Retevis Direct via Amazon has
Retevis Portable Handheld Dual Band 2-Way Ham AM/FM Radio Walkie Talkie (RA79) for
$14.99.
Shipping is free with Prime or on $35+ orders.
Thanks to Community Member
francois for posting this deal.
Features:
- Multi-band amateur walkie talkie; 2m and 70cm band receiver and transmitter; 1.25m/AM (Aviation) /FM/NOAA reception
- Easy to use for beginners; the large screen clearly displays all info; dedicated A/B band keys and customizable side keys put critical functions at your fingertips; adjustable high/medium/low power optimizes range and battery life
- Emergency Alarm & Flashlight
- Built-in NOAA Weather Alert receives extreme weather warnings
- Rechargeable two way radio; the 1400mAh battery offers extended talk time; supports modern USB-C charging (even with a power bank) and an optional desktop dock
- Supports CHIRP and VFO mode; users can choose to manually set the frequency through the keyboard or use a PC to add new channels and settings
- Powerful team management; ham radio with 200 channels; use frequency copy to instantly configure your entire team; DTMF for selective call; group call; and individual call; enabling precise and private communication
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You are technically correct that you (the person) do not need a license to transmit on CB. However, the radio itself must be certified (Type Accepted) by the FCC for CB TRANSMIT. You can of course use this to receive anything and that is legal.
This Retevis RA79 (or the Quansheng UV-K5) is not certified for CB. It is designed and approved as an Amateur (Ham) radio. This creates a few hurdles:
Legality: Even if you have a Ham license, you are strictly limited to transmitting on Amateur bands (based on your license class). A Ham license does not authorize you to transmit on CB, GMRS, or FRS frequencies using a non-certified radio like this one.
Hardware Reality: The "Citizen Band" (CB) is at ~27 MHz (HF), while this radio is built for ~144/440 MHz (VHF/UHF).
Here is what this radio can actually do:
Out of the Box: It transmits/receives on the 2-meter (~144 MHz) and 70cm (~440 MHz) Ham bands. It can receive FM radio, NOAA weather, and some other frequencies. It cannot transmit or receive CB.
With Firmware Mods: You can flash custom firmware (like Egzumer) to open up the receive range significantly. This allows you to listen to CB, Airband, and more. However, reception on CB is often poor because the physical antenna and circuits aren't tuned for it.
With Hardware Mods: To actually transmit on CB frequencies, you would need to physically modify the internal circuit board (adding an HF board). Even if you do this, the signal is often 'dirty' (full of interference/harmonics), and it remains illegal to transmit on CB with this device. You could technically transmit on other frequencies such as the 10-meter band, if the harmonics were within the allowed limits of Amateur radio license requirements (which it probably is not unless you throw a lot of money at it for filters).
TL;DR: If you want to talk on CB, save yourself the headache and buy a dedicated CB radio. If you want to get into the technical hobby of Ham radio, the UV-K5 is a fun, cheap starting point!
43 Comments
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Thanks for any info.
MOOT: having little or no practical relevance
His question was about citizen's band. This radio does not transmit on the 11 meter band. Ergo, moot. Also, there is no license to operate on CB by definition, so I'm not sure why you mentioned a license to transit on frequencies *this radio does not transmit on.* He wasn't asking about ham bands.
I know ham radio operators are pedantic rivet counters by trade, but it's just weird when they're pedantic AND wrong.
EDIT: my reply is being erroneously included in a quote of the comment so I'm trying to reformat the layout
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Thanks for any info.
Or, tried and true Iridum LEO satellite network (480~ miles up).
Eg https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/765374/
You can go more expensive with voice models and voice plans, but pointless in a true emergency where you only need to text out an SOS + GPS location.
Also, text only models like the Garmin do 14+ days without a recharge. A phone? Wouldn't depend on a phone in an emergency far off in the woods where it can take days to reach someone...and the battery ran out.
Standard disclaimer. This radio would have to have its firmware replaced to transmit on FRS freqs. Also, no radio with a removable antenna is approved for FRS, and this radio has other reasons it would not be approved for FRS.
His question was about citizen's band. This radio does not transmit on the 11 meter band. Ergo, moot. Also, there is no license to operate on CB by definition, so I'm not sure why you mentioned a license to transit on frequencies *this radio does not transmit on.* He wasn't asking about ham bands.
I know ham radio operators are pedantic rivet counters by trade, but it's just weird when they're pedantic AND wrong.
EDIT: my reply is being erroneously included in a quote of the comment so I'm trying to reformat the layout[/QUOTE]
Yes, professor. We all know what the word "moot" means. Your usage was self-promoting and awkward in character, as if to say, hey everyone, watch me use this $10 word where a 25-center-er would have done just fine--and don't let that "pat pat" sound distract you. That's just the sound of me patting myself on the back. We are all so impressed by your technically, albeit unskilled, usage of the word.
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