Advice on starting out...

David Lane wrote:

"It is concerning the purchase of a handheld that I need advice right now. Is there a minimum
amount of transmitter power output that I should consider? I notice that the different models range
from around 200mw to about 7watts of power. Should I only buy dual band, or can I get by with a
single band? If I buy a single band should I go with 2 meter or 70cm?"

The first thing you should buy is therefore not a radio at all. Instead, get a copy of the ARRL Repeater Guide, and look therein for your locality. See first off if you'd be dealing with a larger amount of repeaters (and usually this means a larger amount of activity) on either 2M or 70cm. If it's about even, then take the plunge and get a dualbander. Remember: the majority of routine activity you'll likely be involved in on these bands is repeater-based, so this should be a prime criteria as to what you'll want to do.

Next, consider where you live. What's the terrain like? What distances would you have to cover to hit the repeaters you'd want? Asking some local hams would help here. Reason being here is that now, you're trying to figure out what power you'll need and also, what _antenna_ to get. This last thing is the oft-neglected part of the equation. A good antenna, with a good gainfactor, is an important part in the signal chain; watts aren't the whole story.

Now...handheld or mobile? With a mobile, you're stuck with either mobile or fixed operation. With the former, though, you also add the ability to go portable, plus you have emergency power...provided you remember to keep the battery charged. Portables don't generally have high power, but if you crave that, there's linears out there that can boost a 2W signal up to 25 or even more watts for fringe coverage work. The argument that bigger units can do more these days doesn't always hold water, either; some recent handhelds seem to do everything but brew your coffee and tap the ash off your cigs.

My verdict? Well, knowing a bit about Tulsa's general terrain and such as I do, I'd say you'd be well-off with some sort of dualband handheld, but take the extra cash and get an antenna that'd be better than the OEM duck that'll come with it. Some sort of 1/4 + 5/8-wave or better dualband duck, plus a similar sort for mobile work, and something perhaps a bit more elaborate for fixed work, would be sensible here. Maybe about 2-3 watts out, but you might consider an amp for mobile use, as well as for home if you find the machine you enjoy using is in the fringe for you.

I figure if you play this out right, this should be a combination that'll work for you without having to do too much to it for quite some time.