TRI PRC 152 - Initial thoughts & look
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 12 ก.ย. 2024
- This is my first video in the many that I plan to make on the Triumph Instrument PRC 152 MBITR replica radio!
Please comment things you would like to see in the future with this radio in videos that I make about it.
Link to PX Airsoft where I got it from;
NOTE: Be sure to pick US version for plug as well as FedEx air mail due to lithium batteries or they will cancel the order. Shipping will be a lot but it arrives in less than a week!
www.px-airsoft....
Great info Bro. Really looking forward to you putting it through its paces. Also looking forward to your assessment of different types of antennas with this. I'm impressed that actual military headsets and connections are compatible with this. Very well done Bro.
Thanks. This is a good options, though, not cheap.
Having spent hours trawling for information it's great to finally find your channel and that it looks like your roughly where I'm at with this radio. I too have just got the latest version but it's hard work trying to find the equivalent of a "Dummies Guide" crib sheet to get this up and running. I'll be keenly watching for your progress. I'm basically trying to get the best of both GMRS and Ham, including using repeaters, set up on this to communicate with my Baofeng radios and other folks set up similarly. Thank you!
It's going to take some time as I want to do it right, but, I will have videos showing programming! The examples will be showing communicating with Baofeng radios.
I'm here 2 years late, but VERY happy I found some info on this radio setup. I really want it to run MOTO-TRBO digital, but still thinking about getting it. They just came out with the "GPS" model, that I'm sure doesn't really do GPS.
If I were to start over again & be buying today, I would go with the FCS model.
@@CallMeColtLLC I hadn't heard about that one. I already run the FCS amps, and V20 PTT so the FCS looks good. I notice that the TCA does GPS, and has a lot more power if needed. I don't need blue tooth, and I don't run Android phones.
Hmmmm. You gave me some things to think about.
@@jhutch1470 if I had more disposable funds, I would purchase one to start learning about and do some videos on it but it's a lot to spend to make $5 on the videos, haha.
@@CallMeColtLLC I hear ya. If the TCA did digital. I would be saving up for one right now. It's a lot of money for a radio that doesn't do it.
I have done a lot of research as well, and I think you have made the best decision on the best clone for the AN/PRC-152. Would like the see what you think of this new Gen 2 and the KDU. Curious if you will pair this up with a Disco32 PTT. I would like to use this with my Peltor ComTac headset. Thanks for your efforts.
I am going to use the SkyEye Tactical PTT. I like them better than the Disco32 personally. Been using them for a while with other radios. Will have it in one of the future videos as it is on it's way. TRI seemed like it was the better of the options.
Will this work with genuine 6 pin peltor PTTs?
@@Jewifer333x2 Yes
@@Jewifer333x2yes I use this radio with my peltors
Brilliant video, I cant wait for the others as I have the same setup. Many Thanks.
No problem. They will be slow to come but I will make them. My TH-cam is just a hobby.
Really cool unit. Definitely tempted to get the new model to play with
It's neat, but has it's flaws. I'd really like to see someone fix the firmware issues.
Dude that’s sweet. Does it heat up like the real ones? I got lightly toasted by a 152 lol.
I have not noticed it getting as hot.
I got three of these in. I plugged in real Harris batteries and they work fine. Attached brand new US Military handsets, and sometimes working fine, other times not. Instructions are minimal at best. KDU does not work as it should on any of my radios. No computer programming ability via cable, all hand input. Frequencies plugged in seem to only be ‘numbers on the screen’- cross checked with other brand radios there’s definitely some squirrelly factory installed software at least with my radios. It’s tough to explain, and just excuses from the company rep. Manual program is vague, things that worked at first changed- probably buggy software. My opinion is too much money, no real support, a lot of show and little go. I expect I’m stuck.
I cover a lot of what you are talking about in my later videos.
