Handheld Transceiver

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A handheld transceiver (commonly referred to as an "HT", "Handie Talkie", or "Walkie Talkie" and sometimes referred to as a Handheld Terminal for DMR) is a small, handportable radio transceiver powered by a battery and with a small antenna. The standard mode of operation for HTs is Narrowband FM, though some can also receive AM for the airband. DMR, TETRA, NXDN, C4FM/Fusion are all digital standards which some HTs support, though digital has not supplanted analog for amateur use like it has done for Public Safety and Buisness radio.

HTs typically operate on VHF and UHF (2m and 70cm for amateur models), these are known as dual banders, whereas the older models which could only operate on VHF are known as mono banders, beginning with the Yaesu FT-60 most modern HT's have a receive range far bigger then the transmit range unless the radio has been MARS/CAP Modded this can include the civil airband, FM Broadcast band, and the majority of VHF and UHF, some HTs are also capable of receiving and operating on Low Band VHF though these aren't exactly common, models such as the Yaesu VX-Series can receive the HF bands.

HTs use miniaturized parts, SMA antenna sockets are common, and normally included is a dual band VHF/UHF Rubber Ducky antenna, the VFO Knobs often serve double purpose for navigating the setting menus and memory channels, unlike most Base Station and Mobile Radios a HTs VFO Knob usually features click stops, 12.5 kHz per click as standard but usually configurable in the menus, in addition a HT will also have a keypad for entering frequencies, settings or skipping to specific memory channels, a Squelch circuit is also included, newer models feature colour touch screens.

The standard power for most amateur and buisness HTs is 5 watt though some models can produce up to 10 watt, due to their relatively short range, HTs are made for use with repeater in mind, thus a 1750 Hz tone generator, DMTF generator and split operation / automatic shift are often included.

Most HTs are designed to charge on a charging dock.

HTs are extremely popular for new operators due to their relatively cheap price, ease of use and portability, though most graduate to a base station or mobile rig if they appreciate the hobby.

In addition to hams, HTs are also used by businesses, law enforcement and military, for these purposes specific models such as the Motorola MTH-800, Sepura SRH, and Harris PRC-152 are used.

Simple to use HTs such as those used by businesses, with no screens and channelized VFO knobs, may be used on the ham bands if the model is capable of operation on the bands and if a programming software to make a codeplug for the bands is freely available.