10 Best Ham Radio For Cars 2020
Reviewed by Gareth Otwell
| Last Updated:
After analyzing products, scanning reviews, spending more than 36 hours of research and speaking with our test users, we think the Kenwood TM-281A 144MHz FM Transceiver is the one of the Best Ham Radio For Car on the market.
Kenwood TM-281A 144MHz FM Transceiver – Best Overall Ham Radio For Car
- Rugged compact contruction, High Power= 65 Wts, Alphanumeric LCD
- 200 Memory Channel, 6 alphanumeric characters offers 100 memory channels
- CTCSS/DTCS Enconder/Decoder, Weather Alert/RX
- Meets MIL-STD 810 C, D, E, F and G environmental standards for vibration and shock
AnyTone AT-778UV Dual Band Transceiver Mobile Radio VHF/Uhf Two Way – Best under $150
- 25W/15W/5W dual band VHF/UHF mobile radio transceiver with DTMF and 5Tone function! Color LCD. 180 degree rotatable TFT LCD display.
- Frequency range: VHF: 136-174mhz UHF: 400-480mhz. Please download the programming software from support in AnyTone website.You can find the AnyTone website address in the user's manual.
- Features ctcss, DCS, 200channels & more! Narrow band Compliant, lighted keypad mic, built-in speakers in both radio & mic, built-in cooling fan, DC power cable with fuse holder & more!
- Single call, group call, selective call and emergency call are all available.
- ☛Warranty 1 year warranty. Money back if you are not satisfied with it in 1 month. Please feel free to Contact with us if you have any query. We will give you prompt reply and good after service
BaoFeng BF-F8HP (UV-5R 3rd Gen) 8-Watt Dual Band Two-Way Radio – Best under $100
- Upgrades from our Previous Generation UV-5R: Twice the Output Power (8 watts up from 4 watts output), New Hardened Durable Radio Shell, 30% Larger Battery, V-85 High Gain Antenna (Twice the Antenna Performance), USA Support + In-depth User Guide Included
- High / Med / Low Power Settings (8W, 4W, 1W); Frequency Range: 65-108 MHz(Only commercial FM radio reception) VHF: 136-174 MHz(Rx/Tx). UHF: 400-520 MHz(Rx/Tx); Broad (Wide) / Narrowband (Narrow) Selectable
- The BF-F8HP was designed in the USA and because not everyone is a radio-expert we really wanted to focus on providing an easier user experience! That starts with the new in-depth manual that guides you through the capabilities and customization of the BF-F8HP. On top of that the BF-F8HP also includes exclusive concierge customer help and warranty support. This concierge service is only available on select BaoFeng models such as the BF-F8HP, UV-82HP, and UV-5X3.
- A PC03 FTDI Programming Cable is Recommended for Easier PC Programming
- BaoFeng Tech is the only authorized USA BaoFeng Distributor to honor the Manufacturer Warranty. Only BaoFeng Tech offers warranty claims without shipping anything to China. You must insure that BaoFeng Tech is your selected buying option when buying to be able to have the full USA warranty.
BTECH Mobile UV-50X3 50 Watt Tri-Band Radio: 136-174mhz (VHF) – Premium Pick
- 13.8V (15 Amp) Operating Voltage Source Required - Dual Receiver Radio (Dual RF), Capable of Crossband Repeating. DTMF, CTCSS, and DCS Calling Modes Supported
- High (50W), Mid (20W), Low (5W) Power. VHF and UHF Output exceeds 50 watts. 1.25M (220MHz) is 5 watts. RX/TX: 137-174MHz, 222-225MHz, 400-480MHz. Receive Only: .5-1.710MHz (AM Radio), 76-108MHz (FM Radio), 108-136MHz (AM Aviation Band), 175-250MHz, 300-399MHz, 480-520MHz
- Recommended Accessories: Pair UV-50X3 with the Nagoya TB-320A Antenna (and RB-50 Mount) for easy installation. The PC05 FTDI Cable is recommended for easy computer programming - Uses CHIRP Software
- For Dual Band Operation - The Nagoya UT-72 is recommended for vehicle use, several base antenna options exist for home/base use.
