Upgrade Your Survival Game: Handheld Radios for Every Budget

In the face of an emergency, communication is not just a luxury, it’s a necessity. It’s the third pillar of the tactical triad: shoot, move, communicate. It’s also a key component of many non-combat emergency preparedness frameworks. Every pilot is taught the three main priorities during training — aviate (keep the aircraft flying), navigate (ensure you’re heading in a safe direction), and communicate (maintain contact with air traffic control).

No matter the emergency situation, the significance of communication should never be underestimated.

In the realm of emergency preparedness, the value of various radio equipment and communication methods are often the subject of intense debate. Even within the handheld radio sub-category, there are thousands of models to choose from. However, communication has a unique characteristic that sets it apart from other gear debates: it takes two to communicate.

If there’s no one to talk to, or the person on the other end can’t receive your call, the quality of your gear becomes irrelevant. Every emergency communication plan must consider this interoperability factor.

So, it’s clear that you need several handheld radios to ensure your family and friends can stay connected during emergencies, and each handheld radio should be able to communicate with as many people as possible. The ubiquitous Baofeng UV-5R (or its sibling, the F8HP) is often the standard choice for an affordable and versatile radio — it’s not a bad option for beginners, but it’s far from the best choice.

If you’re considering buying a handheld radio for the first time, or you already own a few and have decided it’s time to upgrade, you should carefully consider your options. In this article, I’ll introduce some of my favorite radios at different price points for those who are looking for something more sophisticated and powerful than the old UV-5R.

My selection criteria for these recommendations are as follows:

* Availability – Are the radios in stock at retailers where the prepared citizen can purchase them? Are the radios prohibitively expensive? I’ll discuss choices at three price points that should fall within the budgets of every reader.

* Interoperability – Can this radio be used to communicate with other radios of different makes and models, so that you have the opportunity to communicate with the broadest possible set of people?

* Usability – This addresses the learning curve associated with the radio, and whether there needs to be a major support system for users. I’ll be focusing specifically on analog radios and avoiding those primarily or exclusively intended for digital modes of operation (DMR, P25, etc.).

* Durability – How rugged is the radio? Consider factors such as water resistance, drop rating, button durability, antenna connection strength, and general build quality.

* Ecosystem – This covers supporting equipment and compatibility with accessories from other manufacturers.

Starting at the low-end, I recommend the Baofeng UV-9R Plus. Despite being a Baofeng, it’s a good first radio, or a strong consideration as a replacement for your old UV-5R.

The UV-9R Plus is a cost-effective alternative to radios such as the UV-5R, offering the same capabilities but in a rugged package more suitable for hard use in a disaster or civil defense scenario.

The UV-9R Plus can be purchased for only $30 – depending on color – and can be obtained from retailers such as Amazon. For about $50, you can get a package with two batteries, programming cable, shoulder-mounted speaker mic, earpiece, charger, etc.

The UV-9R is an analog VHF/UHF, FM ham radio that is software unlockable to get out of the 2m and 70cm ham bands. As such, you’re able to talk with anyone else using analog FM on or around the 2m and 70cm bands, from other Baofeng users to those running high-end rigs.

From a user perspective, the UV-9R is just another Baofeng, so anyone with experience using a Baofeng will be able to pick it up and go. The menu interface is the same as a UV5R, and it works with the popular Chirp programming software as well.

The UV9R Plus is IP67 rated for dust and water resistance. This means the radio is completely protected from dust and can survive immersion in 1m of water for a short period of time. Dropping this radio in a puddle or using it in a rain or dust storm is no problem.

The radio also claims to be drop-proof. Possibly related to this — and definitely an improvement over a UV-5R — is an extended collar protecting the volume/power knob, helping reduce the likelihood that it gets accidentally turned at a tactically inopportune time. The collar may also protect it from breakage to a degree.

Where this radio shines, even in comparison to the next one that I’ll be discussing, is the screw-down, three-point connector for shoulder mics and push-to-talk (PTT) add-ons. This radio enables you to use tactical accessories without compromising the waterproofing.

The greatest drawback to the UV-9R Plus is that this transceiver is essentially the “end of the line” in terms of where you can go from here. This is a result of the proprietary nature of its pinout connection. While the body is similar in form to, say, a Motorola or Hytera connector, the pinout isn’t compatible. This is a notable difference from the UV-5R, which uses a non-proprietary Kenwood two-pin connector.

However, that doesn’t mean you can’t accessorize or run the radio with high-end accessories. This is because multiple vendors, such as Disco32 and Armorwerx provide NATO-spec U94 PTTs with Baofeng Multipin downleads. They can be had in amplified or non-amplified version, depending on whether you’re using a military-grade, low-impedance headset (such as Peltor Comtacs) or using a more budget-friendly, high-impedance rig (such as Howard Leights with a multi-mount microphone). But before you spend hundreds of dollars on adapters and specialized accessories for your Baofeng, consider if that money would be better spent on a more capable radio.

