<div dir="auto"><div>I was just outside the time window when Gigaparts started selling the Explorer. I ended up buying the TYT UV88 which is the same radio. It's not a bad little radio. I invested in a better antenna, and when I participated in my first volunteer event (Bay State Marathon) I bought a higher capacity battery. It is a very good place to start.</div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto">Chris</div><div dir="auto">W2BPL</div><div><br></div><div data-smartmail="gmail_signature">Sent from my phone.</div></div><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Sun, Jun 2, 2024, 7:50 PM Samir Parikh <<a href="mailto:siparikh@gmail.com">siparikh@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex"><u></u>
<div>
<p>Steve,</p>
<p>Congrats on getting your Technician license! The QRZ Explorer
was the same one I got upon receiving my license!</p>
<p><a href="https://samirparikh.com/blog/my-first-radio.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">https://samirparikh.com/blog/my-first-radio.html</a></p>
<p>It doesn't have a lot of fancy features (e.g. APRS, DMR) but it's
good enough to allow you to get on the repeaters. I would just
recommend replacing the stock antenna with a whip antenna. I
later purchased an Ed Fong J-pole which I put in my attic which
vastly improved the performance of the radio.</p>
<p>Good luck in getting your General!</p>
<p>Samir</p>
<p>K1SIP<br>
</p>
<div>KC1SOZ wrote on 02/06/2024 19:20:<br>
</div>
<blockquote type="cite">
<div dir="auto">QRZ and Giga parts still have the heavily
discounted deal for new hams on the QRZ handheld. It's not a
super fancy Handheld but it works very well.
<div dir="auto"><br>
</div>
<div dir="auto"><a href="https://www.gigaparts.com/qrzjumpstart" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">https://www.gigaparts.com/qrzjumpstart</a><br>
</div>
<div dir="auto"><br>
</div>
</div>
<br>
<div class="gmail_quote">
<div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Sun, Jun 2, 2024, 17:17
Steven Ford <<a href="mailto:stevef136@gmail.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">stevef136@gmail.com</a>>
wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">
<div dir="ltr">I am new to this, I got my Tech license last
month and am currently studying for my General and taking
exam on the 13th. I was looking to get recommendations for a
handheld that I could use till I save up to get a mobile
station. I would like to be able to participate in the Bars
Net.
<div><br>
</div>
<div>Helpful if this is something I could pick up at Ham
Radio in Salem NH</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>Steve Ford </div>
<div>KC1UVA </div>
</div>
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