TYT TH-9800 vs Yaesu FTM-300DR

The Yaesu FTM-300DR is the stronger choice if you need APRS and GPS; the TYT TH-9800 wins on price and transparency if those features don't matter to you.

The single most important differentiator is feature set. Both radios match at 50W output, but the FTM-300DR adds APRS and GPS capabilities that the TH-9800 lacks. The TH-9800 supports CHIRP programming while the FTM-300DR does not. We lack the FTM-300DR's price and weight, so direct cost and portability comparisons are incomplete. Owners report strong satisfaction with both: the FTM-300DR at 4.6/5 across 65 reviews and the TH-9800 at 4.0/5 across 804 reviews.

Buy the TH-9800 if you want an affordable, straightforward analog mobile radio with CHIRP support and don't need satellite or position features. Buy the FTM-300DR if APRS and GPS integration justify its unknown cost and you value its higher owner rating despite fewer reviews.

The TH-9800's major advantage is its known price point of $220. Without the FTM-300DR's pricing, the better recommendation depends on whether you need dual-band APRS and GPS enough to accept unknown costs and lack of CHIRP compatibility.