so I just passed my technician exam last week and I've been trying to figure out what handheld to get as my first radio. everyone keeps saying baofeng and I know they have a bad reputation with some people but the price is hard to argue with when you're just starting out and not sure if you'll even stick with the hobby long term

but then I started reading about the yaesu FT-60 and the wouxun stuff and now im more confused than when I started. like does it actually matter that much for just hitting local repeaters and maybe some simplex? I dont really have any specific plans yet just want to get on the air and start learning. would love to hear what people actually use day to day and whether I'd regret going cheap

honestly for just getting started and hitting repeaters the baofeng UV-5R will work fine, people give it grief but it does what it says it does at that price point. the real issue is programming it without chirp is kind of a pain and the transmit audio isnt amazing but nobody on a repeater is going to hang up on you because of it. i used one for almost a year before i upgraded and i dont regret it, taught me a lot about what i actually wanted in a radio

that said if you think youre going to get serious pretty quick the FT-60 is just a better radio in every way, receiver is way cleaner, built like a tank, audio is louder and clearer. ive had mine for years and its been to places i wouldnt bring anything i cared about. worth the extra money if you can swing it

I was in the same spot about 8 months ago and ended up getting the Wouxun KG-UV9D and I've been pretty happy with it. gets into the local repeaters fine, battery lasts a long time, and it didn't feel as plasticky as the baofengs I'd handled at a hamfest. might be worth looking at if you want something in the middle ground price wise