Outstanding! I bought this assuming it would follow the programming of the actual 152s I used while in, and was horribly mistaken! This helped greatly. Thanks!
Yeah it's nothing close. I found someone who is working on getting computer programming working as well so hopefully that will be an option come summertime!
Hello. To program the radio, you must use a USB to TTL converter. If you look at the large connector on the radio, the pins you should use are the first three from the right side from top to bottom. The first pin above is RX Data, the second pin is GND Data, and the third pin is TX Data. You can use the software for the TS-VU88 or BJ-UV88 radios to program the PRC 152
@@CallMeColtLLC I don't think there have been any changes to the pin configuration of the new model, I will test on my new radio that I bought and which is coming soon
@@nayogonzalez2961 That's what I thought about as well. Please let me know how you make out. On my main channel page, you can go in the About section & find my email. Reach out directly if you want.
I found another bug. Similar to what you mentioned when programming the channel with alpha names. I will try to verbally describe below as best I can. I programmed the channels in the radio. I used PL/CTCSS codes for the GMRS frequencies. Then I was adding MURS and NOAA freqs. When I added them, I had left the PL tones enabled. While testing, I couldn’t transmit and be heard on my other un-programmed handset. Then I noticed I was not receiving NOAA traffic either in Channel mode. (ENT-1) Long story short, when in Channel mode, whatever was programmed in for PL/CTCSS codes will remain in the background, even if you manually turn them off. You will see the letter ‘T’ above the signal bar on the top row when these PL tones are active. When in channel mode, even if I disable them manually, they remain because they were enabled when I added the frequency originally with channel name. Basically whatever is enabled when the channel memory is created, will remain running, even if you try to override it. R-CTS and T-CTS were both set manually to off after I set the channel up, but the T remains on the top line showing that it is still running in the background. I hope I didn’t confuse everyone.
Yes, that is why I said when programing that you need to make sure you change your settings before saving the channel, at 2:10. If you left CTCSS codes in place when in VFO mode then saved a NOAA channel, it will always have those CTCSS codes saved unless you modify the saved channel. The menu changes what is in VFO mode even if you are in channel mode MOST of the time. Channel mode uses the channel settings that are saved. Once I get more fluid with this, maybe I will make another video just explaining this. Thank you for bringing it up.
Thanks for making the video brother. It really helped me today when setting them up. Love the honest and accurate feedback. Next I want to do some swr testing with additional antennas when they arrive.
Will do Colt I tried doing some quick rudimentary testing with some existing sma antennas that I have of various length and style. (Still waiting for TNC longer antennae to arrive) The highest wattage output I was able to achieve was 11W on an abbree tape/tacticool antenna. 11w on the 2’ tape with a 2.5 swr, MURS freqs. Nagoya 771 antenna was 9W and an swr on the Nagoya of 1.9 , on same freqs. The tape had the lowest/best swr response on VHF MURS freqs. Better than lower 2M freqs like 2M simplex. (146.52). 70cm freqs (GMRS) were not great at all. I didn’t test the OEM/stock antenna because I didn’t have the TNC adapter for my Meter/tester. I am really curious of all the 4 TX bands, which freq ranges get the best response with the stock antenna.
Every time I enter a FRS channel lets to say for example 462.5625 the 152 will beep and change it to 462.5600 it does this with all FRS Channels GMRS program fine. I am doing something wrong just cant figure it out
Was wondering. I have boafeng radio. When it is close to my cell phone I have a 1 click per second. And it disengages the squelch. Have you seen any interference with close proximity cell phone?
Excellent video and thank you for making it. Very helpful! It looks like there are 128 channels available in memory on both A and B i.e. 256 in total. Is there any problem that anyone has encountered in doing a "mix and match" on, for example, the top/A setting? By that I mean some GMRS channels and some HAM channels. I too am interested in Nayo's suggestion on programming using software - maybe a follow up video?
