There are countless ham radios offered for public use; this overload of options can be overwhelming, especially if you are new to amateur radios. We have put together a selection of 6 radios that we consider the top ham radios for 2021 and top emergency communications technology.
The selection includes the classic critical communications companies, Kenwood, Baofeng, ICOM, and Yaesu. Read this ham radio review to learn about the best ham radios for 2021 and determine which one is right for you and your team.
The Baofeng UV-5R HT is the best handheld ham radio for beginners. It is the least expensive radio on the list, is extremely user-friendly, and comes with a variety of safety features. These elements combined make it an amazing starter radio.
Some parents even purchase these for their children who are interested in ham radios due to the low cost and unique features. Design features like a built-in flashlight and wrist strap or belt clip make it a kid-friendly ham radio. However, it also in general makes it a versatile piece of communications technology.
Although the Baofeng UV-5R HT is small, it can handle ham radio emergency frequencies and has a 128-channel capacity. 128 channels is a perfect amount for a beginner ham radio enthusiast.
Ham radios can go through significant wear and tear depending on the user and the situation. The ICOM 2300H is up for it all, it is tested to withstand shock, vibration, and extreme temperatures. It can even resist pressure and solar radiation.
Moreover, the ICOM 2300H ham radio is not just physically protected, it is also protected over networks. This ham radio comes with a built-in encoder and decoder.
Featured in many ham radio reviews, ICOM 2300H is a great communications device that can be used in a variety of critical situations.
This Kenwood ham radio is a true classic. The TH-D74A is one of the best handheld ham radios for beginners due to its user-friendly features. With Bluetooth capability, GPS logger mode, a low carrying weight, and tough weatherproofing, this ham radio is ready for any adventure.
The Kenwood TH-D74A is known for clear communications and high-performance DSP voice processing. All these features combined make the TH-D74A top ham radio news a great device for emergency communications.
The NX-1200AV is a new land mobile radio recently released by Kenwood radios. It is a flexible communications device that offers a variety of unique features. For instance, the NX-1200AV has OAA or over-the-air alias. This allows for the radio to be programmed over the air. The NX-1200AV also features enhanced encryption and an emergency profile. All these features will keep you and your technology safer.
This Kenwood ham is also able to access a variety of ham radio calling frequencies—FM conventional operation, FDMA access (1G), and TDMA (2G). The NX-1200AV is a versatile ham radio that would work well in emergency communications situations.
The Yaesu FT60R is an optimal ham radio for those involved in emergency communications. Not only can the Yaesu FT60R reach all ham radio emergency frequencies like one-touch NOAA weather access, but it also has technology called EAI.
EAI stands for emergency automatic ID. This feature automatically transmits your callsign to a programmed emergency location of your choice if you are disabled and cannot work your push to talk.
The Yaesu FT60R also supports 1000 memory channels and wideband frequencies. This large range ensures users have consistent communication.
This ham radio also features great outdoors or emergency personnel design features. Elements like water resistance and a bright LCD display support the fact that the Yaesu FT60R is a great emergency communications ham radio.
There are hundreds to thousands of great ham radios made all over the world that a ham radio enthusiast can buy. Therefore, choosing what is the best can be challenging. We hope this ham radio review gave you further insight on the top ham radios for 2021!
Author Bio:
Deanna is from Frederick, MD. She attended Juniata College in Huntingdon, PA, to earn her Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature and Professional Writing and minor in Fine Arts. While at Juniata she worked as a Juniata Assistant Professional Writer for the Provost.
This experience then led her to work as a journalist for Arts Help and a volunteer grant writer for Team Hope after graduating. In her free time, Deanna enjoys volunteering, making pottery, and getting outside.
Deanna is from Frederick, MD. She attended Juniata College in Huntingdon, PA, to earn her Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature and Professional Writing and minor in Fine Arts. While at Juniata she worked as a Juniata Assistant Professional Writer for the Provost.
This experience then led her to work as a journalist for Arts Help and a volunteer grant writer for Team Hope after graduating. In her free time, Deanna enjoys volunteering, making pottery, and getting outside.
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