I had a look at the best aviation handheld radios from Yaesu and Icom among others to identify the ones that you can confidently rely on when flying.
I identified theYaesu FTA-750Las the best overall aviation handheld radio. It has everything a pilot could ever want, including GPS and all the Navigation features like CDI, Localizer and Glidescope Navigation, a good battery life, and even includes accessories like an alkaline battery case.
Top Pick The most featured packed radio on the market. Everything a pilot could ever want and need from a radio.
New: $378.98
The Yaesu FTA-750L is the most feature-packed handheld radio for aviation purposes on the market, containing everything you need while flying.
It has VOR and ILS Navigation, as well as a Course Deviation Indicator (CDI). Best of all, along with the Icom IC-A25N, it is the only transceiver on this list that has GPS functionality – a 66 channel WAAS GPS receiver.
Its only downside is that I found it a little hard to get up and going when learning how to program it. Once I spent some time with the device, however, it soon became second nature.
At 14.5 ounces, the FTA750L is one of the heavier handhelds, but its Dot Matrix display is large enough at 1.7” x 1.7” to be easy to read.
Battery life stands at 12 hours, and an alkaline battery case and cigarette light adapter are included without the need to purchase them separately.
Why You Should Buy the Yaesu FTA-750L:
GPS
Localizer/Glidescope Navigation
12-hour battery life
Includes alkaline battery case and cigarette lighter adapter
Runner Up Identical to the FTA-750L but without GPS and Glidescope navigation, making it the smarter, more inexpensive choice if you can go without.
New: $290.20
The Yaesu FTA-550L is similar to the 750L in many ways. The only real difference between the two includes the less expensive 550L not coming with GPS or ILS Navigation (localizer component is included, not glidescope).
The included accessories are the same, as is the 1.7” x 1.7” Dot Matrix display, 12-hour battery life, and 200 memory channels amongst other things.
If you don’t need the GPS and Glidescope, you may as well save yourself some money and go with the cheaper FTA-550L.
Why You Should Buy the Yeasu FTA-550L
12-hour battery life
Localizer Navigation
Includes alkaline battery case and cigarette lighter adapter
Best Bluetooth Radio If you want Bluetooth the IC-A25N is your best bet. Also has GPS and every other feature a pilot could want.
Check Amazon for Pricing
If you’re looking for an aviation radio with Bluetooth you’ve found it in the Icom IC-A25N. Not only does the A25N have Bluetooth but it is also one of the very few models to also have built-in GPS.
These two features alone will make it the first port of call for anyone looking for a handheld radio. Yet the A25N also has a few other things going for it.
It has VOR Navigation CDI, as well as more memory channels than any other model at 300. Its LCD display is also oversized, measuring 1.5” x 2.0”, which I found made it easy to read. Arguably, it is easier and more intuitive to use and program than any Yaesu model too.
Battery life stands at 10.5 hours. As with all Icom units, an alkaline battery case and cigarette lighter must be purchased separately.
Top COM Only Radio COM only version version of the FTA-550L with the exact same specs and accessories but without ILS Navigation
New: $232.94
The Yaesu FTA-450L is the COM only version of the FTA-550L. The only differences between the two are that this model doesn’t come with any ILS Navigation at all. It still has the same specs, included accessories, and great reliability that Yaesu products are known for.
There is one other difference that turns out to be a plus, despite the 450L’s lower price point. Its battery life lasted at 13 hours instead of the 12 hours of the 550L and 750L.
Why You Should Buy the Yeasu FTA-450L
13.5-hour battery life
200 memory channels
Includes alkaline battery case and cigarette lighter adapter
Yaesu FTA-250L: Runner-Up
The Yeasu FTA-250L is an excellent COMM only VHF handheld radio. It is of course therefore not as feature-packed as other models by Yeasu and Icom, but it does have a couple of very strong selling points for being a COM only model, especially considering it low price point.
For one, at 10.6 ounces and measuring 2.1” x 4.1” x 1.2”, it felt very light and compact in my hands. I also found the battery life at 16 hours to be superb. It was good to see that a cigarette lighter adapter was included without the need to purchase one separately. The 250 memory channels also beat out more expensive models that come with fewer.
One thing to note is that its squelch adjustment could also be easier.
If you’re looking for an inexpensive, compact, easy to operate, COM aviation handheld radio the FTA-250L is an excellent choice.
Icom IC-A16: Transceiver With the Best Battery Life
The IC-A14 is a good aviation radio that has been trusted by many pilots over the years, so I would recommend the direct upgrade, the IC-A16.
The A16 is quite a bit lighter – in fact, it is the lightest model at just 9.1 ounces.
