Affiliate Disclosure
How we make money
HamStart is free to use. To cover hosting and the time it takes to build tools and write guides, the site earns money in two ways: affiliate links and advertising. Neither one changes what we recommend.
Amazon Associates
As an Amazon Associate, HamStart earns from qualifying purchases. Some links to products on Amazon are affiliate links. If you click one and make a purchase, Amazon may pay us a small commission — at no additional cost to you. The price you pay is exactly the same whether you use our link or not.
We only link to product categories and items we would recommend anyway. We choose our picks first and add links second, not the other way around.
Advertising (Google AdSense)
HamStart may display advertisements served by Google AdSense and its partners. These ads are clearly distinguishable from our editorial content and are labeled as advertising. Advertisers do not get to choose our recommendations or influence our guides. For details on the cookies used by advertising partners and how to opt out, see our privacy policy.
No live prices, no fake reviews
To keep things honest and accurate:
- We do not display live prices or availability. Prices change constantly and vary by seller. Always check the current price on the retailer's page before buying.
- We do not publish fake reviews, star ratings, or invented testimonials. Our picks are based on specifications, category experience, and what genuinely suits a beginner.
- We name specific gear only when we can explain why, including where it falls short.
Our opinions are our own
Commissions and ad revenue never buy a recommendation or a ranking. If we think an inexpensive radio is the right first choice, that is what we will say, even when a pricier option would earn us more. If you ever spot a recommendation that seems influenced by money rather than merit, please tell us through the contact page — we take that seriously.