Raditz is the first main enemy you see in the series of DBZ. If you ask me, I believe that he is a wasted character. He is only seen in the first few episodes and he is only used to introduce the origin of Goku and to announce the other two saiya-jin coming. Then he dead. Gone forever. He doesn't even come back. That is what you call a wasted character. So in explaining that, there's not that much to write about him. As with the others, red PL readings are a guess and white are factual.
Raditz was sent to earth to check up on goku and find out why he hasn't destroyed all life. Sounds like a nice job doesn't it. Just so tempting 97% of the time. When he arrived, a farmer drove up in his little truck and attempted to drive him off his property. Raditz's scouter read only 5. A shot was fired! Oh no! Poor Raditz! What's this? He caught the bullet?! With a flick of his finger he kills the farmer and destroys the engine of the truck. Checking his scouter, he detects a power level of 322. Thinking it was Kakarotto(Goku), he flew off in that direction. Actually it was Piccolo who was training in the mountains. A little chat goes on, and after that, Piccolo attempts to fry Raditz. Failure indeed. Just as Raditz is about to finish him off, his scouter detects a larger power level and flies off.
We next see Raditz when he intrudes on a little reunion. Raditz tells Goku of his past and kidnaps his nephew Gohan. He tells Kakarotto to destroy 100 people in two days(i think) are he will never see Gohan again. Back at the crater where he landed, Gohan is crying away hiding behind a truck. Raditz lifts the truck and vaporizes it. Then he sticks Gohan in his space pod to shut him up. Walking away, his scouter detects a power level of 710. Raditz thinks his scouter is broken, but then it detects two other powers of 322 & 334. Then, an odd team lands. Piccolo and Goku. After some bickering and stuff, the battle begins. Raditz kicks some butt. Then Goku and Piccolo takes off their weighted clothing and their power goes up to 416 & 408. Goku fires a Kamehame-ha. Raditz's scouter reads 924. Raditz dodges, but Goku directs it at him once more. Finally Raditz deflects the blast and then flies up and fires two blasts which Goku blocks and Piccolo barely dodges. When they land, Piccolo is less one arm. Raditz says one of my favorite quotes. (NOTE: I saw this in English only.) "Has anyone seen my arm? You can't miss it. It's green!" Piccolo then charges up his Makankosappo. Goku manages to barely hold off Raditz. Piccolo fires with a power of 1,330. Raditz barely dodges and his right shoulder pad get destroyed along with a bloody shoulder. Piccolo is in awe and just as Raditz is about to attack, Goku grabs his tail. Piccolo begins his 2nd and last try at the Makankosappo. Raditz tricks Goku into letting go and Goku pays for it. Gohan then busts out of the capsule and charges at Raditz with a power of 1,307. Raditz gets injured, but then knocks Gohan out. Goku gets Raditz in a grip and holds him, but his ribs are broken. Piccolo makes this one stronger. His power level for the attack is 1,440. Raditz and Goku each get huge holes in their chests and right before Raditz dies he gets the story of the dragonballs and tells about the other saiya-jins. Then he dies. Poor guy. That's all folks!