Welcome to KJ7JAS.com. This site is dedicated to helping hams further their experience in this important hobby of communications. I would venture to say that there is a ham radio on the market to fit the need of anyone wanting to get into this hobby and for a reasonable price. Below I have listed the ham radios I currently use and basically what they do. Please contact the vender web sites for full details on each. I also have a section for new hams to help them make informed decisions when purchasing ham radios and accessories. Keep in mind that these are my opinions and observations over the four years I have been a ham. I will also have a section dedicated to digital ham radio. Feel free to check that out as well.
For those of you who want to dive in and talk to someone in the Boise area, you will find a great group of hams on 146.520. There are also a lot of repeaters in the area which can be found at repeaterbook.com. If you had a radio that can connect to C4FM/Fusion you can have a great time on the N7MKY repeater at 443.875 +, or you can find him in the wires-x room at 83624 or the reflector at 83624 as well. The N7MKY wires-x room is affectionally know as the 'Monkey Room', all are welcome.
The Yeasu 991a is also known as a “shack in the box”. It is a UHF, VHF and HF transceiver. It does not support the 220 band but it supports most others. This is a great radio and has a lot of features. I mostly keep this radio on 6 meters since we have a 6 meter repeater in our area. This radio does most everything
.The Yaesu FTJM-300 is an assume radio. It has a nice color display and a duel band receiver; which means it can receive on two separate frequencies at a time. I usually monitor 146.520 simplex, which if you are traveling through Boise Idaho you can usually get some to answer a CQ. I also monitor one of our local repeaters. I actually have two of these fine radios. I use the second radio to connect to wires-x. This is a UHF/ VHF radio.
Anytone AT-D578UV Plus is a UHF/VHF DMR radio. DMR is a digital mode that has the ability to talk to hams world-wide via the internet through a repeater or hotspot (see the section on digital modes). Anytone makes some if the finest Chinese radios on the market at a good price.
Yaesu FT-3DR and 5DR are similar radios, I have one of each. The FT-3DR is no longer in production but you can still find used ones for sale. These are UHF/VHF radios and support C4FM digital modes which all communications via repeaters or hotspots through in internet. These two radios are very good quality, if you are looking for a good radio the FT-5DR is assume. Unlike the 3DR the 5DR is water proof. The 5DR is basically an upgrade to the 3DR. You can’t go wrong with either radio.
ICOM ID-52a, Anytone AT-D878UV Plus, QYT KT-8R, Ailunce HD1 (Left to Right)
ICOM ID 52a is a UHF/VHF radio feathering DSTAR which has is a digital mode that has been around for a long time also has great support. This is a top of the line radio from ICOM. It has a big color display, can receive on two frequencies at a time and is a great field radio with rugged construction.
Anytone AT-D878UV Plus is a radio featuring UHF/VHF dual receive DMR with a large color display. This is a nice radio and on the the best mid cost radios on the market. Again I encourage everyone to look at the manufactures web site or youtube for further details. This was my first DMR radio and has been a good edition to my ham radio collection.
QYT KT-8R is a Quad Band radio featuring UHF/VHF and 220 band I think it also can used the 300 frequency range but that is outside the US ham band plan. It has a nice color display and is a decent quality. This radio can be found on ebay and is great for the 2.5 (220) band. There is a 220 here in the Treasure Vally, all are welcome.
Ailunce HD1 is a radio featuring UHF/VHF and DMR. It is IP67 rated, has a large color display and is duel receive. The radio is a little big but is well suited for outdoor use. That is why I own one.