Jess Harmon
Editor & Founder
Denver, CO
I got into amateur radio the way a lot of people did -- COVID, too much free time, and a $25 Baofeng from Amazon. My grandfather was a lifelong ham in Montana, so I'd always been radio-curious, but it took a global pandemic and a hiking buddy's recommendation to finally push me to study for my Technician license.
That was 2021. Since then I've upgraded to General, activated dozens of parks for POTA, and developed a mild obsession with comparing radio specs in spreadsheets. When I couldn't find a single site that compared handheld radios using actual data instead of vibes, I built one.
RadioRanked scores every radio using a weighted algorithm based on real manufacturer specs -- value, features, portability, and beginner-friendliness. No paid placements. No "we tested it for 5 minutes" reviews. Just data.
When I'm not nerding out over frequency charts, I'm trail running in the Front Range or trying to figure out why my APRS tracker keeps losing GPS lock.
How I Score Every Radio
Every product on RadioRanked is scored algorithmically across multiple dimensions: value, features, beginner-friendliness, and portability. These dimension scores combine into an overall score from 0 to 100.
Scores are based entirely on published product specifications, not subjective opinions or paid placements. There is no pay-to-play. Every product is evaluated using the same methodology regardless of brand or affiliate relationship.
Where I Get the Data
Product specifications are sourced from manufacturer data sheets, Amazon product listings, and FCC filings. Pricing data is pulled from Amazon and updated regularly. I cross-reference multiple sources to make sure the numbers are right.
Transparency
RadioRanked earns revenue through the Amazon Associates affiliate program. Affiliate commissions do not influence scores or rankings. Read the full Affiliate Disclosure for details.
A Note on My Callsign
My callsign isn't listed here for privacy reasons. The FCC's public database links callsigns to personal information, and I prefer to keep that separate from this site. I'm always happy to swap calls on the air.