Updated 2025-09-10
This is a list of VHF/UHF transceivers that can be used for Amateur Radio Satellites. Note that the general rule is that you need a full duplex rig (or two single rigs) to be able to here yourself on the satellite downlink.
This list will never be complete in any way but maybe can help if you looking for old used rigs. Most of the info is from the excellent RigPix Database. If you have any updates or would like to add more rigs please send a mail to info@amsat.se
Also – WD9EWK, Patrick E Stoddard, has an excellent and large Excel spreadsheet with lists of HTs, VHF/UHF mobile transceivers and base-station transceivers. If you would like more information please download Patricks spreadsheet.
The list below shows:
- Base stations rigs that have both VHF and UHF (HF as bonus) and all mode. Only one – IC-9700 – is in production today.
- Non Full Duplex smaller rigs with VHF/UHF that can be used mobile or as portable. The classic FT-817 and IC-705 are listed here.
- Handheld (HT) FM VHF/UHF – only full duplex or that has special satellite functions. There are many VHF/UHF HTs but very few are of interest for satellite use as they are not full duplex.
- Mobile FM stations VHF/UHF – only full duplex or that has special satellite function.
Full Duplex All Mode Base Station VHF/UHF transceivers
| Name | Weight (kg) | In production? | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| IC-820/821 | 5.0 | No | |
| IC-910/911 | 4.5 | No | |
| IC-970 | 15.0 | No | |
| IC-9700 | 4.7 | Yes | D-Star, SDR |
| IC-9100 | 11.0 | No | Also HF |
| TS-790 | 9.2 | No | |
| TS-2000 | 7.8 | No | Also HF |
| FT-736R | 9.0 | No | |
| FT-847 | 7.0 | No | Also HF |
Mobile or Portable All Mode VHF/UHF transceivers
(not full duplex, all has HF except IC-905)
| Name | Weight (kg) | In production? | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| HS2 | <1 | No | SDR. Also rebranded by others. |
| IC-706MKIIG | 2.45 | No | |
| IC-7000 | 2.3 | No | |
| IC-7100 | 2.7 (with front panel) | No | |
| IC-705 | 1.1 | Yes | D-Star, SDR, Battery See our posts about IC-705 |
| IC-905 | 0.94 (controller) | Yes | VHF/UHF/SHF Interface based on IC-705. No HF. |
| FT-817/818 | 1.17 | Yes | Battery |
| FT-100D | 3.0 | No | |
| FT-857 | 2.1 | No | |
| FT-897 | 3.9 | No | |
| FT-991 | 4.3 | Yes | |
| FTX-1F | 1.25 | Yes | Portable with battery. |
Handheld (HT) FM VHF/UHF
(only full duplex HTs or HTs that has special satellite functions)
| Name | In production? | Full duplex? | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| KG-UV8H | Yes | Yes | Probably same desense as KG-Q332 |
| KG-UV9P | Yes | Yes | Probably same desense as KG-Q332 |
| KG-Q332 | Yes | Yes | Tested: Has some desense on UHF with TX with 5W on VHF |
| VGC N76 BTech UV-Pro | Yes | No | Doppler correction via APP. Note: not full duplex |
| AnyTone AT-D878UVII | Yes | No | Doppler correction and sat tracking. Note: not full duplex |
| Kenwood TH-D72 | No | Yes | Classic Full Duplex HT used by many for sat |
Mobile FM VHF/UHF
(only full duplex or that has special satellite functions)
| Name | In production? | Full duplex? | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| VGC N7600 | Yes | No | Doppler correction via APP. Note: not full duplex |
| Retevis MA1 | Yes | Yes | |
| Yaesu FTM-300DE | Yes | Yes | |
| Yaesu FTM-150R | Yes | Yes | |
| Icom ID-5100 | Yes | Yes | |
| Icom ID-5200 | Soon | Yes | Wifi, Bluetooth |
17 replies on “Transceivers for Amateur Radio Satellites”
I have a Yaesu FT-736R I purchased new in 1993, I have used for many years working amateur satellites, the space shuttle (back when they were flying) and ISS. As is 2023, this radio is still operational, just an awesome all mode VHF/UHF and full duplex radio. Highly recommend
Nice that you still like and use the FT-736!
Hi Dean,
I’m French F4AYX JN25.
Many thanks for your information.
Could you have information about a commercialized HANDHELD TRANSCEIVER with True full duplex opération (not dual watch).
I red something about Yaesu FT5R but some hams said that it is not full duplex for voice fm transpondeur
73’s from. France
FT5R is not full duplex. 73 de Lars SM0TGU
Thanks,
Do you have a little list of full duplex FM HT ?
Michel F4AYX JN25
As I know of today, July 2025, there are no current full duplex HTs that has good enough filtering to be able to transmit on VHF and listen on UHF. The last “good one” was Kenwood TH-D72.
Does anyone know if the Yeasu FT5D is suitable for satellite communications?
It just like all other new FM handhelds – no full duplex. So you will not hear your own downlink.
/Lars SM0TGU
Ok, thx
Ic 911 can use full duplex base station for satellite ?
Will a Yaesu 726R work for satellite? It has a “satellite” feature, and the unit I found has an outboard CTCSS encoder attached.
I have very little information about the old 726R. If it will do full duplex it will work fine for satellites.
I have IC 911 can work with full duplex base station for satellite thx
I used to have a FT726 which had the 70cms, 2 metre and 10metre modules fitted and it was a great radio for working the satellites this was back in the time of AO-10 and AO-13 and Jas-1, plus the RS range of satellites
what about sdrdx by sdrplay . is that a good receiver to use
for the mesat-1 ????
Yes it should be fine.
Seems Wouxun KG-Q10H is full duplex. Not bad radio. Hope to test out once I mod a couple yagis into one dual band with a duplexer.