Top 3 Best Ham Radios for Preppers In 2024
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Today, we’re unveiling the top 3 ham radios for preppers, ensuring you stay connected in any situation.
We start with a budget-friendly radio that combines power with affordability, without cutting corners on performance.
Next up, a premium choice that sets the bar for durability and versatility.
And our top selection, a masterpiece of design and functionality.
So let’s get started!
Number 3. Baofeng UV-5R 8W – Best Budget Ham Radio for Preppers
When it comes to budget ham radios Baofeng is the brand that comes to mind to most of us.
If you are looking to save some money but still need a powerful radio with decent battery, the 8w version of the UV-5R is the best budget ham radio for any preper out there.
Apart from the battery and power output it works like any other UV-5R radio so it has a frequency range of 136-174Mhz and 400-520Mhz plus 65-108mhz for FM broadcast, it features high/low power settings and it is PC programmable.
The FM broadcast radio can be used on amateur frequencies and can transmit on both the Narrowband (12.5 kHz) and wideband of about 25 kHz.
It has 128 programmable memory channels with the option of adding and removing at will. This gives you the option of customizing the channel names on the device.
Off course where it shines is the 3800mAh Lithium-Ion battery which can last quite a long time even if you use it at full power. When you are not in need of the power from the battery, it contains a save feature that saves power to be used when needed.
Overall it is by far one of the best cheap ham radio on the market, ideal especially for preppers .
Number 2. Wouxun KG-Q10H – Best Premium Ham Radio for Preppers
A large battery, tough build, and quad band Tx make the new Wouxun KG-Q10H a great choice as a premium ham radio for preppers.
This HT builds on the quality and success of previous Wouxun radios and is a general improvement on several features. However, it did run into problems early on, with many units showing spurious emissions – the company was quick to react and these problems have been fixed since.
With that out of the way, it’s only natural that the other features and options here get their time to shine. And, the most notable feature on that list is the quad-band Tx capability. It can work on the 70cm, 1.25m, 2m, and 6m bands. That’s impressive, eventhough it doesn’t have a quad-band antenna.
Instead, it comes with two antennas, one for 2m and 70cm bands, the other for 1.25m and 6m bands. You’ll have to switch antennas depending on the band(s) you want to use. It’s a pain but could be worth the trouble for quad band use, especially for a prepper scenario.
Wouxun’s well-liked superheterodyne receiver also fits in perfectly for this niche. The high-quality receiver offers good audio quality, plus real dual-watch and scanning capabilities. Rx capabilities of the HT go beyond the four bands for Tx and include commercial FM, NOAA weather channels along with weather alert features, with its receive capabilities going from 50 MHz to 999 MHz (except unavailable bands).
Interestingly, while this is an FM radio, it will receive Airband transmissions as well, even though they’re in AM.
Another likable feature is the rugged build quality, exemplified by its IP67 rating. This means the HT is dustproof and waterproof, capable of being submerged in water up to 1m deep for 30 minutes.
Moving on Wouxun’s new interface and usability features for Q-series devices are available here. One such feature is the dual menu, where a single press lands you into a small menu for quick settings, while press and hold takes users to a full menu with detailed settings. Cosmetic changes like display themes and multiple color options for the body are also a nice touch.
Another aspect is the GPS receiver. It receives GPS data and can share location with other Q-series radios with similar features. Users can see these GPS data and also the location of other compatible devices relative to their own location. It can be argued though that APRS would have been a more desirable choice rather than picking a proprietary system that has limited use.
As a prepper radio, it would be only natural to compare this to another Wouxun radio, the KG-UV9PX, which includes pre-programmed frequencies for SHTF scenarios and a higher power output at 8W. KG-Q10H has similar capabilities, can be easily programmed for use by preppers, and while it has a lower power output, its quad-band Tx capabilities and relatively newer systems give it a leg up.
Overall, Wouxun KG-Q10H is a decent radio for use by preppers, though its general qualities and tough build also make it useful for all hams.
Number 1. Yaesu FT-65R – Our Top Choice
The Yaesu FT 65R is a less expensive version of the highly rated FT-60.
It is a dual band radio, which comes with weather alert and FM radio, solid comfortable handset of reasonably quality with an IP54 rating meaning it is relatively robust outdoors.
The PTT button sticks out at a slight angle which may feel awkward to some but great to others, so this design feature comes down to personal preference. It has a 1-watt speaker with good audit quality and a clear, audible microphone.
It comes with a 1950 mAh lithium ion battery which is decent but you can also extend the operating time by a few hours by upgrading it to a 2500 mAh battery.
The transceiver is computer and keypad programmable, but the programming cable isn’t included and has to be bought separately, however, once obtained, the handset can be programmed with a range of software. It comes with a basic but user-friendly manual though you have to download the more comprehensive programming instructions.
Menu navigation using the keypad is relatively straightforward and intuitive, and the keypad includes four programmable keys to quickly access to your most used settings, which is fairly unique among the ham radio handsets reviewed.
The back lit LED screen seems basic with a default display setting showing a single VFO and battery status, but it can be configured to a dual band display.
It has the standard VFO/programmable memories as well as weather scans and you can set it to auto turn-off after a set period of time to preserve the battery. It comes with a stout antenna which is interchangeable.
If you’re tired of belt clips that snap or detach the battery from the handset, the transceiver comes with a sturdier belt clip design than many other models and the clip attaches to the body of the handset rather than a more standard attachment to the battery.
Overall, the functionality, reliability and quality compared to other models make it highly suited as a ham radio for preppers starting out, as well as intuitive, easy-to-handle handset for the more experienced. Sturdy and compact, it is well suited to outdoors, especially with power saving features and the option to upgrade the battery.