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RadioRanked verdict

Updated Oct 2026

Radtel RT-920 vs Retevis A3

Our pick

Radtel RT-920$47.04

The Radtel RT-920 is the clear winner for most users.

The single most important differentiator is price combined with owner satisfaction. The RT-920 costs less than half the price of the Retevis A3 at $47 versus $108, while owners report significantly better experiences: 4.3 out of 5 stars across 119 reviews compared to the A3's 3.6 stars from only 31 reviews. RadioRanked's Overall Score reflects this reality, showing the RT-920 delivers better listed specifications for the money.

Both radios share the same core limitations: no DMR, APRS, or GPS capability, and neither supports CHIRP programming. The RT-920 specifies 8 watts of transmit power; we lack the A3's TX power figure. The A3's weight of 286 grams is noted, but the RT-920's weight is unknown, so we cannot compare portability directly.

The RT-920 should appeal to budget-conscious operators who want proven reliability based on owner feedback. The A3 might interest someone with specific needs not reflected in our data, though the evidence supporting it is sparse.

Buy the Radtel RT-920 unless you have particular requirements that demand the Retevis A3's features or form factor.

By use case

Which should you buy?

  • Beginner exploring ham radio

    Its higher features score and beginner focus make it an easier entry point.

    RT-920
  • Budget-constrained emergency monitoring

    The lower price point and wide-band capability suit field monitoring.

    RT-920
  • New licensed technician needing basic coverage

    It provides basic multi-band coverage and is ideal for simple repeater use.

    A3
  • Operator needing simple NOAA/repeater access

    The dedicated analog VHF/UHF focus is perfect for these specific monitoring tasks.

    A3
  • Portable field operator (POTA/SOTA)

    Its higher power output and portability axes make it better for field work.

    RT-920

Reasons to choose Radtel RT-920

  • 56% cheaper ($47.04 vs $107.99)
  • Has Bluetooth

Reasons to choose Retevis A3

  • 4% more memory channels (999 vs 960)
  • 14% more battery (2500 mAh vs 2200 mAh)

Spec battle

Spec-by-spec breakdown

Radtel RT-920SpecRetevis A3
$47.04
Price
$107.99
63
Overall Score
27
2.3× difference
8.00W
TX Power (High)
—
960
Memory Channels
999
+4% for winner
—
Weight
286g
2200 mAh
Battery
2500 mAh
+14% for winner
No grant found
FCC Authorization
No grant found
Standard
color
Green
1
unitCount
1

Made your choice?

Radtel RT-920PICK

$47.04 on Amazon

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