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One of the first questions every new amateur radio operator asks is: "What radio should I buy?" The honest answer is "it depends" — on what you want to do, what bands your licence allows, how much space you have, and how much you want to spend. This guide walks through the decision-making process and offers practical advice for operators at every level.
Amateur radio covers an enormous range of activities, and no single piece of equipment does everything well. Before spending money, think about what you actually want to do.
Local communication (repeaters, local nets, emergency preparedness): A VHF/UHF handheld or mobile radio is your starting point. These are the least expensive radios and the easiest to get on the air with.
HF worldwide communication (DX, ragchewing, contests, digital modes): An HF transceiver is the centrepiece, along with an antenna and power supply. This is a larger investment but opens up the world.
Portable and outdoor operation (SOTA, POTA, field days): Compact, battery-powered radios with efficient portable antennas. Weight, size, and power consumption matter most.
Digital modes (FT8, JS8Call, Winlink): Almost any HF transceiver works with digital modes, but you will also need a computer, audio interface, and possibly a dedicated antenna for Winlink.
Experimentation and building: SDR receivers, kit radios, and test equipment may be more interesting to you than a commercial transceiver.
Your licence class also determines which bands and modes you can use. There is no point buying an HF transceiver if your licence only permits VHF/UHF operation, unless you plan to upgrade soon.
At this level, you can get a basic VHF/UHF handheld transceiver. Radios from Baofeng (UV-5R and similar models) and similar manufacturers cost 25–50 USD and will get you on local repeaters. These radios have limited receiver performance and build quality compared to name-brand equipment, but they work and are a perfectly valid way to start.
An RTL-SDR dongle (25–40 USD) paired with free software turns a computer into a wideband receiver covering roughly 25 MHz to 1.7 GHz. This is an excellent way to explore the radio spectrum, monitor amateur bands, receive weather satellites, track aircraft (ADS-B), and learn about radio propagation — all for the price of a modest lunch.
This range opens up better VHF/UHF options. Name-brand handhelds from Yaesu (FT-65R, FT-70DR), Icom (ID-52A), and Kenwood offer better receivers, build quality, and features like digital voice (C4FM or D-STAR). VHF/UHF mobile radios (50 W output, designed for vehicle or base station use) also fall in this range — the Yaesu FT-891 (HF mobile) can sometimes be found near the top of this bracket as well.
A used HF transceiver from the previous generation is also a possibility here. Radios like the Icom IC-718, Yaesu FT-450D, and older Kenwood models sometimes appear on the used market in this range. See Buying Used Equipment for guidance.
This is where most new HF operators land. Current-production entry-level HF transceivers include the Yaesu FT-710 AESS, Icom IC-7300, and similar models offering 100 W output, built-in antenna tuner (on some models), DSP filtering, and waterfall display. These radios are remarkably capable and represent extraordinary value compared to what equivalent performance cost even ten years ago.
Budget for a power supply (100–200 USD for a quality 30 A switching supply), basic coaxial cable and connectors (50–100 USD), and an antenna (anywhere from 20 USD for a wire dipole to several hundred for a commercial multiband antenna).
A complete starter HF station — radio, power supply, feedline, and a simple wire antenna — can be assembled for roughly 1,000–1,200 USD.
Stepping up in the transceiver market brings better receiver performance (important in contest and crowded band conditions), more features, and build quality. Radios in this tier include the Icom IC-7610 (dual-receiver SDR architecture), Yaesu FTDX10, Kenwood TS-890S, and Elecraft K4. These are serious radios for serious operators and represent a significant step up in performance from entry-level models.
At this tier you might also invest in a better antenna system (beam antenna with rotator), a linear amplifier, or high-quality test equipment.
Flagship transceivers like the Icom IC-7851, Yaesu FTDX101MP, and Elecraft K4D occupy this space. These offer the best available receiver dynamic range, multiple receivers, extensive built-in filtering, and premium construction. The differences between a mid-range and high-end radio are real but incremental — a better antenna will almost always make more difference than a more expensive radio.
Linear amplifiers (1,500–5,000 USD), tower and beam antenna systems (2,000–10,000+ USD), and high-end test equipment also fall in this category.
