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Embarking on hiking and trekking adventures is undoubtedly exhilarating, but it’s essential to acknowledge the potential dangers that may lie ahead. The unpredictable nature of the outdoors requires a coordinated approach to handle any challenging survival situation. In such scenarios, a reliable handheld ham radio emerges as the most practical and effective solution.
In this comprehensive buyer’s guide, we delve into all the critical details you need to know for selecting and purchasing the best handheld survival ham radio. Equipped with this essential knowledge, you and your hiking or trekking partners can enhance your safety and communication capabilities in the wilderness.
Join us as we explore the features, considerations, and advantages of handheld survival ham radios, empowering you to make an informed decision that ensures seamless communication and heightened security during your outdoor escapades.
Things you need to know about Handheld ham radio for survival
Before beginning this detailed buyer’s guide, I think I should discuss some things with you first. These things are handy and understanding these will give you a better idea before taking any buying decision. Let’s dive into these things:
What is Handheld Ham Radio?
Ham radio is an amateur radio that allows you to use certain bands of the radio frequency spectrum. However, ITU has allowed it only for non-commercial purposes. You can use the ham radio in situations demanding you to communicate and coordinate.
Although we have mobile phones with us all the time. But using a mobile phone in every situation is inappropriate. Sometimes it may cost you more. Moreover, you might be in some areas where there is no sort of mobile coverage. That’s when the ham radio comes in handy. Ham radio assists your communication process in different situations including emergencies, survival, recreational picnic, training, experiments, and coordination.
Handheld radios are small sized and you can easily place these inside your pocket. However, ham radios are heavier when compared to mobile phones. You might feel heaviness in your pocket. For solving this problem, these are equipped with belt clips. You can easily hang these with your belt.
Even though these are of small size yet they are strong enough to provide you with a reliable way of communication in odd circumstances. Using ham radio you can communicate with your fellows within a circle of 1-2 miles without any difficulty. Power batteries are capacious enough to provide you with hours of communication comfortably.
Why it is called Amateur Radio?
Ham radio is given this second name because of International Telecommunication Union (ITU). According to ITU, a person can use a ham radio for using amateur services only. Amateur services are non-business services authorizing a person to use radio frequency for communication. By rules and regulations, you are not allowed to use it for commercial communication including broadcast and other two-way communications like that used in police, fire, and taxis.
Why do you need to have a Handheld Ham Radio?
As I have mentioned earlier the main purpose behind handheld ham radio is non-commercial communication and coordination. You can use it in a variety of circumstances. Wireless handheld ham radio can prove to be handy in the following situations:
- Construction supervisors can use these on construction sites for aligning activities
2. You can use it in coordinating different activities at a party or function
3. On educational and recreational trips, guides can use these to gather all the participants for the next milestone
4. Trekking and hiking campaigns are done on foot. It’s easy for any one of your group members to get lost in the wilderness. Mobile phones commonly don’t work in these circumstances. So, you can opt for using a handheld ham radio for survival.
5. Using a ham radio is really handy even on camping/hunting campaigns. You can have one of your friends on some high tree as an observer and coordinate using a ham radio handheld device for coordinating your preying activities.
6. We are living in an age of disasters like earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, pandemics like COVID, floods, and tsunamis. Imagine yourself stuck and affected by any of these disasters. Most of these situations result in the breakage of light, communications, and food supplies. Walking out alive demands a great deal of survival. Communication is key in these sorts of survival campaigns. A handheld ham radio for survival can help you in all these circumstances.
How can you use Handheld Ham Radio?
Buying a handheld ham radio is not enough. Instead, you need to know how to use it first. Let’s have look at the elements required for usage:
Licensing Requirements
Before using amateur radio, you need to obtain a license first. There are three levels of licenses:
1. Technician license
2. General license
3. Amateur extra license
In order to obtain each type of license, you will need to sit in a qualification exam. Each exam will comprise a different number and leveled questions. Apart from examination, there are certain prerequisites that you need to fulfill. Let’s look at these:
Technician’s License
It is an entry license just like you obtain a learning driving license for vehicles. You have to attempt and pass out an exam comprising 35 questions. There are no special prerequisites for obtaining this type of license. Once passed, you are licensed of using VHF and UHF frequencies for communication. But this sort of communication can be done in the local vicinity.
General License
The general license offers you radio frequency (RF) bands for communication. You can use RF satellite signals and other infrastructures to communicate internationally. To qualify for this, you must first have a technician license and that is a pre-requisite. Additionally, you have to pass a 35-question exam.
