Retevis RA79 Tested and Reviewed - Ham Radio

In this video, we take a look at the new Retevis RA79 and run it through a series of tests to see how it performs. Some of the tests performed include; SINAD, Power Output, Spectral Purity and Carrier Waveform.
Note: I was sent this radio free of charge from Retevis in exchange for this video review.
👍Join this channel:
/ @thesmokinape
👍Support TheSmokinApe Channel on Patreon Here: / thesmokinape
🔥🔥🔥 Get your Ham Radio License using Ham Radio Prep:
shareasale.com...
USE CODE "SmokinApe" for 20% OFF
Links to products in the video:
👍Retevis RA79 Single Pack: www.amazon.com...
👍Retevis RA79 Double Pack: www.amazon.com...
👍Retevis RA79 Double Pack with Hand Mic: www.amazon.com...
👍TinySA Ultra AURSINC: www.amazon.com...
👍TinySA: amz.run/5gpR
👍MFJ Dry Dummy Load: amz.run/5h4B
10w 40dB Attenuator: amz.run/5h5J
👍www.amazon.com...
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
If you liked this video you can see more like it here:
👍 / thesmokinape
You can also follow me on Twitter and Instagram:
👍 / thesmokinape
👍 / thesmokinape

[@TheSmokinApe]

🔥🔥🔥 Get your Ham Radio License using Ham Radio Prep: shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=125420... USE CODE "SmokinApe" for 20% OFF

[@FEPLabsRadio]

That's pretty much identical to the test I did on the K5. Right on the edge of good (or bad, depending on your viewpoint) Good job professor!

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks for checking it out Jeem, I do remember your being similar 👍

[@bland-b7e]

Another awesome video Ape!! Thanks so much!!

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks Bland 👍

[@HOAHamRadio]

I was really hoping this one would be clean.... Thanks for all the work you do to keep us informed.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Hey Bob, I had my fingers crossed 😕

[@kb5elv]

Even with the voice, this sounds like a rebadged Quansheng UV-K5. BTW, that voice isn't the Baofeng voice. She's Neospeech Kate. It's a different one, but same as the Quansheng. Bet you can get the hidden menus the same way and open up the transmit range.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Hey KB5ELV, I believe a few vendors are rebranding these as their own. Thanks for the comment 👍

[@jimbabcock6285]

I'm really glad to see this type of review. I contains objective results obtained from some type of test equipment to check that design of the RF emissions. We should keep in mind that the TinySA is also an inexpensive piece of test gear. When the test results are as close as they are in this video, I think that it would be better to use a lab-grade spectrum analyzer to make a better evaluation of the RF signal before judging it as outside of the FCC requirements. The TimySA (and the NanoVNA) is a good rough indicator of the signal quality, but I wouldn't use it as a high acuracy indicator. Jim N4FAF

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks for the comment and watching Jim. I agree that the TinySA isn't lab grade equipment... keep in mind that most hams don't test gear at all and while the Tiny might be "off" most of the China gear is wildly off and the Tiny will help with that AND help people learn. I also have a Siglent SA that I will often use to compare results in videos to the TinySA, the results are remarkably similar.

[@norbertomontalvo]

If it does not meet FCC spectral emmisions, why does it have an FCC logo on the box? 🤔

[@TheSmokinApe]

The DCC logo is for the part 15b certification they applied for, meaning it’s not an incidental radiator, your TV has the same certification. There is no certification for ham radio, according to part 97 it’s the operators job to to make sure the radio is compliant 👍

[@norbertomontalvo]

Ok, the institution just want the money, there should be more and stronger legislation around this.@@TheSmokinApe

[@kurttuttle1817]

Another nice review.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks Kurt, glad you liked it 👍

[@tetelaglobalinvestmentlimi3934]

HELLO, SO CAN RA79 WORK WITH RT619 OR RT622. I have been try to link them up and it not working. Pleaseeeee help

[@TheSmokinApe]

Sorry man, I have no idea

[@leroymay8156]

Why do I need a programming cable, if the device has an USBc socket? Why can one not connect via USA-Serial? Could you please test, if the USB Port on the radio is for charging only, or if a data connerdtion can be established? vy 73

[@TheSmokinApe]

The USB C port is for power only 👍

[@leroymay8156]

Thanks for the info. What a misses opportunity.@@TheSmokinApe

[@sekibulja-fu3bv]

Would you know the size of internal memory in Kb? Apparently, new one comes with 512Kb??? Thank you

[@TheSmokinApe]

Sorry, I have no idea 🤷

[@Dougsterxplor]

I have 2 of these and branded Quansheng. £20 UK for the pair and I've updated Firmware already with other Mods.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Yeah, some of those custom firmware’s look pretty cool. Thanks for watching 👍

[@jacko101]

I'm in the UK, where did you get them?

