Category: Handheld Radios (HTs)
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What Handheld Radio Should I Get for Emergency Comms?
GMRS, ham VHF/UHF, repeaters, and HF, compared for emergency comms with real-world vs best-case range expectations, plus my actual pick by scenario.
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Baofeng UV-5R Review: Why I No Longer Recommend It
Part of our Handheld Radios (HTs) guide. I don’t own a UV-5R anymore, and at this point I don’t recommend picking one up. It’s still the radio that got more people licensed and on the air than almost anything else over the last decade, and that matters even with a mediocre receiver. But the market…
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Why the AnyTone AT-D878UV II Plus and AT-D890UV Are Still the Radios to Beat
The 878 basically defined the affordable DMR handheld category. The 890 built on it. Here’s why both are still worth your money, plus how the BridgeCom Maverick and the rest of the field stack up.
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Setting Up a Peltor ComTac Headset with Your Radio for a Tactical Kit
How I wired my Retevis/Ailunce HD2 into a Peltor ComTac V headset for my tactical kit, and how to adapt the same four-piece chain to whatever radio you’re running.
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Kenwood TH-D75A Review: My Go-To Travel and Wideband Receive Radio
My honest take on the Kenwood TH-D75A after using it as my dedicated travel radio: wideband receive, D-STAR, APRS, and where it actually falls short.
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VGC VR-N76 / BTech UV-Pro Review: A Great Budget EDC Radio, With One Real Catch
The VGC VR-N76 and BTech UV-Pro are the same radio wearing two badges, and a genuinely great budget EDC option, with one catch: no CHIRP support.
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Best GMRS Radios for Families, Overlanding, and Everyday Use
You don’t need the most expensive GMRS radio on the shelf. Here’s how to pick the right one for handheld family use, vehicle mounting, or a home base, without overspending.
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HT Antenna Upgrades: The Cheapest Performance Boost You Can Make
The rubber duck antenna your handheld shipped with is the single biggest thing holding it back. A better antenna is the cheapest, most effective upgrade in the hobby.
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AnyTone AT-D890UV Review: The Radio That Never Leaves My Belt
Why the AnyTone AT-D890UV is my everyday carry radio, how the BridgeCom Maverick compares, and what I’d want you to know before you buy.
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The Best Budget DMR Handheld? Why I Recommend the Anytone AT-D168UV
Looking for your first DMR radio? Learn why the Anytone AT-D168UV is my top recommendation for budget-conscious amateur radio operators and how it compares to Baofeng, TYT, and BTECH alternatives.
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Six Handheld Radios Compared: Kenwood TH-D75A, AnyTone AT-D890UV, VGC VR-N76, Wouxun UV-9P, Baofeng UV-5R Mini, and TIDRADIO H3
From a $30 pocket radio to a $700 D-STAR flagship, here’s how six very different handhelds actually compare on features, price, and who each one is really for.
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Wouxun UV-9P Review: My Favorite Scanning Radio
Why the Wouxun UV-9P has become my go-to scanning radio: dual receive, CHIRP compatibility, and where it isn’t the right tool for the job.