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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 30,259 Views
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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
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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.

75 Comments

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Feb 19, 2025
4 Posts
Joined Aug 2016
Feb 19, 2025
science44
Feb 19, 2025
4 Posts
A license is required to operate a HAM Radio.
3
Feb 19, 2025
3,278 Posts
Joined Jun 2019
Feb 19, 2025
DoctorLecter
Feb 19, 2025
3,278 Posts
Do these work with older, currently used radios? Same brand
Feb 19, 2025
1,322 Posts
Joined Dec 2017
Feb 19, 2025
lolopolo
Feb 19, 2025
1,322 Posts
Quote from erjed :
Yes. One time only.
too bad. wanted to buy another set as a gift. thanks for answering!
Feb 19, 2025
27 Posts
Joined Apr 2017
Feb 19, 2025
mightyschwa
Feb 19, 2025
27 Posts
Quote from DoctorLecter :
Do these work with older, currently used radios? Same brand
Yes, as long as the frequency & CTCSS/DCS "privacy" code are the same.
Feb 19, 2025
1,424 Posts
Joined Oct 2016
Feb 19, 2025
LaughinGass
Feb 19, 2025
1,424 Posts
Quote from KLondike5-1212 :
It's not the FCC you need to worry about. Hams are expert at triangulation. They (we) are very protective of our frequency allocations.
Good luck "triangulating" a walkie talkie on a pedestrian with a radio having a 3 mile range lol. I'm sure the gov't will get right on it once you send them the coordinates.
Last edited by LaughinGass February 18, 2025 at 09:11 PM.
4
Feb 19, 2025
504 Posts
Joined Nov 2018
Feb 19, 2025
Usermeme
Feb 19, 2025
504 Posts
Quote from brian1971 :
Yes, in most countries you need a license to use this.
Is this SD thread for most other countries?
1
Feb 19, 2025
1,424 Posts
Joined Oct 2016
Feb 19, 2025
LaughinGass
Feb 19, 2025
1,424 Posts
Quote from Usermeme :
Is this SD thread for most other countries?
Considering these are portable radios and people often take radios with them when they travel to remote places....seems relevant?

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Feb 19, 2025
504 Posts
Joined Nov 2018
Feb 19, 2025
Usermeme
Feb 19, 2025
504 Posts
Quote from LaughinGass :
Considering these are portable radios and people often take radios with them when they travel to remote places....seems relevant?
Thank you.
Feb 19, 2025
627 Posts
Joined Feb 2017
Feb 19, 2025
Blizzard---
Feb 19, 2025
627 Posts
Great deal, OP, and repped👍
Pro
Feb 19, 2025
1,678 Posts
Joined Apr 2014
Feb 19, 2025
maheeinfy
Pro
Feb 19, 2025
1,678 Posts
My kiddo plays with these. Why does Retevis need a license? Is it the range
https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Bas...0B77G5H8N/
Feb 19, 2025
1,781 Posts
Joined May 2004
Feb 19, 2025
ECarlson
Feb 19, 2025
1,781 Posts
Awesome deal, if I didn't already have a dozen dual band handhelds, including a Retevis DMR handheld. These would make nice gifts for newly licensed hams who don't have radios yet.
Feb 19, 2025
1,781 Posts
Joined May 2004
Feb 19, 2025
ECarlson
Feb 19, 2025
1,781 Posts
Quote from maheeinfy :
My kiddo plays with these. Why does Retevis need a license? Is it the range
https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Bas...0B77G5H8N/ [amazon.com]
Your link is to unlicensed FRS radios. Ham radios are on different frequencies, that do require a license to transmit. It's not about the range.
1
Feb 19, 2025
207 Posts
Joined Jan 2017
Feb 19, 2025
hz.lv
Feb 19, 2025
207 Posts
Quote from aigochamaloh :
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.
original price is $39.99, sale price is $35.99, that is 10% off already.
Feb 19, 2025
665 Posts
Joined Sep 2013
Feb 19, 2025
2deal
Feb 19, 2025
665 Posts
Quote from ty_ryan :
yes they require HAM radio license to transmit
If you F4 unlock and drop power, it seems like you could use MURS channels without a license. Low power is 1 watt and mid power is 2.5 watt. I don't know anything about HAM but it seems like a gray area.

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Feb 19, 2025
1,924 Posts
Joined May 2007
Feb 19, 2025
KLondike5-1212
Feb 19, 2025
1,924 Posts
Quote from LaughinGass :
Good luck "triangulating" a walkie talkie on a pedestrian with a radio having a 3 mile range lol. I'm sure the gov't will get right on it once you send them the coordinates.
Not everyone walks with a walkie talkie. Try bootlegging for a while and find out for yourself. Should be fun!
1

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