Best Radio For a NEW HAM (Affordable 10 watt Radtel RT-470)

Ham radio can be expensive! But it doesn't have to be that way when you're starting out. Over the past couple years I've tried out many of the affordable handheld VHF Ham radios and the one that I consider to be the best first radio for a new Ham operator is the Radtel RT-470. With plenty of transmitting power, very wide coverage, great air-band reception, USB charging and much more... all for around $50. This is a great affordable entry into Ham radio!

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[petercarter]

Thanks for posting I have three Radtel radios the 470X the 480 and 890 they are very good radios they are reasonably sensitive and all put out nearly the stated output for what you pay they are great value I got them all from AliExpress they arrive in less than five days to the UK which is pretty good

[hush]

It blew my mind when I found this channel, for years I've only known guitar max, I need to get my ham license

[robertohngemach]

I bought the 740x, but after seeing this video I sent it back and got the 740. I think the 740 is better then the 740x. Thanks for you time making this video.

[TheDoug]

I have one of these and I like it a lot, another one of my favorites is the tidradio H8.

[mikeyB]

Nice review Max! My first radio was my vx6 r. Very nice radio. Still runs like a champ. But Wouxan and baofengs are in the line up too. Good review as always. Kf7lrr mike.

[jeffreystone]

I follow guitar max as well.
Great presentation on these radio's...love it!!

[toGuitars]

I had no idea you're a fellow HAM operator! I've been using my trusty Yaesu for years. No spurious emissions from a baofeng in my house lol

[stefangeorgiev]

Thank you for the suggestion. In my opinion Radtel RT-580G is the top, hence the GPS and Bluetooth capabilities.

[mattrox]

Why do you recommend the rt-470 over the rt-470x?? It seems the rt-470x is the latest version of the rt-470 and is superior. Reports show very high spurious emissions from the 470.

[-Viceroy-]

With that price i need to get one.
I normally use SDR to listen air band in my home, but that seems much more convenient

[eSkilliam]

Seems like a good little radio. I would still spring a bit extra for a Yaesu low end model, and have this as a back up. The USB charging is definitely something I wish larger manufacturers would get onboard with. It's got a nice set of features for like $50 though. I'll add it to my list of possible future grabs.

[ExploringWithJason]

I just got the new firmware from Radtel for the RT470 V2pcb (firmware version starts with 2), #1 key long press switches to AM on any band now, also opens the radio between 18mhz-999mhz 👍🏻, also..the $3 Abbree AR771 Antenna and the AR776 of Aliex are the best performing antennas that I tried.

[thomashardy]

Just ordered one. Couldn’t resist the high transmit power.

[michaelnoardo]

I used to love UVk5/6 nos that i found out that 470X also handles from 18mhz to 1ghz, for me became the best cheap radio

[raymcsharry]

Many, many thanks for posting this. I was given one of these (470x) and found the manual total Martian! You have made it much easier for me to use. Thank you. I have one question if you, or anyone else can help me out? I am fairly close to 2 UK airports, Manchester and Leeds Bradford. With the Airband antenna, I can hear both of the control towers. Is there any way I can set this up to just scan between them? I am very new to this and in my late 60's....so if anyone can help me figure this out, please be gentle with any explanation 🙂(I will keep looking out for any replies)

[sovereignmountain]

Great Video, I just purchaed this radio to replace a dead Baofeng....Wish you would have covered one best features of this radio which is the frequency capture ability. Thanks!

[theroguetomato]

A ham and guitar guy. Great, me too, although I suck at the guitar thanks to nerve damage and age.

[NortheastExpat]

Great content. Just received mine in the mail the other day. Went with a gooseneck antenna as well.

[mikepetney]

I thought I was the only guitar junkie that is also a ham radio jnkie lol, keep rockin' and hamn' brother 🤟

[NicksStuff]

Is it better than the Tidradio TD-H3/8?