Thanks I will take a look. The distributor acts like there could be nothing wrong with what they sold me. Typical. None of the three radios I received work on VHF. I told them I compared with another radio, and there is either an issue with their firmware/software, or the antenna they ship with them is not a dual band antenna. Of course their reply is it must be me. I was looking at dual band antenna recently to try ordering to see if that sorted this issue, but can any seller of products for this company even be trusted? I think they are running themselves out of business if they keep on the way they are going. Thanks for the reply. 👍🏻
@@l.v.i.bushcraftandsurvival6692 The issue is that TRI isn't an approved radio for US sales, so that's why they're all overseas sales then shipped here as a toy, with no support. If support was given, they'd be admitting it's not a toy.
Have one in my cart..just waiting to hit buy
It's a big purchase! Where are you going to buy from?
@@CallMeColtLLC PX Airsoft I think
@@richmarsh5839 That is where I got mine.
NO... not all the "ham" people are going to freak out. And if they do, who gives a flying ______? I have an Amateur license (1 of 3 FCC lics I hold) and I don't play the amateur radio police.
@@baronedipiemonte3990 I thank you for that. You should see the comments in some of my other videos! Boy do they get excited.
Looking forward to the follow up video
I have made a few follow up videos already.
In looking at this radio there are two things that I'm genuinely curious about.
1. How does it stack up compared to the various multi-pin connector Baofengs that you've touched on in the past. What am I getting for the extra $300 in cost?
2. How does using the KDU help? I get that stowing that big ass radio is convenient, but does the KDU solve other problems or add extra functionality?
Good questions! This gives me an idea for a video... TRI 152 vs Baofeng Multipin radios. That way I can show the pros/cons between the two. Basically, what you get for all the extra cost in the TRI 152. The KDU questions would probably be answered when I made the video that is just about the KDU. I will cover why it is even a piece of equipment.
Super nice info on the Radio, one of the things that I want to learn is how to put Names instead of Frequencies / Channel number, please enlight me on that.
Paul
I made a video covering this on my channel already. "Simple Channel Programing" It goes over exactly what you are asking.
th-cam.com/video/iq_zDNpKX5c/w-d-xo.html
I have been looking for real info on this radio and it's associated KDU. This seems, for all intent and purposes to be perfect for the vest but I wanted to know more before I dropped that much on yet another radio. Especially interested in the programming cable - software: how easy is it to assign alpha tags, make repeater pairs, etc. I assume the scrambler is a simple audio inversion system but I'm curious how clearly it decodes... I already have the real Peltor Comtac with amplified PTT for Motorola radios (APX / XPR & HT Waris) so buying a cheaper non-amplified PTT will be a nice plus. Consider me subscribed for the duration.
I'm going to do one on the KDU real soon. Programming will be a few a few more weeks out. Want to be sure I get it right! The KDU is very cool though.
Love your videos, especially about these radios! Do you know of any discount codes for Px-Airsoft? If not, you should see if they will give your cannel one, since you are helping them sell these radios with your high-quality tutorials! $45 shipping, Ouch! Do you recommend any of the eBay sellers of this radio? I assume they are all coming from the same factory. Keep up the great work!
The shipping actually ends up being near $70 from PX Airsoft. I reached out to them but they don't really respond. I'd rather link to an eBay seller as the buyer is better protected but the prices are higher. Try to share the best deals even if I don't benefit from it! If I find a good listing with the KDU, I may add/update my links.
@@CallMeColtLLC Hey, appreciate that comment to look on eBay for the buyers protection. I found a seller that sold me the Gen. 2, 15W (no KDU) for $280 shipped. I added it to my watched items and seller sent me a reduced $30 offer. Had to buy it! I’ll send you the link when I confirm everything.
Now if someone can figure out a dongle to send GPS location over UHF, we would be cooking with fire! I know it’s possible, I have a couple of old Garmin Rinos that do that and they are over 15 years old.
@@ronfurro4161 I will have to add an eBay link to the video description too. When viewers click eBay links in the video descriptions, it helps fund things for the channel!
Would love to see it tested with a ComTac headset and mic.
If I had that stuff, I would try it. But I don't have that kind of money to spend!
Great information, and very interesting radio. On the one hand I don't want to add larper gear to my itrw kit, but on the other I reeeely want a KDU equivalent for my coms. Are there any other options for a remote display on civilian ham or dmr radios? I haven't had any luck finding any.
