How do I choose a handheld transceiver?
Reading time: 5 minutes
Figure 1: Quansheng UV-K5(8)
Which handheld should I buy?
As I had written about earlier, the easiest and no-cost way to get on the air is using EchoLink and DMR. Having done that, the next steps for most new HAMs is to use a handheld transceiver to try and connect to local repeaters, etc. There are a plethora of choices to choose from1. It would be best to answer a few questions for yourself to help short-list the candidates, and here are a few simple questions to help you2,
What would I like to use it for?
This is definitely not an easy choice for a beginner and one that took some tie for me to figure out. There are radios out there that can do airbands, CB, VHF, UHF and some that do HF as well. Typically, it is easier to get a range of handhelds for the VHF-UHF bands that will be easy to connect to local repeaters, etc. Most VHF-UHF radios tend to provide airbands, CB and FM as well.
Will I use it for DMR?
Some handhelds allow you to even access DMR with them, this is definitely a huge advantage for many people who are starting out as it would mean one handheld for multiple use-cases. But a DMR radio will also mean a higher cost, so please factor that it into your decisions.
Am I careful with my equipment?
Do you tend to be forgetful with them? Do you tend to carry things in a backpack (like me)? Are you someone who is careful with your equipment? Do you prefer something that is sturdy and will definitely last long? Answers to these questions will help you narrow down the set of handies to choose from.
Do I want to modify it?
I’m interested in home-brewing, and at some point would like to start with assembling some of those kits out there and progress to creating a handy myself. To begin with, I’d like to make software modifications to it, and at some point, be able to repair it or modify it3.
What is my budget?
One can get handhelds for less than INR 2000, between INR 2000 and INR 5000, INR 10000 and upwards. So, it is always a good idea to have an estimated range for what one is willing to spend on a handheld transceiver.
What handhelds are easily sourced?
In most parts of the world this is not even a criteria, but here in VU land, unless you travel abroad as a licensed HAM and can buy one yourself, your choices of equipment is limited either to the second-hand market or to the few dealers that you can buy from.
What did I choose?
- As a new HAM, while there is a lot of excitement, I’m also hesitant to dive in headlong without knowing what I am doing4.
- I would like to spend a small amount on a handheld to learn the etiquette for communication, connect to local repeaters (which would mean VHF and UHF), potentially use it for local communication, use it to possibly test any home-brewed VHF or UHF antennas I plan to make, potentially fiddle around with the software, and eventually make some hardware modifications to it.
- I tend to carry a backpack with me, which always has a TRAVELER’S Notebook, a couple of fountain pens, a water bottle, and an umbrella5, so it makes sense for the handy to join this ensemble.
Therefore, the choice was fairly straightforward for me, it boiled down to the variants of the Quansheng UV K5, such as UV-K5(8), the UV-K6, and the UV-K5(99).
Sourcing the handy
As I’ve mentioned earlier, sourcing radio equipment in India is still stuck in the Licence Raj era, we have limited choice to buy and it is a cumbersome process currently. While computer equipment and hardware has definitely progressed, given the market size of HAMs, the regulated nature of operations (world-wide and not just in VU land), buying amateur radio equipment continues to be wrapped up in lore and whispers, with very few dealers and almost an aperitif menu for us as opposed to the gargantuan 21 course meal the rest of the world has access to.
I bought my Quansheng UV-K5(8) handy from a local dealer6 and it wasn’t a pleasant experience. I prefer buying over a website, in-person or possibly an app too, but the process of buying over WhatsApp is not my preferred mode and it is extremely unintuitive and cumbersome. While I do not need “live” tracking details of the package, it is very confusing when the tracking details are inaccurate. It didn’t help that the dealer promised a date of deliver which was roughly a week off from the actual date at which the package was delivered.
Given I have absolutely no equipment with me, I decided to order a data cable along with an ear piece as well. The dealer also included what appears to be a Nagoya antenna (NA-771).
Obligatory photographs
Figure 2: Packing was as expected
Figure 3: A couple of stickers from the “vendor” with a complimentary ball-pen.
Figure 4: The Quansheng UV-K5(8) handset as received
I’ll make a simple flowchart at some point to help folks. ↩︎
Always remember the answer to most questions by HAMs is “It depends”! ↩︎
I currently own a Framework Laptop, wish to move to a Fairphone when it is the turn to retire my current phone, and am excited by the resurgence of repairability, durability and open-source in consumer hardware. ↩︎
I was originally supposed to get my ticket in 1999, but the exam dates always clashed with either examinations or with work related travel. So, given that I am a licensed operator after 25 years, I am in no hurry as I continue to learn. ↩︎
As a true-blue Bangalorean, it is imperative we carry an umbrella with us always. ↩︎
Yes, dealer is as descriptive of this process I was involved in as opposed to buying from a vendor or a store. ↩︎