The Best Ham Radios for 2023 (and on!) - Mobile, HF, HT

What is the best Mobile, HF, and HT still in production? I asked multiple amateur radio operators to give me their input and in this episode I will hear their feedback. Leave a comment below, what is your favorite radio, still in production and why?

There are MANY radios on the market and it's sometimes not always easy to understand what people are looking for when asked "What radio should I get?". This list helps compile some opinions on radios from most categories.

Huge Thank You to everyone who participated. IF YOU LIKE THIS, please let me know. I have several ideas for more in the future.

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[wireworks]

I've been a ham for more than 40 years and have had many, many radios all brands and makes. The best radio I've owned and I have now is the Kenwood TS-890S.

[wushock]

This was a neat idea, getting input from other YouTubers on the best radios.

[TwitchRadio]

Ht wise-yaesu ft5.... Hf radio - 450D or the 818nd if need to be light.. And just for mobile analog rig I do like my anytone 877uv... and I'm old school and like my 11 meter radios I also Rock the President McKinley SSB... 😎✌️ And if offloading I use the VTech gmrs radio the pro version that just came out...

KG7QIS /WRVF620

[LBFI]

Awesome Sean! Thanks for having me on. Looked like just Texas and Norway for a while, but there was a little bit more diversity towards the end.

[goodoz]

I'm a new operator...because of repeaters in my area I chose Yaesu gear. After digging into the equipment all I can say is, Wow! FTM300 as base...FTM300 in my truck...FT5D as HT. Using the repeaters is fun and I've already made friends. Using crossband with HT via simplex (C4FM), out and about, is priceless. Not to cheerlead for Yaesu but my current setup is a win for me!

[DaydreamAboutNiceThings]

Also thanks for collaborating with other channels because that helps us find other cool channels like your. I just subscribed to those that I wasn’t already subscribed to. 73 W4ZTX

[AGSM]

HT: Since I already have a D74 (RIP) and its outstanding APRS, I'd go with the ID-52 because I love the waterfall.
HF: The 705 just does so many things well. Pair it with a good EFHW and it's just a ton of fun with any mode you can think of. For small, there's no substitute for the KX2. If you need 100W, the FT-891 is hands down the winner.
Mobile: I am at a loss, I don't use one, other than the small HF rigs mentioned earlier.

It's an awesome time to be a ham.

[mattblack]

Great video bro... awesome collaboration. 👌

[dovetomarc]

Great idea. Well done. Sadly the FT-818 has been taken out of production. All of you are very influential and perhaps your combined talents can convince Yaesu to EVOLVE the 818 rather than kill it. I think they may be underestimating that there is still a big demand for this radio and it’s got a lot of life left. This situation reminded me of a similar situation that I’d like to share with you all. I suspect the engineers had more to do with this decision than the marketing folks. Hearing the news reminded me of a story that was told to me by Peter Schutz who was the CEO of Porsche and credited with saving the company in the 80’s. I was at a conference where I had an opportunity to meet Peter. At the meeting Peter told me when he took over as CEO of Porsche the company was planning to end the life of the Porsche 911 based upon the engineers assessment that the car had reached the end of its life cycle. He spent some time with the marketing and sales teams as well as various racing partners and customers and concluded that the Porsche 911 should not be put to death but rather it should be “evolved”. It should keep its fundamental DNA and form factor but evolve to a more modern and improved state. He challenged the engineers to make it happen. And they did! The end result is that he saved the 911 and the Company in the process.

While the situation isn’t exactly the same…Yaesu is not in a life and death struggle…this product has become an Icon for the Yaesu Brand. The FT-817/818 represents innovative rugged versatility that to this day is unmatched in what has become a legendary form factor. In my opinion it represents a unique opportunity for Yaesu. There was nothing like it when first introduced and it has not had a significant competitor since!

I hope Yaesu will find a way to evolve the model in the same way Porsche has evolved the 911. Whether you see a 1969 Porsche 911 on the street or a 2022 Porsche 911 you know it’s a 911. They’re vastly different animals…yet they are the same. It’s a legendary brand and a testament to engineering brilliance. I see the same opportunity for Yaesu with the FT-817/818. I hope Yaesu follows suit. If you guys agree maybe you can persuade Yaesu to “evolve” the radio rather than give it a funeral.