I give the Baofeng UV9R Plus a rating of 7 out of 10. For the price, you really can’t beat it. It makes a much better first option than a Baofeng UV-5R. Even in the most inexpensive package, it comes with a lot of supporting equipment out of the box that even lower-end Yaesu radios (which come in at a slightly higher price point) don’t have.

The only downside really is the proprietary connector, which may make some people think twice, at least if they wanted to work this into a tactical kit.

The Radioddity GS5B may seem like a strange choice for a recommendation at a mid-level price point. Its $109 MSRP puts it in the range where you might want to consider a Yaesu FT-65 or maybe even a Yaesu FT-60. However, for many people, such as those for whom preparedness is about things such as natural disasters or public safety, the GS5B really shines. In fact, my personal radio for my search and rescue kit is a GS5B.

The GS5B is almost always available from retailers such as Amazon and is often on sale for about $85 with Prime shipping.

The GS5B is a dual-band, VHF/UHF radio that’s software unlockable and functions in the MURS and FRS/GMRS bands as well.

The GS5B has its own proprietary programming software, and to be honest, it isn’t the best. However, this is mitigated by the fact that the radio can also be programmed via Bluetooth with a phone app while on the go. Both of these options have some learning curve associated with them, and this may be the weakest point of the radio for many people.

The GS5B is IP56 rated, meaning it’s not entirely dust or water-tight, but is definitely rain-proof and should be good to go for dust in most areas of operation. I’ve personally used this radio for over a year, both as a SAR volunteer and personally. I keep it in my car in Texas heat, take it with me on family trips from the East Coast to the Grand Canyon, and use it during search and rescue operations. I’ve never had an issue with this radio at all.

The GS5B uses a two-pin Kenwood connector just like your old UV-5R does. All your UV-5R accessories should still work with it — all of mine do. If this radio is just a step up from a Baofeng for you while you consider moving on to a higher-end radio, you could buy all the high-end accessories such as PTTs you want right now and leverage any other radio using the Kenwood connector in the future.

The Radioddity GS5B does fairly well in all the evaluation criteria, with adoption perhaps being the lowest score because of lack of Chirp software support. However, it has specific features which make it attractive over other radios in a similar price point, depending on personal use case.

The first is dual monitor combined with dual PTT. This radio can simultaneously receive both the A and B channels you have configured, even if they are in different bands. The dual PTT allows you to talk on either, without having to switch between your A and B channel first (as you’d need to on most other handheld radios). This can also be used to monitor a broadcast channel for news and a group or family communications channel.

The high-visibility color and integrated flashlight make this an excellent choice for use in public safety situations such as search and rescue, hurricane or earthquake preparedness, etc. These features do, however, detract from the value of this radio in a civil defense/minuteman type of use case where concealment may be a necessity.

The Yaesu VX-6R is my personal favorite handheld radio, and the one analog ham radio that I’d really trust my life to. That’s a tall claim, but this is one that has never let me down over many years of frequent use.

All major ham radio stores carry the VX-6R. Unlike its Chinese compatriots, it may not always be readily available on Amazon, though certain accessories may be had from there. Expect to spend approximately $250 on one of these radios.

The VX-6R does a lot out of the box, and far surpasses the other radios that I’ve discussed in terms of information gathering. Its wide-band receiver capabilities enable it to listen in on HF and shortwave transmissions, AM airband traffic, and broadcast radio. However, since it is an FCC-compliant ham radio, it does come locked to the 2m/1.5m/70cm VHF and UHF ham bands.

Unlike the Chinese radios, which often play fast and loose with FCC rules, the VX-6R does require a hardware MARS (Military Auxiliary Radio System) modification to open it up for use on FRS/GMRS and MURS frequencies. This can be purchased as a $35 add-on service from distributors such as Ham Radio Outlet and Gigaparts, or it can be done yourself, if you’re so inclined.

Recently, support for the VX-6R has reached Chirp, so it’s no longer necessary to purchase a third party programmer such the one from RT-Systems, though their programming cable is quite good. The radio doesn’t come with a programming cable.

The requirement of a hardware MARS/CAP mod is probably the biggest hurdle to adoptability of this radio for non-HAM purposes. One must either be comfortable with working on electronics or willing to spend a little extra to purchase the radio from a source that can do the modification on your behalf.

Unlocking Your VX-6R with the MARS Mod

Unlocking the VX-6R is straightforward but does require some basic electronics skills and tools. You will need a soldering iron and soldering wick to perform the operation.

