This site is under construction with google site San Mateo Radio Club - W6UQ
Which handheld radio should I buy?
Great Question, how do you answer it?
Since no perfect radio exists and options for exploration are answered after some experience, your first radio should at least be a dual band (2 meters and 70 cm). So just grab one, trust me you'll have one more. Icom, Yeasu and Kenwood all make fantastic radio's which sound great, easy to program and are well built. Baofeng, Wouxon and others have a great place as a back up radio and a "take anywhere" radio without worrying about breaking it. Whichever you get, it's not a contest, push the PTT button and lets go!!! Pro tip, Get it MARS modified when you order it. Become a member and we'll tell you why!!
Ham Radio Outlet, Dx Engineering, Giga parts, Radiodtty, R and L electronics are all well established ham radio stores. HRO is located in Sacramento and well worth the drive.
Here's Just a few models we own ourselves
$-Baofeng UV-5R
Quansheng UV-K5
$$- Yeasu FT-60 (VX-3) (FT-65)
$$$- Feature rich, Big learning curve
Icom ID-52, Yeasu FT-5DR, Kenwood TH-d75
How To Program Your Radio
Baofeng
RT systems
Baofeng
Simple in its design and excellent initss function. Manual programing found here can have you on the air in seconds.
Yeasu
RT systems
Baofeng
The Yeasu line has been a staple in many CERT and ARES groups for decades. Learn how to program an FT-60 here.
CHIRP
RT systems
RT systems
CHIRP is a free, open-source tool for programming your radio. It supports a large number of manufacturers and models, as well as provides a way to interface with multiple data sources and formats.
RT systems
RT systems
RT systems
RT Systems makes radio specific programs for nearly every model you can think of. It does cost money but also comes with excellent support.