Radtel RT-860 vs Retevis RA79

The Retevis RA79 is the clear winner here. While both radios lack advanced features like DMR, APRS, and GPS, the RA79 demonstrates superior overall value through its lower price point and notably higher performance score of 60 versus the RT-860's 48.

The single most important differentiator is CHIRP compatibility. The RA79's support for this widely-used programming software gives it a significant practical advantage, making frequency management and customization far simpler for users. The RT-860's lack of CHIRP support forces manual programming, which is tedious and error-prone. This alone justifies choosing the RA79.

Both radios are budget options with sparse specifications—missing critical details like transmit power and weight. However, the RA79's broader feature set and proven compatibility make it the more functional choice. The RT-860 appears to be a dead-end purchase with limited ecosystem support.

Buy the RA79 if you want a budget-friendly handheld with practical usability and CHIRP support. Buy the RT-860 only if you have very specific legacy requirements or can tolerate manual programming exclusively.

For most amateur radio operators, the Retevis RA79 is the obvious choice at a lower price with substantially better capabilities.