Very High Frequency (VHF) and Ultra High Frequency (UHF) radios are amongst the most common in use and are usually the frequency bands where many amateurs start out. It doesn’t have the range of High Frequency (HF wavebands), under most circumstances they are line-of-sight frequencies. The Foundation Licences allows you to use these frequencies for both line of sight communication, accessing repeaters and for communication through satellites (although achieving this is a little more complex than we will deal with here.)
Walkie-Talkie VHF/UHF Radios
At its most simple VHF and UHF simplex communications and repeaters can be accessed using a handheld “walkie-talkie” type transceiver. For example, the Baofeng UV-5R can be had for around £20
If you are looking for something a little more refined, then there are models such as the Yaesu FT-65 E are available at a starter price.
Base station and mobile transceivers
If you are looking for something with a bit more oomph than the typical 5 to 8 watts of power that are used by a handheld you should be looking to a base station.
A reasonably priced starter base station is the Retevis RT95. it’s an FM-only transceiver. It doesn’t offer the more spectrally efficient SSB, but it will allow communication with a huge range of other amateurs
While walkie-talkies come with their own antenna. Base stations do not. An antenna such as a Twayrdio NMO dual band VHF/UHF antenna will ensure you can be heard. Make sure you mount it as high as possible as a clean line of sight is important to VHF and UHF signals.
Digital radios
Radio is moving towards a digital path and Foundation licence holders are also able to take part in this modulation revolution. However, while many people are getting involved, it is more complex to set up. Many in the radio community feel that this mash-up of internet delivery and RF access deviates from the goals of amateur radio. But to be honest with you, many of these people also feel that using repeaters is an immoral act. I’ll leave aside the judgment, but if you would like to make international communications using VHF on a regular basis, then VHF digital modes are a way to achieve this.
While this guide is keen for you to experience all modes of amateur radio, the equipment needed for digital is frequently not able to operate across formats. DMR radios are not compatible with D-STAR for example. As a lot of digital operation is via repeaters or internet hotspots, it’s worth looking to see what is available in your area. The RSGB repeater list is an excellent source of information (as well as a guide to your local FM repeaters
