Resources / Tactical Preparedness / Tier 5: Radio & PTT
Tier 5: Radio & PTT Setup
A cheap handheld radio, a license, a PTT that plugs into your ear pro, and reps with a team.
The Rundown
Comms come early because they're cheap and they take practice. Start with a UV-5R and a better antenna, listen right away, and get your ham Technician license before you transmit (or use GMRS on a GMRS radio). Add a cheap PTT that plugs into your ear pro, and practice with your group.
Costs are typical new retail ranges as of 2026 and planning estimates, not quotes. License fees are FCC fees as of 2026.
Jump to a Step
Start With a Cheap Handheld (UV-5R)
1 Baofeng UV-5R or similar + a better antenna
Listen Right Away, License Before You Talk
A ham Technician license (or GMRS on a GMRS radio)
Add a Cheap PTT for Your Ear Pro
A PTT and cable kit that connects to your electronic ear pro
Practice Comms With a Team
Regular radio checks and drills with your group
Move It to Your Chest Rig, Upgrade Later
Radio pouch on your rig or carrier; better gear when you need it
Start With a Cheap Handheld (UV-5R)
You don't need an expensive radio to learn comms. A Baofeng UV-5R costs about the price of a box of ammo and teaches you everything: programming channels, reading a frequency, battery life, and range.
Upgrade the antenna first. It's the cheapest way to get more range out of any handheld.
Do This
- Buy a UV-5R or a similar handheld and a better antenna.
- Get a programming cable and free software (CHIRP) so you are not stuck programming by hand.
- Carry a spare battery.
Listen Right Away, License Before You Talk
Anyone can listen. To transmit on a UV-5R legally, you need a ham radio license. The entry-level Technician license is a 35-question multiple-choice test you take with a local volunteer exam team, plus the FCC's $35 fee. Many teams charge around $15 for the exam, and some charge nothing.
If your group would rather skip the test, GMRS is the alternative: a $35 license, good for 10 years, no exam, and it covers your immediate family. But GMRS requires a radio certified for GMRS, and the UV-5R isn't.
Do This
- Start listening to local repeaters and weather while you study.
- Study the Technician question pool and book a local exam.
- Write your call sign on your radio once you have it.
- Get your team on the same service so everyone can talk.
Which License?
- • Ham Technician: a 35-question test, the most range and flexibility. Works with the UV-5R.
- • GMRS: $35, 10 years, no test, covers family. Needs a GMRS-certified radio.
- • FRS: no license, low power, short range. Fine for close-in use.
Add a Cheap PTT for Your Ear Pro
A push-to-talk (PTT) kit lets you hear the radio through your electronic ear pro and talk by pressing a button, while the radio stays in a pouch. Inexpensive kits made for popular ear pro like Walker's are easy to find online and are plenty to learn on.
A shoulder speaker mic is an even simpler option if you don't want anything plugged into your ears yet.
Do This
- Get a PTT kit that matches your radio and your ear pro.
- Mount the radio in a pouch on your belt or pack for now.
- Place the PTT where you can press it without letting go of your rifle.
- Route the cables so they will not snag.
Practice Comms With a Team
Radios are a skill, and you only learn it by talking to people. Get your group on the same channels, run radio checks, and use radios on range days and outings.
Write a simple plan with a primary, alternate, contingency, and emergency way to reach each other (a PACE plan), and keep a printed copy with your radio.
Do This
- Program everyone's radio with the same channels.
- Run a monthly radio check with your group.
- Use radios on range days so it becomes normal.
- Write a PACE plan and keep a copy with each radio.
Household Comms Too
The Communications guide in Emergency Preparedness covers staying informed and reaching family when cell towers are down.
Open the Communications guide →Move It to Your Chest Rig, Upgrade Later
When you get a chest rig or plate carrier in the next tier, the radio and PTT move onto it. Comms-ready headsets and higher-end radios are upgrades for later, once you know what you actually need.
Do This
- Plan a radio pouch spot on your future chest rig or carrier.
- Note what annoys you about your setup. That is your upgrade list.
- Don't buy a $500 radio until the $30 one is holding you back.
A $30 radio you've practiced with beats a $500 radio still in the box. Learn it now, and the radio moves straight onto your chest rig or plate carrier in the next tier.
Common Questions
Is the Baofeng UV-5R legal to use?
Yes, on ham (amateur) bands with a ham license; anyone can listen without one. It isn't certified for GMRS or FRS, so it isn't legal to transmit on those services.
How do I get a ham radio license?
Pass the Technician exam, a 35-question multiple-choice test given by local volunteer exam teams, and pay the FCC's $35 application fee. Many teams charge around $15 for the exam, and some charge nothing.
Can I use a PTT with my Walker's ear pro?
Yes. Inexpensive PTT and cable kits are sold for popular electronic ear pro, including Walker's, so you can hear the radio through your muffs and talk with a button press. Check that the kit matches both your radio and your ear pro model.
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