Hi all, new Extra here just passed my test last month. I'm trying to put together my first emergency go-kit and feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the options out there. Main question: What's the most important piece after radio and power?

I've got a Yaesu FT-857D and a 35Ah LiFePO4 battery pack so far. Thinking about antennas next - should I prioritize HF wire antennas or VHF/UHF first? Our local ARES group says to be ready for both but my budget is tight.

Any wisdom from you experienced emergency communicators would be really appreciated. Thanks!

Welcome to the hobby! For your first kit, I'd go VHF/UHF first - that's where most local emergency traffic happens. A good dual-band mag mount antenna will get you on local repeaters quickly. You can always add HF wire antennas later when funds allow.

Don't forget the boring stuff that kills go-kits! Extra coax, Anderson Powerpoles, fuses, electrical tape, and a basic multimeter. Nothing worse than being sidelined by a blown fuse during an activation. Ask me how I know...

That FT-857D is a solid choice for a first kit. Since you're new, consider starting with a simple wire dipole for 40m - cheap, effective, and easy to deploy. Once you get comfortable with that, then look at more complex antenna systems.