I get asked a lot: handheld ham radio best? Fair question. I carry a few, and I’ve used them in real life, not just at my desk. Storms. Hikes. 5K races with lots of chatter. Let me explain what worked, what didn’t, and which one stays in my day pack.
For readers who want the extended version with extra photos and field notes, my full write-up on Airtronics can be found right here.
Also, quick note: you do need a ham license to transmit. I got my Tech license last spring. I used the HamStudy app on my phone. Two weeks of short study, then the test at the local club. Not scary at all.
If you’re more of a highway traveler and wonder how CB compares, I summed up that side of the hobby in this story about running a CB rig in my truck over on the Airtronics blog.
My Top Pick: AnyTone AT-D878UVII Plus
This is the one I grab when I don’t want to guess. It does analog and DMR. It’s a chunky brick, but in a good way.
Real life? Last fall, I hiked at Mount Mitchell with a small group. Cold wind. Gloves on. I had the 878 on my pack strap with a shoulder mic. I chatted on a VHF repeater near Asheville, then switched to a BrandMeister talkgroup when the trail got quiet. Battery made it two days with light use. The big knob was easy with gloves. The screen? Meh. But I could read it in shade.
What I love:
- Clear audio, both ways
- Strong battery life
- Dual band, dual watch
- GPS for DMR features
Still on the fence? I found the B3N deep-dive review of the AnyTone AT-D878UVII Plus lines up with my experience.
What bugs me:
- The menus feel busy
- The programming software works, but it’s clunky
- It’s not light
Who’s it for: If you want one radio that does a lot, and you like DMR nets, this is the sweet spot.
Best Budget: Baofeng UV-5R
Yes, it’s cheap. Yes, it works. And yes, I own a few. They live in glove boxes and go-bags.
Real life? I worked a 5K as a volunteer with our club. I used a Baofeng with a Nagoya NA-771 whip. It hit the race repeater fine in town. Audio was a bit harsh, but people heard me. The stock antenna is bad, so I swap it out. The battery faded by noon, so I carried a spare.
What I like:
- It’s super cheap
- Easy to replace if it breaks
- CHIRP makes programming fast
Where it struggles:
- Front end overload near big towers
- Audio can sound thin
- Stock antenna is weak
Who’s it for: New hams who want to learn without stress. Also, loaners for friends on a hike.
The Tank: Yaesu FT-60R
This radio is old school and tough. No frills. Just solid.
Real life? Spring storm net at night. Heavy rain. I stood on my porch with the FT-60 and a rubber duck. I checked in and passed a short message to net control. No issues. The loud speaker cut through the rain and wind. It felt like a tool, not a toy.
What I like:
- Built like a brick
- Loud, clean audio
- Simple buttons you can press by feel
What’s not great:
- Analog only
- No USB charging
- The charger is slow
Who’s it for: You want a rugged analog radio for local repeaters and nets. You like gear that just works.
Fancy Screen, Smooth Audio: Icom ID-52A
This one feels like a tiny TV in your hand. Big color screen. D-STAR built in. It costs a lot, but it’s a joy.
Real life? I joined a D-STAR net from my porch on a warm July night. I used a hotspot in the house and a short antenna. The audio was clean and soft on the ears. I browsed reflectors from the radio itself. No laptop needed.
What I like:
- Bright, clear screen
- D-STAR is easy here
- Great audio
What I don’t:
- Pricey
- A bit large for small hands
- Battery is good, not great
Who’s it for: Folks who want D-STAR and love a nice screen.
APRS Nerd Joy: Kenwood TH-D75A
This one is for people like me who love maps and little packets. APRS works so well here. Text messages. Beacons. Waypoints.
Real life? I tracked a Saturday road trip with APRS on low power. My partner watched my dot move on a map at home. I also sent a short APRS message from a rest stop. It felt like magic, even if it’s old tech.
What sings:
- APRS is smooth and simple
- Sweet audio tone
- Nice keyboard feel
What stings:
- The price tag
- Battery drains faster with GPS and APRS always on
- Menus take a weekend to learn
Who’s it for: Hikers, search and rescue folks, and map lovers.
Okay, So Which One Is “Best”?
Here’s the thing. “Best” depends on what you do.
- My all-around pick: AnyTone AT-D878UVII Plus
- Best for tight budgets: Baofeng UV-5R with a better antenna
- Tough analog workhorse: Yaesu FT-60R
- Best for D-STAR fans: Icom ID-52A
- Best APRS experience: Kenwood TH-D75A
If you’re still researching the 878, there’s a solid field report from Wholly Outdoor right here with loads of photos of it in action.
Could I live with just one? Sure. I’d keep the AnyTone. It covers my normal day, from local analog nets to a quick DMR chat when I get curious.
Antennas, Batteries, And Little Things That Matter
You know what? The antenna matters more than people think. I swap stock whips for a Nagoya NA-771 or NA-701. On trails, I sometimes carry a small roll-up J-pole and toss it in a tree. Big lift.
For antennas, battery packs, and other field-ready accessories, Airtronics has an online catalog that ships fast and has saved more than one of my last-minute trip plans.
Keep a spare battery or a power bank if your radio can charge by USB. The FT-60 can use an AA pack, which is handy when the lights go out. The Baofeng has cheap spare packs. The AnyTone lasts long, but I still bring a bank.
Programming counts too. CHIRP makes Baofeng life easier. The AnyTone and Kenwood need their own software. Save your codeplugs. Label your channels. Keep local repeaters at the top.
Quick Real Moments That Sold Me
- Cold, wet, and still clear: FT-60 during a storm net in March. Zero drama.
- Cheap radio, big event: UV-5R at a city 5K. It did the job with a better antenna.
- Long day, no charger: AnyTone 878 on a fall hike. Battery survived.
- Smooth digital chat: ID-52A on a Sunday D-STAR net. Ears didn’t get tired.
- Tiny texts that matter: TH-D75A sending APRS messages on a road trip. It felt personal.
Final Word
If you’re chasing handheld ham radio best, think about your real day. Do you want simple and tough? Go FT-60. Want cheap and cheerful? UV-5R with a better whip. Want a “do most things well” radio? AnyTone 878. Digital flavor your thing? Pick Icom for D-STAR or the AnyTone for DMR. Like maps and pings? Kenwood sings.
And hey, join a local club. People love to help program your first radio. Bring snacks. Radios and snacks just go together, don’t they?
Speaking of making connections that go well beyond the airwaves, if you’re an adult looking for local companionship rather than RF chatter, you can explore totally cost-free sign-ups and browse nearby matches at this free-to-join dating site where users set up quick meet-ups and keep the conversation going face-to-face instead of over repeaters. For readers in California’s Central Valley who are specifically after a Bedpage-style directory focused on Manteca’s dating and nightlife scene, the curated listings at Bedpage Manteca provide up-to-date local ads and an easy way to connect with genuine profiles without endless scrolling.