Ham radio...

August 07, 2026, 03:45:18 AM

Ham Radio is the ultimate way to stay connected to the world... shortwave gets you state/nation/world wide comms, VHF+ for short haul with average gear, up to 350 miles with more expensive setups and using directional antennas makes it harder to eavesdrop with cheap consumer gear(SSB will not be picked up on an FM scanner!).

Downside is initial expense, a decent shortwave transceiver is $1,100 antennas are simple coax fed wires so not super expensive. Add in a couple $30 2 meter/70cm Baofeng walkie talkies from Amazon for short range(up to 5 miles depending on terrain comms around your area. Or a 2 meter/70cm mobile transceiver($350ish) for the house with a 17' tall base antenna($109ish) for longer range(on flat terrain 60 miles max). Can use the same transceiver in cars for better range when out and about.

Shortwave option https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/ysu-ft-710-field

Walkie talkies https://www.amazon.com/Baofeng-UV-5R-136-174-400-480Mhz-1800mAh/dp/B074XPB313?crid=3UWAOFFUQQGC3&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ZsPGNXvLF_Ez2Fc1Sv3tqxfYwLhm3SIxtfa5Z-TroYQs2XSJ4GhgRV0QHGBH6QDclrVSRa1-JrlPepvQqiC6s64LoLxFWwE8zpxNycqLlGqymz50OAv9z7c-ZdnWSuaFN0z1eYxRb61FQ2m7POacHNqOTdmgj89mnmvbI_akbbouxEUI3sFcJTZhyUx7T_b45kp-5l04BJ4w4bt11P9mw8jxKrybfmznPyr4LzobyDs.CGo4jyzue6A0SaZD5kIKeATY4r9xdkuC5uKCYLJi8iU&dib_tag=se&keywords=Baofeng&qid=1786099175&sprefix=baofeng%2Caps%2C264&sr=8-4

Mobile for cars/house for longer range https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/ysu-ftm-150r

2m/70cm base antenna https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/ysu-ftm-150r

the above are just examples that are affordable, you can spend a LOT more LOL

my station...