Whether you’re looking for your first handheld radio, studying for an exam, or building a serious HF station, this page is a curated guide to the best ham radio resources — organized by category so you can find exactly what you need without wading through a wall of links.
The ARRL (American Radio Relay League) is the national organization for amateur radio in the United States. It’s the closest thing the hobby has to a governing body, and it’s a good starting point for almost anything ham-radio-related.
Study & Learning Resources
Magazines & Publications
- ARRL.org — The national amateur radio organization. Free resources, licensing info, exam session listings, and Field Day coordination. Why: the official governing body and the most comprehensive resource available.
- CQ Amateur Radio — A monthly magazine for operating enthusiasts, covering DX reporting, contests, and operating techniques. Why: focused specifically on operating and contesting.
- The Spectrum Monitor — A magazine covering shortwave listening and amateur radio. Why: a great bridge for shortwave listeners (SWLs) transitioning into ham radio.
Online Communities
- eHam.net — A large online community with gear reviews, forums, practice exams, and operating guides.
- Reddit — r/amateurradio — An active community with daily discussion and Q&A.
- Local clubs, like South Shore Ham Radio Club — Attend a meeting, join a net, and ask questions directly to experienced operators.
Learning Videos & Courses
- YouTube — search “Ham Radio 101” or similar beginner-focused channels for free video lessons.
- Online courses — platforms like Udemy and Coursera offer structured license prep courses ($15–$30).
Equipment
Handheld Radios (HTs) — Beginner Equipment
- Budget ($25–$50): Baofeng, Quansheng. BaoFeng.com — the most affordable way to get on the air.
- Mid-range ($80–$150): Icom, Yaesu, Kenwood. Icom America · Yaesu · Kenwood — excellent build quality, well suited to 2m/70cm use.
- Premium ($200+): Icom, Yaesu — advanced features and better ergonomics for daily use.
Mobile & Base Radios — HF Capability
New equipment:
- Icom America
- Yaesu
- Kenwood
- FlexRadio — software-defined radios
- Elecraft — QRP (low-power) specialty gear
Used equipment (often the best value):
- Ham Radio Dot Com — used gear marketplace
- Universal Radio
- DXEngineering
Antennas
- Wire antennas — the most budget-friendly option; a basic dipole or end-fed wire can be built for $10–$50 in materials.
- Commercial antennas — Diamond Antenna · Arrow Antennas · SteppIR (rotatable antenna systems)
- Antenna tuners — LDG Electronics (automatic tuners) · MFJ Enterprises (affordable tuners)
Accessories & Add-Ons
- Microphones: HeilSound
- Keys (CW): Vibroplex
- Power supplies: MFJ Enterprises · West Mountain Radio
- Batteries: Batteries America
Software
- Operating & logging: WSJT-X (free), N1MM Logger+ (free)
- Digital modes: FLDIGI, JT65
- Contesting: N1MM Logger+, MacLoggerDX
- Callsign lookup: QRZ.com
Equipment Dealers
Major dealers (full range of equipment):
- HamRadio.com — large inventory, fast shipping
- Universal Radio — established dealer with a printed catalog
- DXEngineering — comprehensive selection, strong customer service
- GigaParts — competitive pricing
- DX Store
Budget dealers:
- CheapHam.com — discount pricing
Local Resources
South Shore Ham Radio Club
- Weekly nets: Tuesday, 7:00 PM, on the N1ZIZ repeater (146.685 MHz)
- Monthly meetings: 3rd Wednesday of the month, at Plymouth Airport
- Mentorship: new members are paired with experienced operators
- Classes: periodic Technician license prep courses
- Join SSHRC
Other Massachusetts Resources
- ARRL Massachusetts Section: ema.arrl.org
- VE test sessions: search arrl.org/find-an-amateur-radio-license-exam-session
Getting Started: Shopping List
If you’re just getting licensed and want to know what to buy, here’s a realistic starting budget:
| Item | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Handheld radio (HT) | $25–$100 |
| Antenna | $15–$50 |
| Power supply (base station only) | $30–$100 |
| Cables/adapters | $10–$30 |
| Study guide | Free–$30 |
Total startup cost: $50–$200
Frequently Bought Together
Getting your first handheld radio? You’ll likely also want:
- A programming cable (to load frequencies from your computer)
- Extra batteries or a battery pack
- An upgraded antenna
- A case or holster