5w or 10w of power

Advice needed please for newbie.
Is there a lot of difference between purchasing a ham radio with 5w over 10w the radio I would like starts of at 5w then 15w and 25w but with foundation I am only allowed maximum of 10w. So it’s purchasing the one I want and I can only use 5w or get a completely different one where I can use the maximum 10w. Sorry the question is a bit long winded but I didn’t know how to ask it any other way.

Thank you
Gary

Not sure what you mean by a " ham radio " I guess by the power levels your talking about a VHF/UHF handie ? 5> 10w output is a 3dB gain and could be the difference between making a contact and not , on our local 10m net last night a guy , only 10miles from me as the crow flies but with big hills in the way was just about readable running 30w (Full licence) someone asked him to up the power and he went to 40w and to me became fully readable ! The biggest gains are increases at low power but the antenna is key as it will help both on transmit and receive, better to have the power ( subject to your licence conditions ) and use only when needed than wish you had it available but were already at the tranceivers output limit.
It may be however that the 5w radio is a much better one all round than the 10w one maybe you could post the actual radios in question ?

Hi

Thank you for the reply the radios are the Anytone AT-778UV Dual Band and the Retevis RT95 Dual Band.

Cheers
Gary

As I remember these are 5,15 or 25 watt output power selected on one of the functions via the front manual. Small menus for each function button I recall. However power is only available in these increments.

Go with the 5W radio. Stick an aftermarket antenna on it (or make your own) and you'll put out more signal than the 10W radio on its stock antenna anyway. Build a homebrew power reducer to turn down 15W to 10W in the very rare case you find you need it. That's my opinion anyway lol! (There might even be a software or hardware mod that can tweak the 5W/15W down to 3W/10W or something like that. This is where SSB has a great advantage, as you can always reduce it easily to stay within your licence conditions.) EDIT: I should also add that the 10W radio maybe doesn't manage a true 10W anyway - a lot of this is advertising spin... And even if it does, it will sap your battery twice as quickly.)

Ah I see these are mobile radios - fact still remains, you can make a huge difference with your choice of antenna. So I would still go with the 5W if you prefer it, all other things being equal.

I would make sure you only have to buy once! Get a radio that will do up to 50 watts on VHF/UHF and 10 watts or under on low power, That way you can use the same radio as you progress through licensing. Remember not all countries have foundation level licensees so that's why 10 watts isn't always the low power option. As Poglad has already said a good antenna system should be your priority and with VHF/UHF height is definitely might!

73's Gary.

Hi

Thank you for all for your help and advice it’s made everything a lot clearer now.

Gary

Well I have finally past my Foundation Exam this month really excited, just waiting for the letter to arrive from Ofcom so I can get my first call sign.

Congratulations Gary

Be a nice Xmas pressie if you get your call sign quick from Ofcom.

73's
Victor

Congratulations Gary, hope for good global contacts for you,
enjoy.
73s

Congratulations Gary, look forward to working you on the bands at some point!

73's Gary.