Retevis RA79 (BETTER Than a UV-5R!)

The Retevis RA79 is an inexpensive handheld radio capable of transmitting UHF 400 – 450 MHz (70 cm) and VHF 136 – 174 MHz (2 m). It is also capable of receiving on the airband (AM), and FM radio stations. Some additional features of note is USB-C charging, and the ability to clone configuration from one device to another wirelessly.

While transmit is limited out of the box, reception is essentially from 50 – 600 MHz, making this very wide-band receive capable.

Comparison of RA79 and UV-5R parameters:

	RA79	UV-5R
exterior condition
General
Memory Channel Number:	200	128
Channel Number for FM Commercial Radio:	20	20
NOAA Memory Channel Number:	10	NO
Frequency Stability :	±1ppm	±2.5ppm
Modulation :	FM:16KΦF3E@25KHz/11KΦF3E@12.5KHz	16KΦF3E/11KΦF3E
USB-C/Type-C Charging:	YES	NO
Dimension:	115*60*37.5mm	117*59*29.5mm
Weight:	243g	208g
Working Temperature	-20°c~ +60°c	-20°c~ +50°c
Antenna Impedance	50 ohm	50 ohm
Receiving Parts
Referenced Sensitivity:	FM(12dB SINAD): F1 (50-76MHz): -121dBm F2(108-135.9975MHz):-121dBm F3(136-173.997MHz):-123dBm F4(174-349.9975MHz):-123dBm F5(350-399.9975MHz):-123dBm F6(400-469.9975MHz):-123dBm F7(470-599.9975MHz):-121dBm WFM(20dB SINAD): WFM(76-108MHz):-110dBm AM(10dB S/N): F2(108-135.9975MHz):-113dBm	144-148MHz & 420-450MHz
Audio Rated:	≥0.5W	≥0.5W
Audio Distortion:	≤10%	≤10%
Transmission Parts
Output Power	<= 5W	<= 5W
Working Current	≤1.5A	≤1.6A
Max.Frequency Deviation	≤5KHz(25KHz), ≤2.5KHz(12.5KHz)	≤5KHz(25KHz), ≤2.5KHz(12.5KHz)
Modulation Distortion	≤5%	≤10%
Spurious Radiation	≤7.5uW	≤7.5uW
Adjacent Ch. power	≤70dB(25KHz), ≤60dB(12.5KHz)	≤65dB(25KHz), ≤60dB(12.5KHz)
Inter-modulation	40dB	40dB

Advantages of the RA79:

1. The most obvious difference, the RA79 supports Air Band Receiving (AM). Many high-end HAM radios have Air Band Receiving. But their price is dozens of times that of RA79. Of course RA79’s performance in Air Band Receiving is not as good as it should be. But at only $30, he allows me to disassemble and remodel to my heart’s content. Standing on that, it’s greatradio.

2. Supports USB-C charging.USB-C is the most commonly used charging and communication interface nowadays. It allows the RA79 to be powered by a device like a rechargeable battery in case of emergency. It’s very convenient. (But the UV-5R just won’t make the change, which is another reason I left.)

3. Large screen size.The RA79’s screen is almost twice the size of the UV-5R. The larger screen makes the display less crowded. It’s easier to recognize and a little more comfortable.

4. FC function, therwise known as frequency copy is a feature where.
It puts the radio into a kind of quick cloone mode for one frequency. the idea is that you hold another radio close by and transmit. The ra79 is then supposed to pick up on this frequency and any ctcss tones and then cell itself.

5. 10 NOAA Advance Forecast. If you’re in the US, it’s kind of a value-for-money feature. so if you’re iut hiking somewhere in an area. that is prone to flash flooding then you may not get that alert because. it’s a cuple of counties away whereas. with this if you can hear the broadcast tower the alert goes out. you’re going to get the notification and you know to uh to head in if you’re out on the lake boating and there’s a thunderstorm. that pops up that you can’t see there and again.

why do hams push this stuff?

the short answer is that: wedon’t get the same kind of disposable, playable tinkerable take apart hackable radios. i’m not spending 600 bucks on an id52 to tear it apart and play with it. i don’t have that kind of money. so if you do enjoy but uh a lot of us don’t. so that’s why we do it it’s a fantastic first radio.

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