Hello Sam and welcome aboard. If you can get them for a song, why not.. One thing to consider though would be if the batteries keep a proper charge. If you have to buy new batteries, forget it..

Gil.

Thanks, they seem to have good reviews. A bit expensive though...

Gil.

Hello,

Radio Preppers can use your help in promoting the site. Budget for advertising is essentially zero and the site certainly doesn't pay for itself and I want to keep ads to a minimum. It is a one-man-band. So please, do not hesitate to mention us to your friends and on other prepping forums, Youtube videos, etc. Just don't overdo it, and do not send anything that could remotely be considered spam. We need to gather knowledgeable people here; it is a numbers game. Thank you.

Gil.

Hello,

I would encourage posters to place the full wording of acronyms at least once per thread, in parenthesis... I don't always remember to do so myself, but it is good practice for newcomers. I will look for a dictionary module for the Simple Machines forum software...

Gil.

Sunflower, you make an interesting comment, and you are not the only one, about the perceived complexity of Ham radio. I say perceived, because it doesn't have to be. Although I am a programmer by trade, I do not like complex radios. I spend too much time as it is using menus and complex interfaces. I like my radios to have a volume button and tune button, and not much else! The least the better. More features does not make a radio transmit better. It does make it hear better sometimes, but bells and whistles are optional. My favorite radio, one I build myself, is the Elecraft K1. It isn't the simplest, does use menus and has a few knobs and buttons, but remains very easy to use, small, and has a very low current draw. Anything more complex, I shy away from. Let's face it, if I can't explain to someone how to use it in a few minutes, there is a potential problem there... I can't teach Morse code to someone in 5 minutes of course, but SSB (Single Side Band voice) radios can be simple too. Look at the MFJ-9440 or an old Atlas... That's the kind of simplicity I like. With the Tech exam being so accessible, why not? Sure, it's a pain to have to pass an exam and be "registered," but to practice, you need to get on the air. When the SHTF is not a good time to learn. You could use CB and learn a lot about antennas of course, but you limit yourself to one band that only allows long distance communications in the best of conditions.

By the way, other members can thank you for suggesting the "New To Radio" board, it is on.

Gil.

That is a good idea, I will make one...

Gil.

Hello Hayr,

I am new to Ham as well, but not radio or electronics. You don't need to be an electronics guru... I would suggest that you concentrate your efforts on learning about antennas, which I believe is the most important factor in getting a signal out. The rest of it will come later. As to tuber sets, I would not suggest them... First, because they use very high voltages and are dangerous to mess with if you don't know what you are doing. An unplugged radio can shock you pretty bad if you touch a charged capacitor by mistake. Second, they are very heavy, and mobility in my opinion is an important advantage in prepping. If you want to buy a cheap radio, look into old solid state rigs like the late Atlas radios, or anything between tube technology and surface-mounted components.
I personally used to be interested in the latest stuff with all the bells and whittles, but my opinion has somewhat changed. Now I value simplicity and ruggedness more. So, my best advise is to take your time in choosing. As to fixed or mobile, I prefer "portable." which is a third category. I want a radio that is simple, with a low current draw, light, small, that can be transported easily, even on foot. You have to give up other things to get all that, like power, but I think portability is more important. That's just for the minimum of course, you can always get that boat anchor later 

Gil.

Hello,

Do you need a license for these radios, or should we just not mention anything about that 

Gil.