There is no problem mixing the types of channels. I programed a repeater & then an FRS channel right next to each other on the same line for example. If I can get this radio to program via software safely & reliably, you will be sure that I will have a video uploaded about it!
Hey! Really happy I found your channel ! I’m really hot on these radios. I’m planning to run it with ops core amps do you happen to know what wiring to use? I can use any 6 pin PTT right? The only concern would be what cable goes from earpro to PTT am I right? I hope to find some decent knock off PTT as the just the cables from ops core cost about 2.000 usd 😱 do you happen to know any good alternatives? Thanks in advance!
I have no direct experience with the Ops Core Amps. But, I would guess their down lead is regular NATO wiring so a good PTT will do the trick. SkyEye Tactical makes a great one for the money, I have used them for a while now. Have a video on my channel testing one on my Baofeng radio setup. This one should work for you but confirm with them first. Tell them I sent you. They are on Facebook too. ebay.us/pUd5ti
You can listen to two channels at the same time but there is no way to have a dual lead PTT to the radio. You can use the KDU as a PTT and switch between channel lines quickly if you wanted.
How do you turn the screen backlight off? Saw a thing that said screen and was on auto setting. Switched to off and turned radio on and off again and it’s still on
@@CallMeColtLLC wish they could’ve made the programming the same as the real one. Then I wouldn’t be lost in the sauce haha. Or gave me an instruction booklet, had to find it on the interent
The legal answer to this is there is none because you aren't supposed to use FRS on them. :) But, if you could, as with any radio, it is dependent on antenna, terrain, and most of all, the location and antenna of the radio on the receiving end. There is no clear cut answer to this ever. Other things can interfere with radio signals as well that will effect or degrade signal.
@@CallMeColtLLC the FCC loves this answer 🤣 I personally have no use for long range FRS, I was just wondering (in general) how 10w would compare to 2w. But as you aptly described… it depends.
@@andrewmcgaha9629 My opinion, no more than 5w is really needed for general handheld use. It's a good balance of power to battery savings. You'll still get fair distance with it as well. 😎
I'm curious what the voice encryption feature actually means. My assumption is that its a typical analog inversion sort of "encryption" but I'm still curious.
I looked into it more in depth, and it's "voice companding". If I understand it correctly, it's more of a voice digitization & compressor. I could be wrong & it's why I have no done anything as far as a video on it. Also, I would need two of these radios to really test the feature. I don't have the money to buy a second one for fun at this point. Wish I did!
@@CallMeColtLLC just got a TCA. Mine has this feature too and I’m curious about it. I’m also curious about the gps and the kill codes mentioned in the instruction booklet
@@Berglecutt TCA is much different than the TRI so anything technical operates different more than likely. Completely different chipsets, firmware, and hardware is even different I think.
@@vodkaman6999 If it's not letting you input a frequency, you are either out of the range it can be set to, or outside the step range it is set too. Those are the only reason why it would not let you input a frequency in my experience. Or, you are hitting an incorrect key somehow. Triple check you are saving your settings properly & not just backing/canceling out. Usually when I have an issue, it ends up being something simple I overlooked or read incorrectly. These are finicky radios!
@@vodkaman6999 I'm sorry, but not sure what else to tell you. You're trying to put something in the radio can't accept or your settings are incorrect. If it's not one, it's the other. You could also be inputing what you're trying to input incorrectly. Khz is not the same as Mhz. Last 3 digits will only be 250, 500, or 000.
Hi! I Ned your help :(, I’m trying to connect my boafeng with the tri. Tri frequency 146.55000 Boafeng frequency 146.550 I Can speak in tri and hear in boafeng, but when I speak in boafeng I can’t hear in tri, just open the channel
Sounds like you need to go through and double check your settings for tones and stuff. You may also want to watch the video on connecting headsets & PTT's I made, if you are using external devices.
