Anker 737 Power Bank PowerCore 24K vs Retevis RT97S Portable GMRS Repeater
Head-to-head spec comparison to help you pick the right kit component for your needs.
Anker
$150
Retevis
$340
Spec-by-Spec Comparison
| Spec | Anker 737 Power Bank PowerCore 24K | Retevis RT97S Portable GMRS Repeater |
|---|---|---|
| Kit Role | backup power | GMRS repeater hub |
| Category | power-bank | gmrs-repeater |
| Renter Install | no install | permission required |
| Building Fit | command post | licensed RF relay |
| Max Power | 140 W | 5 W |
| Channels | N/A | 8 |
| Clear LOS Range | N/A | N/A |
| Coverage | N/A | N/A |
| Battery Life | 24 hrs | N/A |
| Water Resistant | No | No |
| SOS Button | No | No |
| Weather Alerts | No | No |
| License Required | No | Yes |
| Subscription Required | No | No |
| Subscription/mo | 0 $ | 0 $ |
| Price | $150 | $340 |
| Rating | 8.4/10 | 8.2/10 |
| Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon |
Pros & Cons
Anker 737 Power Bank PowerCore 24K
Pros
- High-capacity USB-C power layer for phones and satellite devices
- 140W-class output supports laptops and fast phone charging
- Display makes charge state obvious
- Compact enough for a command-post drawer
- Useful every day, not just during emergencies
Cons
- No radio or alert capability by itself
- Does not run a normal AC modem/router stack without a tested converter or DC path
- Needs to be kept charged before storm season
- More expensive than basic 10K power banks
- Airline and storage rules still matter
Retevis RT97S Portable GMRS Repeater
Pros
- Adds a real RF relay layer no handheld can provide
- Purpose-built GMRS repeater with built-in duplexer
- Portable AC/DC format can support temporary building or neighborhood drills
- Pairs with repeater-capable handhelds like the BTECH GMRS-V2
- Best fit for licensed building captains and prepared neighborhood radio leads
Cons
- Not a renter gadget; needs permission, antenna placement, and power planning
- No organization-wide license shortcut; unrelated GMRS operators still need their own licenses
- Shared repeater use needs a responsible licensed operator, call-sign discipline, and written operating rules
- Bad antenna placement inside concrete can erase the benefit
- More complex and easier to misuse than simple handheld radios
Our Verdicts
Anker 737 Power Bank PowerCore 24K
The Anker 737 is the phone and USB-C power layer that makes the rest of the kit usable. A radio plan fails if phones, satellite messengers, and USB-C radios are dead. Keep it charged in the same drawer as the written outage plan, but use a small power station or UPS for ordinary AC network gear.
Retevis RT97S Portable GMRS Repeater
The RT97S is the advanced GMRS product OutageKit was missing: a repeater for a licensed building radio lead trying to make floor-to-lobby or neighborhood RF coverage more reliable. It is not for casual renters, condo-board blanket use, or internet-linked networks, and it does not bypass GMRS licensing or station-identification rules. It belongs only when a responsible licensed operator can place the antenna, power the unit, and run a written channel plan.