[joeframo]

Hey Mike very good video thank you Merry Christmas 👍

[Wutzofant]

Regarding portable rigs, I prefer the IC-705 very much over the FT-818. Owning an FT-818, I bought the IC-705 since I found operating the IC-7300 so enjoyable.

Pros for the FT-818: The IC-705 is bulkier, more heavyweight, and it only has one antenna connector. The FT-818 is probably more rugged, you can operate it with standard AAA cells, and it's still cheaper even if you add in all those must-have accessories like a decent internal LiPo battery from Windcamp, an external voice compressor (for SSB), a narrowband SSB IF filter (hard to get these days), an external parrot (for SSB), and a computer interface. Plus you can operate it in a hand-bag style fashion while walking.

Pros for the IC-705: Its receiver is better, the battery is much better than the FT-818's standard battery, it's easier to operate (basically, it's a portable IC-7300 with UHF+VHF), it has A LOT more memories, it has a built-in USB soundcard that's great for digital modes, and the waterfall and the built-in parrot are extremely useful -- especially when you don't have much time on the hiking trip, because the family keep saying "are you done with your radio stuff yet?". The Bluetooth interface is nice, it allows you to couple a standard headset for mobile phones to it, so you can listen on a frequency (or even talk) while walking around and doing housework.

Note that although it features Bluetooth, the IC-705 is NOT a great mobile rig for you car -- at least if you mainly want to use repeaters: The memory name is printed in only very small letters on the screen, and as was said in the video, a touchscreen is not really suitable for operation from the driver's seat.

[ramseshaiyer]

My choices would be Anytone 878UV Plus. Yaesu FTM300DR and Yaesu FT891. Thinking of adding Yaesu FTDX10 in a months time. 73 Ram VU3RCN MK90ns

[davequick]

One of the best videos you guys put together. Would love to see one on antennas and/or antenna tuners. My favorite ht is the kenwood d74a, my favorite hf base station id my FTdx101MP. Best rig I have owned in 50 years! Love your channel❤. 73

[octogames]

So much to get in so little time. Due to world events my priorities have changed. I would like to invest into a hand held radio but I dont want to spend a tone of money. This is a great video, thanks for the help.

[ericreed]

Yaesu FT-65. Solid performance and tough as any commercial or military unit. Got mine for $80. It goes where I go. W5MFX

[Soladaddy]

Really like this format. Yaesu is clearly out front when it comes to mobile and HT offerings, at least the non CCR market. Sans the 7300, they are doing very well in the base market.

[derektrounce]

I agree with the others Dude this was an excellent idea for a video, great info and introductions to new to me youtubers

[chiphungerford]

I have the FT-991A for a base station, FTM-300 for a Mobile and the FT3D for a handheld and like them all. Have a good new year to all!!!

[layja]

Tnx for great and informative videos.
My favorites are in my shack :-) Yaesu FT-710: Realy good receiver and easy menu navigation with a computer mouse and very good output audio quality. Not to forget the memory card! FT-991A: Same reasons exept for the computer mouse. Works great on v/uhf allmode too. FTM-400XD: Using it on Wires-X. Also a good rig for normal use. Price levels? I am a norwegian, so levels are high here🙂PS! My FT-950 is still in use on daily basis, running mostly digital modes. As uoy might have guessed. Ilove my Yaesus!

[Bdub]

Another shout out for Yaesu. I go back to the FRG-7 days, and have been a real fan of Yaesu ever since. My current (primary) rigs are a FTDX10, and an FT8800. Having been a short wave listener since the '60's, I have to say that the DX10 is everything it's cracked up to be. I live in a high RF area with a 10kw AM daytimer just a couple of miles away. It crushes the front ends of all of my SDRs EXCEPT the FTDX10. So in my case, hybrid is the way to go. Thanks for the great video. -N7BWB