Ham Radio Outlet

I was at the Ham Radio Outlet several years ago and had arguably my worst shopping experience in decades. I walked out after 20 minutes, not having gotten anyone to say Hello or acknowledge my presence in any way, even though there was only one other customer in the store. I swore I’d never go back.
However, the guys at ORCA, the Oakland Radio Communications Association (Hams) convinced me to return. So i walked in on a Saturday afternoon, when there was no one else in the store. It was just me, the customer, and some dickey kid with black curly hair staring at his cellphone behind the counter. There was no Hello, no smile, no How can I help you? Rather he seemed to be perturbed that I would interrupt his cellphone experience. His actions, or lack thereof, may be a generational thing; where the virtual trumps the actual.
Anyway, I was in and out in several minutes, having spent several hundred dollars. And at no time did the kid extend himself to me. It was as though I was doing him a favor by gracing his presence. There was no Thank You, no How Else May I Help?, or Please Come Back Again, I Appreciate Your Business. There was no human interaction.
Bottom-​line, in my opinion, the kid needs a personality transplant. And, even though Ham Radio Outlet’s prices are very fair, i would never go back, unless forced.

Came over here to shop for some mobile ham accessories. Great selection and prices. They also had every item I needed. Thanks very much to Kevin for advice and help!

Highly disappointed. Good selection, but staff is not helpful or knowledgeable.
I need a 2m/​70cm antenna for a new mobile rig, but as a fairly new ham I wasn’t sure which type, length, and mount would fit my goals. I dropped in around lunch time and there were 2 employees there. Both of them listened to what I needed, and were friendly, but flat out said they weren’t that knowledgeable (huh???) and I should wait for the manager Nick (who was out on lunch), but I didn’t have time that day. Wasted trip.
I decided to try again this week and called ahead to see if Nick was available if I dropped in. They put him on the phone where he promptly told me he was too busy for me to drop in as he was preparing for a show this weekend (keep in mind I called on a Monday). He spent about 45 seconds asking a couple questions and quickly told me I should call a CB shop in the midwest instead. Never really listened to my main questions and made it feel like I was bothering him to help a customer for a couple minutes.
I can get better service from even the worst online retailers. And here I was hoping to support a local business…

Nick Set me UP ! ! !
Walked in there knowing what I wanted pretty much blind, knew i’d spend about $ 500, got out with a $ 80 savings, cheaper than online, not refurbished, new top o the line equipment! even better keeping your business local… None the less, Nick was extremely informative, walked me through everything, made me feel comfortable, not like some POS newbie. Gotta say, love the customer service… Its a whole nother world in there. I will be going back soon for my transmitter ! ! !

HRO has good stock of HAM radio gear and supplies. I bought my HT and a lot of other gear there, not to mention my HF radio, which I got from their Pacificon booth.
They have a great set-​up to try out mobile and base radios on the air.
Prices are competitive. I can usually match HRO’s prices on-​line (even assuming CA sales taxes are paid, and taking into account shipping), but it takes some real effort to find these deals, and I seldom can beat HRO prices by any meaningful margin.
In the old days HRO had a friendly, knowledgeable staff. I used to preferentially buy stuff there because I assumed they would support the gear they had sold. Sadly, this has changed. The current manager is a PITA (also noted in many other reviews). After returning a $ 30 item that was defective, I decided that it was just not worth doing that again. I didn’t go back to the store for a very long time, and I now avoid the manager as much as I can if I do have to pick something up.
The other sales folks are reasonably friendly and knowledgeable.
Net-​net. It is a convenient place to pick up stuff locally, but you are in for an unpleasant time if there are any issues or problems. Note that there is another HRO in Sunnyvale, which might be a more pleasant alternative, if you don’t mind the drive.

I finally visited this store– what a disappointment! Tall skinny white sales guy w/​no name tag, very aloof and unhelpful. I was only looking for a tabletop am/​fm/​sw, not some $ 8k rig, but there was no interest in answering questions or upselling… His answer to question about backlighted display: «I don’t know».
You’re better off watching radio reviews on youtube than visiting this place. I’ve been to the HRO’s in N.H. & DE, and had been a costomer for 20 years, but I won’t go to this one unless they’re a lot cheaper than the internet on something.

