Retevis RA79 vs Retevis RA89

The RA79 is the clear winner here. Both radios offer identical feature sets—no DMR, APRS, or GPS on either model—and owners report the same 4.5/5 rating from 278 Amazon reviews on each. The single most important differentiator is price and weight. The RA79 costs $35 versus $67 for the RA89, nearly half the price, while weighing 225g compared to the RA89's 295g. For the listed specifications you're getting, the RA79 delivers better value. We don't have TX power figures for either radio, so that spec remains unknown across both options. Both support CHIRP programming, which is useful for frequency management.

The RA79 is the right choice for budget-conscious operators who want a lightweight handheld without paying extra for capabilities they won't use. The RA89 makes sense only if you have a specific requirement we haven't identified in the listed specs, or if you prefer its heavier build for some operational reason.

Go with the RA79 unless you have a concrete reason not to.