FT-DECIDE // Radio Gear Decision Tool

01Who Else Is On The Radio?

AJust the operator (solo monitoring / learning) BHousehold / family (license-sharing matters) CFriends to coordinate with on a service DExisting community already on a specific service

02Primary Use Case

// pick up to 2 — primary + secondary

AFamily / group coordination (hikes, events, road trips) BNeighborhood / preparedness comms CTalking to strangers / joining a community of users DVehicle-based (overlanding, off-road, convoy) EReceive-only / monitoring / learning

03Most Common Terrain

// where will the radio be used most often?

AOpen / flat / rural BSuburban CUrban / dense buildings DMountainous / heavily wooded

04Range Needed

// realistic working distance, given your terrain

AIn the neighborhood (under 0.5 mi) BAround town (0.5–3 mi) CTo neighboring towns (3–15 mi) DRegional (up to 50 mi) EBeyond (as far as possible)

05License Appetite

// all U.S. radio licenses are issued by the FCC

ANone / never BPay an FCC fee, no test (GMRS — $35 / 10 years, covers whole family) CWilling to study for an FCC exam (ham — Technician class entry point)

06Installation Constraints

// check what's feasible

ACan run coax inside (attic, basement, through wall) BCan put antenna on roof, mast, or exterior wall CCan mount permanently to vehicle (drill / NMO / lip) DVehicle must stay clean — magnetic / no-mount only ERenting / HOA / stealth required (indoor only) FHT-only lifestyle, no fixed install anywhere

07Form Factor

// check all that apply — note: a mobile radio can double as a home base on a 12V supply

AHandheld (HT) — portable, battery-powered BVehicle mobile — installed in a car/truck (also usable at home with a power supply) CDedicated home base station — stationary, fixed install only

08Antenna Willingness

// rank by priority — use ▲▼ buttons or drag

01⋮⋮Stock antenna only

02⋮⋮Upgraded handheld whip

03⋮⋮Magnetic mount on vehicle

04⋮⋮Fixed/permanent vehicle mount (NMO, lip)

05⋮⋮Dedicated base station antenna (roof, mast)

06⋮⋮Convertible/portable (roll-up J-pole, slim-jim)

09Technical Skills To Use Or Learn

// check all that apply — "None" is exclusive

ANone — plug and play out of the box, no software, stock antenna BBasic programming of channels/frequencies by hand CFull programming with computer software (e.g. CHIRP) — tones, offsets, scan lists DInstalling permanent antenna mounts on vehicle or at home, running cable EBuilding homebrew antennas and soldering FSetting up power supplies and amplifiers, testing SWR