I bought a pair of AR152 for two reasons. It was recommended by a radio freak friend as a a great first radio for beginners - which I am. The larger buttons and screen make it much easier to use for my crooked large hands (from working for a living with my hands). The large capacity battery was also a reason as I intend to listen more than transmit. They fill the SHTF emergency radio need for me and mine. Paired with NC Scout's book - 'The Guerilla's Guide to the Baofeng Radio' - it'll get the job done!
@muddy_review Hello Shannon, This is Olivia from Baofeng support team. The output power will be affected by various factors; however, some dealers will appear to misrepresent the output power. Also, the AR-152 radio is a customized model for our dealers, and we suggest you can confirm the output power of the radio with the seller again before purchase. Thanks for your understanding. If there's anything else we can help with, feel free to contact us. Regards, Olivia Baofeng Support Team
It probably is, but only on one frequency. I've testes two Baofeng radio's and two TYT radio's, all HT's. And on 146.000, into a dummy load I got full power. 5 watts on my UV5R VS+. 5 watts on my TYT DMR/UHF/UHF HT. 8 watts on my BFF8-HP, and 10 watts on my TYT UV8000D HT. So yes on one frequency, you will get full power into a dummy load. Now you will have to tinker with antenna's to get the best SWR's, but thats the fun bit. I've been licensed since 2016,, and I'm still learning.
Honestly I think the biggest weakpoint of this radio is the use of a kenwood pinout. I know that keeps their parts standard and whatever, but I would love to see a cheaper end radio that could easily be interfaced to be a data modem (like for atak and stuff). The best part of the 152a is that fuckhuge side connector thing they carried over from the golf that allows it to be plugged into a computer, a remote front plate, and networking equipment. I would unironically pay up to 900 dollars for something that actually has similar capabilities tbhq.
Yeah I totally understand and agree. The Kenwood 2 plug is a bonus for the ability to keep all your old baofeng components, but as I mentioned in my video that port cover on this radio is a weak point.
Biggest weakpoint as same as for other baofengs is that this does not have any filters on recevier so it means in building areas or in places with many interference this unit might be totally deaf.... so output power is not so important when you realize that you will not hear response from station which will try to repond you but you will not hear them. I have many baofengs and yes they might be used for short distance and it does the job but... well... its better to add more money and buy radiostation who will bring you more fun then this.
@Matúš Brisuda it spumds like you are describing RF shadow and this can effect even high dollar PRC radios like the 148 MBITR and 152. Radios in general can suffer and struggle in buildings and built up urban areas frequency come into play as well as antenna type. But you are 100% correct that is a weapoint for these radios.
Could you please ....really please make a test for RX/TX capabilities ? i mean some kind of comparision against classic UV5R and if it is possible with yeasu FT4X (for example)...i am wondering if it is only UV5R in different case or if it has some better performance . Or maybe it would be usefull to diassemble both of them and see what is inside - whats the differences etc...
There are plenty of smarter men than I that do technical breakdowns of these radios. I am not skilled enough to tear one down and explain the internals. I don't currently have an FT4X radio and eventually I will do a full RX/TX video when the time comes. There is some things I need first before I can do that though.
The difference between 5w and 10w is so minuscule. It’s good for marketing I guess though. I kinda want one of these just to have the looks. Or I may just buy another TCA or FCS.
Agreed on the 5W and 10W, if you have a Baofeng already and components, this isn't a terrible radio especially since it does fit standard Military radio pouches.
Do you really need a 1.65 pounds and 10 watt brick with an annoying giant antenna for airsoft? You have to know that this is not a license-free radio. You need a ham or GMRS license in order to transmit legally. If you dont want to pay or passing an exam, better use FRS.
I bought a pair of AR152 for two reasons. It was recommended by a radio freak friend as a a great first radio for beginners - which I am. The larger buttons and screen make it much easier to use for my crooked large hands (from working for a living with my hands). The large capacity battery was also a reason as I intend to listen more than transmit. They fill the SHTF emergency radio need for me and mine. Paired with NC Scout's book - 'The Guerilla's Guide to the Baofeng Radio' - it'll get the job done!