Whatever the issue is, if it is beyond what I am going over in the video, I probably can't help you. You're more than welcome to post your issue here as it may help someone else who has the issue in the future & others may chime in to help. Or I may indeed have an answer. The Facebook Group is also a MUCH better think tank on these. In all honesty, I can't coach everyone who asks for help on the comments with these radios. It takes to much time. No one coached me. You can figure it out in due time, it can be frustrating. But in the end, you will know what to do!
Yeah, I don't know how I goofed that up. Everything else is correct. Someone recently pointed that out on a previous comment. After all the time the video has been posted, no one, including myself, realized it.
My radio doesnt allow me yo use the FRS freq you used at the beggining... do i need to change something in the settings. I have thd same radio as in the video.
Try changing the step setting as low as possible and try again. If that doesn't work, my only guess is that the firmware has been updated to be "compliant" with FCC rules but I find that unlikely as this radio isn't approved to begin with.
Outstanding! I bought this assuming it would follow the programming of the actual 152s I used while in, and was horribly mistaken! This helped greatly. Thanks!
Yeah it's nothing close. I found someone who is working on getting computer programming working as well so hopefully that will be an option come summertime!
where did you buy one friend :)
@@Methiliousebay is the best bet its where I found mine
Hello.
To program the radio, you must use a USB to TTL converter. If you look at the large connector on the radio, the pins you should use are the first three from the right side from top to bottom.
The first pin above is RX Data, the second pin is GND Data, and the third pin is TX Data.
You can use the software for the TS-VU88 or BJ-UV88 radios to program the PRC 152
You have done this with the newest model like these? I know some of the older models worked like this but not sure on the new one.
@@CallMeColtLLC I don't think there have been any changes to the pin configuration of the new model, I will test on my new radio that I bought and which is coming soon
That would be great, thank you! Do you have a source for a connector that a USB cable can be made with for the side?
@@CallMeColtLLC I have not found a store that sells the connector, I will adapt the connector of the KDU unit to test the radio programming.
@@nayogonzalez2961 That's what I thought about as well. Please let me know how you make out. On my main channel page, you can go in the About section & find my email. Reach out directly if you want.
Great video! I hope we can get a firmware update one day!
Yes, or find someone with our similar interests that will just modify it for us. That way we can make it to our liking. That would be even better.
I found another bug. Similar to what you mentioned when programming the channel with alpha names. I will try to verbally describe below as best I can.
I programmed the channels in the radio. I used PL/CTCSS codes for the GMRS frequencies. Then I was adding MURS and NOAA freqs. When I added them, I had left the PL tones enabled.
While testing, I couldn’t transmit and be heard on my other un-programmed handset. Then I noticed I was not receiving NOAA traffic either in Channel mode. (ENT-1)
Long story short, when in Channel mode, whatever was programmed in for PL/CTCSS codes will remain in the background, even if you manually turn them off. You will see the letter ‘T’ above the signal bar on the top row when these PL tones are active. When in channel mode, even if I disable them manually, they remain because they were enabled when I added the frequency originally with channel name.
Basically whatever is enabled when the channel memory is created, will remain running, even if you try to override it. R-CTS and T-CTS were both set manually to off after I set the channel up, but the T remains on the top line showing that it is still running in the background.
I hope I didn’t confuse everyone.
Yes, that is why I said when programing that you need to make sure you change your settings before saving the channel, at 2:10. If you left CTCSS codes in place when in VFO mode then saved a NOAA channel, it will always have those CTCSS codes saved unless you modify the saved channel. The menu changes what is in VFO mode even if you are in channel mode MOST of the time. Channel mode uses the channel settings that are saved. Once I get more fluid with this, maybe I will make another video just explaining this. Thank you for bringing it up.
Thanks for making the video brother. It really helped me today when setting them up. Love the honest and accurate feedback. Next I want to do some swr testing with additional antennas when they arrive.
@@briancorcoran9245 Let me know how you make out! That's something that I wanted to do as well but all this stuff cost money, haha
Will do Colt
I tried doing some quick rudimentary testing with some existing sma antennas that I have of various length and style. (Still waiting for TNC longer antennae to arrive)
The highest wattage output I was able to achieve was 11W on an abbree tape/tacticool antenna. 11w on the 2’ tape with a 2.5 swr, MURS freqs.
