Best mobile ham radio of 2023 

After comparing dozens of mobile ham radios on the market, we found retevis RT95 to be the best mobile ham radio overall due to its price, versatility, value, and power.

In order to help you make the right purchase decision, we have evaluated the following mobile ham radios to help you choose the most suitable mobile ham radio for you

In this review, we've considered factors that might affect your buying decision, such as ease of use, portability, experience level, durability, and display features, as well as its quality.

1. BEST DISPLAY – retevis RT95

If you need a big display, retevis RT95 is the mobile ham radio to beat.

Featuring a bright LCD screen, this dual-band radio is readable under any light conditions.

Using large numbers and icons, the menu layout is intuitively designed to give you all relevant information at a single glance.

The front panel only features six programmable buttons for quick access to your most-used functions. The hand mic is a bit bulky, but it is easy to use and comfortable to hold. It houses the backlit keypad, A/B frequency toggle, and second speaker.

This amateur mobile radio especially  designs for drivers and it pursues philosophy of innovation and practicality.

The radio has many essential features for DMR ham radios, such as encryption, and activated functions. It also has programmable function buttons that are easy to use.

What to Look for When Buying Mobile Ham Radios

The options for mobile ham radios are plenty, but this should not be an excuse to choose just any product. To help you decide, below are some of the crucial considerations.

Type of Ham Radio

Among others, one of the best ways to categorize a ham radio is based on its bands, which affect its performance. At the most basic, you will have a single band radio, which is also the most basic. It is often the cheapest, but a lot of people stay away from such because of its limited range.

Most of the products above are dual-band radios. This will allow the unit to support two frequencies simultaneously. If you need something that can deliver more extensive coverage, you might opt for a tri-band ham radio mobile. Meanwhile, for the most demanding applications, an all band mobile ham radio is the best option.

Frequency

The frequency range is an important technical specification to understand when deciding what to buy. A 2-meter ham radio will often have VHF or very high-frequency range, which is anywhere from 30 to 300 MHz. Meanwhile, a UHF or ultra-high frequency radio will have 300 MHz to 3 GHz. If you want the most powerful with the longest range, go for a quad band mobile ham radio to deliver multiple frequencies for reliable communications.

Power

Another crucial spec to look at is the power rating, which directly impacts the performance of the radio. Most will have a 50-watt output. Nonetheless, the best ones are those with selectable power, so you can pick the wattage depending on what is most appropriate for a specific situation.

Ease of Use

You do not need to pay a pro to assemble a mobile ham radio for you. Instead, it can be an easy DIY task if it comes complete with the mounting hardware you need, such as screws and mounting brackets. More so, operating it should also be a breeze. From a large display to well-thought buttons, look for features that will make the radio user-friendly.

Display

Most mobile ham radios will have a display. It is a small digital screen that shows the information you need for monitoring your communications, such as the frequencies. It should be large enough for ease of visibility. Plus, it is a good thing if it has a backlight, so it remains clear whether it is day or night.

Programmability

Consider the options for programmability so you can make the most of the ham radio. It must include a programming cable, which will let you customize the settings through your computer. Plus, it must have a programmable memory, which will let you save multiple channels for easy access every time you are using the radio.

Size

Find one that suits your vehicle. Even the smallest dual-band mobile ham radio has incredible power, so do not assume that performance is tied to size. Instead, size is important to make sure that it fits the current provision in your dashboard, which will also simplify installation.