There is not anything similar that I know of. But, if your only reason to get this is for the KDU, I don't think it's worth the cost. It's cool, but not robust like a real KDU or the radio itself.
I’ve been working with these radios for the past year and a half and have figured out a lot of cool tricks and features- in terms of the KDU, I know FCS/FMA is about to release their 152 and KDU unit soon and according to my buddy who was one of the beta testers, it’s one of the best radios like this he’s seen (he says that the menu and programming options as well as general functionality is far superior to anything on the market thus far, operating above and beyond both TRI and TCA’s radios)
In regard to your other question, I have a mobile radio that I am building into a PRC117G clone (just working on printing up the case now that my new Ender5Plus 3D printer arrived) but it’s called the Retevis RT99- it’s a 40w UHF 50w VHF mobile radio that’s about the size of a VHS cassette tape and the only things on the control face are the power button and a analog RJ45 port because it’s designed to be used wirelessly via BT connection using an android phone or table (so essentially your android device is the KDU… i use a 8” Galaxy Tab S2 Tablet for my interface and it’s awesome as hell)
The app is super intuitively/well designed, and It has built in APRS functionality allowing you to see you and your peers locations on the map, while also allowing you to send sms aprs messages to others (and apparently it can also send SSTV photos)… furthermore, and this is probably one of if not the coolest feature, whether you’re connected to a hot spot (like I just connect my android tablets WiFi to my iPhone hotspot), your android has LTE cell coverage, or you pop a prepaid SIM card into the android device (or even the radio itself has a slot for one) it allows you to use the ‘network radio feature’ which essentially means the radio is capable of transmitting (for free) via the LTE cellular network allowing you to literally talk to someone 500 miles as long as you’re both in cell service range… and you can even use a network cross-channel repeater function to transmit incoming network traffic across your local analog network (ie you can retransmit a signal from someone 100 miles away to all of your friends in your vicinity operating in your analog network channel). And to top it all off, you can use a number of devices to communicate over the radio… I have a 3.5mm H250 handset I use sometimes, other times I have a 3.5mm to NATO jumper so that I can use my military PTT’s and handsets to transmit and receive, and sometimes I use my Bluetooth dongle on my AMP EarPro to communicate over it (although if you don’t wanna mess with all that, you can always just use your androids speaker and mic to TX/RX) and kinda cool feature, you can set it to record all conversations so that you can go back later and review literally any transmission youve ever sent or received. So if you want a super small but super powerful mobile radio that can be tucked under your truck seat or thrown in a backpack and operated from a wireless/remote ‘KDU’, this is the radio you want haha. And if you prefer analog, all you have to do is program the channels and plug I the analog mic and once the channels are saved you can swap thru any of the 16 channels in the primary channel zone using just the hand mic buttons.
Would love to see you cover gas mask. It’s hard to get good info on them and you seem to like value options but your not cheap.
Not really something I am interested in because the chances of needing one & having it at the same time are slim. Then, on top of it, maintaining the proper filters & keeping them fresh it not worth the hassle. They need to be sized, tested, & trained with to be effective as well. Not to mention proper shave, hair length, & lung strength.
@@CallMeColtLLC
I was thinking CS gas for riots and such not so much NBC or a pandemic with 5-10% death rate
@@BobBob-il2ku I understand. Pretty much any real gas mask will filter CS gas, just don't use long expired filters. They can become harmful!
I d like to see transmission capability tests between that TRI 152 and TCA 152 or Baofeng etc...
I do not have a TCA 152 & don't plan to buy one because that will be a lot of spending but I definitely will do a TRI vs Baofeng video. My channel focuses on the Baofeng multipin type radios so it will focus on that family, but, besides some connections, they function the same so it should give a good overall idea.