I have to agree with Mike’s June 2013 review. I went into this store as a new ham to purchase a rail I had researched online. I thought I would give the benefit of the purchase to a local store rather than Amazon. I went in to make my purchase and picked out my radio. The same slender white male asked if he could help me. When I told him I wanted to purchase a particular radio he told me «I wouldn’t buy that.» When I asked him why, hoping he would share his knowledge, he smugly said «a lot of reasons» as he rolled his eyes and walked away. What a shame I will be returning to Amazon to complete my purchases for my radios now. I don’t understand why management doesn’t realize what a sore this man is to their operation. From Unilocal it appears they are down two customers and likely a dozen more from the word of mouth I will distribute.

I admit I am new to Ham. I thought I would give a real store a chance. Well, it didn’t last long. The young gentleman (dark hair skinny) in the store was on the phone when I arrived. No problem, but after 5 – 6 minutes please acknowledge my presence. When he was done with his call he finally said hello. I told him I was new. «You’ll need a license!». Yes, I know. Not 1 minute later phone rings, he picks up within 2 rings, good for for the person on the phone, bad for local business. After several minutes he was still on the phone and I was done with him. Goodbye. Next day I got all my $$$ stuff online.

So as most have reviewed they have just about everything! I personally like brick and mortar vs on line! Not here though! I hate more than anything, when I sit down research an item I want to purchase! And walk into a store ask for the item and get told that’s not the item you want! It’s garbage it will fall apart, buy this item it’s better and it’s only 20 more dollars! But wait I wanted to buy an FMJ SWR meter, no there junk you need to buy this Diamond it’s way better??? Ok so this pisses me off a little! But he works here so I’ll trust his opinion, I get home read some reviews about the SWR meter I was persuaded to buy, guess what 1.2 star on E-​Ham!!! Damn I was just duped??? Ok I got over that! Two weeks prior to this I purchased an Alinco sr8t HF rig $ 599.00 yea boy I’m on HF!!! The discriminator is not working properly so I call HRO only to be told, sorry it’s been longer than 10 days??? Yea I know it’s been 12 days!!! Wtf if you don’t stand behind your products then I can do business elsewhere!!! It’s online shopping for me HRO can kiss my a!
O yea and I called Alinco they are here in hayward said bring it right over and they will fix it while I wait!!! HRO should take a lesson from them!!!

If you need a radio, this is the place. The staff was exceptional, there knowledge base seemed almost infinite. They had the right products and right attitude toward customer satisfaction. They new almost right away the products I would need for my work truck. Nick the Manager was above and beyond my expectations. There customer service seems un beatable. Ham Radio Outlet got me hooked and now I am customer for life.
Highly Recommended

PLUS — about a year ago, I went into HRO for a mic plug and walked out with a mic plug and a free kitten! This 3 month-​old stray had been found in the parking lot and was following the employees around the store.
Where else can you go to buy a mic plug and end up with a free kitten?
Dave
AA7EE

Great selection and knowledgeable staff. I would have given this retail outlet a 4 except for the exceptionally rude single employee in the store, I think his name is Aaron. It was painful for him to deal with newbie customers and while he was decisive in selection, he really didn’t make me want to spend anymore money with the store. His behavior was hostile. The only thing that saved the sale was the previous experience with one of the other staff members. So if you create an environment that no one wants to come into your store than why would I not deal with Amazon directly or some other online retailer. Get the clue, your a customer facing retail establishment, and while you might have a high IQ on all things Ham radio, you have negative points in the Emotional IQ realm. I think I would recommend a new occupation, and I manage Unix Admins all day so I understand high intellectual, anti social personalities. Retail is not your thing.
I appreciate an electronics retail Brick and mortar store like this which is why I spent money there but really do something about this employee.