- Kit Includes: UV-50X3 Main Frame, Front Panel, DTMF Microphone, Suction Cup, 10' DC Cable, 15' Panel Cable, Bracket, Fan Kit, Manual
QYT KT-8900 Mini Dual Band Mobile Transceiver 2M 136-174MHz/70cm 400-480MHz
- ★★ Welcome to Off-Road Equipment, QYT KT-8900 Dual Band Mobile Radio, One PROVEN model from QYT, Compact, Basic Mobile Radio for Amatuar/HAM Radio Starter.
- ★★ Option 25-watt Output, Dual Band & Dual Watch. Built with COOLING FAN, Programming Cable Jack on the FRONT, External Speakers Port (3.5mm) on the BACK.
- ★★ Size: 3.8" (W) x 1.4" (H) x 4.6 (D)" (98 x 35 x 118 mm), Weight: 14.4 oz (408g); Frequency Range: 65-108 MHz(commercial FM reception ONLY), VHF: 136-174 MHz(Rx/Tx), UHF: 400-480 MHz(Rx/Tx); Power Output: 25/20W, High/Low Setting; 200 Memory Channels, Frequency Step from 2.5 to 25 kHz; Narrow/Wide Band.
- ★★ A MUST HAVE Programming cable (Microsoft XP, Window 7/8/10 Supported, Driver Installation Needed) included for easier Computer/PC programming with CHIRP software, FULL Reviews/Instructions/FAQ at MIKLOR, Mess of video tutorials about operations on YouTube. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
- ★★ Kit: QYT KT-8900, Speaker Mic (DTMF function), Mounting Brackets & Screws, 13.8V DC Power Cable with Cigarette Plug Connector, and User Manual.
Baofeng UV5RA Ham Two Way Radio 136-174/400-480 MHz Dual-Band Transceiver – Best Budget Ham Radio For Car
- Dual PTT keys; A/B band independent operation
- Incorporates 105 codes "DCS" and 50 privacy codes "CTCSS" programmable.Other features include: selectable wide/narrow, battery save function, VOX, DCS/CTCSS encode, key lock and built in flashlight
- CTCSS & DCS Scanning/ CTCSS & DCS Direct input
- Emergency Alarm; LED Flashlight; Built-in key lock
- Tri-color background light selectable; 0~9 grades VOX selectable
LEIXEN VV-898 Dual Band VHF/UHF 10W Two Way Radio Mobile
- Dual band: Transmit: 136-174MHz/400-470MHz
- Dual Display, 199 AlphaNumeric Memory Channels
- Voice Companding and Scrambler
- CTCSS, DCS, DTMF, PTT ID, VOX, Scan & More!
- 10W / 4W Selectable outputs.
Radioddity QB25 Pro Quad Band Quad-Standby Mobile Ham Amateur Radio
- ▼QUAD BAND STANDBY & MINI: Quad band, quad-standby, four color screen display. Frequency: 2 Band VHF + 2 Band UHF. FM radio 65-108 MHz. Broad (Wide) / Narrowband (Narrow) Selectable. Remote Stun, Remote Activate, Remote Kill. With size just 3.8 * 1.7 * 5 inch, convenient to carry and won't occupy a larger space when placed in your car or truck.
- ▼QUAD BAND ANTENNA: Say goodbye to awful using experience like signal dropping or excessive distortion! With the 50W powerful high gain quad band antenna we specially design for Radioddity QB25 Pro, you will receive stable signals at any frequency and keep a high quality communication.
- ▼MULTI FUNCTIONS: Radioddity QB25 Pro is the latest car radio model of Radioddity, which features dual synchronized display mode, mic audio gain setting, alarm function, DTMF function(2/5 tone), auto power off, channel mode editing setting, auto scan, scanning resume, variable frequency scanning, quad watch delay time, randomization privacy mode, 25W/10W selectable, etc.