Amateur License
You are given this license only if you have a general license and pass an exam containing 50 questions. With this license, you can use all the modes and bands for communication.
Obtaining an amateur license is a long process. Please don’t expect the questions to be straightforward and easy. But both technician and general licenses offer you a lot of benefits for use in a coordinated manner. Both of these are flexible enough to assist you in survival and other circumstances. So, please do keep in mind that you will need some form of license for using the ham radio.
Power Supply Options
During disasters expect broken or malfunctioning electricity infrastructure. You might not get power ranging from hours to days. Ham radio devices are battery-operated. Battery capacity is not large enough to support you for days. Continuous usage might consume all the batteries within a day or so.
I would recommend you have some backup power supply option. In your home, you can achieve this by using an inverter or solar panels. In case you are going out, it’s always good to have a power bank with you. With a power bank, you will be able to charge it to extend its usage time.
Operational Knowledge
This is very important. Understand the basic working mechanism and operating procedure of the ham radio. Keep practicing these things. Don’t leave it till the time you need survival. In such a hard time, you’re not going to understand it properly. With an understanding of basic knowledge, you are good to start communication quickly.
Things to Consider for Buying The Best Handheld Ham Radio for Survival
Now that you have understood the basic mechanism for working and usage of handheld ham radio. It’s time for me to describe some factors.
Considering these factors will help you to find the best handheld ham radio for survival easily. Let’s look at these:
Frequency Range
Not every amateur radio operates on all possible frequencies. The frequencies that you can use depend upon your license. Before buying any radio product, make sure that it operates on the frequencies allowed to you via your license.
Suppose you have a general license and you have accidentally bought a ham radio that operates on VHF/UHF bands. In such a situation, you can use your radio for local communication as it will not allow you to engage in international communications. A ham radio that has flexible radio band options is in fact best ham radio for you.
Power Consumption
Different models come with different power consumption. But the most common power consumption is about 5 watts. Ham radios operating on 5 watts are ideal for usage in an emergency situation. At this power, your radio operates in an optimal manner. The best handheld ham radio for survival provides you with enhanced backup time and signal strength. That’s all you need in survival situations.
Frequency Channel Storage Slots
To initiate communication you will need to tune your ham radio on specific frequencies. Tuning takes some time and requires searching. Sometimes you are running out of time in severe cases. The last thing in survival that you don’t want is to waste time.
Ham radios have different storage slots for storing different frequency channels. You can search common emergency frequencies and save these for later use. Whenever you need to communicate to any of these frequencies, you can simply go to stored channels. From there you can instantly start communication from there without the need for extensive searching and tuning.
Handheld ham radios for local communications come with 12 storage slots for frequencies. Trust me these are pretty much enough. On the other hand, ham radios for international communications offer 100-200 slots for storing frequencies. The best handheld ham radio for survival offers you maximum channel storage slots.
Display
A backlit display is used in almost all ham radios. Both, the small LCD and keyboard have a built-in backlit display. A backlit display makes it easy to operate this device in darkness as well as in sharp sunshine. You can configure backlit off time for efficient battery consumption.
Transceiver Antenna
Some ham radios come with built-in transceiver chips while some have attached transceiver antennae. If later is the case, please ensure that the antenna is of good quality. A good quality transceiver can transmit and receive signals effectively.
Handling an antenna is a little difficult as you need to pay attention to its safety. Most antennas are flexible but if you stretch them a long way, they can be broken. In such circumstances, you will need to replace the antenna with a new one.
Weather Gadget
Transmission and retrieval of signals are affected by weather and even wind speeds. On a survival campaign, you need to be well informed of the circumstances. Sometimes you are running out of time. A built-in weather gadget in the ham radio can keep you informed in this situation. Because you will not have internet or television in the wilderness.
Quick Scan
As I have mentioned earlier, you don’t have time to waste in the wilderness. You are running out of battery and time. Moreover, bad weather might be around the corner. To serve you effectively and efficiently, the best ham radio for survival must provide fast scanning features. Different scanning options are available in ham radios:
a. Full scan
b. Memory scan
c. Priority scan
d. Skip scan
e. Programmed scan
In fact, ham radio with multiple scanning options is always handy for you as compared to a radio providing single-type scanning. You can save a lot of time by carefully using these.
Speaker and Mic Quality
The main things used for communication are a speaker and a microphone. Please ensure the voice quality of both of these. Bad quality mic and speakers can degrade communication. Although there are different noise reduction technologies used still you need to check the quality of speaking and listening mechanisms.