[@Dougsterxplor]

@@jacko101 Ali Express and Temu

[@tecnomacho]

Please, say the new features of the new firmware

[@technishn]

I thought the AM modulation percentage was usually at 30% for testing, which would take about 8.5 dB off your SINAD readings (20 Log 80/30) which would be more in line with the manufacturers spec

[@TheSmokinApe]

You sir…. Are correct, I just went back and checked my notes which do say 30%. Thank you for catching that 👍

[@TheSmokinApe]

Oops, it’s SNR not SINAD but you are still correct 👍

[@CampingandHamRadio-W4POT]

May your emissions always be spectrally pure.

[@TheSmokinApe]

It would be nice 👍

[@Dale-qi9uy]

Yeah I have one when u receive a signals do see s meter on mine I don't

[@ammocraft]

Glad to see the cat videos are back. 👍😉

[@TheSmokinApe]

Haha 😂

[@sekibulja-fu3bv]

Another excellent video, thank you! This test took place 10 months ago....Have you revisited test on This Retevis radio recently? Have Retevis fixed these issues? Thank you

[@TheSmokinApe]

SO these radios are made by a large manufacturer and rebranded by many different companies, Retevis being one of them.

[@richardterry3000]

Do you think you can adjust an internal filter for the harmonics?

[@TheSmokinApe]

I doubt it 😕

[@DaniloTreta]

Which low cost dual band radio would you say is the the best? Also, awesome video. Thumbs up!

[@TheSmokinApe]

It’s very basic but I like this one: www.radioddity.com/products/baofeng-gt-5r

[@ranchosinnombreannjimmy8427]

@@TheSmokinApe I like mine so far.. It was easy to get the air band and scan for tones. I also look forwart to exploring the retevis/quansheng firmware options, let break some radios yall lol

[@TheSmokinApe]

@@ranchosinnombreannjimmy8427 haha, good luck with the updates 👍

[@BCsJonathanTM]

One day somebody will learn how to put a usb-c port on top of a radio so it can charge while being used without having a radio wire sticking out the side making it difficult to use like an HT.

[@TheSmokinApe]

We can only hope, thanks for watching 👍

[@ranchosinnombreannjimmy8427]

Just got one for 17 bucks IDK why it was so cheap. Mine came with a programming cable too, and I'm not doing a review. Initial attempt with chirp is a no go.

[@DeLorean58]

It's a UVK5

[@TheSmokinApe]

Oh, you must have saw the part in the video where I covered that 👍

[@DeLorean58]

@@TheSmokinApe to be fair I had this on in the background while cooking dinner, so I guess I gave the TL:DW on it. Catch you on the CaHR stream later

[@TheSmokinApe]

No worries bro, I appreciate you checking it out 👍

[@DeLorean58]

@@TheSmokinApe I have the Anysecu version and I love it. Installed the modded firmware on it there has been no looking back. Thanks to that I found a very active 1.25m repeater in my area.

[@nats50]

​@TheSmokinApe It's a Radtel 590 as well.

[@45auto]

Somebody is knocking at the door of 50k subscribers. Will you be giving away a six-pack of Ape Drank and a pork chop sammich?

[@TheSmokinApe]

It’s a 5 pack because I had one 🍻

[@janhenkins]

I wonder if it takes the same firmware as the Quansheng UV-K5... Wow Retevis, not even any case changes, literally a name sticker change only. Geez... Not to disparage the UV-K5, I have one of those as well as it's near-identical (slightly better-looking with an orange back-light) brother the UV-K6, and they are both super fun radios to use. But dang it Retevis, at least make it look like a Retevis and not a Quansheng, it shares none of the usual Retevis design queues. Lazy marketing!

[@TheSmokinApe]

If I was to bet, someone makes these for both Quansheng and Retevis 👀

[@Dont_stay_long_k077]

I don't get the Moaning , these are less than a "Couple of Beers" ,

[@JohnSmith-wl8cv]

Quansheng Baofeng with a different badge .

[@TheSmokinApe]

Agreed

[@electrohacker]

its not the baofeng lady its a drunken baofeng lady

[@TheSmokinApe]

That might be true 👀

[@yungsmile7546]

Quansheng K series repackaged by Retevis.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Yes