I have a General and don't use it much I have a 4 band mobile I use for local repeater stuff and a bunch of 2 meter handhelds used locally.
My advice is download the testing app and study until you pass the practice tests with an 80% or better every time. Then signup for the test to get licensed. Most repeaters have the same bunch of guys who talk everyday, you can join in or just listen.
I have it for alternative communication in my area. Good to have channels programmed in and share with like minded friends. In case they shut down phones and interweb...
I have my general, was studying for expert but got disillusioned by the cost of radios so kind of put that on hold. I wanted to do 20m but there were so many people saying 'get this, get that' it turned out I would've needed $800 to do it. So, for now I have a cheap ass handheld connected to a 2m J pole. I figure, if shit hits the fan and all communication goes out, HAM is where it'll be at. Also, if there's a civil war, ham will likely be very valuable to coordinate plans.
$800 is about what I did maybe a bit more. I did a mobile yaesu ft891 a grv5 and a mfj 941. For all the same reasons. price and functionality.
I have about a dozen UV5r handhelds and created my channel list in chirp. So everyone has direct connections, repeaters and fmrs. Noaa. Ear pieces and whip is antennas spare batteries if you can,,. I collected comms for a while. I use them as job comms for work, most of my guys have technicians licences.
I. also bought a TYT 8900 which is a cross band repeater quad band 70cm, 2m, 6m, 10m. And use this for a local around the house base station for my handhelds. This uses an antenna switch for a yagi. and an omni.
I'd say antennas and location matters most. I was really heavy Into it, got it setup and working and then moved on. Using solar panels and 12v agm batteries for a power supply is good because it's always powered even when the grid goes down.
Read up on antennas and how to tune them, you can make a simple wire antenna and string it through some trees if you know how to tune it. in fact just talking about it makes me want to get back at it again.
Good luck,
Beans bullets and band aids.
This is also why I haven't put more effort into getting licensed. Can't afford to do a lot at the moment. How much did you spend on your cheap set up?
I got the Baofeng uv5 -https://www.amazon.com/s?k=baofeng+uv-5r&crid=2U9FFLD6XFPET&sprefix=bauf%2Caps%2C232&ref=nb_sb_ss_sc_1_4 For $30 it's a great intro to ham. A ham elmer gave me a J pole for free. I think I spent <$50 on the cable.
It definitely got me into ham, but for now I'm just going to wait until I'm either ready to shell out more money or I find a good deal somewhere.
You can look at QRZ.com and swap.qth.com for used gear. $800 is steep for used gear. It depends on what band you want to cover. You can spend about $100 for a GOOD handi-talkie for 2M and 70cm. (I don’t like Baofengs. A good Yaesu or Kenwood will do you). If you are going on in your adventure into the HF bands, you can get a decent ICom or Yaesu rig starting in the $400 range. Get a better antenna than a rig. :)
A quick note. Pofung or baofeng uv5 hand helds are $25 and do 70cm and 2 m. They are glorified programmable midland/motorola walkee talkees.
Its illegal by fcc to use them on those fmrs and gmrs frequencies (certain bands on 70cm set aside for non licensed use) because they have removable anntennas and are more than a 1/2 watt. But if you buy enough for your family and listen and lurk to local repeaters you can get your technicians license and have local comms. Not a bad way to dip your toe in the water. If shtf then all bets would be off at that point.
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