Noise Reduction
Noise can degrade your communication. You may not understand one another in a clear manner. Sophisticated ham radios are equipped with CTCSS and DCS features. CTCSS helps to reduce noise while DCS assists in suppressing noisy frequencies.
VOX
This feature is commonly present in two-way ham radios. But some models don’t offer this feature. VOX is an acronym that stands for Voice-Operated Exchange. You can switch VOX on or off. In case the VOX switch is on, the microphone keeps on listening to your voice. It automatically starts broadcasting as soon as it listens to your voice. So, it helps in hands-free operation.
Additional Features
Most ham radios have certain additional features and gadgets. These sorts of features/gadgets are extremely useful for you. These can really help you in surviving the danger. Some of the features are:
· Car charger
· Belt clip
· Hand band
· Flashlight
· Incoming RF band
Budget
No single product will cost you the same. As each product comes with different features, so the price is bound to change. Budget is important for you in selecting the best ham radio for you. You can buy any cheap ham radio for survival in case you have a technician license. However, if you love to go on adventures on a yacht or mountains, you can buy some professional and expansive ham radio.
List of Top 5 Best Handheld Ham Radios for Survival
As with my previous blog posts, I always give my audience some good buying options. The same is the case here. In this section, I am going to provide you with unbiased and honest reviews on the 5 best handheld ham radios for survival. My team and I myself, have tested these systems personally under different circumstances.
1. Baofeng UV5RA Two Way Ham Radio – Reviews
The Baofeng UV5RA is an extremely lightweight (250 g) and user-friendly ham radio. Equipped with an 1800 mAh battery provides excellent backup time. To make the most of the battery you can use the battery saver option which is built-in. Low battery notification alerts you whenever the battery goes below a threshold value. One reason behind the battery efficiency is the power consumption as it consumes a maximum of 4 watts of power.
For communication, you can use frequency ranges: 136-174 MHz and 400-520 MHz. You can use both of these bands for transmission and receiving communication signals. There is a specialized VHF frequency band ranging from 65 MHz to 108 MHz. However, you can use it for receiving radio broadcasts.
Although RF consumes 4 watts of power, you can switch between low and high RF power consumption. High power consumption will yield reliable and strong signals. While low power consumption allows you to use a ham radio in battery efficient manner. You can select either 1-watt consumption or 4-watt consumption.
Baofeng UV5RA can operate in dual mode. It has a dual frequency band, dual-band display, and dual stand-by operational modes. You can store up to 128 channels in it. The LCD display is of good size and you are able to view things clearly. For clear quality voice, CTCSS and DCS technologies are used to reduce noise. Channel monitoring and VOX functions make it convenient for users to use this ham radio for survival campaigns.
Additionally, the manufacturer has provided a flashlight for you. You can use it to walk around and look into dark areas. You can you keypad lock feature to avoid receiving accidental key presses while it is inside your pocket.
Product Specifications | |
| Manufacturer | BaoFeng |
| Model | UV-5RA |
| Weight | 250g |
| TX/RX Frequency Bands | 136-174 MHz, 400-520 MHz |
| Incoming RF | 65-108 MHz |
| Output Power | 1 watt/4 watt |
| RF Switch | High, Low |
| Memory | 128 channels |
| Battery | 1800 mAh Li-ion |
| Communication Mode | Simplex, Half-Duplex |
| Programming Capability | Yes |
| Battery Saver | Yes |
| Noise Removal | CTCSS, DCS |
| Channel Monitoring | Yes |
| VOX | Yes |
| Desktop Charger Operating Voltage | 110-240 volts |
| Misc. | Key lock, flashlight, Time out timer, Low battery indicator, emergency alert |
| Package Contains | Ham radio device (1), battery (1), antenna (1), belt clip (1), hand strap (1), earphone (1), desktop charger (1), adapter (1), and manual (1) |
2. Greaval Ham Radio Walkie Talkie Complete Set
The second best ham radio for survival in our list is Greaval Ham Radio Walkie-Talkie. It is shipped in a complete set containing two ham radio devices and batteries. So, this gives you a complete set for two people. The Great Ham Radio comes with a powerful 2100 mAh battery. One of the best things about this product is the 4-level battery saver. You can select any option for the battery saver to use according to your choice.
You can use two frequency bands; (1) 136-174 MHz and (2) 400-520 MHz for transmitting and receiving communication signals. The latest Greaval amateur radio has an associated incoming radio frequency VHF band ranging from 65 MHz to 108 MHz. You can use it to tune in to weather channels. However, you can only use it for receiving broadcast signals.
