Uploaded August 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
📡 Can the Lowly HT Really Handle It? Find out in this field-tested breakdown of using a handheld ham radio (HT) as your primary radio for events. From Winlink to APRS tracking, messaging and voice communication, we put the HT to the test in real-world conditions.
In this video, we cover:
✅ Important considerations before using an HT at public service or emergency events
✅ Antenna upgrades that boost HT performance
✅ Battery life, and usability in the field
✅ Real-world use cases for HT-based Winlink, APRS beacons, APRS digipeater, and reliable voice comms
✅ How an HT compares to mobile and base stations in practice
Whether you’re new to amateur radio or a seasoned ham looking to simplify your gear setup, this video explores what’s really possible with a handheld transceiver.
🔧 Gear Used:
Kenwood D72/D74/D75
Btech UV Pro
Retevis RA89
Yaesu VX6
Yaseu FT5
🔹My Favorite Gear - amazon.com/shop/km4ack
🔹Links mentioned in the video
Retevis RA89 HT - amzn.to/3JjwnZG
Diamond RH519 - amzn.to/4mLBG2T
Btech UV-Pro - amzn.to/4m1LuWs
Telescoping Antenna: amzn.to/44ZykmG
Ed Fong - edsantennas.weebly.com
SignalStuff Antenna - signalstuff.com/product/super-elastic-signal-stick-bnc/?ref=2223
BNC Adapter SMA Female - amzn.to/452CeLF
BNC Adapter SMA Male - amzn.to/4l4zaDj
Gear Patch - https://km4ack.square.site/shop/morale-patches/3?page=1
N9TAX - ebay.com/itm/222236729091?_skw=n9tax+jpole+antenna&itmmeta=01K1TP8D6RJM0HV7NA45HM4EQK&hash=item33be575f03:g:OM0AAOSw~gRVtuLk&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAAA0FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1feOMdSvOAkQaeYW%2B09Aj4d8RfbsMGA3hMd%2Bjz5JBaxtaZKHbeVmL3hhrPw1%2FpjiGl8yjNnKuvOKxHXkx12od2iS9po9kO3RrWMtErIx7RXz37LjdkduLMbikUWQA6E%2BbPmY4K0vzOA3%2Bp0Q4mEry2fqYggGayzy1ofA9OYw0ppOxuqkAQQ012IUpql3t8QI18cLADK8c%2Fp04u7JzGlHEWAu50tDM3H4g%2FA21er2iWgAo0vTdj0ZB%2Ft7SVQ%2FTgzFd8%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR8TTodaOZg
🔹Raspberry Pi Build Guide - tiny.cc/pi4guide
🔹Frequently Asked Questions - tiny.cc/km4ack-faq
🔹Weekly Newsletter - https://mailchi.mp/40da1fe472e3/km4acknewsletter
🔹Follow Me
Twitter @km4ack
🔹FREE Get Started Guide - tiny.cc/getstartedguide
🔹Cool Ham Gear - km4ack.com
🔹Support the channel through Patreon - patreon.com/km4ack
🔹Did you just get a raspberry pi and want to hook it up to your radio? Start here youtu.be/E1SEgPFQk4M
Want your raspberry pi to play nice with your ham radio? Are you into digital modes like FT8, JS8Call, FLDIGI, Winlink, APRS, Digipeaters and others? Each week I put out new content showing you exactly what steps to take to get the latest ham radio software on your raspberry pi. Whether you just want to ragchew or are seriously into emergency preparedness, emcomm, or ARES and want to learn all you can about using the raspberry pi to drive your ham radio, this channel has something for you. Be sure to click the subscribe button and ring the bell before heading off. That way you will get notified of all future videos.
🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
📡 Can the Lowly HT Really Handle It? Find out in this field-tested breakdown of using a handheld ham radio (HT) as your primary radio for events. From Winlink to APRS tracking, messaging and voice communication, we put the HT to the test in real-world conditions.
In this video, we cover:
✅ Important considerations before using an HT at public service or emergency events
✅ Antenna upgrades that boost HT performance
✅ Battery life, and usability in the field
✅ Real-world use cases for HT-based Winlink, APRS beacons, APRS digipeater, and reliable voice comms
✅ How an HT compares to mobile and base stations in practice
Whether you’re new to amateur radio or a seasoned ham looking to simplify your gear setup, this video explores what’s really possible with a handheld transceiver.
🔧 Gear Used:
Kenwood D72/D74/D75
Btech UV Pro
Retevis RA89
Yaesu VX6
Yaseu FT5
🔹My Favorite Gear - amazon.com/shop/km4ack
🔹Links mentioned in the video
Retevis RA89 HT - amzn.to/3JjwnZG
Diamond RH519 - amzn.to/4mLBG2T
Btech UV-Pro - amzn.to/4m1LuWs
Telescoping Antenna: amzn.to/44ZykmG
Ed Fong - edsantennas.weebly.com
SignalStuff Antenna - signalstuff.com/product/super-elastic-signal-stick-bnc/?ref=2223
BNC Adapter SMA Female - amzn.to/452CeLF
BNC Adapter SMA Male - amzn.to/4l4zaDj
Gear Patch - https://km4ack.square.site/shop/morale-patches/3?page=1
N9TAX - ebay.com/itm/222236729091?_skw=n9tax+jpole+antenna&itmmeta=01K1TP8D6RJM0HV7NA45HM4EQK&hash=item33be575f03:g:OM0AAOSw~gRVtuLk&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAAA0FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1feOMdSvOAkQaeYW%2B09Aj4d8RfbsMGA3hMd%2Bjz5JBaxtaZKHbeVmL3hhrPw1%2FpjiGl8yjNnKuvOKxHXkx12od2iS9po9kO3RrWMtErIx7RXz37LjdkduLMbikUWQA6E%2BbPmY4K0vzOA3%2Bp0Q4mEry2fqYggGayzy1ofA9OYw0ppOxuqkAQQ012IUpql3t8QI18cLADK8c%2Fp04u7JzGlHEWAu50tDM3H4g%2FA21er2iWgAo0vTdj0ZB%2Ft7SVQ%2FTgzFd8%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR8TTodaOZg
🔹Raspberry Pi Build Guide - tiny.cc/pi4guide
🔹Frequently Asked Questions - tiny.cc/km4ack-faq
🔹Weekly Newsletter - https://mailchi.mp/40da1fe472e3/km4acknewsletter
🔹Follow Me
Twitter @km4ack
🔹FREE Get Started Guide - tiny.cc/getstartedguide
🔹Cool Ham Gear - km4ack.com
🔹Support the channel through Patreon - patreon.com/km4ack
🔹Did you just get a raspberry pi and want to hook it up to your radio? Start here youtu.be/E1SEgPFQk4M
Want your raspberry pi to play nice with your ham radio? Are you into digital modes like FT8, JS8Call, FLDIGI, Winlink, APRS, Digipeaters and others? Each week I put out new content showing you exactly what steps to take to get the latest ham radio software on your raspberry pi. Whether you just want to ragchew or are seriously into emergency preparedness, emcomm, or ARES and want to learn all you can about using the raspberry pi to drive your ham radio, this channel has something for you. Be sure to click the subscribe button and ring the bell before heading off. That way you will get notified of all future videos.
🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
