Slickdeals is community-supported.  We may get paid by brands for deals, including promoted items.
Heads up, this deal has expired. Want to create a deal alert for this item?
expired Posted by Izzy138 | Staff • Feb 18, 2025
expired Posted by Izzy138 | Staff • Feb 18, 2025

2-Pack Retevis Long Range Two Way Ham Radio Walkie Talkie

+ Free Shipping

$18

$40

55% off
Amazon
75 Comments 30,963 Views
Visit Amazon
Good Deal
Save
Share
Deal Details
Retevis Direct via Amazon has 2-Pack Retevis Long Range Two Way Ham Radio Walkie Talkie (RT85) on sale for $35.99 - $18 (50%) off when you apply promo code 50LDWVSP on the checkout page = $17.99. Shipping is free.

Thanks to Staff Member Izzy138 for sharing this deal.

About this product:
  • Can be connected to a repeater to extend range
  • Dual Band
  • 200 Channels, 50CTCSS and 104 DCS
  • Rechargeable 1400mah Battery
  • Keyboard Lock
  • FCC Certified

Editor's Notes

Written by jimmytx | Staff
  • About this Store:
  • Additional Information:
    • Rated 4.4 out of 5 stars on Amazon based on over 185 customer reviews.
    • Please see the original post for additional details and/or view the Wiki and forum comments for further helpful discussion if available.

Original Post

Written by Izzy138 | Staff
Product Info
Community Notes
About the Poster
Deal Details
Product Info
Community Notes
About the Poster
Retevis Direct via Amazon has 2-Pack Retevis Long Range Two Way Ham Radio Walkie Talkie (RT85) on sale for $35.99 - $18 (50%) off when you apply promo code 50LDWVSP on the checkout page = $17.99. Shipping is free.

Thanks to Staff Member Izzy138 for sharing this deal.

About this product:
  • Can be connected to a repeater to extend range
  • Dual Band
  • 200 Channels, 50CTCSS and 104 DCS
  • Rechargeable 1400mah Battery
  • Keyboard Lock
  • FCC Certified

Editor's Notes

Written by jimmytx | Staff
  • About this Store:
  • Additional Information:
    • Rated 4.4 out of 5 stars on Amazon based on over 185 customer reviews.
    • Please see the original post for additional details and/or view the Wiki and forum comments for further helpful discussion if available.

Original Post

Written by Izzy138 | Staff

Community Voting

Deal Score
+62
Good Deal
Visit Amazon

Leave a Comment

Unregistered (You)

Top Comments

1. Build Quality & Design
Retevis RT85: More robust and better built with a slightly larger and sturdier casing.
BaoFeng UV-5R: Compact but feels cheaper due to its plastic construction.

2. Power Output
Retevis RT85: 5W / 4W output (VHF/UHF).
BaoFeng UV-5R: 5W / 4W output (VHF/UHF), but real-world power is often lower.

3. Frequency Range
Both radios cover:
VHF: 136-174 MHz
UHF: 400-520 MHz
FM radio reception: 65-108 MHz

4. Battery
Retevis RT85: 1400mAh battery, generally has better battery performance.
BaoFeng UV-5R: 1800mAh battery but drains quicker.

5. Features & Usability
Retevis RT85: No computer programming required, more intuitive button layout.
BaoFeng UV-5R: Requires software (CHIRP) for easier programming.
Both radios have dual watch/standby, VOX, and standard menu functions.

6. Antenna
Retevis RT85: SMA-Female connector.
BaoFeng UV-5R: SMA-Female connector.
Performance: Stock antennas on both are mediocre; upgrading to a Nagoya NA-771 or similar helps.

7. Software & Programming
Retevis RT85: More straightforward programming from the radio itself.
BaoFeng UV-5R: Requires software for practical use; CHIRP-compatible.

Which One to Choose?
Get the Retevis RT85 if you want a better-built, easier-to-use radio with good battery life.
Get the BaoFeng UV-5R if you want a dirt-cheap, highly customizable radio with a larger community for support and accessories.
It's not the FCC you need to worry about. Hams are expert at triangulation. They (we) are very protective of our frequency allocations.