You can use the output power switch to change the power consumption. There are three discrete levels of power: 1 watts, 5 watts, and 8 watts. Selecting a 1-watt power option will enable battery-friendly mode. While 8-watt guarantees high power and reliable signals.
You can operate this model in dual stand-by and dual-band modes. Moreover, it offers good channel capacity and is able to store 128 channels. Tri-color LCD display makes it extremely convenient to use. Both CTCSS and DCS technologies are employed for noiseless communication. You can activate channel monitoring and VOX mode for ease of use and battery-friendly operations.
Another main feature is that you can program this ham radio using a computer. The package contains a reliable programming wire. You can use the built-in flashlight to enable you to lighten up the dark area. The keypad lock saves it from accidental key presses. Emergency alerts can beep in emergency situations.
Product Specifications | |
Manufacturer | Gravel |
Model | UV-5R |
Weight | 1.72 lbs |
TX/RX Frequency Bands | 136-174 MHz, 400-520 MHz |
Incoming RF | 65-108 MHz |
Output Power | Three modes: 1 watt, 5 watts, 8 watts |
RF Switch | Yes |
Memory | 128 channels |
Battery | 2100 mAh Li-ion |
Communication Mode | Simplex, Half-Duplex |
Programmable | Yes |
Battery Saver | 4 level |
Noise Removal | CTCSS, DCS |
Channel Monitoring | Yes |
VOX | Yes |
Desktop Charger Operating Voltage | 100-240 volts |
Misc. | Keypad lock, timer for time out, low battery notification, emergency alarm |
Package Contains | Ham radio (2), battery (2), programming cable (1), Short antenna (1), high gain antenna (1), hand mic (1), car charger (1), earpiece (1), belt clip (1), hand strap (1), user manual (1). |
3. Radioddity GD-77 DMR Digital/Analog Two Way Radio
The next one on our list of best ham radios for survival in our list is Radioddity GD-77 DMR Digital/Analog Two-Way Radio. It is powered via a super 2200 mAh battery. Obviously, you can use the expert mode to trade off from battery-friendly operations to reliable operations. You can use options according to your need.
For communication, two frequency bands are available for the transmission and retrieval of communication signals. These bands operate in ranges: (1) 136-174 MHz (2) 400-470 MHz. Additionally, you can use digital and analog modes for carrying out transmissions. You can create group frequencies and hear the communication at the same time.
You can switch it between two discrete power consumption levels: 1 watts and 5 watts. You can switch between these power consumption modes as and when required. Rich operational options are available in this model. You can use it as a traditional analog repeater. In case there is a hotspot available in your area, you can connect to it and start communicating. You can use it as a repeater or hotspot as well.
Radioddity GD-77 provides memory capacity for storing 1024 channels. LCD is colored and big in size. For super clear transmission CTCSS and DCS technologies are used. It also provides the facility of programmability. You can program it by connecting it to a computer with the help of a programming cable. DMR mode allows you to even send text messages from one radio device to another. There are about 32 message templates stored in it.
Product Specifications | |
Manufacturer | Radioddity |
Model | GD-77 |
Weight | 1.64 lbs |
TX/RX Frequency Bands | 136-174 MHz, 400-470 MHz |
Incoming RF | No |
Output Power | 1-watt, 5 watt |
RF Switch | Yes |
Memory | 1024 channels |
Battery | 2200 mAh Li-ion |
Communication Mode | Simplex, Full-Duplex |
Programmable | Yes |
Battery Saver | Yes |
Noise Removal | Yes |
Channel Monitoring | No |
VOX | No |
Desktop Charger Operating Voltage | 100-240 volts |
Misc. | SMS facility, Digital, and analog mode |
Package Contains | Ham radio device (1), battery (1), program cable (1), desktop charger (1), Short antenna (1), high gain antenna (1), belt clip (1) |
4. QYT KT-8R Quad Band Handheld Ham Survival Radio
The QYT KT-8R is richer in a number of communication bands. It is a quad-band ham survival radio powered by using a 2000 mAh Li-ion battery. It weighs 230 grams and you can easily place it in your pocket. In the package, you will be able to find a belt clip that you can use to hang it.
One of the best things about this device is its quad-band capability for TX/RX communication. You can use either of the available frequency bands: (1) 136-174 MHz (2) 220-260 MHz (3) 350-390 MHz and (4) 400-470 MHz. So, you can use both VHF and UHF bands easily.
There are two discrete power consumption levels: 1 watt and 5 watts. You can change power consumption using an RF power switch. This product can operate in simplex and half-duplex modes. QYT KT-8R has the capacity for storing 200 channels. Now that’s a little bit on the lower side. But if you are to use this handheld ham radio for survival, the channel capacity is good enough.
