Independent reviews from someone who actually uses radios — not a content farm, not a manufacturer front, not a list of specs scraped from Amazon. Here's the background behind the site and how we test.
POC Radio HQ is operated by Michael Smith, a licensed amateur radio operator (callsign KM7FMJ) based in Gilbert, Arizona. Michael runs a network of independent radio review and resource sites covering the full spectrum of the radio hobby — shortwave listening, CB, GMRS, and now Push-to-Talk over Cellular.
The POC radio category caught our attention for a specific reason: it's a real communications tool that overlaps directly with the radio hobby community — shortwave listeners adding nationwide PTT capability, ham operators using Zello nets, preppers building dual-mode kits — but there was no independent, hobbyist-credible review site covering it. Everything we found was either a manufacturer reseller site or thin affiliate content with no real testing behind it. POC Radio HQ exists to fill that gap.
FCC Amateur Radio License, callsign KM7FMJ. We understand radio — not just POC radios, but the full RF context they operate alongside.
We own and test the radios we review. The ChoYong WT2 review on this site reflects real-world use — PTT audio quality, SW reception, battery life, app setup. Not a spec sheet rewrite.
We are not employed by, paid by, or sponsored by any radio manufacturer. Review units received for testing are disclosed. Picks are made independently.
POC Radio HQ is part of a broader independent radio review network. Each site covers a different segment of the hobby with the same standard: real testing, honest verdicts, no paid placements.
Reviews, buying guides, and resources for shortwave receivers and the SWL community.
CB radio reviews, buying guides, and resources for truckers and hobbyists.
We purchase or receive review units and test them in real-world conditions — PTT audio quality, range, battery life, app setup, SW/AM/FM reception where applicable. The ChoYong WT2 is our first fully hands-on POC review. More are in progress as we build out the review library.
For radios we haven't tested hands-on yet, we cross-reference manufacturer specs against verified owner reviews on Amazon, Reddit, and radio community forums. We flag which reviews are research-based vs. hands-on tested so you always know what you're reading.
We don't publish "Top 10" lists padded with filler. Each buying guide category has one pick — the specific radio we'd actually recommend for that use case — with a clear reason why and an honest accounting of its weaknesses.
POC radios and their SIM/subscription terms change. We update picks and pricing notes when the market shifts rather than leaving stale recommendations live.
Some links on this site are Amazon affiliate links (tag: pocradio-20). We earn a small commission if you purchase through these links at no extra cost to you. Affiliate relationships do not influence which products we recommend — if a product isn't the right pick for the use case, we say so regardless of whether we earn a commission. Review units received for testing are disclosed in the relevant review. We never accept payment for a positive review.
Have a POC radio you think we should review? Running a fleet operation and want to share your experience? We read every message.