If you are setting up your first HF station, prioritise in this order:
1. Antenna. The antenna has more impact on your signal than any other single component. A well-placed wire dipole at a reasonable height will outperform an expensive radio connected to a poor antenna. Start with a simple dipole or end-fed half-wave for your favourite band, and invest time in getting it as high and in the clear as possible.
2. Transceiver. Buy the best transceiver you can afford within reason, but do not stretch your budget so far that you cannot afford a decent antenna and feedline. A mid-range radio with a good antenna beats a flagship radio with a compromised antenna.
3. Feedline. Use appropriate coaxial cable for your bands and run length. Do not waste money on a good radio and antenna only to lose signal in cheap, lossy coax. See Coaxial Cable for guidance.
4. Power supply. A reliable, properly sized power supply is essential. See Power Supplies for details.
5. Accessories. SWR meter, antenna tuner (if your radio does not have one built in), headphones, logging software, and a clock. These can be added over time.
The amateur radio used market is active and generally trustworthy. Radios are well-built and long-lived, and many operators upgrade frequently, putting lightly used equipment on the market. Buying used can save 30–50% compared to new, with the trade-off of no manufacturer warranty and the need to inspect the equipment carefully. See Buying Used Equipment for detailed advice.
The major amateur radio dealers (HRO/Ham Radio Outlet, DX Engineering, Gigaparts, and others in North America; ML&S, Radioworld, and Nevada Radio in the UK; many regional dealers worldwide) offer new equipment with full manufacturer warranty, technical support, and return policies. Buying from an authorised dealer is the safest option for new equipment.
eBay, QTH.com classifieds, eHam.net classifieds, and various Facebook groups are active secondary markets. Exercise normal caution with online purchases — check seller feedback, ask detailed questions about condition, and use payment methods that offer buyer protection.
Hamfests (amateur radio conventions and flea markets) are excellent places to buy both new and used equipment, often at the best prices available. You can inspect equipment in person, test it if the seller allows, and negotiate. Major hamfests like Dayton Hamvention (Xenia, Ohio), Friedrichshafen Ham Radio (Germany), and Tokyo Ham Fair draw thousands of sellers.
Some manufacturers (notably Elecraft and FlexRadio) sell direct. Kit manufacturers (QRP Labs, Hardrock, and many others) sell exclusively direct.
Buying too much radio. A 5,000 USD transceiver connected to a compromised apartment antenna will not perform as well as a 1,000 USD radio connected to a full-size dipole in the clear. Match your equipment to your situation.
Ignoring the antenna. Repeating for emphasis: the antenna is the most important part of the station. Budget for it first.
Buying cheap coax. A long run of RG-58 on 2 m wastes more power than the radio produces. Use appropriate cable for your frequency and run length. See Coaxial Cable.
Not budgeting for accessories. You will need connectors, adapters, a power supply, feedline, an SWR meter, possibly an antenna tuner, and various odds and ends. These add up — budget an additional 20–30% beyond the radio cost for the supporting infrastructure.
Chasing features you will not use. A radio with dozens of DSP features and memories is wasted if you only operate SSB on 40 m. Buy what you need, not what looks impressive on a spec sheet.
Not researching before buying. Read reviews on eHam.net, watch video reviews, and ask on forums and local club mailing lists. The amateur community is generous with advice.
The amateur radio transceiver market is dominated by three Japanese manufacturers:
Icom — known for excellent receiver performance, solid build quality, and a wide product range from handhelds to flagship HF rigs. The IC-7300 is one of the most popular entry-level HF radios ever made.
Yaesu (Vertex Standard) — offers a broad lineup from budget VHF/UHF handhelds to high-end HF transceivers. Known for rugged construction and competitive pricing.
Kenwood (JVCKENWOOD) — a smaller product line than Icom or Yaesu, but known for excellent audio quality and receiver performance. The TS-890S and TS-590SG are well-regarded HF radios.
Elecraft — a US manufacturer specialising in high-performance HF radios, available as kits or factory-assembled. The K4, K3S, and KX2/KX3 are highly regarded for their receiver performance and modular design.
FlexRadio — a US manufacturer of SDR-based transceivers operated primarily via software on a PC or tablet. The FLEX-6000 series offers a different operating experience from traditional knob-and-button radios.
Xiegu and others — Chinese manufacturers like Xiegu (G90, G106, X6100) are producing increasingly capable and affordable transceivers that are gaining a following, particularly in the portable/QRP market.