Ham radios have been around for many years, but they have evolved over time. If you are still using an older model, it is important that you explore your options.
You’ll find that many of today’s 10 meter ham radios have a lot to offer. If you need the ability to communicate with others nearby or many miles away, it is important to find the right one.
Whether you are a novice ham radio operator or a professional, you’ll definitely want to look into each of these radios. We have put together a list of the very best 10 meter ham radio models on the market today.
Best 10 Meter Ham Radios
| # | PREVIEW | Product | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
 Buy On Amazon |
|
|
|
|||
| 2 |
|
Buy On Amazon |
|
|
|
|||
| 3
Best For Higher Budgets
3Galaxy DX98VHP 10 Meter Ham Radio
|
|
Buy On Amazon |
|
|
|
|||
| 4 |
|
Buy On Amazon |
|
|
|
|||
| 5
Best Overall
5AnyTone Smart 10 Meter Ham Radio
|
|
Buy On Amazon |
|
|
|
|||
| 6
Best For Low Budgets
6President Richard 10 Meter Ham Radio
|
|
Buy On Amazon |
|
|
|
|||
1. Stryker SR-655 10 Meter Ham Radio
- High power, produces 70W PEP
- Receiver protection to work under harsh conditions
- Easy to mount in tight spaces with a front microphone connector
- 7-colour frequency display
Stryker is a reputable manufacturer and this 10-meter radio delivers a solid all-round performance. It’s a high-power model with four transistors that produce 70W PEP.
There’s a seven-colour backlit face plate and you can either choose between the seven colours or let the CPU move through the colours.
There are plenty of features, such as 32-position dimmer control, advanced clarifier, and variable power and talkback control.
There’s also a seven-colour LED backlit face plate. The front microphone connector makes for easy mounting in tight spaces. The price point is great for a model of this build quality.
Specifications
Pros
- 32 position dimmer control
- PC programmable
- Advanced clarifier
- Variable talkback control
Cons
- Needs modification to be used as a CB radio
- The mic quality could be improved
2. Connex 3300hp 10 Meter Ham Radio
- 40W AM peak power
- Talkback facility
- Lights up and can be adjusted for brightness
- Noise limiters and blankers reduce amplitude of impulse noise
This Connex radio offers solid performance and good value for money. There are six bands of radio to choose from, and it’s easy to switch between AM and FM modes.
One of the first things you might notice is this model lights up making it easier to use at night, especially on the road, and the brightness can be adjusted.
Truckers will appreciate the talkback facility and the roger beep is another great feature. The transmission quality is very good and there’s an automatic noise limiter. One note of caution, however: we noted several user reviews mentioning issues with build quality.
Specifications
Pros
- Dual Mosfet finals
- Easy to switch between AM and FM modes
- Roger beep
- Automatic noise limiter
Cons
- Takes some tuning and peaking to achieve the best performance
- Needs modification to be used as a CB radio
3. Galaxy DX98VHP 10 Meter Ham Radio
- High power (can push 200W of modulation)
- 3 in 1 meter for easy monitoring of SWR, power, and signal strength
- Variable talkback control
- AM carrier adjustable from 10 to 50 watts
This is a very powerful radio that can push 200W of modulation with 8 Mosfet final transistors. There are two quiet internal fans to keep the radio cool and optimise the operating time.
The blue Starlite faceplate makes it easy to read the display day or night, and the channel and frequency displays are lit with blue LEDs which have a dimmer control.
There are AM/LSB/USB modes, although no FM. The AM carrier is adjustable from 10 to 50 watts. There’s variable RF gain control to increase or decrease received signals, and talkback control, to adjust the talkback level.
Specifications
Pros
- Blue LED frequency and channel display
- AM/USB/LSB Modes
- Two internal fans to cool the heat sink
- Variable RF Gain Control to increase or decrease received signals
Cons
- No FM mode
- Higher price point than some comparable brands
4. Stryker SR-955hpc 10 Meter Ham Radio
- Four Mosfets produce over 70W PEP
- AM/FM/SSB operation
- Advanced NB/ANL circuit to reduce interference
- 32 position dimmer control
This is a lightweight CB radio, at just six pounds. It uses four Mosfet transistors that produce over 70W PEP, and there are AM, FM and SSB modes, unusual for a radio at this price point.
The LED backlit faceplate has seven colours to choose from, or you can let the CPU controller scan through the colours. The built-in mic delivers great quality sound. There’s good signal reception and the advanced NB/ANL circuit reduces interference.
An automatic calibrating SWR meter allows for precise measurements and the front microphone connector means it’s easy to mount this radio in tight spaces.
Specifications
Pros
- Seven-color LED backlit faceplate
- Hi-cut noise filter
- Receiver protection works under harsh conditions
- Advanced clarifier
Cons
- Roger beep cannot be customised
- Some user reviews mention quality issues
5. AnyTone Smart 10 Meter Ham Radio
- Low-cost amateur radio
- Power output of 8 Watts FM/AM
- Compact model at just 3.9 inches wide
- Automatic and manual squelch control
The very low price of this AnyTone model makes it great value, and an ideal ‘starter’ 10-meter radio. You could fit this small model almost anywhere, since it measures just 3.9 inches wide.
The front panel is clear and easy to operate, with an LCD display, and buttons for automatic or manual squelch control, RF gain control, Ch9/Ch19/keypad lock and a mode/scan key.