All of those reasons are valid and legit, also the book by NC Scout is fantastic
@muddy_review Hello Shannon,
This is Olivia from Baofeng support team.
The output power will be affected by various factors; however, some dealers will appear to misrepresent the output power. Also, the AR-152 radio is a customized model for our dealers, and we suggest you can confirm the output power of the radio with the seller again before purchase.
Thanks for your understanding. If there's anything else we can help with, feel free to contact us.
Regards,
Olivia
Baofeng Support Team
Well that is some interesting information Shannon, thanks so much for the info and the comment!
Its a BNC connector. I use them also.
It probably is, but only on one frequency. I've testes two Baofeng radio's and two TYT radio's, all HT's. And on 146.000, into a dummy load I got full power. 5 watts on my UV5R VS+. 5 watts on my TYT DMR/UHF/UHF HT. 8 watts on my BFF8-HP, and 10 watts on my TYT UV8000D HT. So yes on one frequency, you will get full power into a dummy load. Now you will have to tinker with antenna's to get the best SWR's, but thats the fun bit. I've been licensed since 2016,, and I'm still learning.
That's interesting and great information really appreciate the comment!
FYI, CHIRP thinks this radio is a BF-F8HP. Basically a UV-5R, but it has 3 power levels instead of 2.
Good info, thanks for that! It checks out, seeing as how the TRI 152 is basically a UV5R with more menus.
Honestly I think the biggest weakpoint of this radio is the use of a kenwood pinout. I know that keeps their parts standard and whatever, but I would love to see a cheaper end radio that could easily be interfaced to be a data modem (like for atak and stuff). The best part of the 152a is that fuckhuge side connector thing they carried over from the golf that allows it to be plugged into a computer, a remote front plate, and networking equipment. I would unironically pay up to 900 dollars for something that actually has similar capabilities tbhq.
Yeah I totally understand and agree. The Kenwood 2 plug is a bonus for the ability to keep all your old baofeng components, but as I mentioned in my video that port cover on this radio is a weak point.
Biggest weakpoint as same as for other baofengs is that this does not have any filters on recevier so it means in building areas or in places with many interference this unit might be totally deaf.... so output power is not so important when you realize that you will not hear response from station which will try to repond you but you will not hear them. I have many baofengs and yes they might be used for short distance and it does the job but... well... its better to add more money and buy radiostation who will bring you more fun then this.
@Matúš Brisuda it spumds like you are describing RF shadow and this can effect even high dollar PRC radios like the 148 MBITR and 152. Radios in general can suffer and struggle in buildings and built up urban areas frequency come into play as well as antenna type. But you are 100% correct that is a weapoint for these radios.
Could you please ....really please make a test for RX/TX capabilities ? i mean some kind of comparision against classic UV5R and if it is possible with yeasu FT4X (for example)...i am wondering if it is only UV5R in different case or if it has some better performance . Or maybe it would be usefull to diassemble both of them and see what is inside - whats the differences etc...
There are plenty of smarter men than I that do technical breakdowns of these radios. I am not skilled enough to tear one down and explain the internals. I don't currently have an FT4X radio and eventually I will do a full RX/TX video when the time comes. There is some things I need first before I can do that though.
😍😍😍
どうもありがとうございます。
@@Muddy_Reviews good review! I want to get funtion 152 style radio
@マウンテニアーズV Thanks glad you liked the review and it was useful for you. The TRI isn't too bad.
The difference between 5w and 10w is so minuscule. It’s good for marketing I guess though. I kinda want one of these just to have the looks.
Or I may just buy another TCA or FCS.
Agreed on the 5W and 10W, if you have a Baofeng already and components, this isn't a terrible radio especially since it does fit standard Military radio pouches.
Classic drunk purchase. Guilty.
Do you really need a 1.65 pounds and 10 watt brick with an annoying giant antenna for airsoft?
You have to know that this is not a license-free radio. You need a ham or GMRS license in order to transmit legally. If you dont want to pay or passing an exam, better use FRS.
Yes