Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
In this video, I take an in-depth, real-world review of the Retevis HA2 ham radio, focusing specifically on its APRS capabilities and limitations. While the Retevis HA2 is marketed as a Bluetooth-programmable ham radio with GPS and APRS, my testing shows that its APRS implementation is severely lacking for serious amateur radio operators.
The Retevis HA2 can transmit basic APRS position reports, but that is where its functionality largely ends. During testing, I found that the radio does NOT support APRS messaging, and fails to properly decode APRS objects and bulletins, As many hams know, APRS is much more than position reporting, and these missing features significantly reduce the usefulness of the radio for real APRS operation.
This video explains:
• Retevis HA2 APRS performance and testing results
• What APRS features are missing on the HA2
• Why APRS messaging, objects, and bulletins matter
• Marketing claims vs real-world ham radio use
• Who this radio might be for — and who should avoid it
If you’re looking for a reliable APRS handheld ham radio, especially for emergency communications, events, or everyday APRS use, this review will help you decide whether the Retevis HA2 is worth buying (spoiler: I don’t recommend it)
🔹My Favorite Gear - amazon.com/shop/km4ack
🔹Raspberry Pi Build Guide - tiny.cc/pi4guide
🔹Frequently Asked Questions - tiny.cc/km4ack-faq
🔹Weekly Newsletter - https://mailchi.mp/40da1fe472e3/km4acknewsletter
🔹Follow Me
Twitter @km4ack
🔹FREE Get Started Guide - tiny.cc/getstartedguide
🔹Cool Ham Gear - km4ack.com
🔹Support the channel through Patreon - patreon.com/km4ack
🔹Did you just get a raspberry pi and want to hook it up to your radio? Start here youtu.be/E1SEgPFQk4M
Want your raspberry pi to play nice with your ham radio? Are you into digital modes like FT8, JS8Call, FLDIGI, Winlink, APRS, Digipeaters and others? Each week I put out new content showing you exactly what steps to take to get the latest ham radio software on your raspberry pi. Whether you just want to ragchew or are seriously into emergency preparedness, emcomm, or ARES and want to learn all you can about using the raspberry pi to drive your ham radio, this channel has something for you. Be sure to click the subscribe button and ring the bell before heading off. That way you will get notified of all future videos.
🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
In this video, I take an in-depth, real-world review of the Retevis HA2 ham radio, focusing specifically on its APRS capabilities and limitations. While the Retevis HA2 is marketed as a Bluetooth-programmable ham radio with GPS and APRS, my testing shows that its APRS implementation is severely lacking for serious amateur radio operators.
The Retevis HA2 can transmit basic APRS position reports, but that is where its functionality largely ends. During testing, I found that the radio does NOT support APRS messaging, and fails to properly decode APRS objects and bulletins, As many hams know, APRS is much more than position reporting, and these missing features significantly reduce the usefulness of the radio for real APRS operation.
This video explains:
• Retevis HA2 APRS performance and testing results
• What APRS features are missing on the HA2
• Why APRS messaging, objects, and bulletins matter
• Marketing claims vs real-world ham radio use
• Who this radio might be for — and who should avoid it
If you’re looking for a reliable APRS handheld ham radio, especially for emergency communications, events, or everyday APRS use, this review will help you decide whether the Retevis HA2 is worth buying (spoiler: I don’t recommend it)
🔹My Favorite Gear - amazon.com/shop/km4ack
🔹Raspberry Pi Build Guide - tiny.cc/pi4guide
🔹Frequently Asked Questions - tiny.cc/km4ack-faq
🔹Weekly Newsletter - https://mailchi.mp/40da1fe472e3/km4acknewsletter
🔹Follow Me
Twitter @km4ack
🔹FREE Get Started Guide - tiny.cc/getstartedguide
🔹Cool Ham Gear - km4ack.com
🔹Support the channel through Patreon - patreon.com/km4ack
🔹Did you just get a raspberry pi and want to hook it up to your radio? Start here youtu.be/E1SEgPFQk4M
Want your raspberry pi to play nice with your ham radio? Are you into digital modes like FT8, JS8Call, FLDIGI, Winlink, APRS, Digipeaters and others? Each week I put out new content showing you exactly what steps to take to get the latest ham radio software on your raspberry pi. Whether you just want to ragchew or are seriously into emergency preparedness, emcomm, or ARES and want to learn all you can about using the raspberry pi to drive your ham radio, this channel has something for you. Be sure to click the subscribe button and ring the bell before heading off. That way you will get notified of all future videos.
🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
