This is a list of VHF/UHF transceivers that can be used for Amateur Radio Satellites. At the moment I choose only to list:
- Rigs that have both VHF and UHF (HF as bonus) and all mode
- Full Duplex Base Station rigs
- Non Full Duplex smaller rigs that can be used mobile or as portable
Many of the rigs are discontinued. FM only mobile rigs and handheld can be added later to this list but can be found on this page from 2017. In the table below the weight is listed, because that was data I was interested in when I did the summary. For all other data – please follow the link to RigPix. As you see Icom, Kenwood and Yaesu are the main brands.
This list will never be complete in any way but maybe can help if you looking for old used rigs. All info is from the excellent RigPix Database.
Full Duplex All Mode Base Station VHF/UHF transceivers
| Name | Weight (kg) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| IC-820/821 | 5.0 | |
| IC-910/911 | 4.5 | |
| IC-970 | 15.0 | |
| IC-9700 | 4.7 | D-Star, SDR |
| IC-9100 | 11.0 | HF |
| TS-790 | 9.2 | |
| TS-2000 | 7.8 | HF |
| FT-736R | 9.0 | |
| FT-847 | 7.0 | HF |
Mobile or Portable All Mode VHF/UHF transceivers
(not full duplex, all has HF)
| Name | Weight (kg) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| HS2 | <1 | SDR |
| IC-706MKIIG | 2.45 | |
| IC-7000 | 2.3 | |
| IC-7100 | 2.7 (with front panel) | |
| IC-705 | 1.1 | D-Star, SDR, Battery See our posts about IC-705 |
| FT-817/818 | 1.17 | Battery |
| FT-100D | 3.0 | |
| FT-857 | 2.1 | |
| FT-897 | 3.9 | |
| FT-991 | 4.3 | |
| FTX-1F | ? | Portable with battery. Release in 2025. |
11 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!
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
what about sdrdx by sdrplay . is that a good receiver to use
for the mesat-1 ????
Yes it should be fine.