Topic: Recommendations for Entry Level Ham Radio?

[wolfmanX]

I would highly recommend the FT-8800.  Dual bander, easy to mod for FRS/GMRS, does ARTS (I hate being 10 minute compliant ), and is fairly rugged.

Some of the new single band ones are really beefy looking too.

[SuperSlideStyle]

Money is tight right now for a ham radio.  Thinking of getting a Uniden pro520XL compact cb radio.  Any feedback?

[SteeevO]

just get the little cobra. works great and is a solid radio. I have one.. and yes my signal was getting bad on the trail last weekend but it was just a loose mic connector. once I realized it on the freeway and screwed it on tight, it was flawless.

https://www.cobra.com/detail/19-dx-iv-compact-cb-radio.cfm

[Ghost65]

Oz...getting back to your original question, there are some very nice 2 meter mobile radios in the $130-$160 range, and with a nice antenna and mount you can be transmitting (after you get the license) for around $250.

We can talk a little about ham radios etc. on the Gold Mountain trip coming up in June.

[SuperSlideStyle]

I ended up getting the Midland 1001Z Compact cb radio as a start.  Are there any good local store in SoCal for comunications and stuff?

[Blackx]

Ham Radio Outlet is the main place.  Their retail store in San Diego is kind of lacking but the website lists nearly anything you could want for amateur radio.  http://www.hamradio.com/

[SuperSlideStyle]

How about the L.A. and O.C.areas?

[Blackx]

Anaheim and Burbank.  http://www.hamradio.com/contact.cfm

[Bobby B.]

Ham City on Sepulveda in Culver City.  Always treated me right.

[SuperSlideStyle]

Buying a Firestik II tunealbe antenna for my CB.  Are these different from ham antenna's?  What features should I be looking for in a ham antenna?

[LupinOne]

Another good place to look is on QRZ.com in their Swapmeet | Ham Radio Gear For Sale section. You can find some nice things in there.  I'm running a new Yaesu FT-7900R/E in my X, but in the past have run an Alinco DR-140TQ (2m only) which I used for SAR for over 8 years.  It is currently my base station at home (until that nice check comes in and I can get a FT-857 or Icom 706MkIIG to put in at home )

[LupinOne]

Also, just had a thought as I was re-reading this thread.  With regard to the Kite-eating tree picking its teeth with nice whip antennas, when out running trail a 1/4-wave spike should be more than enough to hit many repeaters and certainly for the simplex (direct) chatting we do.  Just carry the 1/2-wave or larger you would run when running around town with you in case you need the extra reach.

[Ghost65]

Buying a Firestik II tunealbe antenna for my CB.  Are these different from ham antenna's?  What features should I be looking for in a ham antenna?

Irwin...getting the Firestik will help with your CB comms, but unfortunately it won't work when you get your ham license. 

Companies like Diamond Antenna and Comet make excellent 2 meter antennas, with a myriad of mounting options as well as lengths from 36" to 55". 

All of the stores everyone has mentioned are great resources, and I'll throw another one your way.  They are mail order, with the closest retail outlet in Las Vegas.  But their prices are very competitive and their customer service is excellent.

Visit www.aesham.com and check out what they have to offer.