It has a battery life of 17 hours compared to the 18 hours of the A14, which is still superb.
Other features and enhancements include 8,33 kHz and 25 kHz spacing, greater protection (IP67 instead of IPX4), larger capacity battery (2400 mAh instead of 2000 mAh), and louder audio.
The Icom IC-A25C is the COM only version of the A25-N, so you’re won’t be getting Bluetooth, GPS, or VOR Navigation.
Considering the minimal price difference, I recommend giving the model a miss and going for the A25N instead, unless you are absolutely sure that you will not need the additional NAV channels.
You’ll find that VHF handheld radios come as COM only or both COM and NAV. Inevitably, the radio with NAV functionality, such as the Icom IC-A25N will be more expensive.
Battery Life
The battery life of a handheld aviation radio can last anywhere between just over 10 to 18 hours. Typically, with all things being equal a larger mAH rating means a longer battery life, as the battery can store more power.
Keep in mind that this isn’t always the case because it also depends on the quality of the battery itself, as well the number of features the radio has.
If a radio has GPS and ILS Navigation, for example, this will influence battery life compared to a model that doesn’t have to power this functionality. For this reason, it might sometimes be better to buy a standalone aviation GPS.
It’s also a good idea to consider if the radio you are interested in can take alkaline batteries as well as rechargeable ones.
As is whether the alkaline battery case required for this comes included or must be purchased separately. Being able to use both can certainly come in handy, and can save you money if included in the package.
Channel Spacing (25/8.33 kHz)
This isn’t usually too much of a factor to consider because 25 kHz and 8.33 kHz channel spacing is present on almost all the models.
The only exception to this is the Icom IC-A14, which only has 25 kHz. It has already been out for a while and is being discontinued and replaced by the Icom IC-A16 in any case.
This is important to know because according to EU regulations, pilots are required to use radios that have 8.33 kHz channel spacing.
Accessories
Generally, all Yaesu models come with useful accessories like an alkaline battery case and cigarette lighter adapter except the FTA-250L.
Icom radios, on the other hand, require you to purchase these accessories separately. If you buy an Icom radio and really want these accessories the cost can soon add up.
Weight/Size
The weight and size of the radio usually aren’t too much of a concern for most pilots, but it’s still something to keep in mind if you want a compact, lightweight radio that can fit in your pocket and be as easy to hold as possible.
Dot Matrix Vs. LCD Screen
There are two aspects of a radio’s display to consider: its display type and size. You will probably want a radio that doesn’t have a tiny screen, so you can read the information more easily and without squinting.
You will see that a radio either has a Dot Matrix or an LCD screen.
An LCD screen is the easier of the two to read, although considering you will likely only be viewing simple text and images this might not be too much of a concern, especially if you’re buying a COM only radio.
Additionally, I have made my recommendations based on thousands of owner reviews, and a combination of testing and firsthand experience.
FAQs
What is the range of aviation handheld radios?
The majority of VHF radios have a range of between 5 and 10 miles. Typically, more expensive models allow transmissions to be readable further away. Either way, even inexpensive radios have enough range when experiencing an emergency.
Should you buy a COM only or NAV/COM aviation radio?
Whether you should buy a COM or NAV/COM radio comes down to your needs. Some pilots do not need to depend on a radio with navigation capabilities while flying whereas others do.
Considering the price differences between the two usually aren’t huge, it might be a good idea to initially spend a little more on a NAV model if you think you will probably upgrade later down the line. Something like the Yaesu FTA-550 NAV/COM or FTA-750 are popular with pilots.
Is listening to air traffic control legal?
Listening to air traffic control is generally legal, but there are a couple of aspects to consider. I recommend referring to the FCC’s Interception and Divulgence of Radio Communications for further explanation, especially if you may be interested in buying an aviation radio, or one of the best aviation scanners, not because you are a pilot, but because you have a great interest in all things aviation.
What is the airband or aircraft band allocated to radio communication?
The group of frequencies in the VHF radio spectrum is between 108 and 137 MHz.
Helen Krasner holds a PPL(A), with 15 years experience flying fixed-wing aircraft; a PPL(H), with 13 years experience flying helicopters; and a CPL(H), Helicopter Instructor Rating, with 12 years working as a helicopter instructor.
Helen is an accomplished aviation writer with 12 years of experience, having authored several books and published numerous articles while also serving as the Editor of the BWPA (British Women Pilots Association) newsletter, with her excellent work having been recognized with her nomination of the “Aviation Journalist of the Year” award.
Helen has won the “Dawn to Dusk” International Flying Competition, along with the best all-female competitors, three times with her copilot.
