Based on essential features and affordability, you can find the best handheld Ham radio for survival on this list.

When you travel, you sometimes go to faraway places. If you are like me, you are looking for a quiet, gorgeous spot off the beaten path. Somewhere to kick your feet up and relax- away from people and civilization.

But when you go off the grid, cell phones can lose their signal. Emergency situations can occur suddenly, even for serious survivalists, leaving you stranded without a way to call for help.

That is why I recommend always carrying an amateur radio with great features. They can turn survival situations into rescued ones!

What is a Ham Radio?

Amateur radio, also called ham radio, is a handheld device that uses over-the-air radio frequencies to transmit messages for non-commercial use.

That includes private recreation, wireless experimentation, contesting, sometimes called radiosport. The most important use in my book, however, is emergency communication.

Buyer's Guide for the Best Ham Radio

When looking for the best ham radio you can find, look for one with some or all of these useful features.

Dual Band

If the Ham radio offers this feature, you can monitor two different radio frequencies simultaneously. This function makes it simple to select the frequency you would like to transmit across. Usually, these are VHF/UHF radios that operate typically on the two meter and 440 meter ham bands.

Programming

Programming the ham radio can occur manually or via software.

If it is programmed manually, you must have a functional keyboard. If it is programmed through software, ensure that the programming cable or SD card is usable and functioning.

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