It doesn’t matter if you are just starting your journey in ham radio or got your license alongside Guglielmo Marconi himself. When it comes to equipping your hobby, the choices can be quite overwhelming.
Which brand do you choose? What features do you need? Even…What color matches your aesthetic interests? These are all decisions you’ll be faced with when buying gear. Let’s break down some of those decisions into bite-size pieces.
Since these questions often come from new hams, I am going to focus on VHF/UHF radios. Many of the questions will cross over to HT, mobile, or base rigs. There is certainly more to consider than what I will cover here, but it is a good foundation to build on.
When I am asked about what VHF/UHF radio to purchase, the first thing I do is take the customer to the ARRL Repeater Directory®.
It’s important to get a good picture of what operating modes are available in their area. For example, if my customer only has access to D-STAR repeaters, then a Yaesu transceiver will be of no use on the digital side. The Repeater Directory will tell you what type of repeaters are available in the area as well as operating modes they will have access to.
It’s important to look in their county and surrounding counties to get a good picture. I will also ask if they travel to a certain area on a regular basis. Looking at what is available to them will aid in making an informed decision regarding what transceiver will allow them to take advantage of either the most used or most prolific resources around them. I should add that the data from the Repeater Directory should be confirmed with actual boots-on-the-ground usage information from local operators.
Another decision is what platform(s) you are looking for. You could use HT, HT with external antennas, mobile, base station, or a combination of these platforms. Again, a lot of that will be determined by the type of operation you want to get involved with and the activities you will be participating in.
If you live close to your repeater and don’t really travel around much, then a handheld transceiver might work. If you spend a lot of time in your car and cover a lot of ground, then an installed mobile transceiver may fit the bill. And finally, if you want to check into distant nets or rag-chew in the evening, then you may consider an installed base station radio.
The last criterion we will consider is what is your threshold of pain concerning budget. VHF/UHF radios are available on the open market from about $25 to over $1,500. Most of us fall somewhere in the middle. I often tell the folks to “buy the best radio your budget will withstand.” Don’t buy something just because it is inexpensive or just because it is the most expensive. Make sure what you are buying will reliably meet your needs today and in the foreseeable future.
Always remember, the most important thing is that you GET ON THE AIR!
Until next time, 73
The post From the Customer Service Rep Perspective: Questions to Ask When Choosing a Transceiver appeared first on OnAllBands.
Go to Source