Essential Home Setup for Amateur Radio Beginners

One of the issues I see new amateurs struggle with is getting a good home setup. For emergency coms, and basic club communications to their local repeaters.

Often when they ask us how to get started and what equipment they should buy. They are often given very disperse answers. Many answers coming from the idea that they are new to the hobby and might not be committed to it. So many hams advise them to go the cheap route and start with a simple HT many times a Baofeng. (NOT A BAD RADIO) But this is a bad answer. Though it should be offered as an option. I believe the best answer is to recommend they start with a mobile rig setup in their home. If not possible recommend they install one in their car.

A home setup isn’t very difficult. They can be setup in an improvised manner. Allowing them to get on the air with a solid signal, still at a cheap price. Later they can make the setup more permanent as they learn where they want to go in this hobby. Possible even install it in their vehicle once they get a better home setup.

Below is a list of items amateurs may want to start with:

• A ham radio license. But it’s not needed to listen. So, they can listen in if they want to before earning that license.
• Retevis RT95 (includes programming cable)
• Alinco Power supply
• Diamond/Comet base antenna 2m/440 can also use tri-band to add I think 6m or a mobile antenna and fixed mount with ground radials
• Coax RG8X length as need
• Some place to mount the antenna and mast. Often a picnic table can be used to hold mast up using the hole were the umbrella goes. (It works surprising well. Mine antenna, has been up 10 years at a height of 40 ft. using only simple swedge mast poles used to hold broadcast antennas,) Other mounting ideas include on wooden fence posts or a shed.

Optional items. There are things that are not necessary, but they should consider.

• Skywalker antenna mount for buildings
• Mast 2″ 4-10′ can use multiple sections <—review
• Ground Rod
• Ground wire
• Lightening arrestor
• Proper connectors

This article is far from done. I plan to provide links to the items and give more information on getting started. However, I wanted to get this article posted. So take this as just a lose guide for now. Feel free to contact me with any questions comments or suggestions.