Top 7 Best Aviation Handheld Radios (2024 Reviews)
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Having a handheld radio is a great idea for two main reasons. First, and most importantly, it serves as a backup radio should you experience a communication or navigation failure. Second, it can be used during pre-flight to get weather information and clearances, saving you time and money. After engine start, you’ll already have the information you need before taxi. The Hobbs time remains lower, which adds up over time. Third, a handheld radio is great for student pilots learning communications. Or, for those who to local air traffic. You’ll be happy to have this tool in your flight bag. Once you’re equipped, you’ll wonder why you ever flew without one.
Our Guide to buying an Aviation Handheld Radio
Communication/Navigation
First, portable aviation radios can either be for communication only, or they can have both communication and navigation functionality. Radios with navigation features can track VORs or an ILS. While more expensive, the backup navigation independent of your aircraft’s systems gives even more peace of mind. Especially for IFR pilots. The Comm/Nav radios usually contain all the same features of their communication-only model counterparts.
Batteries
Most radios have rechargeable batteries. We can determine battery life by looking at the battery’s total capacity, measured in mAh. Specifically, the higher the mAh, the longer the battery will last. Furthermore, some radios can still be operated with AA batteries. If you forget to charge your radio, this could serve as a nice backup as long as you are stocked with batteries.
Frequency Range
Aviation radios will transmit and receive in the Very High Frequency (VHF) range, 118.000-136.975. Radios that have navigation capability will also have 108.000 – 117.975. Additionally, many have a dedicated button to get you on 121.5, the international emergency frequency. If you’re flying in Europe, be sure to get a radio that supports 8.33 kHz spacing, due to the mandate that became effective in 2018. All the radios on this list support 8.33 kHz spacing.
Water Protection Rating
You may find yourself using the radio outside in rainy conditions. So, we have included each radio’s waterproof information, or “IP rating”. From the IP rating chart:
IP57 + IP67: Protected from immersion between 15 centimeters and 1 meter in depth.
IPX5: Water projected by a nozzle against enclosure from any direction will have no harmful effects.
All radios on this list will provide adequate water proofing.
COMM ONLY Radios
Icom IC-A16B
We own the Icom IC-A16. It is a solid communication-only radio for a reasonable price. You’ll get a wide variety of features in a durable, compact, and lightweight radio. The battery life is plenty long at 17-hours, and includes a sit-in rapid charger. We have no trouble hearing audio through its speaker even in loud single-engine propeller cockpit. If you’d like this radio with bluetooth capability to easily connect to your headset, check out the IC-A16B.
Key Features:
- 17-hour battery life
- Full keypad to directly input channel
- Dedicated button for emergency frequency 121.5
- LCD screen backlit for use at night
- Auto Noise Limiter (ANL) for noise reduction
- 3 year manufacturer warranty
Specs:
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- Type: Com
- Screen type: LCD
- Battery Type: Lithium-Ion 2400 mAh
- Battery life: 17 hours
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- Memory: 200 channels
- Power: 6 watts TX
- Speaker: 1,500 mW
- Water protection rating: IP67
- Bluetooth: Yes
- 8.33kHz Narrow Band capable
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IC-A25C
The IC-A25C features a user friendly interface with quick access to desired features. It has a large, high visibility LCD screen with a night-mode option. So, the selected frequency can be seen easily and quickly. The radio stores the last 10 channels used, and can “flip-flop” between them for quick channel recall with the press of one button. The battery status feature is quite detailed, letting you know precisely the amount of remaining battery time. Moreover, you can use AA batteries if you prefer, by purchasing a separate battery pack.
Key Features:
- High Visibility LCD screen with night mode
- Flip-flop channel recall,
- Dedicated button for emergency frequency 121.5
- Auto Noise Limiter (ANL) for noise reduction
- Option to operate with 6 AA batteries with BP289 Battery pack
- 3 year manufacturer warranty
Specs:
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- Type: Com
- Screen size: 2.3”
- Screen type: High Visibility LCD
- Battery type: Lithium-Ion 2350 mAh
- Battery life: 13-hours
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- Memory: 300 channels
- Power: 6 watts TX
- Water protection rating: IP57
- 8.33kHz Narrow Band capable
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Yaesu FTA-450L Airband VHF Comm
The Yaesu FTA-450L is an affordable transceiver with confirmed durability in all kinds of weather conditions. The screen’s menu system is icon driven making it easy to navigate through all the radio’s features. The device is lightweight and can be charged through a cigarette lighter with the included adapter. It also comes with an alkaline battery tray, as well as a headset adapter. However, one reported drawback is the placement of the on/off button next to the transmit button.
