Ham Radio Outlet
Ham Radio Outlet is a US specialty retailer founded in 1971 that sells amateur radio equipment — transceivers, antennas, and accessories from Yaesu, ICOM, and others — through 12 retail showrooms and a national e-commerce platform, serving licensed hobbyists, government/MARS buyers, and commercial users.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1971
- HeadquartersSalem, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Ham Radio Outlet does
Ham Radio Outlet (HRO) is a US-based, privately held specialty retailer of amateur radio equipment, founded in 1971 and operating 12 retail showrooms across major US metropolitan areas (including Anaheim, Atlanta, Denver, Milwaukee, Phoenix, Plano, Portland, Sacramento, Salem NH, Winter Springs, and Woodbridge) alongside a national e-commerce platform at hamradio.com. The company sells transceivers (handheld, mobile, and base station), antennas, accessories, batteries, chargers, cables, programming software, and educational materials sourced from major manufacturers including Yaesu, ICOM, COMET, Sangean, Uniden, and others. Pricing spans entry-level accessories under $10 to high-end transceivers above $3,999, with the bulk of unit volume concentrated in the $200–$1,500 mid-range (e.g., Yaesu FT-60R at $179.95, ICOM IC-7300 at $1,039.95). HRO supports both consumer hobbyists (its primary segment, including newly licensed FCC amateur operators) and institutional buyers (government/MARS, amateur radio clubs, commercial users) through a dedicated Government Sales channel.
HRO's commercial model is primarily transactional hardware sales, augmented by 1-year and 2-year extended warranty programs (introducing a recurring revenue element), a secondary merchandising surface for used, open-box, consignment, and discontinued items, gift certificates, and seasonal promotional events including manufacturer mail-in rebates (e.g., $500 rebate on Yaesu FTDX-101D). Distribution is omnichannel: free ground shipping on orders over $100 in the Lower 48, international shipping, in-store will-call pickup, and direct enterprise sales. The marketing mix spans the website, email newsletter, interactive annual catalog, and social media (Twitter, Facebook, YouTube). The technology stack is a standard e-commerce platform with advanced search, user accounts, shopping cart, and checkout — no proprietary technology or AI/ML capabilities are disclosed. The company is independently owned with no disclosed institutional investors, parent company, or recent M&A activity, and operates with 11–50 employees.
Ham Radio Outlet firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Ham Radio Outlet
- Legal name
- Ham Radio Outlet
- Website
- https://hamradio.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1971
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Ham Radio Outlet is a US specialty retailer founded in 1971 that sells amateur radio equipment — transceivers, antennas, and accessories from Yaesu, ICOM, and others — through 12 retail showrooms and a national e-commerce platform, serving licensed hobbyists, government/MARS buyers, and commercial users.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Ham Radio Outlet industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Amateur Radio Equipment Retail
- NAICS
- Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing (334220)
- SIC
- Retail-Radio, Tv & Consumer Electronics Stores (5731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- AV Receivers, Amplifiers & Hi‑Fi Components Retail (CRACAEAE)
Keywords
Where Ham Radio Outlet is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Salem
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices12 records
Markets served
Ham Radio Outlet business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Hardware Sales: Primary revenue stream from selling amateur radio equipment including transceivers, antennas, accessories, and related gear. Products range from entry-level handheld radios to high-end base station equipment. Revenue is one-time transactional per product sale.
- Extended Warranty Programs: HRO offers extended warranty programs (1-year and 2-year extensions) on amateur radio products, providing additional revenue and customer retention.
- Used, Open & Consignment Sales: Secondary revenue from pre-owned equipment, open box items, and consignment sales, expanding product offerings and attracting price-conscious customers.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard retail pricing with promotional discounts |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Ham Radio Outlet product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Ham Radio Outlet is a specialty retailer that sells amateur (ham) radio and communications equipment, including handheld, mobile, and base station transceivers, antenna systems, accessories, batteries, chargers, cables, microphones, software, and educational materials from manufacturers such as Yaesu, ICOM, Comet, and Sangean. Sales are conducted via the hamradio.com e-commerce site and 12 physical retail showroom locations across the United States, with secondary channels for used, open-box, and consigned equipment. Extended warranty programs are offered alongside hardware purchases.
