What’s Your Daily Carry Handheld Radio?

Here’s mine — Tidradio TD-H3. I carry it pretty much everywhere. It’s small enough to clip on and forget about, it is inexpensive, but still solid for hitting local repeaters. Perfect daily carry.

I keep it on my desk at work most days too — just in case something interesting pops up.
And yep, it works on my local GMRS repeaters too... "allegedly" 😏

Snapped this next to my HamLike.com reusable aluminum water bottle. Gotta represent!

That's an interesting choice. Mine is the Yaesu FT-70DR.

Never tried that one myself, how do you like it? It looks pretty rugged. 2m & 70cm? You mostly using it on FM or playing around with the digital side too?

Mine is the Tidradio TD-H8
A rugged inexpensivw HT that performs well on 2m/440/gmrs
I am a HT collector I have 15 so far

@"W8FIK"#p225 Dang, 15 HTs?! That’s awesome. Sounds like you’ve got a whole radio zoo going on 😂

What made you land on the TD-H8 as your daily carry? Curious if it's just the performance or something else that makes it your top pick right now.

well I am a disabled old guy living on a low income.
The H8 is built like a tank and in my price range
Sure I would like a higher quality Higher price radio, just cant
Im told the radio audio is clear, especially with the speaker mic
I have a pacemaker and a speaker mic keeps the rf away from my chest

2nd I have some vision issues and the Display on the H8 is lartge and clear for me to see and use

It does all that I need it to do for around $50

I am a HT addict I have 15 so far
This radio works better for me in my point in life

Tom

@"W8FIK"#p227 Thanks for sharing, Tom. That’s what it’s all about, finding what works best for you. Sounds like the H8 fits your needs perfectly, and honestly, that’s more impressive than just chasing the high-end gear.

15 HTs though… that’s awesome! Do you have a favorite one just for nostalgia or collecting, even if it doesn’t get much airtime?

Well thats a tough one
You know some people collect rocks of shells...I like radios
Benn a ham since the mid 1980s
Disabled now so HTs are a fit for me
many of my HTs are given to me free
when I am in a facebook group for Tidradio or Baofen...etc
If people whine about the HT I say send it to me.
and occasionally they do
I take a couple broken ones, restore tham into one
and give them to someone who is starting into ham or GMRS
People can get my adress off QRZ easy enough
Better than seeing them in the trash

My favorite are the H* or Btech BF F8HP Pro
Both have great displays that I can see on days when I dont feel so well

so do you have any unused HTs around the shack?

Tom the HT collector

@"W8FIK"#p230 That’s such a cool approach, Tom. You’re not just into radios, you’ve built a whole purpose around them. Fixing up old HTs and passing them along to new folks? That’s the kind of thing the hobby really needs more of.

I’ve got a couple HTs sitting around myself, probably overdue for some attention. Might be time to follow your lead. What’s one you fixed up that you were really proud of?

just glad to keep stuff out of the trash and give them away to get some new folks into this radio fun
Im running low on things to work on so im trying to get some more donations lol
i just live off my social security cant afford to buy much

My info is on QRZ if you know anyone who might have anything to keep me busy

@"W8FIK"#p233
I’ll definitely keep you in mind if I come across anything. What kind of radios do you usually take? Are there certain types that just aren’t useful for what you do? Would be good to know so I can pass the word along right.