Retevis RA79 vs Wouxun KG-UV9D Plus

The RA79 is the clear winner for budget-conscious operators. At $35 versus $180, it delivers better listed specifications relative to its price point. We don't have the RA79's transmit power figure, so we cannot directly compare power output, but both radios lack DMR, APRS, and GPS. The RA79 is slightly lighter at 225g and supports CHIRP programming, while the Wouxun offers a known 5W output and proprietary software. Owner feedback slightly favors the RA79, with 278 Amazon reviewers reporting 4.5/5 stars compared to the Wouxun's 4.2/5 from 42 reviewers—a meaningful sample size difference in your favor if you choose the RA79.

The single most important differentiator is price. The RA79 costs roughly one-fifth as much as the Wouxun for comparable core functionality.

Buy the RA79 if you need an affordable, straightforward handheld for local VHF/UHF work and want CHIRP compatibility. Buy the Wouxun if you specifically need confirmed 5W output and don't mind paying substantially more for it.

The RA79 is the smarter choice for most operators.