Hand-held Radio Recommendation

J

jcurry

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Jan 19, 2024
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Jcurry
Hello,
I am looking for a good basic mid-grade handheld radio as a backup. I only need it to transmit and receive as well as accept headset jacks. I don't want navigation or any other features. The more basic the better. I will be only be using it if my primary fails. I'm looking for a model recommendation.

Thanks,
Jack
 
www.sportys.com

PJ2+ COM Radio (with PJ jacks)

Building on the success of the PJ2 COM radio, the patented PJ2+ continues to set the bar for what a handheld aviation radio can do. In addition to standard GA headsets jacks, the PJ2+ also features a 3.5mm jack to accommodate wired earbuds or a computer headset.
www.sportys.com www.sportys.com


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Many years ago, late 1980s, I bought an Icom A22 handheld. Still going strong (though this model is discontinued) and I have used it from 10,000 feet with just the rubber antenna when my panel radios failed. I have had the nicad battery rebuilt twice for about $45 (last time nine years ago). There are lots of others out there, but I am extremely satisfied with Icom.
 
Gilbert Buettner said:
Many years ago, late 1980s, I bought an Icom A22 handheld. Still going strong (though this model is discontinued) and I have used it from 10,000 feet with just the rubber antenna when my panel radios failed. I have had the nicad battery rebuilt twice for about $45 (last time nine years ago). There are lots of others out there, but I am extremely satisfied with Icom.
Click to expand...
Where, how did you get that battery rebuilt?

I have an old Icom, those things are darn near bulletproof, but the battery charge is getting to be a problem.
 
I have a Yaesu. The radio performance is okay, but the display is very hard to read in daylight. Before you buy a radio, I suggest you take it outside in bright sunlight and make sure you can read the display.
 
Gilbert Buettner said:
Many years ago, late 1980s, I bought an Icom A22 handheld. Still going strong (though this model is discontinued) and I have used it from 10,000 feet with just the rubber antenna when my panel radios failed. I have had the nicad battery rebuilt twice for about $45 (last time nine years ago). There are lots of others out there, but I am extremely satisfied with Icom.
Click to expand...

I also have an Icom A22. What a great radio! I'd be interested to know who can rebuild the battery as I've bought replacement batteries (China junk seems to be all that's available) and they don't last. I used to use the nav feature in my ultralight ... ;)
 
Matthew said:
Where, how did you get that battery rebuilt?

I have an old Icom, those things are darn near bulletproof, but the battery charge is getting to be a problem.
Click to expand...
BatteriesAmerica sells affordable replacement packs, and also sells AA battery cases. Eneloop cells hold their charge for a long time. Also, I've squeezed a couple LiPo cells and a protection board in one of those cases, for extra battery life/transmit power.

Replacement pack:
batteriesamerica.com

CM-166: 12 volt 1300mAh rechargeable NiMH battery for ICOM IC-A22 IC-A3

CM-166 : 12 volt 1300mAh rechargeable LONG LIFE Ni-MHl Metal Hydride battery for ICOM IC-A22 & IC-A3 radios. Battery is 3.25" tall (same size as original). Provides High-Watt transmit power, and LONGER operating time. Replaces original ICOM CM-166. It can be re-charged 3 ways: (1) with Wall...
batteriesamerica.com batteriesamerica.com

Battery case (will definitely fit a 3s LiPo pack, and it might even fit a USB-C charger board):
batteriesamerica.com

CM-167: Alkaline Battery Case for ICOM IC-A22 IC-A3 radios

IN STOCK. CM-167: Alkaline battery case for ICOM IC-A22 & IC-A3 handheld aircraft radios. This is a Batteries America brand exclusive product. Replaces the original CM-167 case. Load with 10 x AA alkaline or AA Lithium batteries for instant high-watt power & operation. Replaces original part...
batteriesamerica.com batteriesamerica.com
 
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I have a sportys pj2+ that works great. I did have an antenna installed in the airplane for better reception.
 
AV8R_87 said:
BatteriesAmerica sells affordable replacement packs, and also sells AA battery cases. Eneloop cells hold their charge for a long time. Also, I've squeezed a couple LiPo cells and a protection board in one of those cases, for extra battery life/transmit power.

