With a HAM radio, you can communicate for long hours, and these portable units are indispensable during emergencies. However, if you’re a beginner, you might have a hard time with Ham Radios due to their programming and operation. Further, due to the surge in interest in HAM radios, the market has been flooded with various models, which can make it even more difficult to find a HAM radio for yourself.
But you don't have to look any; further, this article lists the best HAM radios for Beginners that are available in the market today.
A Quick Look at The Top 7 Picks
Image | Model | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|
BaoFeng BF-F8HP | Band - Dual Power - 8 Watt | ||
Btech UV-50X2 | Band - Dual Power - 50 Watt | ||
BaoFeng UV-82HP | Band - Dual Power - 8 Watt | ||
Kenwood TM-V71A | Band - Dual Power - 50 Watt | ||
BaoFeng UV-5R | Band - Dual Power - 4 Watt | ||
Icom 2300H 05 | Band - Single Power - 65 Watt | ||
WouXun KG-UV2D | Band - Dual Power - 5 Watt |
7 Best HAM Radios For Beginners Reviewed
1. BaoFeng BF-F8HP Dual Band Ham Radio
For beginners, the BaoFeng BF-F8HP provides a perfect combination of ease of use and power. In our review, we were impressed by how easy it was to set up and program this dual-band radio thanks to its simple functions.
It also comes with a comprehensive manual with full information about the customization and capabilities of this HAM radio. This unit also has three power settings of high (8w), medium (4w), and low (1w), which allows you to adjust the power according to your requirements.
Featuring a frequency range of 60-108 MHz, you can easily pick up signals. It also features a V-85 antenna providing you with ample reach. One of the best features of this HAM radio is that it comes with an impressive 2000mAh battery allowing you to use the unit for up to 24 hours.
Not just that, but the unit also comes with exclusive one-year warranty support and concierge customer help which makes it one of the best amateur radios for a beginner. However, this unit only supports commercial FM radio reception, but we don’t find this a major drawback for beginners. The display is bright and crisp but is quite small, which might put off some customers.
2. BTECH Mobile UV-50X2 Amature Radio
The BTECH Mobile UV-50X2 comes with various useful features for beginners. It features a multi-color LCD screen that you can fully customize according to your preferences. You can even customize the channels to display frequency settings or their alphanumeric names.
This HAM radio supports more than 200 programmable memory channels that you can add or remove from the scan list on the go. Due to this, you don’t need to use software to reprogram for minor changes. Another useful feature is the ability to change channel parameters like power, scan, and tones through the keypad without having to delete and re-enter the channel info.
It also features an improved OLED display that supports nine colors that you can configure in any combination of your choice. In our review, we found the display resolution to be excellent. Regardless of your color choice, the display will be crisp and clear. It has a well-built design, and we're certain you'll be using it for a long time. The easy to read manual makes programming and setting up easy even for beginners.
3. BaoFeng UV-82HP Ham Radio for Beginners
BaoFeng is a reputed brand, and the BaoFeng UV-82HP is another excellent option with plenty of features that beginners will find useful. The first thing you'll notice about this unit is the compact and refined design with sturdy construction that'll certainly last for a long time.
As this Ham radio supports CHIRP software, the programming is very easy even for beginners. If you need help, the detailed manual can guide you through the entire process. In our testing, we were very impressed with the loud and clear sound quality. Even in stormy or windy days, you won’t have a problem with the volume.
This HAM radio offers you the flexibility of three power levels-high (7/8 watts), medium (5 watts), and low (1 watt), which you can adjust according to your requirements. With the addition of the 1800mAh battery, this unit will easily last a day, even in high power settings.
Additionally, this Ham radio also comes with various other useful features such as a flashlight, FM radio, alarm mode, dual PPT headset, among others. The only negative point of this HAM radio is that the user manual provided is not easy to follow. Other than that, you’ll have no reason to complain.
4. Kenwood Original TM-V71A Transceiver
If you are a beginner but don't want something basic, the Kenwood Original TM-V71A is an excellent option. This HAM radio features a 5-in-one programmable memory that allows you to program almost anything related to a particular station and repeater. It has a simple design but is well-built and long-lasting.
It weighs just 3.3 pounds making it a very portable device. The display is quite bright and crisp, and the addition of backlight colors (warm amber/cool green) certainly helps with visibility. Even under harsh lighting conditions, we found the display to be reasonably clear. The unit offers an impressive 50 watts RF power output along with power levels of low/mid/high.
The sound quality is also another plus point. The sound quality is another plus point with great clarity, even in comparison to more expensive units. Despite all these features, the Kenwood Original TM-V71A is very user-friendly and easy to program thanks to the dual volume/squelch knobs, which allows you to set up the Ham radio according to your requirements. We also found the detailed user manual very easy to understand and follow, particularly for new users. However, Kenwood accessories can be very expensive.
5. Baofeng UV-5R Dual Band Ham Radio
The Baofeng UV-5R comes with an affordable price tag with lots of features and accessories. It has a simple design but is also well-built and sturdy. It'll certainly last for some time. Featuring an 8 watts maximum output, this device has sufficient power for your communication needs.
In our review, we were also very impressed with the 700mw speaker output. Even under harsh conditions, you'll receive clear and crisp sound. The 1500mAH battery can power this unit for up to 12 hours, and the battery saver mode will help you save even more energy.
This unit transmits between 1-4 watts, which is adjustable and has 128 channels. For programming this unit, you can do so through CHIRP software, which is simple enough even for beginners. However, programming this unit through the keypad is complicated and time-consuming. This unit features an LED flashlight on the top, which can be useful during an emergency. Despite its affordable price tag, it also comes with various accessories like a hand strap, belt clip, and earphone mic/ headset, which makes the unit a complete value for money.
