If I Had To Start Amateur Radio Again..?

If I had to start amateur radio all over again, what would I buy... and perhaps more importantly, why? This presentation was recorded live for the Norfolk Amateur Radio Club, where I explored a simple thought experiment: imagine you've sold the house, downsized, or lost your entire station. You have a small plot, a sensible budget, and you're starting from scratch. What would you build? We discuss: • Choosing a radio that gives the best long-term flexibility. • Why I believe USB-equipped radios changed the hobby. • Low dipoles vs verticals – and why each has a different job. • Why 40 metres is really two different bands depending on the time of day. • The surprisingly effective Loop-on-Ground receive antenna. • Two VFOs, stereo listening and why I find it so powerful. • Building a practical station before spending money on expensive hardware. • Why experimentation is still the most enjoyable part of amateur radio. This isn't a review of any particular product, and it certainly isn't the only way to build a station. It's simply how I would approach things today, after many years of operating, contesting and experimenting. Hopefully it gives you a few ideas for your own station. 73, Callum M0XXT