Baofeng UV-5R vs Retevis RA79

The UV-5R is the clear winner for most amateur radio operators on a budget.

Both radios share identical core features: no DMR, APRS, or GPS; both support CHIRP programming; and both report 4.5 stars from owners. The single most important differentiator is price versus transmit power. The UV-5R costs $16 with a confirmed 5W output, delivering substantially better specs for the money. The RA79 costs $35 with unknown transmit power—we lack that specification. Without knowing the RA79's actual TX wattage, we cannot fairly compare performance, though its higher price makes it harder to justify unless you need its specific features.

The UV-5R should be your choice if you want proven budget performance and full transparency on capabilities. The RA79 might appeal if you need its lighter weight (225g versus 250g) and have confirmed its TX power meets your needs, but that information gap makes it a riskier purchase at twice the price.

Buy the Baofeng UV-5R. It's the entry-level standard for good reason: you get known specs, robust owner feedback from thousands of users, and exceptional value. Unless you have specific technical requirements the RA79 addresses, there's no practical reason to spend more.