btech UV-25X4?

[jwilkers]

The BTECH 25x4 uses HT finals, overdriven to 20 watts or so. My UHF went out on mine. I still use it for 220. It also has memory issues now, that I finally got ironed out.

Sent from my SM-S911U1 using Tapatalk

[Davichko5650]

On 7/26/2025 at 8:29 PM, WSEL330 said:

Finally! Checked in on a local net and got to talk to real humans!!!!! Totally  stoked, rabbit hole, here I come!

Excellent, congratulations!  In your pursuit of a good rig, you may want to look around the used market for a decent priced Yaesu FT-991 or similar "shack in a box" type rig. Gives you the 10m and 6m bands you're licensed to operate on as well as 2m and 70cm all mode.  As a Technician, you are licensed to operate digital modes on 10m as well, and there is activity, especially on FT8 mode quite often when the band is open.  And it may, or may not, whet your appetite to upgrading to General and/or Extra if you find HF operating to be a thing you want to pursue down that rabbit hole.

AS to where to look, if you're in the market, I would avoid FaceBook Marketplace, too much scamming there. Local buy/sell/trade nets on 2m usually have something to offer as well as local HamFests. Local Clubs are also a good source if you can find a good one.

Enjoy your trip down the RF Rabbit Hole that is two-way radio!

[WRYZ926]

Local ham fest's are another good place to look for used equipment. 

There are pluses and minuses on buying a shack in the box radio that does everything. One major downside is if something goes wrong then you lose everything at once. Another negative is that shack in the box radios are Jacks of alll trades but masters of none. The big plus is that you only need one radio. 

I personally prefer separate radios for home use.

You also have CW privileges on 15m and 40m as a technician along with 10m AM/SSB, CW, and 10m digital modes.

Since you recently got your tech license, now is the time to study for and take your general test as everything is still fresh in your memory. There really isn't much differences between the tech and general tests.

Like any hobby, radio can get expensive if you let it. There are so many different things you can do with an amateur license, especially once you step up to general or extra.

[Davichko5650]

3 hours ago, WRYZ926 said:

 

You also have CW privileges on 15m and 40m as a technician

a small slice of 80 meters as well.