Nagoya 771 antenna was 9W and an swr on the Nagoya of 1.9 , on same freqs.
The tape had the lowest/best swr response on VHF MURS freqs. Better than lower 2M freqs like 2M simplex. (146.52).
70cm freqs (GMRS) were not great at all.
I didn’t test the OEM/stock antenna because I didn’t have the TNC adapter for my Meter/tester.
I am really curious of all the 4 TX bands, which freq ranges get the best response with the stock antenna.
Stock Rubber Duckie
Low Medium High
SWR Pw SWR Pw SWR Pw
VHF 2M Sim 3.6 2.5 3.5 7.1 2.1 12.4
VHF MURS 2 4 2.2 8.7 2.1 12.4
UHF GMRS 18 8.3 17.6 10.4 17.8. 10.6
UHF 1.25M 2.8 1.5 / / / /
Short 13"" Tape
Low Medium High
SWR Pw SWR Pw SWR Pw
VHF 2M Sim 2.1 4 2.4 8 2.4 13.5
VHF MURS 3 7.2 3.5 9.1 3 10.8
UHF GMRS 1 3.7 1 6.6 1 11.5
UHF 1.25M 2.6 0.25 / / / /
Long 28"" Tape
Low Medium High SWR Pw SWR Pw. SWR Pw
VHF 2M Sim 1. 2.5 1 3 1 8.7
VHF MURS 1 2 1 5.6 1 9.8
UHF GMRS 19.9 10.8 / / / /
UHF 1.25M 8.6 4.7 / / / /
Fixed 13"" Gooseneck
Low Medium High SWR Pw SWR Pw SWR Pw
VHF 2M Sim 2.7 2.8 2.7 6.7 3 13.2
VHF MURS 4 4.9 4.1 10 4.3 10.6
UHF GMRS 17 1.2 19.8 2.3 19.9 4.4
UHF 1.25M 19.9 0.1 / / / /
Thank you for uploading this!
No problem!
Every time I enter a FRS channel lets to say for example 462.5625 the 152 will beep and change it to 462.5600 it does this with all FRS Channels GMRS program fine. I am doing something wrong just cant figure it out
What is your step setting set to? Move it as low as possible.
@@CallMeColtLLC That fixed it, it was set a 5k and I changed it to 2.5k thank you for the help!
@@tbone11212 No problem. Thanks for watching & glad you got it going. Consider a Super Thanks to support the channel. 😎
I have the same issue but with PMR446. 446.00625MHz etc changes to 446.00500 even with the lowest step
Just fixed it. For some reason the steps go from 2.5 5 10 to 6.25
Was wondering. I have boafeng radio. When it is close to my cell phone I have a 1 click per second. And it disengages the squelch. Have you seen any interference with close proximity cell phone?
Yes, cellular signal will always interfere with a radio in close proximity. There are a lot of signals going in & out of a cellphone.
Cps is used and i have the actual tca software. Its flashed over 6 pin. Wink
TCA software is compatible with TRI?
How is the receiver? Is it a super heterodyne? Ive been trying to research this radio deeper but havent come across detailed specs.
It works well. I don't know what Heterodyne is so I can't answer that, haha. Detailed specifications on these just are not out there unfortunately!
Awesome video!!
Thank you!
Excellent video and thank you for making it. Very helpful! It looks like there are 128 channels available in memory on both A and B i.e. 256 in total. Is there any problem that anyone has encountered in doing a "mix and match" on, for example, the top/A setting? By that I mean some GMRS channels and some HAM channels. I too am interested in Nayo's suggestion on programming using software - maybe a follow up video?
There is no problem mixing the types of channels. I programed a repeater & then an FRS channel right next to each other on the same line for example. If I can get this radio to program via software safely & reliably, you will be sure that I will have a video uploaded about it!
What about using one of those new KDU’s I’ve seen on eBay?