The TCA is a great radio too, but there’s not a ton of differences.. a lot of people prefer the TCA menu navigation but me personally I think the TRI is a more strait forward menu navigation (plus the KDU remote access is awesome- I run mine like a Manpack from my rucksack, using a UltraLife A320 20w broadband amp to make it essentially into a Manpack radio so that I don’t have to run it on my plate carrier. One thing the TCA does have that TRI doesn’t which I think is honestly a super cool feature, is that the TCA’s repeater mode is actually called relay mode because you can tune setting that allow you to choose if you want to hear the traffic that’s passing thru the relay or not, how long of a delay there is between receiving the incoming traffic and pushing it back out, and best of all, it allows you to still TX over the outgoing channel (so instead of most radios like the TRI, where once it’s on repeater mode you essentially can’t really use it to transmit yourself since the channels are occupied with incoming and outgoing traffic, with the TCA you can still speak over the outgoing channel so you’re not just sitting there acting as a cell tower for other users haha)
Is it as water and dust proof as say a baofeng gt-3wp or simular radios?
I honestly have not tested it but I have no reason to think it would not be. It is very solid. It maybe be one of the things that I test down the road & make a video of it.
Do you have a link to the actual one you bought that you can share. One on eBay I'm guessing? Thanks..
In the video description
Thanks dude for this dude
No problem
I'm very new when it comes to coms. Just got myself set up with a helmet + Nightvision and platecarrier. Now next step would be radios but I have 0 clue where to start, any suggestions how to properly get into it?
That's a pretty complex question to answer in a comment! I have a bunch of different videos on my channel going over radios & setups that would fit your build. Hate to be that guy, but take the time to watch them all to get an idea of the different options. Once you have, you may have a better idea. Then, you can reach out via the contact on my website if need be.
great overview! I love the KDU. What type of antenna connector does it have?
TNC, just like the real PRC 152. Lot's of adapters out there. Something I have already got but will cover down the road.
Will the KDU work with all the prc152 by TRI? I saw that usually there is 15w listed on ebay with every radio but I have seen some listings where it said 10w. I am not sure if there are older and newer models etc. Any info on that?
Good question. I should make a video just talking about this. Basically, across all brands, KDU only works with the generation & brand it was intended for. So TRI 15 watt only with the TRI KDU for example.
@@CallMeColtLLC thnx for a reply! Sure thing, I don’t expect TRI KDU to work with TCA prc but I can’t seem to find any information regarding different watt versions of TRI PRCs. Beeing a copy, I can’t really contact the manufacturer for questions about compatibility, like I could with motorola or whatever else. That’s why I’m trying you, if by any chance you know anything😃
These radios work on the same frequencies as most Baofeng? 400-500 or what it is
Does more than that. I don't really cover those aspects in my videos because many others do & the websites/listings for them cover all the exact technical specifications.
Great info. What is your primary use for a radio this rugged. Bug out rig. Home defence or other recreational activities?
A little of all the above. I also want it to mount in the LMTV so it looks authentic.
I ordered this over my baofeng as it functions the same but is metal etc looks cooler
This radio doesn't function the same as the Baofeng at all. It is it's own chipset and has a bunch of it's own features. It also has it's flaws. Much more complicated as well. Enjoy!
@@CallMeColtLLC yes but I mean the basic functions as in its a fm transceiver and receiver w a numpad etc
@@Roshan_420 Ah okay, in that sense, yes. Watch my other videos on programming and stuff. Hopefully they'll help you out.
Seller shipped me a TCA one. Its so biiig and also really nice. I wanted a TRI radio but this is fine too. I’m gonna get another one though specifically the 2022 version with 30mhz band
Edit:
That 30mhz one is an old radio that’s discontinued in 2017 sadly
Would love to see how to connect a ATAK to this radio
I'm not sure that's possible as there is not way to use the side connector without a lot of extensive modification or R&D to make a connector to mate with the pin out.
@@CallMeColtLLC Well after much research I found out how, as it turns out a way to do it is using a 32-pin Radio Data Connector to a net warrior connection up to another Net Warrior to the connection on the ATAK all in all it's about $700 plus on just cable set up to get an ATAK connected to a AN/152.
@@reapergaming4083 Has someone made a specific adapter for the TRI connector? Genuine Harris ones use a different pin layout, so it won't match. Would be cool if someone did.
