Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- vhf_uhf_beginners [2025/03/28 07:32] – Link the classification of radio waves 2e0itb
+++ vhf_uhf_beginners [2025/04/27 20:42] (current) – m7tox
@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 This page is intended as a guide for absolute beginners to amateur radio to help them get acquainted with using VHF/UHF radios as a cheap entry point into the hobby. It isn't an exhaustive guide, it simply explains some of the basics of how to get started yourself and what some of the terminology you might hear means.
-If you're here and worried that you can't participate because you aren't licensed yet, don't worry! You'll need to be licensed to transmit but **not** to recieve (listen), and there's also the option of being supervised under someone else's license and direct supervision. (You should really consider getting your foundation license, though. It's not that difficult, you can do it, I believe in you! ((I don't actually know who you are)) If you would like help and support in getting your license, the OARC discord would be a good place to start...)
+If you're here and worried that you can't participate because you aren't licensed yet, don't worry! You'll need to be licensed to transmit but **not** to recieve (listen), and there's also the option of being supervised under someone else's license and direct supervision. (You should really consider getting your foundation license, though. It's not that difficult, you can do it, I believe in you! If you would like help and support in getting your license, the OARC discord would be a good place to start...)
 ===== What is VHF/UHF =====
@@ Line 35: / Line 35: @@
 ===== How to get started, or: 'My first Baofeng' =====
+<WRAP round box 250px right>
+{{ :baofeng_uv5r.png |}}
+A Baofeng UV5R. Please spare a thought for the author, this image is very tall and it was difficult to arrange around the text on this page.
+</WRAP>
 To get started on VHF/UHF, you're going to need a radio. Actually, you might not even need that, as you can have a listen on web based receivers called SDRs (I wrote a beginners guide explaining it in detail, check it out [[using_SDR|here.]])
-There's a couple of options. You can get 'handheld' or 'mobile' radios which look like what you think of if someone said 'walkie talkie', or there's 'basestation' ones which look like how car radios looked before they went all touchscreen and fancy. The cheaper option is the handheld route, for the price of a cheap/average basestation you can get a fairly nice handheld, and you don't then have to spend money on cabling/power supply/antennas as the handheld does that all for you.
+There's a couple of options. You can get 'handheld' radios which look like what you think of if someone said 'walkie talkie', or there's 'basestation' ones which look like how car radios looked before they all went touchscreen. The cheaper option is the handheld route, as the cheapest available are far cheaper than the far cheapest basestation.
+If you are an absolute beginner, there is something to be said for the humble 'Baofeng', a cheap 2m/70cm mobile. They can be somewhat divisive in the community because, if we're honest, they are a little bit naff. But for about £20, what were you expecting? They do have their place though, they're a great option for someone wanting to break into VHF/UHF and they're cheap enough that you could justify getting one before you get your license to have a listen and get a feel for things. (Listening to the amateur bands, in the UK at least, doesn't require you to be licensed.)
+This is the first crossroads in your VHF journey, either:
+- You buy a cheap baofeng, or one of the similar chinese brands for about £20
+- You spend about £100 on a 'better' handheld
+Here is a comparison between a Baofeng UV5R and a Yaesu FT-70D (The author owns both of these, other brands and models are available but these demonstrate the different price points quite well:
+^ Baofeng UV5R             ^ Yaesu FT-50D            ^
+| ~£20    | ~£100     |
+| Sold 'as is', don't expect a warranty or much in the way of support from the manufacturer | A reputable brand, support is generally available   |
+| Both Recieve and transmit on 2m and 70cm ||
+| FM only   | FM and C4FM (A digital mode that's fairly common)   |
+| Construction is reasonable, does feel a bit cheaper, but it //is cheaper,// so...  | Well built, pretty rugged |
+| Can both be programmed with a data cable on your computer or via the handheld itself  ||
+| Both have a stock battery of: 1800mAh||
+| Doesn't have an S-meter on the screen| Has an S-meter on the screen|
+| Frequently reported to not receive as well as it transmits, signals are often quiet| Receives good audio reports, no complaints|
+| Can both transmit CTSS tones and work with an offset to access repeaters ||
+===== How to get started, or: 'My first Baofeng' =====
-If you are an absolute beginner, there is something to be said for the humble 'Baofeng'. They can be somewhat divisive in the community because, if we're honest, they are a little bit naff. But for about £20 (Or free if someone at your local club has a spare they can lend or gift to you), what were you expecting?