@@Berglecutt I'm not sure exactly what you're asking? Have I used one? Yes. I show it in the first video I made on this radio.
@@CallMeColtLLC I was mentioning that for Dave. On the tri, they have that kdu for programming it
@@Berglecutt Oh okay. The KDU can't be used for full programing. I'll cover that in more detail when I make the dedicated KDU video. 😎
Hey! Really happy I found your channel ! I’m really hot on these radios. I’m planning to run it with ops core amps do you happen to know what wiring to use? I can use any 6 pin PTT right? The only concern would be what cable goes from earpro to PTT am I right? I hope to find some decent knock off PTT as the just the cables from ops core cost about 2.000 usd 😱 do you happen to know any good alternatives? Thanks in advance!
I have no direct experience with the Ops Core Amps. But, I would guess their down lead is regular NATO wiring so a good PTT will do the trick. SkyEye Tactical makes a great one for the money, I have used them for a while now. Have a video on my channel testing one on my Baofeng radio setup. This one should work for you but confirm with them first. Tell them I sent you. They are on Facebook too. ebay.us/pUd5ti
@@CallMeColtLLC thank you so much! I just found your skyeye video after I posted my comment ! Seems like it should work. very great video too!
@@BiztoryTime Cool. I try to make helpful stuff. 😎
@@CallMeColtLLC you did/do great 😊
Can you use this radio with two channels at the same time and change channels from the PTT?
You can listen to two channels at the same time but there is no way to have a dual lead PTT to the radio. You can use the KDU as a PTT and switch between channel lines quickly if you wanted.
How do you turn the screen backlight off? Saw a thing that said screen and was on auto setting. Switched to off and turned radio on and off again and it’s still on
th-cam.com/video/2_ZWNElXOio/w-d-xo.htmlfeature=shared Use the quick setting for it. I show it in this video.
@@CallMeColtLLC figured it out right after posting that
@@bubba5497 glad you got it. Wish they did a better job on the interface with these radios.
@@CallMeColtLLC wish they could’ve made the programming the same as the real one. Then I wouldn’t be lost in the sauce haha. Or gave me an instruction booklet, had to find it on the interent
what is the range for FRS on these higher powered radios?
The legal answer to this is there is none because you aren't supposed to use FRS on them. :) But, if you could, as with any radio, it is dependent on antenna, terrain, and most of all, the location and antenna of the radio on the receiving end. There is no clear cut answer to this ever. Other things can interfere with radio signals as well that will effect or degrade signal.
@@CallMeColtLLC the FCC loves this answer 🤣 I personally have no use for long range FRS, I was just wondering (in general) how 10w would compare to 2w. But as you aptly described… it depends.
@@andrewmcgaha9629 My opinion, no more than 5w is really needed for general handheld use. It's a good balance of power to battery savings. You'll still get fair distance with it as well. 😎
I'm curious what the voice encryption feature actually means. My assumption is that its a typical analog inversion sort of "encryption" but I'm still curious.
I looked into it more in depth, and it's "voice companding". If I understand it correctly, it's more of a voice digitization & compressor. I could be wrong & it's why I have no done anything as far as a video on it. Also, I would need two of these radios to really test the feature. I don't have the money to buy a second one for fun at this point. Wish I did!
@@CallMeColtLLC just got a TCA. Mine has this feature too and I’m curious about it. I’m also curious about the gps and the kill codes mentioned in the instruction booklet
@@Berglecutt TCA is much different than the TRI so anything technical operates different more than likely. Completely different chipsets, firmware, and hardware is even different I think.
In Airsoft in sweden wee have this radio and or I have a baufung radio in the Airsoft game play🇸🇪😎🎯🔫👌😜
Very cool! I use the Baofeng radios as well & have made a bunch of videos talking about how I set them up for my uses.
Hi, for some reason i can't enter the last 3 digits from the frequency, if you know why this is happening please tell me
You're step setting is incorrect for the frequency you're trying to input.
