Shhhh…let’s keep this just between us. If you’ve found this blogpost online you are probably a ham radio operator looking for a way to drop hints about what gifts you want this year or…you know a ham radio operator who A) you love very much but have no idea what to get them for the holidays or B) has conveniently left their browser open to this site. Either way, we’ve found the best ham radio gifts for you to give or get.

How to Buy Ham Radio Gifts

Buying a gift for a hobbyist can be overwhelming for their loved ones. Finding just the right gift for a ham radio operator is downright terrifying. “What’s their call sign? “ – “They said something about SWR.” – “Will they be embarrassed if they get something with the letters CB on it?”

Be not dismayed. Here are some hints for buying just the right gift.

1. What’s on their social media? What Facebook groups are they part of or what have they pinned on Pinterest? Do they follow any specific brands on Twitter or Instagram? Look for brands like MFJ, Yaesu, Icom, Baofeng, Heil. You can also check out their wish list on Amazon.
2. What do their ham friends know? Ham operators like to talk about ham gear and their friends will have a good idea what your ham loved one would like to add to their shack.
3. How long have they had their license and what class license to they have? If they’re a brand new Technician Class operator, then a walkie-talkie is a great way to get them started in the hobby. Old-timer Generals and Extras can be more expensive to buy for (and are probably more persnickety about their gear), but they also tend to like less expensive novelties like replica gear or plaques. You can find call signs, license class, and how old the license is in the FCC Universal Licensing System. https://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/UlsSearch/searchAmateur.jsp
4. Ask them. This might risk the element of surprise, but there’s low risk of buying the wrong thing. Of course, if you have crazy Jedi mind trick skills, then you can ask them without them knowing that they were asked.
5. Check out our list of suggestions below.

Ham Radio Gifts under $25

Very few ham radio gifts say, “It’s the thought that counts” better than a graphic t-shirt, coffee mug, or poster. But, we think that these are pretty cool and wouldn’t mind getting them ourselves.

Ham Radio Gifts $25 – $50

Want to tell that special ham radio operator “I love you more than a tee shirt?” Here ya’ go. This is real ham radio gear. Sure, you may have heard your ham maligning the radios coming from China, but I’ve never seen a ham turn down a free radio…and these things really do work. They’re also great for the brand new ham radio operator.

BaoFeng UV-5R Ham Radio Walkie Talkie, Dual Band Two Way Radio with 2100mAh Li-ion Battery Portable Walkie Talkies with Includes Full Kit

Ham Radio Walkie Talkie (UV-5R 8W) Dual Band 2-Way Radio with 2 Rechargeable 2100mAh Battery Handheld Walkie Talkies Complete Set with Earpiece and Programming Cable

Cup Holder Mount with Height Adjustment and Mic Holder for Anytone BaoFeng Icom Kenwood Yaesu Wouxon HT’s

Or you could give the gift of quality time by getting your own ham radio license to enjoy the hobby with them. How do you get your license? Easy. Just register for the Ham Cram Zero to Licensed course at outdoorecore.com, spend some time studying and then pass the exam.

https://www.outdoorcore.com/courses/the-ham-cram-ham-radio-zero-to-license-in-6-hours

Ham Radio Gifts $50 – $100

Giving one of the ham radio gifts in this category will instantly elevate you to level two elf status.

Radioddity GD-77 DMR Digital/Analog Two Way Radio Dual Band Dual Time Slot, Work with Hotspot, Amateur Ham Radio w/Free Programming Cable, High Gain Antenna and Charger

Uniden BC365CRS 500 Channel Scanner and Alarm Clock with Snooze, Sleep, and FM Radio with Weather Alert, Search Bands Commonly used for Police, Fire/EMS, Aircraft, Radio, and Marine Transmissions

Ham Radio Gifts $100 to $250

Yeh, $100 – $250 is a pretty big gap, but this is where you can really set yourself apart from the gift-giving masses.

AURSINC NanoVNA SAA-2N V2.2 Vector Network Analyzer 50KHz-3GHz HF VHF UHF Antenna Analyzer Measuring S Parameters, Duplexer, Voltage Standing Wave Ratio, Phase, Delay

If the ham radio operator in your life is looking for their very first radio, then check out our review of the:

Yaesu-FT70DR as the Best Ham Radio for Beginners at https://valiantoutfitters.com/the-best-ham-radio-for-beginners/

We also named the Yaesu FT-60R as the “Best Ham Radio for Preppers” at www.willowhavenoutdoor.com https://willowhavenoutdoor.com/what-is-the-best-ham-radio-for-preppers/

Ham Radio Gifts more than $250

These ham radio gifts are the gold standard. These make the kind of story that Hallmark movies are based on.

Heil Sound PS7 Black Headset can’t be beaten for both transmit and receive audio quality…and can bring peace and quiet in the shack.

The Yaesu FT-818ND is a great ham radio gift for any operator that also likes the outdoors. It’s portable and makes for great Summits on the Air and Parks on the Air operations.

And for the mack-daddy, ham radio gift to end all ham radio gifts…drum roll please…

The Icom IC-7300. This is Icom’s latest HF/50Mhz radio. Direct sampling, 15 band-pass filters, spectrum scope, color touch screen. What’s not to love? If your ham’s radio is more than 10 years old, or they just upgraded to the general class license, then this is the radio for them.

That’s Our List of the Best Ham Radio Gifts for the 2021 Holidays

If you’d like some more ideas, please visit our Youtube Five to Survive Holiday Gift episode with Scott Roberts and Steve Robbiano. Scotts shares the perspective of an experienced ham radio operator and Steve tells us what the brand new ham radio operator is looking for.