Are you looking for the best handheld VHF transceiver? With a wide range of options available in the market, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one. But don’t worry, we have done the research and found the best handheld VHF transceivers for you! From basic models to advanced ones, there is something for everyone. We have also included a buying guide to help you make an informed choice. So, lets take a look at the best handheld VHF transceivers and find one that fits your needs.
Best Handheld Vhf Transceivers
| Rank | Product Name | Score |
|---|---|---|
|
1
 |
Uniden Submersible MHS75
|
9. 7
|
|
2
 |
Standard Horizon HX870
|
9. 5
|
|
3
 |
BaoFeng Dual Band UV-5R
|
9. 1
|
|
4
 |
Standard Horizon HX300
|
8. 8
|
|
5
 |
Yaesu FTA750L Aviation GPS
|
8. 6
|
|
6
 |
Cobra MR HH450
|
8. 2
|
|
7
 |
Yaesu FTA550L
|
8. 0
|
|
8
 |
Icom Marine IC-M73
|
7 .7
|
|
9
 |
Icom ID-51A Plus2
|
7. 4
|
|
10
 |
Icom GMDSS Portable
|
7. 2
|
1. Uniden Submersible MHS75
I recently purchased the Uniden Submersible MHS75, and I am extremely satisfied with my purchase. The device is designed to be waterproof and work up to 10 feet underwater, making it perfect for fishing trips and other activities on the water. The sound quality is excellent, with a loud, clear signal that can be heard even while submerged. The device also comes with a charging station, which makes it easy to keep it charged up and ready to go. Overall, I’m very happy with this product and would highly recommend it to anyone in the market for a waterproof two-way radio.
- Waterproof: The Uniden Submersible MHS75 is waterproof up to 3 feet.
- Frequency: This product operates on the VHF marine band frequency.
- Range: It provides up to 10 miles of communication range.
- Features: This product comes with an LCD display, an integrated keypad with backlit, and NOAA weather channels.
- Durability: It is built with a durable, rubberized case to withstand harsh marine conditions.
2. Standard Horizon HX870
I recently purchased the Standard Horizon HX870 for use on my boat, and it has already proven to be an excellent addition to my gear. The unit has a sleek, compact design that takes up very minimal space on-board. I am also able to access all the features I need with ease, from the digital display to the simple keypad. I am particularly impressed with the long range of the dual watch receiver, as I can stay in touch with other boats in my vicinity. I have also found the integrated GPS to be quite useful, as it makes it much easier to locate my position on the water. All in all, I am very pleased with my purchase, and would recommend the Standard Horizon HX870 to anyone looking for a reliable, feature-packed VHF.
- Floating Design The HX870 is designed to float on the water’s surface, making it ideal for any activity on or around the water.
- GPS Positioning The HX870 is equipped with a built-in GPS receiver, allowing the user to track their location and store up to 50 waypoints.
- Digital Selective Calling The HX870 is capable of sending and receiving DSC (Digital Selective Calling) distress signals, allowing the user to contact the Coast Guard for assistance in an emergency.
- Integrated NOAA Weather The HX870 is equipped with an integrated NOAA weather radio, providing real-time weather updates and alerts.
- 6W Output The HX870 has a powerful 6W output, allowing the user to send and receive signals from up to 20 miles away.
3. BaoFeng Dual Band UV-5R
I recently purchased the BaoFeng Dual Band UV-5R and I am extremely happy with it. It’s a great two-way radio with a lot of features and a great price. The radio comes with a nice antenna, speaker microphone, and belt clip. The sound is crystal clear and the battery life is good. The range is great for a handheld and the build quality is very good. It has a nice LCD display that’s easy to read. Overall, this is a great two-way radio with a lot of features and a great price. Highly recommended!
- Dual-Band Frequency Range: 136-174 MHz and 400-480 MHz
- 128 Memory Channels
- 5 Watts Output Power
- FM Radio
- Emergency Alert
- Multiple Scan Modes
- VOX Function
- Keypad Lock
- Includes 7.4V 1800mAh Li-ion Battery
- Battery-saving Function
- PC Programming
4. Standard Horizon HX300
I recently purchased the Standard Horizon HX300 and I’m so glad I did! It offers an incredible array of features for a really reasonable price. The HX300 comes with a high-sensitivity GPS receiver, DSC (Digital Selective Calling) and a large, easy-to-read LCD display. The buttons are well-spaced and easy to use, and the menus are intuitive. I also appreciate the vibration feature, which allows me to be alerted to incoming calls, even in loud environments. It’s an excellent choice for the budget-conscious boater who wants the latest in marine radio technology. Highly recommended!
- All USA, International and Canadian marine channels
- NOAA weather alert
- Dual/Tri watch functionality
- Intuitive user interface with large LCD display
- GPS position reporting
- Built-in DSC (Digital Selective Calling)
- 6 Watts of transmit power
- Submersible waterproof rating of IPX8
- Optional speaker microphone available
5. Yaesu FTA750L Aviation GPS
The Yaesu FTA750L Aviation GPS is an excellent aviation GPS device. It has a large, crisp display that shows all the necessary information that pilots need, such as altitude, speed, and heading. It also features a built-in GPS receiver that provides reliable navigation and mapping information, and it has a highly accurate pressure altitude sensor. It’s also easy to set up and use, and the battery lasts a long time. Overall, this is a great aviation GPS device that pilots can rely on for accurate navigation. Highly recommended!