74 Comments

Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.

Feb 18, 2025
1,314 Posts
Joined Sep 2009
Feb 18, 2025
aigochamaloh
Feb 18, 2025
1,314 Posts
There is no 10% coupon on page, would be cheaper than $17.99 with the coupon supposedly. But it does show at $17.99 with the 50% off code.
Pro
Feb 18, 2025
2,255 Posts
Joined Nov 2010
Feb 18, 2025
MasterRigger
Pro
Feb 18, 2025
2,255 Posts
Can you unlock this radio?
Maybe

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/...tid=wwXIfr

Seems like chirp supports it as well
Last edited by MasterRigger February 18, 2025 at 03:35 PM.
Feb 19, 2025
665 Posts
Joined Apr 2006
Feb 19, 2025
polymixa
Feb 19, 2025
665 Posts
Which one is better, Retevis RT85 vs BaoFeng UV-5R?
Feb 19, 2025
137 Posts
Joined Jan 2019
Feb 19, 2025
Chillbroswaggins420
Feb 19, 2025
137 Posts
I'm not very tech savvy but could I use these to listen to nascar pit crew comms on race day at the track?
1
Feb 19, 2025
11,569 Posts
Joined May 2005
Feb 19, 2025
smartdeals
Feb 19, 2025
11,569 Posts
this require license or not?
Feb 19, 2025
1,152 Posts
Joined Nov 2010
Feb 19, 2025
Justhathought
Feb 19, 2025
1,152 Posts
Long range = here to over there where I can plainly see you
1
3
Feb 19, 2025
411 Posts
Joined Mar 2011
Feb 19, 2025
Hawkins1
Feb 19, 2025
411 Posts

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank Hawkins1

Quote from polymixa :
Which one is better, Retevis RT85 vs BaoFeng UV-5R?
1. Build Quality & Design
Retevis RT85: More robust and better built with a slightly larger and sturdier casing.
BaoFeng UV-5R: Compact but feels cheaper due to its plastic construction.

2. Power Output
Retevis RT85: 5W / 4W output (VHF/UHF).
BaoFeng UV-5R: 5W / 4W output (VHF/UHF), but real-world power is often lower.

3. Frequency Range
Both radios cover:
VHF: 136-174 MHz
UHF: 400-520 MHz
FM radio reception: 65-108 MHz

4. Battery
Retevis RT85: 1400mAh battery, generally has better battery performance.
BaoFeng UV-5R: 1800mAh battery but drains quicker.

5. Features & Usability
Retevis RT85: No computer programming required, more intuitive button layout.
BaoFeng UV-5R: Requires software (CHIRP) for easier programming.
Both radios have dual watch/standby, VOX, and standard menu functions.

6. Antenna
Retevis RT85: SMA-Female connector.
BaoFeng UV-5R: SMA-Female connector.
Performance: Stock antennas on both are mediocre; upgrading to a Nagoya NA-771 or similar helps.

7. Software & Programming
Retevis RT85: More straightforward programming from the radio itself.
BaoFeng UV-5R: Requires software for practical use; CHIRP-compatible.

Which One to Choose?
Get the Retevis RT85 if you want a better-built, easier-to-use radio with good battery life.
Get the BaoFeng UV-5R if you want a dirt-cheap, highly customizable radio with a larger community for support and accessories.
Last edited by Hawkins1 February 18, 2025 at 06:11 PM.
3

Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.

