Top 3 Ham Radios for Beginners

Great video. I am just starting out in HF and I have the G90 with the DE 19 interface that I have yet to setup as the shack is still a work in progress. I also customized the knobs as I saw in a video on the radio. I am happy with it so far.

Solid video and great information presented.

VX-6R, FT-5DR or ID-50A if you could only have one?

Wow, very nicely presented. When I entered into the hobby four years ago I didn’t have a clue about the costly rabbit hole 🕳️ when it came to radios, equipment and supplies. It would have been good if I thought about what I wanted to do; how I planned on operating. That would have saved me $1,000 in expenses 😢. Keep the content coming 😊

Fair choices the only one I would choose differently is the BAOFENG the newer UV17 gives you alot more for the same price .

Very interesting information, thank you.

These are some great recommendations for new hams. Well done Ape !

Some good suggestions, Ape.

Excellent video and agree with all ur choices. Of which I have (to some degree) all. Love the G90. I use my G90 more than my IC-705 and FT-891. I'm a big FT8 guy, so if peeps are interested in the G90 I highly recommend the fan bundle. Thanks again!

G90 crew here. There are days when I dream about 100W like FT-891 but tbh I'll try to stick to 20W for year or two just to refine my antenna build skills. At the beginning of my ham journey I was told that antenna is The Best amplifier and I still trust my Elmer 💪
Anyway. I'm getting 891 next year just to have amazing piece of gear waiting for me to be ready when I'm ready. 73

I am not a new ham (25yrs +) but I have the the Retris 2/70 mobile and it is as reviewed in the video, I have the other Xeigu the X6100 and it’s a very good portable. I just bought a Yaesu 2m rig the 3100 it’s on special worth a look for a radio with a decent warranty. That said it is probably best for beginners to buy second radios - way more radio for $.

Class is in session!

I have been looking at forums and vids for a couple of years now, thinking about an HF set, and just like my other hobbies (hunting and buidling my own house) I have noticed that the "best" radio, antenna, drill, sawbench, building method , rifle, ammunition, telescopic sight.... is the one the person posting or replying currently owns 😁

Thank you, Ape. New hams need straight info, not influenced by the possibility of a sale. I am one.

For what it's worth at my home I use a B-Tech 25x2 and have had good signal reports and the quad watch is a nice feature.
Those G-90's seem to be a decent radio. Looks like I got to start saving more pennies. lol KO4HPC 73

A must watch for anyone thinking about getting into amateur radio! You have shown a budget friendly, safe way to enter the ham way of life, without breaking the bank--there will be plenty of time for that later!

Great video, thanks for putting it together. I’m considering the FT-891 as my first HF radio, but I totally understand why the G90 is also a great choice for us beginners considering the tuner and waterfall that might make a difference for many people.

Solid recommendations. I followed this exact path back in 2021, and while I have since upgraded the HT and Mobile to Yaesu radios, I still use the Baofeng and Anytone in secondary roles. The G90 just plain rocks and I keep it in a backpack with a long wire end fed and battery for portable use.

Another great video Ape, gets right to the point and just good info!

Turns out I didn't need an HT cause I ain't got no friends near me.

Thanks for another good and informative video.

Very straight forward information great job as always

Great comment on the terminology (HF) being confusing. At first I was particularly confused by the fact that HF was sometimes referred to as shortwave. Why 'short' when the waves are actually quite long. It was later I found out that they named it back in the day. Also, fair point about dealers wanting to sell stuff, although a few are probably using a hybrid model, wanting to also give you sound advice to build long-term trust/loyalty and get you buy additional stuff only from them. It's a very competitive market as it's a rather niche market. 73, Alex 2E0LUP

Hey Ape! Extremely thorough and understandable video. Thanks. I'm sending this one straight to a co-worker who is very interested in getting started; he's studying now for this Tech. 73 de K0WHW Bill

Great summary Ape. Three good radios for beginners

Awesome Bro!!!
Thank you,
KN6JHC

Well presented! NM5SP

I short history lesson if you're interested/ "Handie-Ta;lkie" was coined by Motorola to name a class of radio held radios in the military back in 1953. This, like other Motorola's contributions like "Private Line" or PL) came to be associated with hand held radios. The name eventually got shortened to HT.

Question: How much distance do you need to leave between frequencies on the 20M band? For example, if someone is transmitting 14.300 where is the next frequencies that would not cause interference?

Solid advice and good choices for beginners!

Im a new ham, finally saved up and bought a ft891, i love it, but i do miss having a waterfall display

Great video! I need to buy a G90.

I don't think an HT is a good first radio, now a good mobile that can be used in the house and in a vehicle makes a better choice (my opinion) but the cost an HT might be worth it. On HF I have a G90 and a nice small radio. I have one but is for sale since I now have a IC-7300, and I do not do portable/mobile anymore. There are a lot of good older radios that would make a great beginner rig.

Great video Ape. New hams today have so many choices. When I started, the first "rice box" hadn't come out yet. My 2 meter rig was a Heathkit Two'er on AM. My first dabble into the new world of FM was an old taxi radio and dynamotor that took up a good portion of the trunk. While there were transceivers on the market most of us had a separate transmitter and receiver. A lot of the equipment was WWII and Korean War vintage. $25 seems a small price to pay for entry into a great hobby.

Bought the G90 several weeks ago for portable use. I like it so much the Icom hasn't been powered up since I got the G90. I use a 130sh foot random wire with a 9:1 and the G90 tuner handles it perfectly.

Thanks for another great video and awesome information, my first two radios were the GT-5R and the G90

Ok i'm saying handheld from now on, it's settled. I always thought handie talkie was a bit.... amateurish. I will notify the ARRL of our decision.

How far can the head be remote of the body? Wondering about possibility to use the HF body at the antenna, not far from the shack. Would need to go out and dis/connect the antenna all the time. But, lightning would stay outdoors where it belongs!

My 101EE is a fun radio. It could be a bit confusing for a new ham, it’s definitely a learning experience.

How about we start calling HT's "Handheld Transceivers"? KE0RGP

Love the G90 😁 I would recommend the G90 radio plus a good End-Fed Half Wave Antenna, and a few accessories: 1. the FAT Tuning Knob upgrade. Look for it on YT. Its a well-known mod as it makes tuning easier. 2. The "kickstand" - this a 3D Printed mod that provides a kickstand so the radio's front side sits up higher than its back side. the kickstand folds under radio for storage. I would try thingiverse to look for the print file. 3. a good 12v LiFePo battery. start at about 6Ah for size and go from there. cheers!

Kruk is going to be angry since you said fusion is proprietary

I have 5 HF radios but have been having a ball with a recently purchased Xiegu G90.

VCG VR-N7500, Radioddity GD-88 and a Xiegu G90. All very affordable and competent while being feature rich

I'm Brand new, I'm a retired RN from GLOUCESTER I just bought the WOUXUN kg 1000

I’ve had the Retevis RT 95 now for about 6 months. It’s been great. I’m using it with a 19 inch Nagoya mag mount on my wife’s car. Easily hitting repeaters over 40 miles away. Awesome info… great video

The G90 is a killer radio, I love it. there is only 1 S unit difference between 25w and 100w

A great accessory for most Hand Helds is the AIOC.

Now, let us all admit it is confusing for those of us with some seasoning too.