Aviation Radios & Transceivers

For domestic flying in the United States, two-way VHF aircraft radios are licensed by rule, so you do not need a separate FCC station license to transmit on the airband. If you operate internationally, the FCC requires an Aircraft Radio Station License and a Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit before you fly.

A COM-only radio transmits and receives voice on the VHF airband and nothing more, which keeps it simple and affordable. A NAV/COM radio adds navigation receivers for VOR and ILS, letting you track a radial or fly a localizer, and top models like the Yaesu FTA-850L also include built-in GPS.

Aviation radios operate on the VHF airband, which runs from 118.0 to 136.975 MHz for civil air traffic control, ground, and traffic communication. The band is line-of-sight, so range depends on altitude and antenna height. The frequency 121.5 MHz is reserved worldwide as the emergency, or guard, channel.

Because VHF airband communication is line-of-sight, range depends far more on altitude than on power. On the ground a handheld may only reach a few miles, while at altitude with a clear path the same radio can reach ground stations and aircraft dozens of miles away. An external antenna extends usable range.

Yes. A handheld aviation radio is the most common backup for a panel com, letting you keep talking to ATC if you lose electrical power or your installed radio fails. Many pilots carry an AA-battery model so they can swap in fresh cells, and a headset adapter makes it usable over cockpit noise.

Neither is universally better; the right choice depends on what you value. Icom is known for a clean, intuitive interface that pilots learn quickly, while Yaesu offers deeper feature sets, color displays, and options like built-in GPS and 6-watt output. Compare both in our handheld radio buyer's guide before deciding.