Hi Pak, congratulations in getting your ham ticket!!!
You don't have to spend a lot of money here.
You can pick up an older Alinco DJ-580T.
This is a dual band 2 meter / 440 Handi-Talkie.
You can find them at swap meets (hamfests), QTH.COM,
QRZ.COM and others. Even Ebay is a good source for radios.
If you go with ebay MAKE SURE the seller has good feedback!!!
Anyway. The DJ-580T is a great radio and you should be able to pick up
one in GOOD condition for around $75- $150 on the high side. Another
good HT is
a Yaesu FT-530. Both of these are good choices. The Alinco has louder
speaker audio
because it has a larger speaker, but both are fine. I have both here.
The main thing the Yaesu FT-530
has over the alinco is it can receive to frequencies on the SAME band (
VHF VHF/ UHF UHF/ VHF UHF)
while the Alinco is is strictly UHF and VHF at the same time.
If a "true" dual band is not required (and I mean by "true" is both at
the same time).
There are many radio's to choose from.
Check out the Yaesu FT-50 AND the new FT-60, other GREAT HT's. Speaker
audio
is loud as hell!!!! Blows the other two away in speaker loudness.
They are dual band, 2 meters / 440 but only one at a time. Both are
heavy duty
and are mil spec. You can get the new FT-60 for under $200 dollars.
Anyway, good luck in what ever you get!!
73


pak wrote:

I am a new Ham with Technician license and would like to buy/obtain a used
2m or dual band handheld. I would like to get something to get my feet wet
in amateur radio, but not spend a small fortune.
Need some advice on what brand, model would be good. Is dual band a good
idea?
Where should I look for used equipment, what advice can you give in regards
to getting something used that works and not getting ripped off.


If I go for new, is there a good, better, best among brands
with corresponding jumps in prices? What should I look for in the way
of features, which are really needed vs. nice to have in a 6M/2M/70CM
?
Thanks
Pak