Baofeng UV-28 vs Retevis RA79

The Retevis RA79 is the better choice for most amateur radio operators. Despite costing 30 dollars less, it scores higher overall at 60 versus 54 points and includes CHIRP compatibility, which is invaluable for programming multiple radios efficiently. The RA79 eliminates the frustration of manual frequency entry and makes firmware updates straightforward.

The single most important differentiator is CHIRP support. This feature dramatically improves usability and saves time, especially as your radio collection grows. The UV-28's GPS capability doesn't compensate for this practical limitation in typical amateur radio use.

The Baofeng UV-28 appeals only to budget-conscious users who prioritize location tracking for hiking or emergency situations and don't mind tedious manual programming. The Retevis RA79 suits anyone wanting solid baseline performance with modern convenience features at an unbeatable price point.

Get the Retevis RA79. The combination of lower cost, better score, and CHIRP compatibility makes it the logical choice. The UV-28's GPS is nice but too niche to justify the higher price and usability trade-offs. Save the seventeen dollars and invest in a second RA79 instead.