Feb 19, 2025
6 Posts
Joined Mar 2015
Feb 19, 2025
ty_ryan
Feb 19, 2025
6 Posts

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank ty_ryan

Quote from smartdeals :
this require license or not?
yes they require HAM radio license to transmit
1
Feb 19, 2025
1,441 Posts
Joined Oct 2016
Feb 19, 2025
LaughinGass
Feb 19, 2025
1,441 Posts
Quote from ty_ryan :
yes they require HAM radio license to transmit
You left out "legally" and "in the territories where the FCC has jurisdiction". You *can* transmit without a license, there's just a small possibility of getting in trouble.
8
Feb 19, 2025
6,906 Posts
Joined Nov 2010
Feb 19, 2025
MusicShark
Feb 19, 2025
6,906 Posts
Quote from Hawkins1 :
1. Build Quality & Design
Retevis RT85: More robust and better built with a slightly larger and sturdier casing.
BaoFeng UV-5R: Compact but feels cheaper due to its plastic construction.

2. Power Output
Retevis RT85: 5W / 4W output (VHF/UHF).
BaoFeng UV-5R: 5W / 4W output (VHF/UHF), but real-world power is often lower.

3. Frequency Range
Both radios cover:
VHF: 136-174 MHz
UHF: 400-520 MHz
FM radio reception: 65-108 MHz

4. Battery
Retevis RT85: 1400mAh battery, generally has better battery performance.
BaoFeng UV-5R: 1800mAh battery but drains quicker.

5. Features & Usability
Retevis RT85: No computer programming required, more intuitive button layout.
BaoFeng UV-5R: Requires software (CHIRP) for easier programming.
Both radios have dual watch/standby, VOX, and standard menu functions.

6. Antenna
Retevis RT85: SMA-Female connector.
BaoFeng UV-5R: SMA-Female connector.
Performance: Stock antennas on both are mediocre; upgrading to a Nagoya NA-771 or similar helps.

7. Software & Programming
Retevis RT85: More straightforward programming from the radio itself.
BaoFeng UV-5R: Requires software for practical use; CHIRP-compatible.

Which One to Choose?
Get the Retevis RT85 if you want a better-built, easier-to-use radio with good battery life.
Get the BaoFeng UV-5R if you want a dirt-cheap, highly customizable radio with a larger community for support and accessories.
Noice.
1
Feb 19, 2025
665 Posts
Joined Apr 2006
Feb 19, 2025
polymixa
Feb 19, 2025
665 Posts
Thank you!!!

Quote from Hawkins1 :
1. Build Quality & Design
Retevis RT85: More robust and better built with a slightly larger and sturdier casing.
BaoFeng UV-5R: Compact but feels cheaper due to its plastic construction.
...............................
Feb 19, 2025
235 Posts
Joined Sep 2010
Feb 19, 2025
hunt-n-fool
Feb 19, 2025
235 Posts
Quote from smartdeals :
this require license or not?
To transmit yes, to monitor/listen, no.
Feb 19, 2025
235 Posts
Joined Sep 2010
Feb 19, 2025
hunt-n-fool
Feb 19, 2025
235 Posts
Quote from MasterRigger :
Can you unlock this radio?
Maybe

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/...tid=wwXIfr

Seems like chirp supports it as well
You can unlock this radio & CHIRP supports the programming if you have a cable (not included with the radios).
Feb 19, 2025
235 Posts
Joined Sep 2010
Feb 19, 2025
hunt-n-fool
Feb 19, 2025
235 Posts
Quote from polymixa :
Which one is better, Retevis RT85 vs BaoFeng UV-5R?

I have both, they are both SOC radios, I prefer the Retevis.

Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.

Feb 19, 2025
43 Posts
Joined Jan 2016
Feb 19, 2025
ethersphere
Feb 19, 2025
43 Posts
Quote from leek69 :
Long range = here to over there where I can plainly see you
What leek said is true. Long range can be really far but only if there is line-of-sight. Imagine trying to point a laser to where you want to transmit to, if the beam doesn't get blocked by something dense or if it can reflect off other objects to hit your target, then the signal will get through. However, if your area has many many dense tree lines and hills and dips... well there goes your range. If you are out on a lake or up on the mountain transmitting to down-below, it will reach very far away. This device has it's place and can be very useful.

Leave a Comment

Unregistered (You)

Popular Deals

View All

Trending Deals

View All