When I was looking at buying equipment, one question that I was constantly asking was “what is the perfect rig for a beginner?”.   As I did some research and pondered several options- I realized something very important: there is no perfect rig, let alone one that is perfect for beginners.

My advice to new hams is to start the process with what kind of rig you are looking for, instead of worrying about specific models and brands.

I live in an apartment, and while I can sometimes successfully listen to shortwave here, 90% of the time (especially in the summer with AC units running) – there is just too much interference to operate as I can’t hear anything.  Also I have no ability to get an antenna outside my apartment.

For me requirement number one was portable operations.  I wanted a rig that I could bring anywhere with me so location would never be an issue.  Also important was a rig that could handle multiple bands and modes.  When I found the Yaesu 857- that for me was the winner.  It handles many bands, it is small, and it can go from 5 watts to 100 watts.

Next was the antenna- while just about anything can do here- I didn’t want something that would be too confusing nor difficult to setup.  After a lot of digging, I settled on the Buddipole.  It comes with a tripod, an 18-foot mast, and options for 40 meters through 2 meters.  The flexibility again appealed to me, as one antenna system could let me try many bands out.  Also the Buddipole has many configuration options, I can go vertical, horizontal, or experiment with other ideas as well.  I’ve had the best luck with it on 17-meters, but I’ve also made contacts on 20 and 2-meters.  I have yet to try the other bands.  For some reason the more ‘seasoned’ hams hate on the Buddipole- I was 5×9 to someone across the US running 50 watts, and as soon as I mentioned what antenna I had, the response was “well that is a very illogical antenna.”  Keep in mind, there is no perfect antenna, and if I am making 5×9 reports, I call it success.

I also needed power- so I got a 31 amp-hour gel battery- enough to power the Yaesu at full power for a short time, or at reduced power for quite a while.

The last piece, and most important from my experience, was the antenna analyzer.  The Buddipole comes with stock instructions for how to set each band up, but I’ve found it to be a starting point and not the final answer.   Following the stock instructions, I usually end up in the 2:1 to 3:1 SWR range, and I need to shorten the whips slightly.  Yes, this part is tedious, as I have to raise the antenna, measure, lower it, adjust, and repeat.  However, I can always get the SWR below 1.3:1, and I credit that with my ability to get through with such an ‘illogical antenna.’

With this setup I can operate anywhere.  I also love to go camping, so bringing my rig to a campground is a great way to enjoy nature and talk around the world.  This is the setup that works for me, but your ideal rig could be completely different.