Portable aviation radios - how to choose the right one (Sporty's, Icom, Yaesu)

A portable aviation radio is a smart insurance policy for pilots, offering backup communications and sometimes navigation. But how do you choose the right one? Sporty's radio expert Doug Ranly shares some tips in this video.
Shop all radios: www.sportys.co...
There's no perfect radio for every pilot. It's a matter of matching the right product to your type of flying and your needs. For simplicity, the Sporty's radios can't be beat. They feature easy operation and pilot-friendly features, including built-in headset jacks on the PJ2 and a full ILS display on the SP-400. Icom has a great reputation for making reliable radios, and they have options from basic, COM-only models to deluxe ones with Bluetooth. Finally, Yaesu offers a variety of radios at excellent prices, including on with a GPS receiver.
Shop Sporty's radios: www.sportys.co...
Shop Icom radios: www.sportys.co...
Shop Yaesu radios: www.sportys.co...

[@spadesshadow]

Id really like to see a closer look at that poster you have.

[@joedidit3233]

Also close-ups of each radio as they were shown and explained would have been very helpful.

[@justind9535]

Awesome video I appreciate the simple, yet informative overview of the features, capabilities, and limitations of each radio

[@henrychinaski846]

Great video and advice! Recommending the best device for the mission and not just selling the most expensive one is how customers appreciate it. Thanks a lot from Bavaria, Germany. I'm in sales too soloed already and will be a happy 50yo pilot soon😊

[@floppygdog]

Thank you, I’ve been asking around and your description is the best.

[@steelers4srilanka]

Solid info. Thank you sir!

[@rhampton1914]

I like the PJ2..Thanks for your review

[@Power1482VIDSSTUDIOPOWER]

Im a student pilot and I want to have a radio going in the basement of my house, I live about 6 miles away from the airfield I fly out of. Do you have any recommendations for a radio?

[@LouisLupz]

Sir. Which one would you recommend for a J-3/T-craft on cross country flight?

[@andrewhale12345]

Very good review!

[@freddi7588]

In Australia, youcan not buy a VHF radio unless you have a certification an license

[@user-my8zo8uh3n]

Tell that to ebay you should put legaly i know heap just average drone operators bought and are using them just let pilots know that they are flying in the area

[@anonymousjohndoe]

Great content

[@andrasszabo4019]

such unfortunate that the Sportys don't support 8.33 bandwidth... =(

[@Chazfunaccount]

Can the Yaesu 550AA use rechargeable lithium-ion batteries?

[@GVSolo]

It depends of the battery tray that you use. Yaesu warns that some of its trays aren't designed to handle rechargeable batteries. I suggest that you download the manuals from Yaesu and read into them if you haven't done so. If you plan to use the radio a lot then consider purchasing a secondary battery pack as a backup and that you have what you need to charge the radio in flight. .

[@calebdrake3544]

so...how much are the icon radios?

[@thomasmanson1119]

What’s that Yaesu comm-only radio you refer to?

[@Boebus666]

FTA 250 and 450

[@sonamtamang2909]

I need headset

[@kurtreber9813]

Bose A20. $1200. The best.

[@stephenyoungblood3683]

I like Sportys, but if I was Icom, I’d find another rep. Just sayin’.

[@bobjohn2000]

I mean, he was honest. Icom radios are clearly not designed for backup situations, their main purpose is for ground crew, and their radios are great for that.

[@kurtreber9813]

@@bobjohn2000 unless the Icoms are a lot cheaper, I don't see why they would be any better than Sportys for ground crew monitoring frequencies.

[@oldrango883]

@@bobjohn2000they are ok but not great. We use them in our agency and they are weak and extremely basic!

[@actioncamera1284]

Hopefully you need a piolets licensee to purchase one. You would not want these getting into the wrong hands. I know with ham radios, you need a license to operate or posses transmitting equipment. I seen used aircraft radio at a pawn shop once, they were selling it as a scanner radio.

[@FlightAce100]

I just bought one and I don't have a pilot's license (yet), just for listening to delivery and clearance. I was wondering the same thing, what's stopping random people from using them inappropriately?

[@actioncamera1284]

@@FlightAce100 Prison time! The FCC would take it very seriously and track interference down fast.

[@kurtreber9813]

At Wichester VA airport, we hear people playing on 121.5 a lot. Anyone can buy these radios

[@oldrango883]

These ICOMs are shit, the sporty have better options but Yaesu 850L is King!

[@dagsabot5589]

What does comm only mean?

[@Duck01740]

Communications only (radio traffic) no GPS/Navigation