Only cheap stuff is chinese but get it anyways. The absolute best bang for the buck is a Baofeng UV5R+. I recommend getting an aftermarket foldable antenna for it which will help with range, a magnetic antenna for your car with an N to SMA adapter, and at least 2 expanded batteries.
All of that and the testing fee to get into ham radio will cost you less than $100. The Technician license allows primarily for local communication as the range is limited while the General and Extra class licenses give worldwide range. A lot of clubs will allow you to take all 3 tests back to back during the same testing day if you pass the previous one, so if you pass technician you can test for general, and if you pass general you can test for extra.
Once you get into the general and extra class frequencies gear starts to cost close to the same as an used car.
Ok got it, so maybe a novice silly question. Can I get away with using a great big pine tree in my yard instead of a giant gantry antenna, ya know as to not "ruin the beauty of the neighborhood " ?
Only cheap stuff is chinese but get it anyways. The absolute best bang for the buck is a Baofeng UV5R+. I recommend getting an aftermarket foldable antenna for it which will help with range, a magnetic antenna for your car with an N to SMA adapter, and at least 2 expanded batteries.
All of that and the testing fee to get into ham radio will cost you less than $100. The Technician license allows primarily for local communication as the range is limited while the General and Extra class licenses give worldwide range. A lot of clubs will allow you to take all 3 tests back to back during the same testing day if you pass the previous one, so if you pass technician you can test for general, and if you pass general you can test for extra.
Once you get into the general and extra class frequencies gear starts to cost close to the same as an used car.
Ok got it, so maybe a novice silly question. Can I get away with using a great big pine tree in my yard instead of a giant gantry antenna, ya know as to not "ruin the beauty of the neighborhood " ?
Check out 'Stealth Antennas' theres a lot of work that's been done to deal with HOA regs etc. Like hiding antennas in flagpoles, gutters, attics etc