RadioRanked verdict
Retevis
Retevis A3
A budget-friendly, multi-band HT for beginners or experimenters. It offers solid features for the price, but lacks advanced digital modes.
Decision helper
Is this radio right for you?
Yes, if you're…
- ✓New licensed technicians
- ✓Budget-conscious experimenters
- ✓NOAA monitoring and repeater use
- ✓Operators needing basic multi-band coverage
Skip it, if you're…
- ✕Advanced digital mode users
- ✕Serious link budget analysis
- ✕Operators needing IP connectivity
Tradeoffs
The good and the bad
What we like
- Solid 2500 mAh battery capacity
- 999 channel memory capacity
- Dual-watch with independent volume
- Versatile multi-band programming capability
What we don't
- No DMR or APRS digital modes
- Unspecified transmit power figures
- Programming requires advanced troubleshooting
- Not water resistant
Proprietary RR score
How we scored it
Scores combine specs, Amazon buyer sentiment, and our testing framework. How we score →
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2500mAh
Battery
999
Channels
286g
Weight
Extracted from the top buyer reviews we analysed
Themes from top buyer reviews
Hidden features
Advanced transmit modes require specific button combinations.
Programming difficulty
Software is unreliable; manual programming is recommended.
Basic functionality
The radio provides useful features for the price.
Physical build quality
Users noted loose battery fit and screen protectors.
Overview
The Retevis A3 targets newly licensed Technicians or budget-conscious operators who want VHF, UHF, and 6m coverage in a single handheld without committing serious money. It fits the "first radio beyond the entry-level" slot, particularly for those experimenting with 6m or running NOAA weather monitoring alongside a primary repeater channel.
The 2500mAh battery and 999 memory channels are genuinely useful at this price point, and dual-watch with independent volume control has real utility for emergency volunteers juggling two active nets. Where the A3 struggles is in feature depth: there is no DMR, no APRS, no digital modes of any kind. TX power figures are unspecified by Retevis, which is a red flag for anyone trying to assess link budgets seriously. The radio is not water resistant, so field use in anything but dry conditions requires extra care.
At $79.99, the A3 scores middling on value and below average on features relative to the broader HT market. Operators who need FM analog monitoring across three bands on a tight budget may find it acceptable; those expecting digital capability or verified RF output specs should look elsewhere.
Specifications
| Price | $107.99 |
| Memory Channels | 999 |
| Weight | 286g |
| Battery | 2500 mAh |
| FCC Authorization | No grant found |
| color | Green |
| unitCount | 1 |
| Warranty | We provide 2 year warranty and 30 days no reason to return;2 year warranty for radio body and 1 year warranty for accessories. Beyond the warranty period: We still offer maintain service, buyers are required to afford corresponding costs. We processed in the most hassle-free way possible.You just need to contact with us on Amazon ,we will reply you within 12 hours. |
| Item model number | A3 |
| Package Dimensions | 8.98 x 8.74 x 3.5 inches |
| Date First Available | July 5, 2025 |
Key Features
- Covers 10m, 6m, 2m, and 70cm TX; wide RX includes SSB, AM, FM, and CW reception
- Dual watch with independent PTT and separate volume control per channel
- NOAA weather alert reception with SAME (Specific Area Message Encoding) filtering
- 999 memory channels; adequate for region-wide repeater databases
- Analog FM only; no DMR, no APRS, no digital voice or data modes
- TX power output unspecified by manufacturer; verify with a wattmeter before field use
- Not water resistant; avoid exposure to rain or high-humidity environments
Recommended Antenna Upgrades
A better antenna is the cheapest way to extend your range. These fit the SMA-Female jack on the Retevis A3.
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What Customers Say
My original opinion of this radio was "not ready for prime time". It would not transmit on the upper end of the 6 meter band and the programming software would not connect to the radio. But, after a little searching on the internet I found that to open the transmit on 6 meters you must turn the ra...
Junk junk junk. Too many problems to list. Don’t waste your time and money. The radio itself is a piece of garbage. The HF reception is terrible and it cannot TX outside of 2M/70CM. Programming is terrible, controls are counterintuitive, and radio is just plain a chore to use. Do not buy this radio.
I like it. Took a while to figure out all the features. The T-Bar antenna didn't do much, if anything. Never received anything on HF through T-Bar, not even an AM radio station (reason for 4 stars). Hooked it up to a good antenna through an SMA to SO239 adapter and was able to use HF (mostly 20 ...