Retevis RT97S Portable GMRS Repeater vs UGREEN 130W USB C Car Charger, PD 100W + PD 30W, 3-Port Cigarette Lighter Adapter with LED Display
Head-to-head spec comparison to help you pick the right kit component for your needs.
Retevis
$340
UGREEN
$26
Verdict
It's a Tie
The Retevis RT97S Portable GMRS Repeater and UGREEN 130W USB C Car Charger, PD 100W + PD 30W, 3-Port Cigarette Lighter Adapter with LED Display are evenly matched. Your choice depends on which features matter most to you.
Spec-by-Spec Comparison
| Spec | Retevis RT97S Portable GMRS Repeater | UGREEN 130W USB C Car Charger, PD 100W + PD 30W, 3-Port Cigarette Lighter Adapter with LED Display |
|---|---|---|
| Kit Role | GMRS repeater hub | car USB-C fast charger |
| Category | gmrs-repeater | inverter |
| Renter Install | permission required | No installation — plug into cigarette lighter |
| Building Fit | licensed RF relay | In-car only; 12V cigarette lighter socket required |
| Max Power | 5 W | 130 W |
| Channels | 8 | N/A |
| Clear LOS Range | N/A | N/A |
| Coverage | N/A | N/A |
| Battery Life | N/A | N/A |
| Water Resistant | No | No |
| SOS Button | No | No |
| Weather Alerts | No | No |
| License Required | Yes | No |
| Subscription Required | No | No |
| Subscription/mo | 0 $ | 0 $ |
| Price | $340 | $26 |
| Rating | 8.2/10 | 8.0/10 |
| Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon |
Pros & Cons
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
UGREEN 130W USB C Car Charger, PD 100W + PD 30W, 3-Port Cigarette Lighter Adapter with LED Display
Pros
- 100W USB-C port charges laptops and phones at full speed
- 3 ports simultaneously — phone + laptop + tablet all at once
- LED display shows power draw in real time
- Under $26 — cheapest fast-charge in-car solution by far
- PD 3.0 / QC 4.0 / PPS protocols for maximum device compatibility
Cons
- Cigarette lighter socket only — no 12V hardwire option
- PPS max 33W is a bit low for PPS-capable phones at peak speed
- No AC outlet — can't charge the Jackery station from the car
Our Verdicts
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.
UGREEN 130W USB C Car Charger, PD 100W + PD 30W, 3-Port Cigarette Lighter Adapter with LED Display
The UGREEN 130W is the essential evacuation-route charger: for $26, three people can top up phones and a laptop simultaneously at full PD speeds while driving away from the storm. It's not a power station replacement — it can't recharge the Jackery — but as a supplement during transit it's unmatched value.
UGREEN 130W USB C Car Charger, PD 100W + PD 30W, 3-Port Cigarette Lighter Adapter with LED Display
$26