RadioRanked verdict
Updated Nov 2026Radtel RT-860 vs Yaesu FT-60R
Top pick
Radtel RT-860$36.99
The Yaesu FT-60R is the clear winner for most users, despite nearly identical overall scores.
The most important differentiator is confirmed TX power and CHIRP support. The FT-60R delivers 5W and works with CHIRP programming software, while we lack TX power data for the Radtel RT-860 and it has no CHIRP support. This matters for both effective communication range and ease of programming. The FT-60R's higher owner rating (4.5/5 from 212 reviews versus 3.9/5 from 139) reflects what owners are actually reporting in the field.
The Radtel RT-860 makes sense only if budget is your absolute constraint and you need a basic no-frills radio for occasional use with pre-programmed frequencies. The FT-60R should be your choice if you want a capable handheld with known performance, programming flexibility, and the benefit of reported user satisfaction.
The price gap of $171 is substantial, but you're paying for specified power output, software compatibility, and better owner feedback. Unless you have tight financial limits, the FT-60R is the smarter investment for amateur radio work.
By use case
Which should you buy?
Budget-conscious first-time licensee
It costs far less than the alternative, making it a low-risk way to start learning local repeater use.
RT-860Operator needing large channel memory
It offers 1024 channels, slightly more than the FT-60R's 1000, for organizing extensive local frequency lists.
RT-860Hiker wanting the lightest handheld
At 255g it is considerably lighter than the 370g FT-60R, which matters on long trail days.
RT-860Technician wanting a backup radio
A well-regarded, proven analog handheld from an established maker makes a dependable spare for repeater monitoring.
FT-60RBuyer preferring simple analog operation
It is a pure analog VHF/UHF radio with a higher feature score, suiting operators who want a straightforward, long-lived tool.
FT-60R
Reasons to choose Radtel RT-860
- 2% more memory channels (1,024 vs 1,000)
- 43% more battery (2000 mAh vs 1400 mAh)
- 115g lighter (255g vs 370g)
Reasons to choose Yaesu FT-60R
- Has CHIRP compatibility
- FCC equipment authorization on file
Spec battle
Spec-by-spec breakdown
Made your choice?
Radtel RT-860
$36.99 on AmazonYaesu FT-60R
Search on AmazonMore head-to-heads