Went in to buy an item. Very big selection. Lots of literature about item available. If you need it they probably have it.
But ONE employee is a bit of a prick. Pimple faced, white male, slim build, black hair, I think his name may be Aaron. (He may be a Manager)
Employee was helpful at first, but I’m a newbie to ham radio so of course I had some questions. After the employee pointed out what antenna I should buy, I picked up a couple of other antennas and asked about them. He flat out said the one that he recommended was the only one I should buy and then with a firm tone told me, «All of these other ones you picked up SUCK.»
1. I don’t think that he should be acting like that in the first place with people he doesn’t know. But I guess since it was in Oakland, CA he was trying to act like a hard-​ass. It wasn’t needed and quite frankly I wanted to wring his neck at the moment.
2. If the item SUCKS… Why the F are you selling it if it SUCKS?
I don’t know about this store. I got into ham radio for emergency communications. I know for some people it is a deep hobby that plays a large part in their lives. I think its cool. But there are some people out there who think it is a NERD-​FEST. When you have jerks like the ONE PERSON who works at this store it will validate whatever negative opinions of those who aren’t necessarily into the hobby. I’M NOT DOWNING THE ENTIRE STORE by any means but if these guys work on commission the one who treated me poorly will not make any more sales to me and I might not make any more purchases from this store. I will more than likely drive out of my way to visit the other locations and if the other locations ever ask me why i drive so far. I will tell them about the piss poor service form the ONE PERSON at the OAKLAND, CA STORE

My best friend from my University of Iowa days has been a Ham Radio Operator for around 40 years. Gayle’s CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) work has also resulted in a mutually beneficial working relationship with local Ham Radio group. I’ve been tempted myself, although Gayle fears that this would push me completely over the Nerd Ledge and into Oblivion.
Here’s my Best Friend’s Sales Pitch — Welcome to Ham Radio!
Eric — there are two places I would begin this journey. The American Radio Relay League is the main organization that serves the Ham Radio community at
. They also publish a monthly magazine called QST — it can be bought any major book store.
You can either take classes that are sponsored by local ham radio clubs — tons in the Bay area. Ham Radio Outlet is a large national chain store and they probably have a store in the Bay area.
It would be a good source for classes. There are a number of online classes you can also take such as:

Getting your license is going to be soooooo easy for you! It took me close to a year to pass my General license in High School because the math and physics was really hard for me. Back then in 1973 you could only take the test at an FCC field exam office and you had to not only pass the written exam but also sending Morse code sending and receiving. If you failed one part you failed the entire exam. It took me 3 times to pass the written exam. No problems with code.
I would highly suggest that you go for the General class license which will allow you to have communication capabilities all around the world. Don’t get a Technician License! Well, let me know what I can do to be of help!
I took my first step with this «Journey» by stopping into the Ham Radio Outlet a few days ago on my way back from the Airport. This isn’t the easiest place to find, even when you see the sign from the Freeway. But it’s worth the effort and the guys here couldn’t have been more nice, helpful and patient in explaining their craft, their personal experiences, and all the options out there. These guys love Ham Radio but not in an overboard way. In Star Trek lingo, they’re big fans, but not to point of dressing up in pointy ears. I left with a «Getting Started in Ham Radio» book, a Catalog, and a promise to return.

This store and its staff are an amazing find. Very helpful hams behind the counter, good conversation (if you want it, they’re not pushy), and a very nice book selection.
Shop local and help HRO educate new Hams. Remember, we’re in earthquake country, and we may need our wacky ham radio operators when the landlines fail and the cell towers are flopped over.
I got a great price on a radio, but you do need to wade through their web site to watch for sales. Their web site is a big tottery, and feels a bit 1998-​ish, but that’s because these are RADIO techs, not computer techs or designers. ;)
I do wish they’d do some more community outreach. They don’t feel well integrated into the part of Oakland they’re in. Hey HRO guys, maybe you could help host a HAM club at the schools, community organizations or churches nearby?

hro is great. they pretty much have everything in stock i might need, and if they don’t they can get it quick at decent prices. If your radio breaks they can probably fix it too.

If you are a ham radio user, this is the place to go in the bay area for stuff that you need. These guys have every essential thing that you will need. Their prices are decent and their selection is great. If they don’t have the item in the store they will ship it to you.