Beginner questions

[N8YX]

Buy once; cry once when it comes to electronic tools.

A good DMM and soldering iron plus a technician's tool kit (screwdrivers, cutters, stripping tools, crimpers, soldering aids) will definitely be on your short list to get.

My test lab is a little more comprehensive since I do design and mod work as a counterpart to my day job. See if you enjoy the hobby enough to invest in additional test equipment then I'll/we'll help spend your money.

Radios - all in what you're looking to do. For a general-purpose multiband handheld which is also waterproof (literally), I highly recommend the Yaesu VX6, VX7 or VX8 series. Kenwood's TH6FA is also another good choice, albeit not waterproof.

Mobiles and fixed-station rigs open up an entirely new can o' worms...and will get some interesting discussions raging about what's "best".

[KG4CGC]

Buy once; cry once when it comes to ... <snip>
Mobiles and fixed-station rigs open up an entirely new can o' worms...and will get some interesting discussions raging about what's "best".

hy·gro·scop·ic
ˌhīɡrəˈskäpik/
adjective
adjective: hygroscopic

• (of a substance) tending to absorb moisture from the air.
  
  
  
  • relating to humidity or its measurement.
    
    Hygroscopic cpu insulators come to mind ... uh huh.
    
    
    
    
  
  
  
  
  

[N8YX]

hy·gro·scop·ic
ˌhīɡrəˈskäpik/
adjective
adjective: hygroscopic

• (of a substance) tending to absorb moisture from the air.
  Hygroscopic cpu insulators come to mind ... uh huh.

As does 'hygroscopic potting compound', the bane of several popular rigs of the 80s.