Replacement pack:
batteriesamerica.com

CM-166: 12 volt 1300mAh rechargeable NiMH battery for ICOM IC-A22 IC-A3

CM-166 : 12 volt 1300mAh rechargeable LONG LIFE Ni-MHl Metal Hydride battery for ICOM IC-A22 & IC-A3 radios. Battery is 3.25" tall (same size as original). Provides High-Watt transmit power, and LONGER operating time. Replaces original ICOM CM-166. It can be re-charged 3 ways: (1) with Wall...
batteriesamerica.com batteriesamerica.com

Battery case (will definitely fit a 3s LiPo pack, and it might even fit a USB-C charger board):
batteriesamerica.com

CM-167: Alkaline Battery Case for ICOM IC-A22 IC-A3 radios

IN STOCK. CM-167: Alkaline battery case for ICOM IC-A22 & IC-A3 handheld aircraft radios. This is a Batteries America brand exclusive product. Replaces the original CM-167 case. Load with 10 x AA alkaline or AA Lithium batteries for instant high-watt power & operation. Replaces original part...
batteriesamerica.com batteriesamerica.com
Click to expand...
If it were me, I'd fill the empty case with primary (non-rechargeable) lithium batteries, e.g. Li-SOCl2 (lithium thionyl chloride) or Li-FeS2 ("Energizer Ultimate Lithium").

If had to actually use the radio in a non-emergency from time to time, I'd supplement the case with the NiMH pack or fill a second case with Eneloop-type cells or something like these:
coastportland.com

ZITHION-X AA Rechargeable Batteries

COAST ZXAA lithium batteries offer longer runtimes, broad compatibility, and optimized circuitry that prevents flickering, overheating, and damage. Leak-proof casing stops corrosion, and USB-C allows quick recharging. Each battery supports 1000 recharges, promoting cost savings and waste reduction.
coastportland.com coastportland.com
 
frfly172 said:
I have a sportys pj2+ that works great. I did have an antenna installed in the airplane for better reception.
Click to expand...

Same here, no complaints. Can't speak to the rechargeable battery issues mentioned above, mine has the original six-AA battery pack (good enough to listen to AWOS before starting up and powering it by the USB port.)

I think I've mentioned it on this forum before, but I'll post it again for posterity in case anyone finds this in a web search. My airplane is all wood and cloth without much of a ground plane, so I used this dipole Sirio 'MD 118-137' antenna. It routinely picks up CTAF at an airport ~100 nm away, and I've confirmed I can transmit ~40 nm. With the big antenna, I was getting some FM radio interference toward the bottom of the air band until I installed a Mini Circuits ZBSF-95-N+ band stop filter. All good now.
 
Daleandee said:
I also have an Icom A22. What a great radio! I'd be interested to know who can rebuild the battery as I've bought replacement batteries (China junk seems to be all that's available) and they don't last. I used to use the nav feature in my ultralight ... ;)
Click to expand...
I had the nicad battery rebuilt by Batteries +.
 
I used my Icom hard when flying gliders and the towplane. In the glider I plugged in a speaker-mic and clipped the mic on my shoulder harness and dropped the radio in the side pocket. For towing I’d leave it on when on the ground and sitting in the shade. It’s pretty heavily water resistant, so a rain never worried me, and it’s loud so I could clip it on my belt and hear it well. I’ve used it in a 172 once or twice to see if it works, it does.
 
PJ2+ about $200

Works great, no headset adapters. Can get AWOS and clearance on ground. Better with real antenna hook in - poor transmission range in metal aircraft with rubber duckie. But that’s true of all handhelds.

Use the AA battery pack with lithiums. Rechargeable makes little sense for an emergency radio. It might be years before used and the lithiums will still work.
 
Love my old (A14?) Icom. Bought it 20 years ago and it's still going strong. Of course, I was without an airplane for 12 of those years - but still used it to monitor traffic if we went to an airshow or traveled near an airport. I carry it all the time, monitor tower/ground when I'm tinkering in the hangar and have it as a backup. It still holds a charge all day (probably longer) and it's the original battery. I just (last week) bought the optional adapter so I can plug in my headset and, more effectively, have it as a comm backup in the plane.
 
I have the Yaesu FTA-750.
I love it.
The GPS, VOR, and ILS functions all work just fine. I've used therm all.
 
I also went with the PJ2+ for simplicity. If you're in Cruise, odds are you'd have lots of time to dig around and get the radio and the required headset adapter. But what if you need the radio sooner than later?

PJ2+ makes it easy to just grab, plug and talk/listen.
 
M20K said:
I also went with the PJ2+ for simplicity. If you're in Cruise, odds are you'd have lots of time to dig around and get the radio and the required headset adapter. But what if you need the radio sooner than later?
Click to expand...
Then you stop messing around with the radio and fly the airplane.
 
I have the Yaesu FTA-720. Purchased it for a flight to the Bahamas because it's submersible. Thankfully it's never been submersed. It's 10-year's old and still works great. You can plug a headset into the top if it with an adapter.
 
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