Handheld

Also referred to simply as an "HT," a ham radio handheld transceiver packs amazing capabilities -- it is a complete station in your hand. You may think of the term walkie-talkie when you see an HT, but hams rarely use that description. The HT is probably the most common ham radio type in existence, and while compact, it can provide excellent communications in many situations where a larger radio is impractical or unnecessary.

The HT is perfect for voice communications over a range of a few miles when the operator is on foot, or simply when a more powerful radio is unnecessary for the desired communication. Many hams keep an HT on and handy for monitoring purposes in the home, and depending on the location and situation, it may provide more than enough capability for casual local operations. Typically transmitting about 5 watts of power, the HT uses frequency modulation (FM) to carry clear voice signals. It has an integrated microphone and speaker, an attached antenna that can be easily removed and replaced with other radiators for various operating situations and usually knob and keypad controls for basic functions. Often, an HT will have ports to accommodate a headset with combination earphone(s) and microphone, as well as a remote push-to-talk switch.

A mobile station is installed in a vehicle and will have a handheld microphone with a push-to-talk switch on it, rather than a chassis-integrated microphone like the HT. The mobile station chassis is usually a few inches across and a few inches deep, and perhaps two-to-three inches high, give or take. The chassis may be mounted under (or in) a vehicle dashboard or placed under a seat to be operated with a remote-control head or faceplate that is easier to mount. The mobile station will also use an external antenna mounted on the vehicle and connected using coaxial cable. Depending upon the specific model, a mobile station may use FM only modulation like the HT, or it may provide other types of modulation such as single sideband (SSB) or digital modes. It will usually also transmit higher power than an HT, with 50 watts maximum being a common capability. More capable mobile stations, especially those that provide the option of SSB mode, may transmit 100 watts (or more with an RF power amplifier). 

A base is a radio station that is fixed in one place, usually in the home. A mobile station like those described above may be configured with a DC power supply to serve as a base station, and there are larger and more capable radios designed specifically for base station implementation. A base station will use a handheld microphone much like the mobile station, or it may use a desktop mic or boom mic if the operator chooses such substitutions. An external antenna is most commonly implemented with a base station, typically mounted on a mast or a tower outside the home. A wide variety of antenna types are feasible with the base station, including directional antennas that boost signal strength (provide gain) in the pointing direction of the antenna. A mobile station used in a base configuration will typically provide about 50 watts of power, as noted above, while larger stations specifically designed for base operations typically transmit up to 100 watts of power without any external amplification. Base stations (and mobile stations) may add an external RF amplifier to boost power up to the Amateur Radio Service legal limit of 1500 watts, although few operators find the need to do so.