We are often asked what we use, and where we get it, for building simple radio stations. Some groups take the “radio-in-a-suitcase” approach, sending a complete station in a box. This has the advantage of requiring little training and great convenience. A good example is Wantok radio. http://www.wantokent.com/.  The Wantok suitcase radio is well designed and reliable.  

 
There are some limits to the suitcase radio model though.  First is the price tag. At over $4000, it is quite expensive. And bringing it into a country that has high import duties can be cost prohibitive, since many developing nations have import duties as high as 40% of the stated value of the equipment!  And that is even leaving aside those countries that might discourage grassroots radio in the first place- some of these countries would not let in anything known to be a radio transmitter for any price, unless it was controlled by the government.  In many cases, it can be much better to bring nothing but circuit boards and transistors, and the knowledge of how to put them together. 
 

When we build radio stations internationally, we prefer to bring as little as possible with us. We build stations as much as possible with locally available materials – materials that are easy to find again if something breaks, needs expansion, or demands replacement. When we are conducting a workshop, we ask our hosts to take us through the local markets where we find the necessary parts together and then assemble the whole station during the workshop.  We only bring the things that we expect will not be purchasable locally. In this way, we try to transfer not just the technology, but the knowledge and comprehension of the technology. That way, if something is lost, or stolen, or breaks, the local group knows how to replace it themselves, with their own resources.  
 

We also believe that groups that solder together their own transmitter from parts have more of a collective experience of ownership. Rather than being a gift from a charitable individual overseas, that is perceived as having been given to a local leader who interfaced with that individual—when we build a transmitter from scratch with a group, everybody can lay claim to having been a part of starting the radio station, and no one monopolizes the knowledge of how it works.  When done this way, the price of equipment that needs to be imported it closer to $1,000. Other locally acquired equipment can be in the range of $500 to $1500, depending on how ambitious the local group is with their studio. Other costs would include travel and trainers, which vary widely depending on the nature of the trainings desired by the local group.   
 

Typical Equipment List
Prices are in British pounds, American dollars are in parentheses with dollar signs 

From NRG Kits
Exciter/ transmitter
http://www.nrgkitz.com/pll-pro3.htm
79.95 kit, 114.95 built  ($127/ $183) 

amplifier
http://www.nrgkitz.com/rfamplifiers/40watt.htm
4 watt drive version
109.95 built  ($175) 

limiter
http://www.nrgkitz.com/radiokits/stereo_limiter.htm
60 kit, 90 built ($95, 143) 

power supply
http://www.nrgkitz.com/power_supply/linear.htm
39.95 ($64)
The power supply comes in two versions- check whetheryour country uses 110 or 220.  May be locally available.  

 
From the RF Connection
long cable
http://www.therfc.com/coax.htm
LMR-400
$ .58/FT$54.00/100'
with two pl 259 connectors soldered on and two spares.
Figure out how many fee they need if you can.  A hundred feet is a safe bet, but if it is way too long you lose some signal. Will solder on the ends for a few dollars labor  About $65.

male to male pl259 connector
Connects amplifier and transmitter
DM-1 UHF(M/M) Import $1.75 

 
From http://www.progressive-concepts.com/
comet antenna  $109
alternative: hand built dipoles from local parts- approximate cost: $25 

Watt meter:
http://www.radio-oasis.com/products/jetstream.html
JTWHF Watt Meter 1.8 - 200 Mhz, 50 Ohm, Power Scales 30 and 300 watts SO - 239 connectors $69.00 

Exciter:                       $183
Amplifier:                   $175
Limiter:                       $143
Power supply:             $64
Cable:                         $65
Connectors:                $20
Antenna:                     $110
SWR meter:               $69
Shipping:                     ?                                   

Total:                          $830  

 
Typical locally purchased components

Tape deck
CD player
DJ mixing console
Audio cables, connectors and adaptors
Ground rod and cable
Antenna pole
Copper/aluminum and plastic plumbing pipe for antenna
Mounting hardware, hose clamps
Guy wires/ropes
Head phones
Microphones
Soldering irons and solder
MultimeterNuts, bolts, washers of many sizes  

Things that will be needed that are also likely available locally:

Hand saws
DrillPlyers, wrenches, sockets and other tools
Labels
Records, tapes, CDs
Lights
Furniture for the station: (tables, chairs, shelves, lumber for console table)