Step 1. Remove the battery and peel back the protective film in the battery compartment to expose the circuit board.

Step 2. Identify the soldered jumpers (4th and 5th from the left) underneath the cutout on the PCB.

Step 3. Use your heated soldering iron and soldering wick to loosen and remove the jumpers, and make sure that everything is cleaned up.

Step 5. Reset the microprocessor by holding down the [mode], [0], and [V/M] buttons simultaneously while powering on the unit.

Step 6. Press the [F] key when prompted to do so.

If you have any pre-existing channel settings, this will wipe them out, so you’ll need to reload them with your programming software. However, at this point in time, you’re good to go and can transmit outside of the amateur radio bands.

Resilience is another place where the Yaesu VX-6R shines. It’s marketed as submersible and has a JIS7 rating that’s roughly equivalent to an IPx7 rating. It can be submerged in about 1m of water for 30 or so minutes without any damage. The waterproofing is bolstered by both a gasket-and-screw system on the accessory jack, as well as a locking battery compartment.

Underneath the battery is a removable waterproof membrane that allows access to the circuit board area necessary for conducting the MARS/CAP mod or for installing expansion modules.

The Yaesu VX-6R has a solid accessory system. Amplified and unamplified PTTs with the waterproof connector can be had from Disco32 or Armorwerx, allowing you to use both high-impedance commercial and low-impedance military headsets with the radio. While this handset’s dimensions are shorter than many of its competitors, including the others covered in this review, there are vendors such as Spectre Gear which make MOLLE-compatible radio pouches specifically for its form factor.

Additionally, while the VX-6R is an analog radio (though it does support the proprietary Wires protocol for talking to Internet-linked radio systems), the same waterproof connection is used by the Motorola/Vertex Standard EVX-S24 digital (DMR) radio. Thus, for groups leveraging Tier 2 DMR to communicate, you can have one gear setup which supports both radios as needed.

With a wide-band receiver, tri-band transmit, good third-party support, and rugged construction, the Yaesu VX-6R is perhaps the ultimate analog radio for the preparedness-minded individual. Perhaps its only drawback is the belt clip, which lacks spring loading and should not be clipped through PALS webbing without a dummy cord.

For those who like quantifiable points of comparison, here’s a breakdown my rating on a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being the highest rating) for each radio against each criteria:

Communications is key to mission success and survival. Just like firearms, having the best you can afford and will carry and train with regularly is important. The quality, availability of aftermarket accessories, and ease of operation is also a key consideration. But unlike firearms, you can’t make your choice solely based on your own preferences — your radio needs to work with the radios carried by everyone you need to talk to.

While none of these radios are perfect, they each have their strengths, and I own them all for different purposes. The UV-9R is a rugged radio that anyone who has ever used another Baofeng platform will instantly understand, but which will hold up to more abuse than the UV-5R at a similar price point.

The Radioddity GS-5B’s unique features make it an excellent choice for public safety volunteers, and it’s earned a place in my SAR turnout kit. The Yaesu VX-6R’s rugged reliability, wide-band receiver, and capacity for expansion makes it a tool I’d trust my life to.

Regardless of your budget or what you’re preparing for, you should ensure you have multiple methods of communication with as many people as possible. Even if your cell phone is your primary day-to-day comms device, don’t forget that it’s fragile, susceptible to fast battery depletion, and reliant on signal from a network of towers that can be easily disrupted.

A quality handheld radio can communicate directly with your friends and family — no network or monthly payments required — and will be durable enough to withstand a variety of outdoor activities. These radios are my personal recommendations depending on your budget, but that doesn’t mean they’re the last word. I encourage you to use this framework to determine what’s important to you and evaluate your options accordingly.

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Editor’s Note: This article has been modified from its original version for the web.

Our Thoughts

The importance of communication in survival situations cannot be overstated. The author’s emphasis on it as a fundamental element of the tactical triad, along with shooting and moving, sets the tone for the rest of the article.

The author’s analysis of different handheld radios is thorough and insightful. The focus on factors such as availability, interoperability, usability, durability, and ecosystem provides a comprehensive framework for evaluating these devices. This approach is particularly useful for beginners or those looking to upgrade their equipment.

The author’s recommendations are well-reasoned, taking into account various price points and needs. The detailed examination of the Baofeng UV-9R Plus, Radioddity GS5B, and Yaesu VX-6R provides readers with practical options to consider.

The article also underscores the importance of adaptability and compatibility in emergency communication equipment. It’s a crucial reminder that the value of a radio lies not just in its individual features, but also in its ability to connect with others.

Finally, the author’s emphasis on the importance of having multiple methods of communication, including handheld radios, is a valuable takeaway. It serves as a reminder that being prepared is not just about having the right equipment, but also about having a robust and adaptable communication strategy.