I carry a handheld aviation radio every flight. Call it a habit. Call it my “don’t sweat it” button. It’s saved my bacon twice, and it makes boring ground waits less boring. You know what? It also calms my preflight jitters. Hearing ATIS in my headset while I sip coffee just settles my brain.
Speaking of jitters, I’ve come to respect how much body chemistry influences cockpit calm. Hormone swings—especially a spike of testosterone—can ramp up heart rate, restlessness, and even pull your thoughts in “other” directions at exactly the wrong time. If you’ve ever wondered whether that preflight surge is just nerves or something hormonal, you’ll find a clear-eyed breakdown in this evidence-based explainer on whether testosterone really makes you horny that distills medical research into practical takeaways for keeping your focus where it belongs.
For a deeper dive into the specific test flights and bench checks I did beyond this article, you can skim my extended, bench-test write-up that catalogs every quirk I found.
Here’s the thing: I’ve used a few over the years. Lately, I’ve been flying with two a lot—Sporty’s PJ2+ and the Icom IC-A25N. They’re different. Both are good. But one might fit you better than the other.
Why even carry a handheld?
- Backup if your panel quits or gets noisy.
- Ramp calls when you’re away from the plane.
- ATIS/ASOS while you preflight.
- Airshow listening (tower, air boss, the whole circus).
- Student training—practice phraseology without tying up the plane.
Honestly, I used to think it was extra weight. Not anymore.
The two I actually use
I keep the Sporty’s PJ2+ in my flight bag front pocket. It’s simple. It charges by USB-C like my phone. And it lets me plug my aviation headset straight into the radio without a weird adapter. That’s the killer feature.
I also carry the Icom IC-A25N. It’s the big-screen one with NAV features. It feels like a small brick, in a good way—solid, grippy, tough. It has a bright screen, a real keypad, and a top knob I can twist with gloves on. If you’re hunting for deep spec details before committing, the comprehensive review from Cessna Flyer Magazine breaks down every knob-turn and bench reading.
Two radios, two moods. One is clean and fast (PJ2+). One is full-featured and nerdy in the best way (A25N).
Real moments that sold me
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The popped fuse climb: About five minutes after takeoff, the audio panel went quiet. Not a hiss. Not a pop. Just… silence. I plugged my headset into the PJ2+, hit the flip knob to 121.5 just to check the radio was alive, then went back to tower. Audio was clear. Mic gain felt right without digging in the menu. We stayed in the pattern, landed, and fixed the fuse. Stress went down fast.
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The foggy morning check: I stood by the hangar door with cold hands and a warm cup. Pulled weather on the A25N from 30-ish miles away. The big screen was bright (too bright for dawn, honestly). I dimmed it two clicks and saved the ATIS in memory. No fuss.
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The summer airshow: I threw a tiny stubby antenna on the PJ2+ and scanned the tower and air boss. The standby-monitor trick worked well—I could keep one channel “live” while I listened to the other. Batteries held up all afternoon, even with a lot of scanning. I still kept a power bank in my bag because, well, festivals run long.
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The backcountry strip: On a dusty strip with no cell bars, I used the A25N for CTAF from the ramp. Big buttons, easy squelch. I also played with the VOR page just for fun. The CDI worked. Would I use it in actual IMC? No. But as a cross-check, it’s nice.
Sporty’s PJ2+: What I like and what bugs me
What I like:
- Built-in headset jacks. No adapter. Plug and go.
- USB-C charging. One cable in the bag. Done.
- Simple controls—volume, squelch, flip-flop. You don’t need a manual at 2,000 feet.
- Standby monitoring. I can watch two freqs without acting like an octopus.
- Clear transmit and a sidetone that doesn’t make me wince.
What bugs me:
- The rubber port cover gets loose over time. Not a big deal, but still.
- The volume knob is a little stiff when it’s below freezing. Gloves help.
- It’s COM-only. No VOR/LOC. Some folks won’t care. I sometimes miss it.
Real-life battery note: A long ground day with casual use gave me around 5–6 hours. If I transmitted a lot, it leaned closer to 3–4. I charge it with a power bank between legs and don’t worry.
Icom IC-A25N: What I like and what bugs me
What I like:
- Big, bright screen. I can read it in sun glare without squinting.
- Full keypad. 123.875 goes in fast, no scroll dance.
- VOR NAV page with a clean CDI. Handy for cross-checks.
- Bluetooth to Icom’s app for moving routes. Not fancy, but neat.
- Solid feel and a sturdy belt clip. It’s tougher than it looks.
What bugs me:
- It’s bigger and heavier. My bag feels it.
- Menus take a minute to learn. Not hard—just busy.
- Charging is cradle-based by default, which adds a chunk to my desk. I like straight USB-C, so this irks me.
For another perspective, the in-depth analysis by Aviation Consumer digs into transmit power, battery stamina, and real-world usability—its lab numbers line up with my cockpit notes.
Power tip: I keep the screen dimmed and don’t scan like crazy. Then it lasts all day for normal flying.
Audio and range, without the hype
Handhelds are line-of-sight. With the stock antenna, I can talk to ground/tower fine on the ramp and in the pattern. In cruise, it depends on altitude and terrain. A good BNC antenna upgrade helps. Also, your headset seals matter more than you’d think—cheap ear seals leak, and you lose clarity.
If your curiosity stretches past aviation into amateur radio, I compared how these same range limitations play out with the handheld ham rigs I lean on most, which can broaden the perspective on antenna choices.
On both radios, sidetone felt natural. I didn’t hear the “robot echo” you get on some older handhelds. And squelch was simple: I could ride the knob for a quick check and push it back up when static showed up.
Little annoyances I keep running into
- Memory labels: I always forget the exact way to name channels on the A25N. Once I do it, I’m fine. But the first time? I poke the wrong button. Twice.
- Belt clips: The A25N’s clip is strong but tall. It snags on my bag strap. The PJ2+ is smoother but can spin a bit if I bump it.
- Cold weather: Buttons feel stiffer on both radios when it’s below freezing. Not a shock, just plan on firmer presses.
Who should get what?
- New student or renter: PJ2+. Simple, fast, cheaper, and the built-in headset jacks are gold.
- Cross-country nerd (hi, I see you) or you want VOR backup: Icom A25N. Extra features are worth it.
- Airshow listener or spotter: PJ2+ with a small antenna. Works great and packs small.
- Owner who wants a tough backup with navigation tricks: A25N. It feels like a tool, not a toy.
For a wider look at handheld COM and NAV gear, the pilot-run catalog at Airtronics is a quick way to compare current prices and specs.
Setup and care tips that helped me
- Save the “big six” in memory: ATIS, Ground, Tower, CTAF, Approach, 121.5.
- Keep a tiny cheat card in your bag with your common freqs. Faster than scrolling.
- Bring a power bank and a short USB-C cable (for the PJ2+). No dead radio surprises.
- Swap the stock antenna if you need better reception. A quality BNC whip makes a real difference.
- Practice a quick radio plug-in drill on the ground. Muscle memory beats panic hands.
If you’d like a refresher on what to actually say once the mic is live—phrases that land well versus those that flop—take a peek at [a field test of real-world radio etiquette](https://www.airtronics.net/i-tested-radio-etiquette-in-real-life