| A gently used, well taken care of ham radio can often | | | | radio is delivered to my doorstep in a few weeks. |
| be a real bargain, and can give you years of reliable | | | | I won't go into a lot of detail here about the individual |
| service, if you buy it right and take good care of it. | | | | used ham radios that you may find online,but I will tell |
| Similar to buying most anything else that has been | | | | you that I prefer the simpler, less expensive models like |
| owned previously, there are some things you really | | | | a Radio Shack HTX-212 2 Meter Ham Mobile. I've |
| need to be aware of before you spend your | | | | seen some radios like this sell for well under $100 in |
| hard-earned cash. Buy, I've bought plenty of used | | | | good shape, and I believe that the ratings on this |
| electronics equipment in years past and I have been | | | | particular machine are good (better check the ratings |
| mostly delighted with my purchases because I have | | | | out for yourself just to be sure). I'll admit that it's a |
| done a few simple things before laying down my cash. | | | | mobile unit and is probably not a high-powered, but it is |
| Before I go into specifics about buying a used ham | | | | a wide band receiver (136-174) and it can be fun to |
| radio, I want to mention the fact that I only buy | | | | scan the local public service frequencies, in addition to |
| high-quality used items only - no bottom-end equipment, | | | | its main function as a ham radio. |
| or off-brands for me. I always seek out the top brands | | | | A Kenwood TR-7950 2 meter Transceiver Ham |
| and models from just a few years back, especially the | | | | Radio might be a good choice as decent base unit, |
| ones that have stellar service records. You can find | | | | and might work out fine for someone just starting out |
| out the specifics on a product by going to Google and | | | | in the hobby, but is probably more expensive than a |
| searching for the name of the item with the word | | | | run-of-the mill transceiver. But, you do get what you |
| "review" in the search bar. If the item you're looking up | | | | pay for, and I always seek out the higher-quality units, |
| is popular enough, there will be plenty of reviews and | | | | even if I have to pay a little extra. I'm rarely |
| opinions available for you to look at to help with your | | | | disappointed, though. With a maximum of 45 watts |
| purchasing decision. | | | | power,the Kenwood has 21 memory channels, a scan |
| First, you should go over the basic operation of the | | | | feature, and an auto repeater offset.This one I noticed |
| ham radio with the seller - even if that seller is online, | | | | was a bargain at under $150, and it was refurbished |
| and you can't actually touch the machine. Cover in | | | | by a detail-oriented hobbyist. This is a unit that probably |
| detail each function, making sure that he or she | | | | would have satisfied me. |
| satisfies each of your questions in appropriate detail, in | | | | Don't be fearful of buying a used ham radio. Just be |
| either an email or over the telephone, which is always | | | | sure you are well-informed, ask lots of questions and |
| much better in my humble opinion. I always ask plenty | | | | definitely make sure you always purchase from a |
| of questions, so I won't be disappointed when my ham | | | | reputable seller. |