Best Beginner Radios for Newly Licensed Hams: Technician and General Class

Comments

Marty Bower - April 16, 2021

I am thinking about. DMR and the AnyTone 878 was suggested but I see a new model coming out on the 19th I think I read. I am a tech KC3GPX and have not been on air yet due to health and I live in townhouse with HOA so can’t put Antenna outside on roof. So thinking handheld might be good for me . So is it safe to buy the newest one at $299.00 or get the 878 plus for. $238. Can you give me any helpful suggestions?
Thanks Marty
484-459-9586 cell

Scott Graham - April 16, 2021

I’m just a technician now but would love to be a general license! So what radio would be best for me, I have tried the Pofung, and find it very hard to work with, so hard to work with that it just sits on my self!
Thank you
Scott Graham

Jeff Moore -- KE7ACY - April 16, 2021

Are you insane?? The VERY last radio you should be recommending for beginner hams is the 878 in any form. I can’t speak to the G90, but again – this is hardly a beginner’s radio by ANY stretch of the imagination!!!

DMR has THE steepest learning curve of ANY device I’ve ever dealt with! To suggest that it is a “great beginners radio” is the most ludicrous statement I’ve ever run into! I know hams who’ve spent months trying to get their DMR radios usable. To suggest that this is any kind of beginner’s radio is irresponsible!!

This is the best method I know of to turn beginners AWAY from the hobby!! You should be ashamed of yourselves!!

Programming a beginner’s radio for them does NOTHING to make the hobby any easier for them. It does TIE them to your organization for assistance though – GREAT marketing move, but don’t try to sell that as a good move – it’s NOT!