Ayork62493
GBR
looking to buy a handhel radio, I've read some reviews and am considering buying an ICOM brand radio. However, if any of you have reccomendations I'd be happy to hear them.
Handheld opinions?
- Thread starter Ayork62493
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drunkenbeagle
Gang Member
I highly recommend the Vertex Standard VXA-220, but I have always been partial to Yaesu's radios. ICOM makes good stuff too, but I think they are a bit more flimsy.
Bandit_Driver
Gold Member
It all depends on what you want to use it for and how often.
I used an ICOM for a number of years as a line guy and then as a CFI to talk to first time solo pilots as needed. It worked like a champ and I sold it a couple of years ago and assume it is still running strong.
If you want it for only occassional use and airshows get something cheaper than ICOM
I used an ICOM for a number of years as a line guy and then as a CFI to talk to first time solo pilots as needed. It worked like a champ and I sold it a couple of years ago and assume it is still running strong.
If you want it for only occassional use and airshows get something cheaper than ICOM
Apophis
Resident Iconoclast
I've got Sporty's SP-200 transceiver. It's dead simple to use. It doesn't have some of the nifty features that my old Vertex-Standard did (such as NOAA weather radio), but at least I don't need to study the owner's manual to use it properly.
Sporty's recently released a new model, the SP-400. Looks like it has more features and a larger display. It's on the expensive side though at $399.99.
Sporty's recently released a new model, the SP-400. Looks like it has more features and a larger display. It's on the expensive side though at $399.99.
drunkenbeagle
Gang Member
The Vertex goes for about $170, and compared to the sporty's radio, is a million times sturdier. And is waterproof.
I don't think that it is complicated at all to use (all Yeasu radios work about the same way.)
Hit VFO, enter freq. It doesn't get much simpler. I use mine several times a week (most gliders lack an electrical system)
I have a really old (1980's) Sporty's model that I got on Craigslist for $50. Fantastic unit--even has a CDI if I dial in a VOR or localizer. It works better than my plane's COM radio...but that's another story in itself. High-tech just buys you more battery life, more frequency memory, and more durability. For the average pilot, though, I'd guess that a used unit will still do 101% of what you want.
drunkenbeagle
Gang Member
You can generally find an older-generation icom or vertex on eBay for $50 or so, but it might need a new $50 battery.
Apophis
Resident Iconoclast
I should have specified. I never had any trouble entering frequencies manually on my old Vertex-Standard, I just found some of the other features to be somewhat quirky. I didn't like squelch adjustment at all. I also found programming the frequency memory bank to be more trouble than it was worth. I also didn't like how the 121.5 quick-tune button locked the keypad until you held down the band selector button for several seconds.
That being said, Vertex handhelds are waterproof and built like a tank; they can handle pretty much anything you can throw at them. Also I found the battery life to be way better than what I currently have on the SP-200.