- ▼WHAT MAKES US BETTER: Different from most other quad band car radios on the market, QB25 Pro is with louder and clearer sound, making sure you can get all the info. Second, we also offer you a cable and Win 7/10 drive with instructions to help you program, and it also SUPPORT CHIRP(named QB25 under Radioddity), easy and fast. Besides, the temperature cooling fan is with smart mode, only when temperature ≥ 45℃ (113℉) will the fan start to work.
- ▼ABOUT Radioddity: Radioddity is the only authorized brand and exclusive distributor for this QB25 Pro Model. Radioddity is the world leader when it comes to superior customer satisfaction and warranty service. For downloading software and instructions, please go to www.radioddity.com
BTECH Mini UV-25X4 25 Watt Tri-Band Base
- What Makes the UV-25X4 Unique: Dual Synchronize Display Mode, Mic Audio Gain Settings, Expanded Frequency Range (up to 520MHz), In depth user's guide, Auto Power Off Function, Channel Mode Editing Settings, Auto Scan, Scanning Resume, and Variable Frequency Scanning, Quad Watch Delay Time, Randomization Privacy Mode, Builds upon previous generation UV-2501+220
- High / Low Power Settings (25W/10W); Frequency Range: 65-108 MHz(Only commercial FM radio reception) 136-174MHz (VHF), 220-260MHz (1.25M) (USA/ASIA), 350-390MHz (EU/ASIA), 400-520MHz (UHF); Broad (Wide) / Narrowband (Narrow) Selectable
- Recommended Accessories: Pair UV-25X4 with the Nagoya TB-320A Antenna (and RB-50 Magnetic Mount) for easy installation. The PC04 FTDI Cable is recommended for easy computer programming
- Dual Watch monitoring VHF/UHF and 220Mhz: The 220 MHz band antenna lowpass filter is switched with a relay and the 2 meter lowpass filter and 70 cm highpass filters are switched with PIN diodes - resulting in a audible relay switch noise when monitoring 220MHz with VHF/UHF simultaneously. A relay that completely isolated the 220 MHz RF filter won't impact the RF performance of the 2 meter/70 cm bands. If monitoring multiple 220MHz or VHF/UHF simultaneously the relay is not heard or used.
- Tribander Mobile Radio Kit Includes: BTECH UV-25X4, Speaker Mic, 6 foot DC Cable with Cigarette Plug Connector, Radio & Mic Brackets, Mounting Hardware, and User Guide
BTECH Mobile UV-50X2 50 Watt Dual Band Base
- What Makes the UV-50X2 Unique: Dual Synchronize Display Mode, Mic Audio Gain Settings, Expanded Frequency Range (up to 520MHz), In depth user's guide, Auto Power Off Function, Channel Mode Editing Settings, Auto Scan, Scanning Resume, and Variable Frequency Scanning, Quad Watch Delay Time, Randomization Privacy Mode - Builds upon previous generation UV-5001
- High / Low Power Settings (50W/10W); Frequency Range: 65-108 MHz(Only commercial FM radio reception) VHF: 136-174 MHz(Rx/Tx). UHF: 400-520 MHz(Rx/Tx); Broad (Wide) / Narrowband (Narrow) Selectable
- Recommended Accessories: Pair UV-50X2 with the Nagoya UT-72 Magnetic Mount Antenna for easy installation. The PC04 FTDI Cable is recommended for easy computer programming
- The UV-50X2 operates as multiple radios in one, with either 144 MHz or 430 MHz as the "Main" TX/RX band, while simultaneously watching up to 3 other frequencies or channels; and, if you like, you can configure your UV-50X2 for simultaneous VHF-VHF or UHF-UHF operation, too!
- Kit Includes: BTECH UV-50X2, Speaker Mic, DC Cable, Radio & Mic Brackets, Mounting Hardware, and User Guide
