Top 5 HF Ham Radios for Beginners!

Thank you for providing an excellent study app. With this, I was able to study while traveling, spending time with the family or at the end of day preparing to sleep. I passed my tech license test today!

After spending months reading and watching information on various HF radios, my brain finally fizzled to a stop. As a newbie, I have no clue what the additional hunga-dungas do. " Does this radio have the included vacuum cleaner attachments?" It's part of learning over time and shouldn't be stressful. Be comfortable with your choice. They are all prefect. I went with the Icom 7300 because it is a recognized steady performer. Looks cool on my desk so I'm working on my general ticket and am surrounded by great local Elmers to help cme learn about the subtleties of the hunga-dunga and why I need 42 filters for my roof, It's all part of the sport.

I started out with a Baofeng UV-5R and then graduated to a Kenwood TS-430 with matching PS-430 power supply. I gave that radio, power supply, a Yaesu 2 meter radio, extension speaker and an auto tuner to another Ham who could not afford a radio when he became a General. Also he was disabled. I did this after I got my new Yaesu FT-991a and power supply. Love my Yaesu! Before I got the Yaesu FT-991A, I purchased a Kenwood TM-281a after my Yaesu 3100's finals burned out. Cheers & 73 from K9POW in eastern TN

Excellent video Jim. The Yaesu FT-897 was my first HF radio when I got licensed 20+ years ago. My current shack HF radio is the excellent Icom 7300. My favorite HF radio of all-time and the one I use the most is the very versatile Icom 705. Keep up the great work.

thanks for the video, I got my license earlier this year and along with it a yaesu ft818, it's great to get started on hf, along with a mfj tuner I was able to use it on ft8 on 10m along with a vhf antenna. but yesterday I bought a new yaesu ft710 and it really seemed like the best jump from qrp to qro, compared to the icom 7300 edta at a better price and does the same

All of these radios are great....I started with a Yaesu FT-891 for HF as I was building a Go-Box with my FTM-300 dual band and GMRS radios. It was a great starter radio and can be used for portable and mobile radio once you move up to an FTdx10 !!!! I love my FTdx10 and have 116 of 195 countries logged in a year's time with just a Palomar OCFD antenna. I run an ICOM-7100 in my truck as to have all bands in a single radio. It works well but I wouldn't pick it for base rig due to not having a good waterfall display.

I love my Yaesu 991A highly recommended !

Great video for new HAMs like myself. Currently own the IC7300 and am happy with it. I’m looking forward to adding to the shack. Ham Radio Prep is the best!!

The first thing I went for was multi band versatility. I jumped on the Yaesu FT8900 because it covered 70cm, 2m, 6m, and 10m. All in one package. I use it in my truck and have a quick release if I need to add it to my go kit.

Thank you for the video. I also have a Yaesu 991A and love it. I bought my second hand and got a really good deal on it. This is my only radio and my very first. Great for a starter. Thank You

My son and I started with the Icom-718 20 years ago. It's still on the market. Very basic but we still have ours. Added an DX10 for my retirement radio but I still have the icom.

my first and only radio has been an elecraft k-2. all the bells and goodies. Kit was great..

Nice video, very interesting......I have a Yaesu FT897D for use in a fixed station.....and a FT817ND for QRP......this way I don't have to remember the different functions between one radio and another....since they are very similar😅😅😅😅.....73 from Italy IU7PFS

Got my general about 2 weeks ago. Working on extra, i went with the yaesu ftdx101d for my first. Spend what you are comfortable spending. I dont need to buy another base station for years

Thank you thank you for sharing 73

First was a kenwood ts 140s, now i got a ft 991A love that radio .ok 73

I ordered the yaesu ft-710

I started out with a IC-705 after I got my General upgrade back in 2020. Over a year later, I got a IC-7300. Worked a lot of DX contacts into Europe with the IC-705, but having the IC-7300 is a lot easier to have a conversation.

I got the 7300 yesterday. Hope i made the right choice!

I love my iCOM IC-718 and will use it until until it falls apart. Unfortunately they're no longer available. $700 for a "starter" HF radio was a great price.