The microphone is of reasonable quality for this price point, with a simple push to talk button on the side and up and down buttons to change channels.
For the cost of this model, we were impressed with the sound quality and the power, and it would be a great extra unit to take on the road for holidays or to tune into traffic reports.
Specifications
Pros
- LCD display
- RF Gain control
- Ideal for a holiday road trip
- Simple front panel to operate
Cons
- Several users mention that the instruction manual isn’t very clear
- Can be easy to accidentally bump channels up and down on the mic
6. President Richard 10 Meter Ham Radio
- Loud but clear modulation
- USB charging socket
- Multi function LCD display
- 50W PEP
This compact President 10-meter radio is well-constructed and the set-up is great straight out of the box. It’s powerful, with 50W output, and has some great features, including RF gain, mic gain, squelch control and ANL filter. It offers AM and FM modes, but no SSB, and a rotary switch channel selector.
Talkback can be turned on and off and the mic feels a little flimsy but the sound quality is very good. We like the fact that there’s a USB outlet on the front of this radio, so it’s easy to charge a device on the go.
Specifications
Pros
- Rotary switch channel selector
- Built-in three beep roger beep
- Talkback can be turned on and off
- AM/FM modes
Cons
- Instructions can be difficult to follow
- No SSB
10 Meter Ham Radio Buying Guide
10 Meter Ham Radio Buying Guide
The following list will help you select the perfect 10 meter ham radio to match your needs. We recommend focusing on these criteria when evaluating each of your options.
Power Output
The amount of power that your 10 meter ham radio produces is a very important factor to consider. There are some models that go all the way up to 200 watts.
If you want a decently powerful radio, you’ll want to look for ones that offer at least 50 watts of power. It’s also a good idea to seek out radios that allow for power adjustments. This will help you get the best possible performance at all times.
Display
You should also make a point of looking at each radio’s display. A bright, multi-color display will give you good visibility in the daytime or at night.
Some of the best 10 meter ham radio models will have a dimmable design. This allows you to adjust the brightness of the display for the perfect level of visibility.
Construction
The overall build quality of each 10 meter ham radio is also worth looking into. You’ll want to get one that has a solid construction that will hold up well over time.
Make sure that you find a radio that also uses durable internal components that will last a while. The sturdier your ham radio is, the more use you will likely get out of it.
Roger Beep
The roger beep is a fairly standard feature among most modern 10 meter ham radios. This particular feature sends a “beep” to the recipient once you are finished talking. This eliminates the need to say “over” after you have said everything you want to. While it’s not a necessity, it is certainly a convenience.
Talkback
You should also make a point of looking for the talkback function when shopping for 10 meter ham radios. This feature allows you to hear yourself as you are talking. It will also let you make various adjustments to ensure that the recipient is able to hear you without any issues.
Size
Before you choose a certain 10 meter ham radio, you’ll also need to consider the size of each one. Radios that have a compact design are typically easy to install in just about any vehicle.
The larger the radio is, the more likely it is that you’ll have issues with installation. It is important to make sure that the radio you purchase is compatible with your truck, SUV, RV, or whatever vehicle you have.
Noise Limiter
Any halfway decent 10 meter ham radio will be equipped with a noise limiter. This will help to ensure minimal static and interference. If you want to have clear reception when talking to others, this feature is an absolute necessity.
An automatic noise limiter or ANL can be quite helpful with preserving audio quality during your conversations. We recommend looking for models with an NB/ANL switch. This will go a long way towards minimizing unwanted noise.
Microphone
Your new ham radio’s mic will also be important to consider before making a final purchase. It should be designed for easy and comfortably holding with an ergonomic grip. This will allow you to carry on conversations without any unnecessary discomfort. You might want to get a radio that will let you install an aftermarket mic, just in case.
RF Gain
This feature lets you filter out certain signals, depending on the location of the person you are talking to. If you are speaking with someone close by, you’d turn the RF gain down. When you are talking to someone farther away, you’d turn it up. It is incredibly helpful with getting the best performance to match your particular situation.
Memory
Don’t forget to check out the memory options that each 10 meter ham radio offers. You should be able to program certain frequencies or channels into the memory for quick and easy access. You won’t have to deal with scanning to find the right one at any given time. Many of these radios offer 4 to 6 memory settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
While 10 meter ham radios do not inherently function as CB radios, it is possible to convert them. This process can be tricky, depending on the model ham radio you purchase.
You’ll find 10 meter ham radios function within a frquency range of 28.000 to 29.700 megahertz.
If you decide that a 10-meter radio is the right choice for you the answer is usually yes, you will need a license! The requirements can of course vary depending on where in the world you live, but in the USA you’ll need a license from the FCC (Federal Communications Commission).
This is because of the higher power output that a 10-meter radio can have when compared to a CB radio. You should always check the requirements for the country where you’ll be buying and operating your radio.
Bear in mind that you’ll also be required to follow guidelines around using your radio, such leaving certain frequencies clear for emergency use.
Our Verdict
There are many different 10 meter ham radios available online, and each of them has something different to offer. We were particularly impressed by the Stryker SR-655, which boasts an extremely powerful design. This radio offers a wide range of controls and customizable settings.
If you are searching for a compact model that is easy to use, the President Ronald 10 is a great overall choice. It has a high power output as well as a variety of useful features.
