KSUN HF123D vs Retevis RA79

The Retevis RA79 is the clear winner here. Both radios lack the same digital modes and advanced features, so the real differences come down to price, programming flexibility, and what owners report.

The RA79 costs half as much as the HF123D at $31 versus $56, while offering CHIRP support for easier computer programming. That's the single most important differentiator. We don't have TX power figures for either radio, and both lack published weight and IP ratings, so those specs don't separate them. The owner feedback does: the RA79 has an average rating of 4.5 from 278 reviews, while the HF123D scores 3.4 from just 13 reviews. That's substantially more owners reporting satisfaction with the RA79, backed by a much larger sample size.

The HF123D should only interest someone who finds it used or has a specific reason to prefer it; otherwise, your money and the owner feedback point elsewhere. Buy the Retevis RA79 if you want a budget handheld with CHIRP support and strong owner satisfaction at the lowest price. The RA79 delivers better value and better-documented owner experience for less than half the price.