Part of our New Ham? This Is Where You Should Spend Your Money guide.

One of the questions I get asked the most is:

“What radio should I buy first?”

The answer isn’t always simple because amateur radio can take you in so many different directions. Some operators love local repeaters on 2 meters and 70 centimeters, while others quickly discover the excitement of making contacts around the world on HF.

If you’re just getting started, I actually recommend building a station that lets you enjoy both VHF/UHF and HF. That gives you the best of both worlds:

• Local repeaters
• Emergency communications
• Nets
• Digital modes
• DX contacts
• Parks on the Air (POTA)
• Field Day
• Contesting

Below are two complete station recommendations that I would confidently recommend to any new ham.

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Budget Build – Get on Every Band Without Breaking the Bank

This setup provides an incredible amount of capability while keeping costs reasonable.

UHF/VHF Mobile Radio

Retevis RT95

The RT95 is one of the best values in amateur radio. It’s compact, easy to program, dual-band, and puts out enough power to reliably hit local repeaters.

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UHF/VHF Base Antenna

Tram 1477 Dual-Band Base Antenna

I’ve recommended this antenna for years because it simply works and it’s what I run at home.

It covers both the 2-meter and 70-centimeter amateur bands, installs easily, and provides significantly better performance than a handheld antenna.

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Handheld Radio

AnyTone 168

The AnyTone 168 is an excellent everyday handheld with solid audio quality and good battery life. It makes a great companion radio whether you’re around town or participating in local events.

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HF Radio

Xiegu G90

The Xiegu G90 continues to be one of my favorite recommendations for new HF operators.

Why?

• Outstanding receiver
• Built-in antenna tuner
• Portable
• Easy to learn
• Great value

While it only produces 20 watts, you’ll be surprised how many contacts you can make with a good antenna.

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HF Antenna

MyAntennas EFHW-4010-1K-ICAS

If there is one place I don’t recommend cutting corners, it’s your antenna and this is a solid base antenna that will allow you to DX if you throw the wire high enough up on the mast, but it will also let you learn NVIS and work with regional emcomm groups if you have it in a more horizontal position.

A quality end-fed half-wave antenna is easy to deploy, doesn’t require an external tuner in most situations, and performs exceptionally well.

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Power Supply

Pyle 30-Amp Bench Power Supply

This affordable regulated power supply has powered many beginner stations successfully.

It’s inexpensive, reliable, and provides plenty of current for the radios in this setup. It is a switching power supply, so it can be “noisier” compared to a linear power supply, but as a new ham that wont be a huge problem.

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Mid-Tier Build – A Station You’ll Enjoy for Years

If your budget allows, stepping up to this equipment provides noticeable improvements in performance, features, and long-term satisfaction.

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UHF/VHF Mobile Radio

AnyTone AT-D578UVIII Plus

This is one of the most feature-packed mobile radios available.

Highlights include:

• Tri-band operation
• Excellent receiver
• APRS
• Bluetooth
• Digital capability (DMR)
• GPS

It’s a radio you probably won’t outgrow.

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UHF/VHF Base Antenna

Tram 1477

No need to reinvent success.

The Tram 1477 continues to be one of the best values available.

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Handheld Radio

AnyTone 890

If you’re already investing in a premium station, the AnyTone 890 is a fantastic handheld companion with improved ergonomics, audio, and overall build quality.

HF Radio

Icom IC-7300MK2

The IC-7300MK2 takes everything operators loved about the original IC-7300 and improves it with better receiver performance, lower phase noise, additional connectivity (including HDMI, LAN, and USB-C), a built-in CW decoder, and other refinements. It remains one of the easiest 100-watt HF radios to recommend for both new and experienced operators.

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HF Antenna

MyAntennas EFHW-4010-2K-Plus

This upgraded EFHW antenna is designed for higher power operation with an improved transformer and very low insertion loss. It’s resonant on 40, 20, 15, and 10 meters and is built for years of reliable service.

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Power Supply

Astron RS-35M-AP

Astron power supplies have earned an outstanding reputation in the amateur radio community.

They are known for:

• Reliability
• Clean power
• Long lifespan
• Excellent serviceability

This is the kind of power supply you’ll likely still be using decades from now.

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Budget vs. Mid-Tier: Is the Upgrade Worth It?

Here’s a quick comparison of the two builds:

The biggest advantages of the mid-tier setup are:

• More transmitting power. Going from 20 watts to 100 watts makes it easier to break pileups and maintain reliable contacts, especially when band conditions aren’t ideal.
• Better receiver performance. Strong adjacent signals are handled more cleanly, making weak stations easier to copy.
• Easier digital operation. The IC-7300MK2’s integrated USB interface simplifies connecting to software like WSJT-X and FLDIGI.
• More advanced features. Extras like a touchscreen, HDMI output, LAN connectivity, GPS/APRS (on the mobile radio), and DMR support add flexibility as your interests grow.
• Higher-quality components. The upgraded antenna and Astron power supply are designed for long-term durability and heavier-duty operation.

Final Thoughts

There has never been a better time to get into amateur radio. Whether your budget is modest or you’re ready to invest in equipment that can serve you for many years, either of these stations will let you explore everything from local repeaters to worldwide DX contacts.

Remember, the best radio is the one that gets you on the air. Don’t wait for the “perfect” station—start making contacts, learn as you go, and upgrade only when your operating style tells you it’s time.