@@CallMeColtLLC upon further digging I’ve discovered a critical issue preventing the use of a ATAK system on the TRI AN/152 apart from the pin out the system also lacks the ability to use VOX meaning the system would need a sound card to be installed
@@reapergaming4083 Yeah, I didn't think these were a good platform for it.
Interesante este nuevo cacharro ¿ es compatible con los Baofeng "civiles" y normales ?
I'm sorry but I do not understand.
What menu item did you select to change where the radio outputs? My friend dropped two of these off for me to figure out and I swear the radio is receiving because I can see it on the screen but just not outputting to the HT speaker. Thoughts? You mentioned speaker but was spelled wrong. Thanks for your content. Very helpful so far
Try the Speaker output in the menu. I just recorded a video talking about hooking up external handsets/headsets and it will be up in a few days. That might help you out all well.
@@CallMeColtLLC Thanks Colt, no luck, there is no menu item that even comes close to that. I am pretty familiar with programming radios but this one has me stumped. It has a pelter PPT on it so I am not sure if that is messing me up. Thanks for the super fast response. I will keep an eye out for any future videos. I think these radios are pretty cool.
@@M35a2guy If there is no option for Speaker than you must not have this model TRI 152 radio. You either have another brand or an older generation.
@@CallMeColtLLC again appreciate the response. MULTIBAND HANDHELD RADIO
AN/PRC-152(UV)
10515-0283-4100-121 Rev-B
TER INSTRUNENT S/N
® TRIUMPH
This is what he had
Hey Colt, you seem super sharp on this radio. Has anyone figured out how to program the RX freq if different from Tx?
This would be programing an offset, like a repeater. I go over this in the video I made on simple programing for this radio.
@@CallMeColtLLC I understand the offset but I think we might be talking something different. For example, 160.155 is the tx but the rx is 163.450
@@mceccanti107 That is offset. You would have a 3.295mhz - TX offset in your example. Of course you would need to be using a repeater. If you TX on a frequency there is no way to get it to RX on another without repeating it. If you are talking about listening to two channels, put both channels in on each line.
How is the FM radio receiving? Can you tune below 87mhz?
It works okay. The tuner seems to be a bit wonky but I have not messed with it a lot. Also could be the fact that the antenna is not really meant for it. No, you can't go below 87mhz.
Is the chassis of this radio plastic or is it metal? I had heard the newer versions were metal
It is metal. Very durable.
Did you publish a kdu video?
I have not yet, no. Is there anything specific you'd like me to cover when I do? It is one of the things I will be doing next.
Do you need a HAM radio license to operate this thing or are there frequencies that you don't need to.
This is a grey subject. HAM FUDS will scream license. Others say no as long as you're not stupid with it.
Lol I wonder if this thing would take crypto. I HIGHLY doubt it and I wouldn’t get caught dead hooking up an SKL to it. But would be interesting to see what it would do as it has the port for it.
It won't, doesn't have the proper internals. Probably wouldn't even communicate with it.
@@CallMeColtLLC yeah I wouldn’t imagine it would have it. I’ve gotta say it’s a pretty damn accurate replica. I use those all the time when I’m working.
@@barnesbuilt1250 what about the real one? Does it have crypto?
👍👍
😎🤠🥰
Hi, Do you have more information how to change for the other headsets?
Do you mean information on compatible headsets and push to talks?
How do soldiers use this radio to transmit and receive images/data, in the field? And encryption solutions?
Soldiers do not use this radio as this is a replica. There are much more complex systems used to do that.
@@CallMeColtLLC so this replica doesn't have the data trans. Of the Harris unit it replicates. Which units can do that, just a few examples?
@@kuzadupa185 Any radio, in theory , can TX data. It's a matter of having something that can convert digital to analog and the the RX being able to do the same. I don't think you can just go buy a radio that can simply RX data.
@@CallMeColtLLC i understand that much, I am doing it with my yaesu and the audio out dongle. I was looking for some thing that has it built in, and can also do things like what the military does when they send out short telegrams over the wire, a short message. And radio receives it only. -edit- telex or something
Hi
Where could I purchase that Radio and extra Batteries, I have an old version but I want to purchase another one with extra Battery.