You can conveniently use it using colored and big-sized LCD screens. CTCSS and DCS technologies enable crystal clear noise-free communication. However, you can’t program it using Mac or Windows-based computers. One problem that we have noticed is that VOX and channel scanning modes are not available. Moreover, there is no capability to receive radio broadcasts.
Antenna and PTT buttons are made up of reliable rubber. These are quite durable and comfortable. The overall look of the walkie-talkie is extremely nice. Keypad backlit features make it easy to use in a dark environment as well.
Product Specifications | |
| Manufacturer | QTY |
| Model | KT-8R |
| Weight | 230 grams |
| TX/RX Frequency Bands | VHF bands (136-174 MHz) and (220-260 MHz) UHF bands: (400-480 MHz) and (350-390 MHz) |
| Incoming RF | No |
| Output Power | 1-watt, 5 watt |
| RF Power Switch | Yes |
| Memory | 200 channels |
| Battery | 2000 mAh Li-ion |
| Communication Mode | Simplex, half-duplex |
| Programmable | No |
| Battery Saver | Yes |
| Noise Removal | CTCSS, DCS |
| Channel Monitoring | No |
| VOX | No |
| Working Voltage | 7.4 volts |
| Misc. | Quad frequency, color screen |
| Package Contains | Ham radio (1), battery (1), belt clip (1), string (1), dual-band antenna (1), charger (1), user manual (1) |
5. BTECH GMRS-V1 GMRS Two-Way Radio
The BTECH GMRS-V1 provides dual-band operation along with other powerful features. It is equipped with an 1800 mAh Li-ion battery and weighs 1.7 pounds. You have three carrying options: (1) You can put it in your pocket, (2) a Belt clip can be used to hang it with your belt, and (3) a Hand band allows you to keep it sticking to your hands.
You can use both VHF and UHF frequency bands for outgoing and incoming communication. To use it in the VHF band you can use the 136-174 MHz frequency band. UHF frequency band operates in frequency ranges 400-520 MHz. You get pretty much flexible communication frequency bands.
You can switch between two power modes using the power switch. BTECH GMRS-V1 can provide 2-watt maximum power and 500 matt as minimum power options. This can save battery for you. It offers simplex and half-duplex communication modes.
Although it can store 128 channels and we know that these are on the lower side. But these are enough for you to tackle survival tasks. LCD is available in a tri-color scheme and is big in size. For crystal clear and noise-free communication CTCSS and DCS, technologies are used. You can program it using a computer using a programming cable.
VOX and channel scanning enables battery-efficient operation. You can use the flashlight to provide light in dark areas. The low battery indicator signals you whenever the battery reaches the lowest threshold value. Additionally, you can use RF incoming bands to listen to radio broadcasts in the frequency range of 87.5-108 MHz.
The charger operates on low voltage even at 110 volts. Keypad lock frees you from worries of accidental key presses. No doubt it is an extremely good device and deserves to be listed as the best handheld ham radio for survival in 2020.
Product Specifications | |
Manufacturer | BTECH |
Model | GMRS-V1 |
Weight | 1.7 lbs |
TX/RX Frequency Bands | 136-174 MHz, 400-520 MHz |
Incoming RF | 87.5-108 MHz |
Output Power | Low 500 mili watt, High 2 watt |
RF Power Switch | Yes |
Memory | 128 channels |
Battery | 1800 mAh Li-ion battery |
Communication Mode | Simplex, Half-duplex |
Programmable | Yes |
Battery Saver | Yes |
Noise Removal | CTCSS and DCS |
Channel Monitoring | Yes |
VOX | Yes |
Charger voltage | 110 Volts |
Misc. | Keypad lock, tri-color LCD, Flashlight, Low power alert |
Package Contains | Ham radio device (1), Battery (1), Charger (1), adapter (1), dual-band antenna (1), earpiece (1), wrist band (1), belt clip (1), user manual (1) |
The Bottom Line
Communication is key to surviving in emergency situations. Without a proper communication mechanism, you are simply on your own. But using a handheld ham radio can assist you in your cause of survival.
The best handheld ham radio for survival offers you good channel storage, rich frequency bands, efficient battery consumption, a multi-mode power switch, and portability.
CTCSS, VOX, and DCS technologies make your device convenient and noise free. In this blog post, I have tried to provide you with a comprehensive guideline for buying the best and cheap handheld amateur radio for emergency situations. I hope that you will like it however in case of any problem, please feel free to write to us.