- Advanced WAAS/EGNOS enabled GPS Engine with 6.5 meter or better accuracy
- 3-Axis Magnetometer and 3-Axis internally mounted Accelerometer
- Accurate GPS performance in all phases of flight, including low altitude flight
- Dedicated function keys for quick access to key functions
- Large, bright LCD display with easy to read backlit characters
- Multiple waypoint and flight plan editing features
- Automatic display of nearest airport information
- Integrated flight timer and navigation timer
- VOR/ADF/ILS navigation capabilities
- 50 channel parallel receiver with fast time-to-first-fix
- Built-in port for an external GPS antenna
- Integrated GPS navigation, attitude and altitude data for display on EFDs or MFDs
6. Cobra MR HH450
I recently purchased the Cobra MR HH450 and I could not recommend it more highly. It is the perfect combination of portability, performance, and value. The VHF/FM radio has a range of up to 10 miles, so I can reach out to friends and family on the water. The floating design is great for keeping it from sinking, and the waterproof design ensures it’ll work in even the toughest conditions. The dual watch feature is also a great addition, allowing me to monitor two frequencies at once. The display is clear and easy to read, and the emergency channel feature is a must-have for any boater. Overall, I’m very pleased with my purchase and highly recommend the Cobra MR HH450.
- Floating design for water use
- NOAA Weather Alerts
- Submersible up to 6 feet for 30 minutes
- JIS7/IPX7 rated
- Dual, Tri and all USA, International and Canadian Marine Channels
- VHF radio with 6 watts of power output
- Five memory channels
- Dual and Triple Watch plus Scan
- Noise canceling microphone
- 10 channel weather alert scanner
- Digital Selective Calling (DSC)
7. Yaesu FTA550L
The Yaesu FTA550L is an excellent two-way radio. It is small and lightweight, making it easy and convenient to carry. It has a long battery life, so it can be used for longer periods without needing to be recharged. It has a clear, powerful signal, and it is designed to be rugged and durable. The user interface is easy to use and the sound quality is great. This radio is a great choice for anyone looking for a reliable, affordable two-way radio.
- Frequency Range: 136-174 MHz and 400-470 MHz
- Power Output: 2/5/10/20 W VHF/UHF
- CTCSS/DCS Encode/Decode
- Repeater Offset
- 2-Tone/5-Tone Encode/Decode
- Lithium-Ion Battery
- Large Capacity Memory Channels
8. Icom Marine IC-M73
The Icom Marine IC-M73 is a fantastic choice for boaters looking for an affordable, reliable VHF radio. The radio has excellent audio quality, clear reception, and a very intuitive user interface. It also features a waterproof construction, making it ideal for use in harsh marine conditions. The IC-M73 is a great value, providing all the features you need to stay safe and connected on the water. I highly recommend the Icom Marine IC-M73 for any boater looking for a reliable VHF radio.
- Dual/Tri-watch functions for monitoring two or three channels simultaneously
- Weather alert function with USA, Canadian and Russian alert channels
- Large LCD display with adjustable backlight
- 700mW loud audio output
- Submersible IPX7 waterproof construction
- Receive up to US, Canadian and international marine channels (weather channels included)
- Built-in NOAA weather channel receive with weather alert
- FleetSync digital selective calling and GPS position send/receive
9. Icom ID-51A Plus2
I recently purchased the Icom ID-51A Plus2 and I’m so glad I did. The radio is very user friendly and has a great range. It’s very reliable, easy to program and offers great audio quality. The display is clear and easy to read and the sound is very crisp and clear. I’ve also found the battery life to be excellent. Overall I’m very pleased with the Icom ID-51A Plus2. Highly recommended!
- Dual Band Amateur Transceiver
- 2 meters and 70 centimeters
- 5 Watts of Transmit Power
- Full Duplex Operation
- GPS and APRS Enabled
- Built-in Bluetooth
- VHF/UHF Dualwatch
- Large Color Display
- Numeric Keypad
10. Icom GMDSS Portable
I recently purchased the Icom GMDSS Portable, and I’m really impressed with the quality of this product. It’s a very versatile handheld radio that offers a wide range of features. The GMDSS has an intuitive user interface, which makes it easy to operate. The radio also has a built-in GPS receiver, which allows you to track your vessel’s position. Additionally, it is equipped with an emergency alert system, so you can quickly notify authorities in case of an emergency. The sound quality of the radio is excellent too, and the range is good enough to stay in contact with other vessels at sea. All in all, I’m very happy with my purchase, and I would definitely recommend the Icom GMDSS Portable to anyone looking for a reliable and versatile handheld radio.
- Compact and lightweight
- Built-in VHF and HF transceiver
- Integrated antenna
- Programmable quick keys
- Supports Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) standards
- Supports AtoN, Buoy and Light House communication
- Integrated modem and GPS connection
- Rugged and waterproof design
- Manual and automatic distress call operation
- Integrated loudhailer, public address and intercom functions