Product overview
Ham Radio Outlet is a specialized e-commerce retailer and physical store chain (12 locations across the US) selling amateur radio equipment. The product portfolio centers on transceivers (handheld, mobile, and base units) from major manufacturers including Yaesu and ICOM, complemented by antenna systems, accessories, batteries, chargers, cables, speakers, microphones, and educational materials. Core transceivers like the Yaesu FT-70DR (dual-band handheld) and ICOM IC-2730B/ID-5100AD (mobile units with D-STAR digital capability) represent the primary product lines. Accessories include battery packs, rapid chargers, soft cases, and programming software from third-party developers. The company also sells through multiple channels including new products, special offers, used items, open items, and consignment. An interactive catalog and email subscription service support the retail offering.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Yaesu FTDX-101D Transceiver
Companies that use Ham Radio Outlet
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Ham Radio Outlet technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Ham Radio Outlet partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Ham Radio Outlet competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- DX Engineering: DX Engineering is one of the largest US amateur radio equipment retailers, selling transceivers, antennas, and accessories online and via a physical superstore. Directly competes with HRO for the same customer base of licensed hams with comparable product breadth, pricing models, and service-oriented positioning.
- Gigaparts: Gigaparts is an Alabama-based amateur radio retailer offering new and used equipment from Yaesu, ICOM, Kenwood, and others via e-commerce and a single large showroom. Closely comparable to HRO in customer segments, manufacturer relationships, and product mix targeting the same ham radio hobbyist market.
- R&L Electronics: R&L Electronics is an Ohio-based amateur radio retailer offering new and used equipment across HF, VHF, and UHF transceivers, antennas, and accessories. Mirrors HRO's e-commerce-plus-storefront distribution and customer profiles.
- Universal Radio: Universal Radio is a long-established Ohio-based amateur radio and shortwave equipment retailer with both a physical showroom and a comprehensive web catalog. Operates an essentially identical business model to HRO, specializing in transceivers and accessories for licensed operators.
- Texas Towers (Main Trading Company): Texas Towers / Main Trading Company is a Texas-based amateur radio retailer offering towers, antennas, transceivers, and accessories online and via phone sales. Comparable to HRO as a multi-channel specialist serving licensed amateur operators across the US.
Broad incumbents
- Amazon: Amazon is the dominant online marketplace and a broad incumbent in electronics retail, listing amateur radio equipment from multiple sellers with aggressive pricing and Prime shipping. Competes with HRO on selection, convenience, and price for amateur radio gear purchased online.
- Best Buy: Best Buy is a national big-box consumer electronics retailer carrying some communication radios, scanners, and home electronics. While not focused on amateur radio, its omnichannel footprint sets the competitive benchmark for HRO's physical-plus-online model.
Others
- ICOM: ICOM is a leading Japanese manufacturer of amateur, marine, aviation, and land-mobile radio equipment. Acts as a critical upstream supplier to HRO while also operating its own direct-to-consumer sales channel, representing both a partner and a partial competitor.
- ARRL (American Radio Relay League): ARRL is the national association for amateur radio in the US, providing licensing exam administration, advocacy, and member services. Indirectly supports HRO by driving new-licensee demand and serving as an authoritative content/education source, similar to how HRO's FCC congratulations page converts new operators.
- MFJ Enterprises: MFJ Enterprises is a major US manufacturer and direct seller of amateur radio accessories, antenna tuners, and station accessories. Relevant as both a key supplier adjacency to HRO and a direct-retail competitor on accessory categories through its own website.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
Ham Radio Outlet social profiles
Digital presenceHam Radio Outlet financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Ham Radio Outlet leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Ham Radio Outlet funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Ham Radio Outlet M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Ham Radio Outlet
What does Ham Radio Outlet do?
Ham Radio Outlet is a specialty retailer that sells amateur (ham) radio and communications equipment, including handheld, mobile, and base station transceivers, antenna systems, accessories, batteries, chargers, cables, microphones, software, and educational materials from manufacturers such as Yaesu, ICOM, Comet, and Sangean. Sales are conducted via the hamradio.com e-commerce site and 12 physical retail showroom locations across the United States, with secondary channels for used, open-box, and consigned equipment. Extended warranty programs are offered alongside hardware purchases.
Is Ham Radio Outlet a public or private company?
Ham Radio Outlet is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Ham Radio Outlet founded?
Ham Radio Outlet was founded in 1971. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Ham Radio Outlet based?
Ham Radio Outlet is headquartered in Salem, United States, in the North America region.
How does Ham Radio Outlet make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are extended Warranty Programs and used, Open & Consignment Sales.
Who are Ham Radio Outlet's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are DX Engineering, Gigaparts, R&L Electronics, Universal Radio and Texas Towers (Main Trading Company). Broad incumbents are Amazon and Best Buy. Others are ICOM, ARRL (American Radio Relay League) and MFJ Enterprises.
Does Ham Radio Outlet have an API?
No public API is recorded for Ham Radio Outlet.
What industry is Ham Radio Outlet in?
Ham Radio Outlet's product category is Amateur Radio Equipment Retail. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRACAEAE, AV Receivers, Amplifiers & Hi‑Fi Components Retail. Its NAICS code is 334220 and its SIC code is 5731.