Buying & Value
How to buy gear with confidence — new vs used, kits, and spotting real value.
Buying radio gear is easier when you know what you actually need. The right first HF radio depends on where you will operate, which modes you enjoy and how much antenna you can put up — not on the longest feature list. And the money you do not spend on the radio is often better spent on the antenna.
These guides compare transceivers, portable rigs, handhelds, keys, amplifiers, software and accessories, with honest notes on what each is good for and where the compromises are. They also cover buying used, at hamfests or from an estate, without getting burned.
For side-by-side specs and our scores, use the gear database; for full verdicts, read the reviews.