Key Features:
- Easy to operate icon driven menu
- Backlit keypad and screen with dimmer
- Dedicated button for emergency frequency 121.5
- Option to operate with 6 AA batteries with included battery pack
- Battery saver feature
Specs:
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- Type: Com
- Screen size: 1.7”
- Screen type: Matrix Display (160 x 160 dots)
- Battery type: Lithium-Ion 1800 mAh
- Battery life: 13 hours
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- Memory: 200 channels
- Power: 5 Watts TX
- Speaker: 800 mW
- Water protection rating: IPX5
- 8.33kHz Narrow Band capable
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Yaesu FTA-250L Handheld VHF Airband Transceiver (Comm Only)
The smallest and most affordable on our list, the Yaesu FTA-250L also has a large memory. Users love the small size without any compromise in the range to receive or transmit. It is still durable and waterproof.
Key Features:
- Compact size
- Backlit keypad and display
- Dedicated button for emergency frequency 121.5
- 3 year waterproof warranty
Specs:
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- Type: Com
- Screen type: Dot-matrix display
- Battery type: Lithium-ion 1950 mAh
- Memory: 250 channels
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- Power: 5 Watts TX
- Speaker: 700 mW
- Water protection rating: IPX5
- 8.33kHz Narrow Band capable
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COMM/NAV Radios
Icom IC-A25N VHF Airband Transceiver
The feature-packed Icom IC-A25N includes all the same features of the A25C as detailed above, but also includes Bluetooth, GPS, and VOR navigation. It can to paired with your headset, phone or earbuds. It offers Direct-To navigation and Flight Plan navigation. There’s even an iOS and Android app for the creation of flight plans, and import to the radio via bluetooth. The VOR display has a To/From indicator, CDI and OBS like a real VOR instrument.
Key Features:
- Bluetooth, GPS and VOR Navigation
- High Visibility LCD screen with night mode
- Flip Flop channel recall
- Near Station Search Function
- Dedicated button for emergency frequency 121.5
- Auto Noise Limiter (ANL) for noise reduction
- Option to operate with 6 AA batteries with BP289 Battery pack
- 3 year manufacturer warranty
Specs:
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- Type: Com/Nav
- Screen size: 2.3″
- Screen type: High Visibility LCD
- Battery Type: Lithium-Ion 2350 mAh
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- Battery life: 10.5 hours
- Memory: 300 channels
- Power: 6 watts TX
- Water protection rating: IP57
- 8.33kHz Narrow Band capable
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Yaesu FTA-550L
The Yaesu 550L is the more affordable, smaller sibling to the more expensive Yaesu 750L. While very similar, it lacks some of the 750’s more advanced features — primarily the Glidescope navigation and GPS. However, it still provides ILS Localizer-only and VOR Navigation display. Like other Yaesu’s, users love the included accessories – everything you’ll need for charging, and the headset adapter.
Key Features:
- Localizer and VOR Navigation
- Dedicated button for emergency frequency 121.5
- Backlit keypad and screen with dimmer
- Option to operate with 6 AA batteries with included battery tray
- Battery saver feature
Specs:
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- Type: Com/Nav
- Screen size: 1.7” x 1.7”
- Screen type: Full-dot matrix display (160 x 160 dots)
- Battery type: Lithium-ion 1800 mAh
- Battery life: 13.5 hours
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- Memory: 200 channels
- Power: 5 watts TX
- Speaker: 800 mW
- Water protection rating: IPX5
- 8.33kHz Narrow Band capable
Yaesu FTA750L Handheld VHF Transceiver / GPS
The advanced FTA-550L might be the closest you’ll get to panel mounted functions in a handheld radio. It has a 66 channel WAAS GPS reciever, ILS navigation including the glidescope, VOR Navigation and GPS position logging. After inputting a waypoint, the navigation page displays bearing, course, distance and speed information. In brief, this radio will definitely give you peace of mind.
Key Features:
- ILS (including glideslope) and VOR Navigation
- 66 Channel WAAS GPS
- GPS Position logging at preset intervals
- Dedicated button for emergency frequency 121.5
- Backlit keypad and screen with dimmer
- Option to operate with 6 AA batteries with included battery tray
- Battery saver feature
Specs:
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- Type: Com/nav
- Screen size: 1.7” x 1.7”
- Screen type: Full-dot matrix display (160 x 160 dots)
- Battery type: Lithium-ion 1800 mAh
- Memory: 200 channels
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- Power: 5 watts TX
- Speaker: 800 mW
- Water protection rating: IPX5
- 8.33kHz Narrow Band capable
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