If you fly with other paramotor pilots, or if you venture into or near to controlled airspace, then a radio or communication system is essential. In this post we’ll look at all of your radio options, and we’ll run through 5 of the best radio choices for paramotoring.
Paramotor radio options
All paramotor radios will transmit on certain frequencies, some are legal for personal use and some require a license. Before buying a radio you should always check what frequency range it transmits on.
Family Radio Service (FRS)
FRS is a system used in the US which uses frequencies around 462 and 467 MHz in the ultra high frequency (UHF) band. You’ll find that most walkie talkies fall under this category, and they do not require a license.
No FRS radios are legal to use anywhere in Europe. These frequencies are allocated to the emergency services, including the fire brigade in the UK, police in Russia and commercial users in Australia.
General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS)
GMRS radios and walkie talkies are also very common, but these radios require a license that costs about $90 for 5 years in the US. There’s no exam involved, just an application and the fee, but this fee costs more than most radios, making them less popular.
Hybrid FRS/GMRS radios are also available and these will not require a GMRS license for power up to 2 Watts, but the higher power channels will still require a license.
Personal Mobile Radio (PMR446)
This is the license free system for paramotor pilots in Europe, transmitting on 446 MHz. Similar to the US FRS system it operates on the UHF band, and is free for personal use in most European countries.
You’ll find a massive range of walkie talkies and 2-way radios using PMR446, and you’ll have 16 channels to choose from.
PMR446 radios operate on frequencies that are reserved for amateur radio operators in the US, Canada, and Australia. So these radios can only be used in those countries by licensed amateur radio operators.
low power device (LPD433)
LPD433 is another system that is being introduced in Europe. It operates on 433 MHz so it won’t be legal outside of Europe without a license. It’s license free in some European countries, but it isn’t legal everywhere, so check that your country allows it before buying a radio operating on this frequency.
2-Meter HAM Radios
FRS or PMR466 radios are the cheapest way to communicate, but because they are license free, you will hear other people on your chosen channel from time to time. This is why many paramotor pilots are now switching to 2M radios.
These radios use the very high frequency band (VHF) from 144 MHz to 148 MHz, but you will need to pass an exam to acquire a Ham license.
Get a fantastic HAM radio license manual from Amazon by clicking here.
VHF radios may be required for pilots flying in Australia, as we found out here. CASA requires anyone flying within 18 km of a registered airport to carry a VHF radio and licence.
Aviation Radios
Many beginners make the mistake of buying an aviation radio when it really isn’t necessary. You’ll only need one if you’re flying into, or very close to controlled airspace, to talk to Air Traffic Control.
If you think you need an aviation radio then you will need to learn how to talk to Air Traffic Control, and pass an exam to obtain a license.
Air-to-air communication
1. Bluetooth communication systems
What most paramotor pilots want from a radio is quite simply the ability to communicate with their flying buddies. They have no need to talk to other aircraft or Air Traffic Control, and all communication will happen at close range, or less than half a mile.
By far the best and most common option in this situation is a Bluetooth communication system. Bluetooth communication systems are made primarily for motorcyclists, but they are perfect for paramotoring, and have become very popular with pilots.
Sena dominate the Bluetooth communication market, and their SMH 10R-01 has become a very popular choice with most paramotorists, including myself.
The system can be installed to any helmet, it’s super lightweight, and it’s compatible with all other Bluetooth communications systems on the market. This means that you will be able to pair and communicate with pilots who are using a different brand of communication system.
One thing that stands out about the SMH 10R-01 is the noise cancelling. A paramotor engine just inches from your head, along with the wind noise while flying makes it near impossible to communicate using a standard radio. The Sena will boost audio levels in loud environments, while noise control technology reduces unwanted background noise, and the result is crystal clear audio on both ends.
Something else that makes these a popular choice with paramotor pilots is the GoPro action camera compatibility. This means you can record your voice in sync as you film. If you’ve ever watched a paramotor vlog and wondered how they’re recording their voice so clearly, it’s probably been done using one of these.
The SMH 10R-01 will even pair with your phone! So if you want to contact pilots who are further away than half a mile, The Sena Ride Connected app will let you communicate at any distance over the cellular network.
Check the current price of this system on Amazon here > Sena SMH10R-01.
Budget paramotor radios
2. Baofeng radios
Baofeng radios have become very popular with paramotorists over the last few years. They offer features you’d expect to see on much higher priced radios, at much more affordable prices.
The UV-5R and UV-82 are the most popular Baofeng radios in the paramotor community, but bare in mind that they are classed as a 2-meter radio.
The UV-5R (link to Amazon) is super compact at just 100 mm in length, it accepts the standard two pin headset plug, and it’s super cheap making it a very popular choice.
