InterceptRadio.com Forums

I live in Issaquah and am not the type of person who likes to wait for goodies to arrive in the mail.

What I am looking for is where to locally buy amateur radio equipment? I would like to get a decent portable unit and whatever goodies I may need.. Any suggestions for equipment, extras, instructions, etc.. would be greatly appriciated. I am going to take FCC test soon. This seems like a great hobby to get into.. I mean, hey.. moon bouncing.. how can one not get into something like this..

I have looked everywhere I can think of locally online with no results yet.. Have not gone to Frys yet... anyway.. please help me in the right direction.. I am roaring to get started..

Thanks!!!!!

ViroGen

Welcome, Viro. Glad to see your enthusiasm for the hobby.

Unfortunately, the "neighborhood" ham radio store is pretty much gone around here. ALF in Arlington was about the last one locally to stock Amateur Radio products. Radio Depot in Georgetown closed down over a year ago, and ABC Communications in North City *may* have some Icom stuff - but, I haven't been in there for some time, so I don't know what they have.

So, your left with mail order. My personal favorite is Ham Radio Outlet in Portland - they have all the major brands in stock, and if you call early enough on one day, it will be on your doorstep the next day. Unfortunately, you're not able to "test drive" the radio before buying, so you may have to do some homework ahead of time to see if a particular radio is suited for you. Eham.net has a pretty good "Reviews" section, and you can see how other ham's have rated a particular radio.

That's about the best we can do around here. Hopefully that won't curb your enthusiasm.

Brad N7JGX Whidbey Island, WA.

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Whatever.....

I personally love HRO. You can call them with questions about products or what product would work best for your needs and I have always been given professional well informed answers.

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I taste copper.
Comments, views, opinions - and trails of destruction - are my own.

... for the replies. I will check them out and see what I find. I can think of ~32 reasons to go to Portland.. hehe

::~32 Microbrews There::

Well, if you have a reason to go there anyway, then it sure is nice to be able to play with the radio's before you buy them.

I sure do like to support the "local guy", and did buy some products from both ALF and Radio Depot (and ABC, for that matter). However, the way people are buying things now, it is much harder for the locals to keep their doors open, and compete with the "no tax, free shipping" offers.

Brad N7JGX Whidbey Island, WA.

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Whatever.....