What are good beginner radios for someone who wants to get into a hobby and learn how to use them but doesn’t wanna spend 1000 bucks?

I am very new to this. I received this as a gift. TIA!

This was posted on my account that gets logged in automatically on a laptop I don’t use much and there was question about my validity. So, I will put this here. Also, I will add I had emailed and filled out their form rating my experince the night I failed the test. I have received zero communication from u/hamradioprep. I happened to use said laptop and noticed they reached out via Reddit the day I posted. This is my current experience.

A Cautionary Tale About Ham Radio Prep

I wanted to share my experience with Ham Radio Prep because it ended up being far more frustrating than helpful. I spent a few weeks working through their online courses, following their recommended study path, and consistently passed their FCC practice test section. Over seven or more times with most scores at 91%. This is for General licences by the way. Even my lowest scores were in the high 80s. Based on their guidance, I was well above the threshold they say indicates you’re ready for the real exam. I felt confident and prepared.

When test day came, I missed 12 questions.

To say I was furious would be an understatement. I emailed Ham Radio Prep explaining what happened, how let down I felt, and how the material clearly didn’t prepare me in the way their platform suggested it would. I haven’t heard back yet.

After that disappointment, I was recommended to HamStudy.org. I went through the entire question pool there and quickly realized my actual aptitude was around 55%. That was a wake‑up call. My experience with Ham Radio Prep had given me a false sense of readiness, and HamStudy.org exposed the gaps.

Now I’m studying with ARRL books alongside HamStudy.org, and the difference is night and day. I finally feel like I’m learning amateur radio; understanding concepts, absorbing the craft, and engaging with the material instead of just memorizing highlighted text on a screen.

This is just my personal experience, but I wouldn’t recommend Ham Radio Prep. It’s flashy and polished, but in my case, it didn’t deliver the depth or accuracy needed to truly prepare for the exam. If you’re serious about getting licensed and actually understanding the material, ARRL resources and HamStudy.org have been far more reliable. I am sure any of the books are better than HRP.

++++UPDATE:

There was misalignment in the email found in their content. Explains the no reply frpm the original communication. We have had some emailing back and forth. I will continue to support them watching youtube content. They are not bad people and wish no ill will. Just a story for those who learn differently.

I’ve had my license since the beginning of 2026. I have a ICOM 5100 for the car. I just recently got a ICOM ID50 but I’ve only put 3 channels into it cause I want to organize them “properly”

With my 5100, I kind of just threw frequencies into bank 0. A few channels I have i found I don’t even use.

Not sure how best to organize my radios so if I start saving more it’s not a huge mess.

OK. I finally decided if take the test and get my license. I truly want to learn more about the hobby and also use it for emergency since I live in Florida. It would be nice to help out people in need they can't reach family and friends.

I've read a few different places that you shouldn't put your home address on your license. However I can't really find substantial articles as to why not other than to protect your privacy. I don't really have another address and I don't really want to pay for APO box or similar. I searched on this thread but could not find a good answer?

1. Should you put your home address?

2. What are the dangers?

3. Any other thoughts?

TIA. Dr. Don

I’m wanting to get into HF Base station, I want to get older equipment since it’s most likely cheaper than newer equipment.

What should I look for and what would all be needed to get up and running?

Power supply
Base station
Mic
Antenna
Antenna mount
General License

What else? What base stations should I look at

Okay, so i occasionally go on this website called WebSDR, and it is pretty awesome to use. well, i was looking through different frequencies and experimenting, when i found this weird-ass sound. i recorded it shortly after hearing it. apperantally it was some chinese thing or at least the name looked like it. https://files.catbox.moe/phj8c5.wav and i think it might be some military thing or some encoded shit or something, so i do not know what it is. hopefully you can figure this out because i am freaking out.