Handheld (HT) Radio Buying
Baofeng UV-5R Review: Know more about the classic beginner Ham radio
SignalStuff: Great HT antennas -- make sure to get one compatible with your radio!
GMRS HT buying guide from GENOAK
Another GMRS HT buying guide from BeCERTAINN
Scanning
Uniden BCD436HP: Handheld scanner- — -powerful & relatively easy to use!
Uniden BCD536HP: The mobile version of the above scanner
Arcadian Antenna: Great source for mobile scanner antennas
RadioReference: Database of frequencies and the agencies that use them
Repeaters
RepeaterBook: Database of repeaters worldwide
CHIRP: Program repeater frequencies into your BaoFeng and or many other Ham HTs
Software-Defined Radio
Digital Modes & Data
APRS: Automatic Packet Reporting System for sending GPS coordinates and messages over radio
D-STAR Info: Resources for ICOM's digital voice and data protocol
JS8Call: Digital mode for keyboard-to-keyboard messaging over HF
Winlink: Send and receive email over Ham radio
WSPR: Weak Signal Propagation Reporter for testing propagation with low power
Mesh & Emergency Networks
Meshtastic: Off-grid text messaging without internet, cell service, or a Ham license
MeshCore: Open-source mesh networking for encrypted off-grid messaging using LoRa
AREDN: Amateur Radio Emergency Data Network for high-speed data in emergencies