Amateur Ham Radio
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 YAESU FT 101EE AMATEUR RADIO TRANSCIEVER W MANUAL HAM  US $349.99
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 New 13 18v Fatboy 100 Cb Ham Amateur Radio Power Supply US $340.00
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 Galaxy DX2517 10 Meter Amateur Base Ham Radio US $202.50
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 Icom IC 207H Dual Band Amateur Ham Radio IC 207 H US $199.99
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 220Mhz 125CM Amateur Ham Radio VHF 220 Dual Band HT US $159.99
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 TG UV2 Dual Band Amateur Ham Two Way Radio HT VHF UHF US $149.99
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What is a good starter ham/amateur radio?
I'm just starting out in ham radio and I want to know suggestions for a good starter radio. I'm getting my license this weekend. I've done a lot of reading, some say a handheld is best, others a mobile unit. I like the idea that a mobile unit can be turned into a base rig if connected to a power source. I also plan on getting a General license. So i guess I'm looking for wide band, good price (not too expensive), good radio. Please respond with any advice, and I would really appreciate specifics (like make and model number) not just, "get a 2 meter band." Thank you.
Thanks for all of these great suggestions. I looked up the ic706mkIIg and it has good reviews, but it's $1000, way out of my price range (and I'll probably have to buy extras which will up that even more). What's good for a poor guy on an AmeriCorps salary?
You'll get lots of answers on this one depending on peoples' priorities. Everyone has their own ideas & preferences. I was highly motivated towards extreme mobility, an emphasis on 2m/440, with APRS capability. I ended up buying a Yaesu VX-8. It meets all of my handheld needs in one package. Not sure I'd say it could function well as a base radio, though. I DO use it at home for nets and such both with an aftermarket antenna and connecting to an external antenna mounted on the house. It works well enough for repeater nets and reasonable simplex range.
I can also agree with the idea of buying an all-band portable like an ICOM IC-706mkIIg. It is a nice compromise that can be used as a base at home (although not as full-featured as a larger, heavier base radio). It will hit 160-10m, 6m, 2m, 440. It is light enough for car/backpack carriage with 100w on HF / 50w on 2m / 20w on 440. Couple it with a decent selection of antennas and it can function as your only radio. You'll never mount it on your belt, but with batteries you could load it in a backpack and "go walkabout" with it. More reasonably, take it with you in a vehicle or set up someplace where you don't have to tote it too far on foot. It DOES make a nice fun rig, and I'm looking at buying one OR perhaps one of the Yaesu equivalents like the FT-897D or FT-857D.
If I was looking for an all-in-one base radio I'd probably go with a Kenwood TS-2000, but you'd lose some portability.