There is a link in the description to a place to purchase the newer model of the radio. There are numerous options for spare batteries. I plan to make a separate video on them soon. I did make one showing real Harris battery compatibility and there are links in the description to batteries there.
th-cam.com/video/ectzvMOl828/w-d-xo.html
@@CallMeColtLLC
Hi and what about if I want to purchase the latest version of this radio? Where I could purchase?
@@paulcanting4456 As I said in my above reply, there's a link in the video description to where I purchased the radio. If you do not like that site I can recommend an eBay seller.
any idea how to change language settings? it shows spanish words in my screen
I have no idea! My only guess if you got one that was sent to a country with a primary language of Spanish. I don't recall anything in the settings for that. Where did you get it from?
@@CallMeColtLLC maybe im looking wrong but next to the battery status it sais vulos.it came from hongkong
are these encrypted
Nope
How is this different from Harris?
It's different it just about every way. It's more like a good HAM radio rather than a military grade communications gear. The exception is the case is the same as the military Harris radio so it's very rugged.
What PTT and downlead do I need for ops core amps?
ebay.us/w3uUCm
Your AMPS should come with a downlead already? If not, www.commgearsupply.com/collections/ops-core-amp-collection/products/ops-core-amp-u174-downlead-cable Use code CallMeColt10 for 10% off.
What is the range on this radio?
Anywhere from a few feet to a few miles, like all radios. Range is dependent on way to much to say depending on location, weather, antenna, and so on of both the person RX & TX.
LOL , LARPING HARD
I guess. The radio does some stuff that a lot of other options don't do. It's also more rugged & has a way bigger battery as well. 3x the output power. I do wish the firmware was better, but it fills a void for some traditional radio communications.
@@CallMeColtLLC made in China unencrypted coms.
@@GoWokeGoBroke2023 Show me a US made radio that you can buy, that has encryption, and has the same features as this. 🤷 FYI true encryption is illegal to use unless you have specific permission. Different topic. So you can't buy a device capable of true encryption, unless it has been snuck by. Most people that hate on this radio because it's a military replica miss the point that there's nothing comparable to it in all honesty.
Those KDUs are garbage. I ran a tactical Comm shop for a pararescue unit and never once in my ten years there did an operator ever use a KDU…. New operators would think it was cool and they would route it into their kit, but one real world mission or several training events later - that piece of junk would be returned to my shop….. with that said- I’m sure it’s cool for airsoft operators… lol
My goal with the KDU is the have access to the radio from drivers/passengers seat. I agree, it would be way to busy on the kit. I'm going to primarily use this radio in my M1078 and in my off grid cabin, not so much on foot.
@@CallMeColtLLC - that makes sense. The only time we used the KDUs was for vehicle or remote installations… right on…
So, got your Tech license yet? I'm not being a snob, just saying. WE need more people getting their tech licenses. Its not hard to get. Just look around for a local Ham Radio club.
I have not. It's one of the back burner things.
ALL licenses are unconstitutional
@@Crusader1097 So I take it you do not drive, or if you do, you are driving with out a license? Or are you afraid the Government will be able to keep track of you?
The ham people are just jealous because you can still be a hobbyist and not be licensed. The license is only for transmitting on amateur radio bands. If you want to be a hobbyist and not transmit on amateur radio frequencies, you need no license. I make power supplies, antenna tuners, antennas, modify radios from one service to go to amateur bands, make transmitters, set up antenna towers, set up networks, and much more! I am just a horrible conversationalist and never got my license. I can still do everything I want to do without the conversation. The idiotic Asperger's Syndrome makes sure I can never have a good conversation with anybody.
Yup, and most of the time they are talking about a bunch of nothing anyways.
@@CallMeColtLLC I can not even do that. Writing comes easy for me, maybe too easy. But conversation is hard for me. So I am just happy with the technical side of the radio hobby. I know more than most of them anyway. I just can not hold a conversation.