The newer UV-82 is a little more expensive, but still very cheap for what it has to offer. You’ll get everything the UV-5R offers, plus a more solid case with bigger buttons, as well as the latest BaoFeng chipset and PCB board that outperforms the range, accuracy, and output of all previous BaoFeng chipsets.
Check it out on Amazon here > Baofeng UV-82
Higher quality radios
3. Yaesu radios
Although the Baofeng radios are very popular, not everyone wants a cheap radio. They seem pretty reliable, but there have been a few complaints.
A popular choice and a well respected brand that comes into the higher price range, is the Yaesu FT-60R. It’s still very affordable at around $170 and you’re getting a super reliable well rated unit, as you’ll see by the reviews on Amazon HERE.
Another Yaesu radio that has been popular with both paragliding and paramotoring pilots is the FT-270R (link to Amazon). These are known for reliability, ruggedness, and all round quality. If you want a higher quality radio with excellent reception and ease of use, this is the one.
Walkie talkies for paramotoring
4. Cobra walkie talkies
When I learned to fly, my instructor was using PMR446 walkie talkies. He’d use them for hours, and then throw them into a box at the end of the day. These things were bullet proof, so I decided to buy a couple for myself.
These radios are the Cobra MT975 (link to Amazon), I’ve had them for 6 years and they’re still going strong. It’s also proven to be popular with many other paramotor pilots.
Obviously they’re only legal in Europe, so US readers will need to buy the equivalent Cobra PR562BLT FRS radio (link to Amazon).
These walkie talkies plug into any headset with a 3.5 mm jack plug connector, so be sure it will fit your headset before buying.
Aviation radios for paramotoring
5. Yaesu aviation band
We’ve already discovered that Yaesu 2-meter radios offer exceptional quality and performance, and their aviation radios are no different. The Yaesu FTA-250L will offer everything you need for flying into controlled airspace.
I’m recommending this purely based on paramotor pilot reviews and recommendations as I’ve never owned an aviation radio. I’m not licensed, and I’ve not taken the exam, so I won’t go into anymore detail on something I’m not up to speed with.
If you need an aviation radio and you have your license, you can see more about this radio on Amazon here > Yaesu FTA-250L.
Enjoy choosing your paramotor radio!
When you have your radio you’ll also need a helmet so check out the top choices HERE.
Comments
Just a note that 2M ham band does need a license, obtained after sitting a 2part exam but even then it IS NOT approved for air mobile use in the UK, it is ground based operation only.
If you are flying into controled airspace, you have to notify the tower so as both they can look out for you, aircraft getting ready to take off need to be looking out for you, and those already in the air will then know to look out for you as well.
In the United states, they license the aircraft to talk to ATC and not the pilot. Ask any pilot flying an ultralight who has friends who are general aviation pilots, private pilots, and the like and they should tell you uniformly across the board that an aviation radio is a must especially if you are flying into controled airspace. And even if you have no plans on flying near airports, you should still keep an ear out for aircraft in the area in the which you are flying. If they are unaware that you are flying off to the left of them and they bank left not knowing that you are there that could pose a serious risk to you and those within the offending aircraft. A paramotor is super small compared to even an ultralight airplane or helicopter. Think of the size difference. Listening in and even talking when necessary is a matter of life and death. The exam is for those wishing to get a private pilots license, a general aviation pilots licens and the like but, an ultralight is an aircraft where the pilot is unlicensed. That unlicensed pilot will still have to know how to talk to the tower when needed along with other aircraft when needed as well.
There is currently a diamond gardian flying over my house. now imagine that I launched from my driveway. Totally legal by the way. Now, I just launched and that plane might not see me. If I had an aviation radio on me, I could get on the fixed wing air to air frequency of 122.750 and let them know, “hey, I just launched my paramotor and I’m just off to your left and slightly behind you.” This alerts the pilot that you are there.
Now all of this being said, this doesn’t mean that you can and or should intensionally interfere with aircraft activity but, if you need to alert them that you are there, that’s a matter of safety.
I’m not a pilot by any means. I’m simply a blind guy with an obsession for all things aviation. So… By all means do research what I’m saying. But, I’m pretty sure I am correct on this one. Otherwise I wouldn’t have posted out here. .
I’m a licensed pilot planning on getting into paramotoring. Why wouldn’t I want to have the ability to communicate with aircraft and, for that matter, file a flight plan with a FSS – especially if flying alone? As a general aviation pilot, I’m always leery of jumpers or paragliders. Wouldn’t a handheld aviation radio just give me more options and situational awareness when flying a paramotor?
What Mark said. And in the same vein, does anyone make little handheld (or even pocketable) transponders?