The Baofeng DM-32UV GPS APRS is the clear winner for most users. While it costs twice as much at $60, you're getting substantially more radio for your money with confirmed 10-watt transmission power plus DMR digital mode, APRS positioning, and integrated GPS capabilities. The Retevis RA79 is cheaper but mysteriously lacks even basic specifications like TX power output, making it impossible to assess its actual capabilities.
The single most important differentiator is feature set. The Baofeng delivers modern digital radio functionality with DMR and APRS, while the RA79 appears to be a basic analog-only radio with no special capabilities beyond CHIRP programmability.
The Baofeng suits anyone serious about emergency communications, digital modes, or location tracking where the extra features justify the $30 premium. The Retevis makes sense only for budget-conscious beginners who want absolute lowest cost and don't need advanced features or reliable specifications.
We recommend the Baofeng DM-32UV GPS APRS. Its 83-point overall score, confirmed specifications, and modern feature set make it the substantially better choice. The RA79's incomplete information and 60-point score suggest it's an entry-level radio best avoided unless you find detailed specifications elsewhere that justify its existence.
By use case
First-time digital DMR enthusiast
The DM-32UV offers advanced features like DMR and APRS right out of the box.
Budget-conscious new amateur radio hobbyist
The RA79 provides essential multi-band receiving capabilities at a very low entry price.
Portable field operations needing GPS and APRS
Built-in GPS and APRS make the DM-32UV ideal for tracking and field logging.
Operator needing multi-band receive capability
The RA79's design excels at receiving across multiple bands for general monitoring.
Advanced user needing high feature count HT
Its high channel count and DMR support give it a powerful feature set for serious use.
Made your choice?
Baofeng DM-32UV GPS APRSPICK
$59.99 on AmazonRetevis RA79
$22.59 on Amazon