Jody, Welcome to the epicenter of ham radio. Picking a radio is like picking
a religion. Some think that ham radio is a religion. Some people think cars
can be can be a religion. You and I know that only a Religion can be a
religion. Everthing else is the fruit of the earth for you to enjoy for all
the days of your life. Choose wisely obi wan for the radio you have today
will soon be the radio you used to have since you learned more about radio.
So start simple. Keep it simple. The guys you read here on the reflector,
weve had radios that would make your hair curl. We came from the tube days
and followed the new hybrid until they begat the solid state radios.
The good ol' radios begat the Japanese built radios, that begat the radios
being made in China with Japanese, American and Taiwanese brand names. As
transistors begat Ics and they begat processors and even dsp processors,
some things changed some stayed the same. What comes out is still analog
with which to listen and enjoy. Since there is no easy way, learn the hard
way for the hard way is the only possible path. No matter which you pick
your both blessed and condemned to learn and enjoy. If you only choose one
radio in your lifetime, itll be a source of relaxation, recreation, fun,
learning and knowing you chose well. For there are no bad radios and no bad
choices. Either get the radio you're likely to get the most help with, or
the radio that makes you an individual. You can only put 10 pounds in a 10
pound sack, so dont let the bells and whistles or extra bands fool you. Good
luck.
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