5W/10W SDR covering HF through 70cm with a built-in sound card, GPS, Wi-Fi, and D-STAR, packaged in a rig you can toss in a go-bag.

I’ve hauled the IC-705 to parks, summits, and field days all year, and it continues to feel like an IC-7300 that shrank into a shoulder bag. The direct-sampling SDR delivers a clean waterfall and IF DSP that makes weak-signal CW or FT8 possible even with a 10W cap. I pair the radio with the LC-192 backpack and a compact end-fed half wave; setup takes minutes thanks to the built-in GPS (for APRS and time sync), Wi-Fi hotspot, and a USB-C battery bank feeding 13.8V. The internal sound card and CI-V control mean WSJT-X, Vara HF, or Winlink sessions are one cable away on my Surface Go. Battery life with the BP-272 hovers around 3 hours at 5W SSB mixed use, but an external Bioenno pack lets me run 10W all afternoon. The chassis runs a little warm during long digital sessions, so I keep a small stand in the kit, and of course the price is steep. Still, for an all-mode shack-in-a-box that handles HF, 6m, 2m, 70cm, D-STAR, GPS logging, and network control, nothing else on the market touches it.

Icom IC-705 All-Mode Portable SDR Transceiver with GPS

Icom IC-705 All-Mode Portable Transceiver

USB software‑defined radio (SDR) receiver covering a wide frequency range for exploring and decoding radio signals.

The RTL-SDR Blog V3 is still the easiest way to fall down the RF rabbit hole. For under $50 you get HF coverage via the direct sampling mode, native bias-tee power for active antennas, and a rugged aluminum shell that rejects interference better than the cheap dongles. Over the last year I’ve used it with SDR# on Windows, CubicSDR on macOS, and a Raspberry Pi running rtl_tcp to monitor ADS-B, decode NOAA APT weather images, listen to trunked P25, and pull APRS packets. The included dipole kit works for VHF/UHF experiments, and clipping on a random wire unlocks HF listening down to 500 kHz. You’ll need to mind USB noise (a ferrite choke helps) and it’s receive-only, but for exploring the RF spectrum, protocol reverse-engineering, or building spectrum dashboards, the V3 remains a fantastic toolkit staple.

USB software-defined radio covering 500 kHz to 1.7 GHz. Perfect for exploring RF spectrum, decoding signals, and monitoring ADS-B and weather satellites.

RTL-SDR Blog V3 USB Software-Defined Radio Receiver

RTL-SDR Blog V3 USB Radio

Compact handheld VHF/UHF transceiver with 1.44-inch color LCD, USB-C charging, Bluetooth programming, and multi-band receive capabilities.

I picked up the 2025 refresh of the TD-H3 as a travel HT and it’s impressive for the price. The 1.44-inch color LCD and on-screen menus make it easier to navigate than Baofeng-style radios, Bluetooth programming via Odmaster works with my phone, and USB-C charging means one cable in my go bag. RF performance is solid for 5 W on VHF/UHF, and the wider receive covers air band and NOAA easily. I swapped the stock antenna for a Nagoya NA-771 to stretch range, but for repeaters and simplex it’s perfectly usable. Scan rates are still slow and there’s no native APRS, yet as a sub-$40 Part 97 handheld for emergencies or newcomers, it’s great.

TidRadio TD-H3 VHF/UHF Handheld with Color Display

TidRadio TD-H3

The official ARRL study guide for upgrading to Extra Class amateur radio license, the highest level granting all privileges. Features the complete question pool, detailed explanations, and advanced operating guidance.

The ARRL Extra Class License Manual 13th Edition is the definitive resource for reaching the highest level of amateur radio licensing. As a Technician class operator, I'm looking ahead to potentially pursuing Extra Class someday to gain all operating privileges, and this manual provides a comprehensive look at what that journey would entail. The Extra exam is significantly more challenging—it covers advanced electronics theory, complex propagation calculations, antenna design principles, and operating practices that go well beyond Technician and General Class material. What makes this manual appear effective is how it breaks down complex topics into digestible sections while maintaining the depth needed to truly understand the material. The question pool is integrated throughout each chapter, so you learn the underlying theory rather than just memorizing answers. The sections on advanced propagation, antenna modeling, and digital signal processing look particularly valuable—topics that separate Extra Class operators from lower license classes. The practice exams appear to accurately reflect the difficulty and format of the actual test, and the ARRL's reputation ensures the material is current with the latest question pool. If you're considering committing to the most challenging amateur radio exam, this manual appears to be the study resource you'd need. Passing Extra Class opens up all amateur radio privileges, and this book would be your path to getting there.

Official ARRL study guide for Extra Class amateur radio license with complete question pool. Highest level license granting all operating privileges.

ARRL Extra Class License Manual 13th Edition Guide

ARRL Extra Class License Manual 13th Edition – Complete Study Guide

The official ARRL study guide for upgrading to General Class amateur radio license, featuring the complete question pool, detailed explanations, and advanced operating guidance for experienced hams.

The ARRL General Class License Manual 10th Edition is the essential resource for upgrading from Technician to General Class, and it maintains the same high quality as the Technician manual. As a Technician class operator, I'm considering upgrading to General to access more HF bands and operating privileges, and this manual provides a clear roadmap for that path. The General exam covers more advanced topics—deeper electronics theory, propagation modes, antenna design, and operating procedures—and this book breaks everything down in the same accessible style as the Technician manual. What I appreciate most is how it builds on Technician-level knowledge rather than assuming you remember everything, while still moving at a pace appropriate for someone ready to upgrade. The question pool is integrated throughout each chapter, so you understand the concepts behind each answer rather than just memorizing. The sections on HF propagation, antenna theory, and digital modes look particularly valuable—topics that are essential for General Class but weren't covered in depth at the Technician level. The practice exams appear accurate to the real test format, and the ARRL's reputation ensures the material is current with the latest question pool. If you're a Technician ready to upgrade, this manual appears to be the study resource you need.

Official ARRL study guide for General Class amateur radio license upgrade with complete question pool and detailed explanations. Essential for upgrading.

ARRL General Class License Manual 10th Edition Guide

ARRL General Class License Manual 10th Edition – Complete Study Guide

The official ARRL study guide for passing the Technician Class (entry-level) amateur radio exam, featuring the complete question pool, detailed explanations, and practical operating guidance for new hams.

The ARRL Ham Radio License Manual is the gold standard for passing your Technician Class exam, and the 5th Edition is no exception. I used this book to study for my license, and what sets it apart from other study guides is how it balances exam preparation with actual understanding. Each chapter covers a topic area (regulations, operating procedures, electronics, propagation, antennas) with clear explanations that go beyond just memorizing answers. The question pool is integrated throughout, so you learn the concepts behind each question rather than just rote memorization. The explanations are written in accessible language—you don't need an electrical engineering degree to understand how antennas work or why certain frequencies behave differently. What I appreciated most was the practical operating guidance: real-world scenarios, band plans, and etiquette that you'll actually use once you're licensed. The practice exams at the end are spot-on for the actual test format, and the ARRL's reputation means you can trust the material is current and accurate. Whether you're studying solo or in a class, this manual is the foundation you need. I passed my exam on the first try, and I still reference this book when I need to look up regulations or refresh my understanding of propagation.

Official ARRL study guide for Technician Class amateur radio exam with complete question pool and detailed explanations. Essential for passing your license.

ARRL Ham Radio License Manual 5th Edition Technician

ARRL Ham Radio License Manual 5th Edition – Technician Class Study Guide

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