Best ham radios for beginners and emergencies (2026)

Amateur (ham) radio lets licensed operators talk across town or across the country without cell towers, which is why it's a mainstay of emergency communication. This page compares beginner handhelds on bands, power and ruggedness. You need an FCC amateur license to transmit. We haven't used these ourselves; every spec is from the listing.

By Tom Calder · Updated October 24, 2026 · 3 products, prices indicative

All 3 compared

Radio	Bands	Transmit power	Weather rating	Features	Price
1. Yaesu FT-65R 144/440 MHz Dual-Band Handheld Transceiver 2 m and 70 cm (144/440 MHz) · 5 W · IP54 · Over 9 hours on the supplied 1,950 mAh battery A first handheld from a major ham brand 4.0	2 m and 70 cm (144/440 MHz)	5 W	IP54	Over 9 hours on the supplied 1,950 mAh battery	Check price →
Our verdict Our verdictResearched A rugged, simple dual-band handheld from Yaesu, a long-established amateur radio maker: 5 watts on the 2 m and 70 cm bands, IP54 dust and splash protection, and over 9 hours on its battery. It's a good first radio for a new Technician licensee. You need an FCC amateur license to transmit. Best for A first handheld from a major ham brand Good Established ham brand 5 W, IP54 9+ hours per battery Worth knowing Needs an amateur license to transmit No GPS or Bluetooth Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you don't plan to get a license: GMRS radios need only a simple license with no exam.
2. BTECH UV-PRO IP67 Dual-Band VHF/UHF Radio with GPS, APRS and Bluetooth VHF/UHF dual band · See the listing · IP67 · GPS, APRS, Bluetooth audio and data, app Waterproof, with GPS and location sharing 4.0	VHF/UHF dual band	See the listing	IP67	GPS, APRS, Bluetooth audio and data, app	Check price →
Our verdict Our verdictResearched An IP67 waterproof dual-band handheld with built-in GPS, APRS position reporting and Bluetooth audio and data through a phone app. APRS lets licensed hams share their location over radio, which is useful when cell networks are down. Transmitting requires an amateur license. Best for Waterproof, with GPS and location sharing Good IP67 waterproof GPS and APRS Bluetooth and app Worth knowing Needs an amateur license to transmit More to learn than a basic radio Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want the simplest first radio: the Yaesu FT-65R.
3. Baofeng UV-5R Dual-Band Handheld Radio VHF/UHF dual band · Selectable low power (see listing) · Not rated · 128 channels, CTCSS/DCS The cheapest way into ham radio, used carefully 3.0	VHF/UHF dual band	Selectable low power (see listing)	Not rated	128 channels, CTCSS/DCS	Check price →
Our verdict Our verdictResearched The famously cheap dual-band handheld, with 128 channels. It's a lot of radio for the money, but it needs care: the FCC warned in 2018 that many low-cost two-way radios can transmit on public safety and other channels they aren't authorized for, which is illegal. Use it only on amateur frequencies, with an amateur license, and never on GMRS, FRS or public safety channels. Best for The cheapest way into ham radio, used carefully Good Very inexpensive 128 channels Worth knowing Easy to transmit where you shouldn't Not weather rated Sold by a third party Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want a radio you can trust out of the box: the Yaesu FT-65R.

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The honest bit

Listening is free, transmitting needs a license. The FCC says you must pass an exam given by volunteer examiners before you receive a license, and most newcomers start with the no-code Technician license. The FCC also warned in 2018 that many low-cost two-way radios can be made to transmit on public safety and other channels they aren't authorized for, which is illegal. If you don't want to take an exam, GMRS radios need a license but no test.

Before you buy

Start with a dual-band (2 m and 70 cm) handheld: it covers local repeaters and simplex.

Ruggedness: an IP rating matters if you'll use it outdoors.

Battery: check the hours per charge, and keep a spare.

Licensing: get your Technician license before you transmit; see our ham radio license guide.

How we choose

We verify every product's specifications against at least two independent sources, re-check its US price and stock on a schedule where we can track it automatically, and cross-check safety-relevant claims against official guidance. Every review is labeled Researched or Used and reviewed by us: where we've bought a product, or been sent it free, and used it ourselves, its review says which; where we haven't, our verdict is a considered spec-and-evidence comparison, not a hands-on test — and commissions never change a ranking either way. Read our full methodology →

Related kit comparisons

GMRS radios compared →Two-way radios compared →Hand-crank radios compared →

Guides that go with this

Ham radio for emergencies: how to get your license

How to get an FCC ham radio license for emergency communication: the no-code Technician exam, volunteer examin…

Read the guide →

Common questions

Do I need a license for a ham radio?

To transmit, yes. The FCC says you must pass an examination administered by a team of volunteer examiners before receiving a license. Listening needs no license.

Which ham license should I get first?

The FCC says most new amateur radio operators start with the no-code Technician Class license, which requires one written exam element.

Is the Baofeng UV-5R legal?

Use matters. The FCC's 2018 advisory warned that many low-cost two-way radios can transmit on public safety and other channels they aren't authorized for. Use one only on amateur frequencies, with a license.

Sources (2)