TYT TH-9800

The TH-9800 occupies a narrow but genuine niche: it is one of the most affordable ways to put 10-meter and 6-meter FM transmit capability into a vehicle alongside the standard 2m and 70cm bands. Output reaches 50 watts on VHF and UHF and 40 watts on 10m and 6m, which is competitive with dedicated single-band mobiles. The faceplate separates from the main body for remote mounting, and the supplied full-keypad mic allows direct frequency entry without touching the head unit. Eight hundred channel memories are ample for operators who travel across regions and want populated repeater lists for each band.

The receive side goes beyond the four transmit bands; the TH-9800 pulls in air band traffic in AM mode alongside the standard FM receive range, which is a useful bonus for operators near airports or with aviation interests. CHIRP support covers the radio and simplifies programming across all four bands from a desktop or laptop.

Buyers need to go in with clear expectations on two fronts. First, the radio demands a true quad-band antenna, or at minimum a pair of antennas covering 10m/6m and 2m/70cm separately; a standard dual-band mobile antenna will leave 10m and 6m without a proper radiating element. Second, the build quality sits at the lower end of what mid-market buyers expect, and the 4.0 Amazon rating is an honest reflection of that. Programming CTCSS tones correctly for each band also trips up new owners more often than it should, so setting aside time with the manual is not optional.