Retevis A3 vs Yaesu FT-60R

The Yaesu FT-60R is the clear winner here, despite its higher price tag. While the Retevis A3 costs $110 less, you're paying for actual quality and proven reliability with the Yaesu.

The single most important differentiator is the FT-60R's established reputation and superior build quality. Yaesu is a trusted name in amateur radio with decades of heritage, while the Retevis A3 remains relatively obscure with incomplete specifications that raise red flags. The FT-60R's higher overall score reflects this meaningful difference.

Both radios lack modern features like DMR, APRS, and GPS, making them basic analog handhelds. However, the FT-60R delivers consistent 5W output and proven durability, whereas the Retevis A3's unknown transmit power and missing weight specs suggest either incomplete documentation or a budget model you shouldn't trust.

The Retevis A3 might appeal to someone seeking the absolute cheapest entry point into amateur radio with no performance expectations. The Yaesu FT-60R suits anyone who wants a reliable, secondhand-market friendly handheld that will actually last.

Buy the FT-60R. The extra investment pays dividends in reliability and resale value.