@@CallMeColtLLC i set the step to 2.50khz but i still cant input exact frequencies like you do
@@vodkaman6999 If it's not letting you input a frequency, you are either out of the range it can be set to, or outside the step range it is set too. Those are the only reason why it would not let you input a frequency in my experience. Or, you are hitting an incorrect key somehow. Triple check you are saving your settings properly & not just backing/canceling out. Usually when I have an issue, it ends up being something simple I overlooked or read incorrectly. These are finicky radios!
@@CallMeColtLLC i can input frequencies, but only frequencies that are from 2.50khz to 2.50khz
@@vodkaman6999 I'm sorry, but not sure what else to tell you. You're trying to put something in the radio can't accept or your settings are incorrect. If it's not one, it's the other. You could also be inputing what you're trying to input incorrectly. Khz is not the same as Mhz. Last 3 digits will only be 250, 500, or 000.
Hi! I Ned your help :(, I’m trying to connect my boafeng with the tri.
Tri frequency
146.55000
Boafeng frequency
146.550
I Can speak in tri and hear in boafeng, but when I speak in boafeng I can’t hear in tri, just open the channel
Sounds like you need to go through and double check your settings for tones and stuff. You may also want to watch the video on connecting headsets & PTT's I made, if you are using external devices.
@@CallMeColtLLC thank you for you response!, I’m not using devices.
I tried with R-tone both with 1000hz but the same behavior
@@flamucho Check that you don't have any settings on external on the TRI.
Is this for first Gen, if so I have the pin out and the software. I'll warn you it's a pain in the butt to do
This is not a first generation.
Can this be used like a gmrs radio?
Yes, but not "legally". FRS channels are the same as GMRS.
if the channel is the same as a baofeng they simply work together right?
Correct, as with any radio. If you input frequency 123.456 on all radios, they will communicate unless there are other issues.
@@CallMeColtLLC if i try to programm channel 44600625 it changes it to 44600500. do i have to change a setting somewhere first?
@@pleasertoleader You need to change the step setting. It's probably set higher so it adjusting your input to the nearest step setting.
@@CallMeColtLLC with the lowest still cannot get it right. is it maybe that i have to go to uvf? now its trf
@@pleasertoleader are you from germany? I have the same problems and can't help me out. Do you have any solutions by now?
Can this radio operating on Ham Radio Frequenzi ?! On the reapeater?!.
Yes, it is a Ham radio.
@@CallMeColtLLC Reapeater Shift is inside Right?!.
@@ReneDO5RW The video shows exactly what you are asking. Did you watch it?
@@CallMeColtLLC yes Now… Thanks
Can be programing with chirp?
No
FRS Channel 2 is 462.5875
Thanks for pointing out my mistake 🤣 All this time and no one, including myself, caught it.
Sure thing👍👍😃😃 @@CallMeColtLLC
Just got mine and it does nothing like yours and can't get it into VFO mode
You didn't get the same model or have a defective unit. Hopefully you can figure it out!
I am having major issues with my TRI PRC 152 and programming. Can we discuss? I can send my e-mail
Whatever the issue is, if it is beyond what I am going over in the video, I probably can't help you. You're more than welcome to post your issue here as it may help someone else who has the issue in the future & others may chime in to help. Or I may indeed have an answer. The Facebook Group is also a MUCH better think tank on these. In all honesty, I can't coach everyone who asks for help on the comments with these radios. It takes to much time. No one coached me. You can figure it out in due time, it can be frustrating. But in the end, you will know what to do!
It won't enter 154.3100
Adjust your Step.
In this radios availability in india
I am not sure.
You've already disappointed me. Recording the wrong frequency for FRS channel 2.
Yeah, I don't know how I goofed that up. Everything else is correct. Someone recently pointed that out on a previous comment. After all the time the video has been posted, no one, including myself, realized it.
My radio doesnt allow me yo use the FRS freq you used at the beggining... do i need to change something in the settings. I have thd same radio as in the video.
Try changing the step setting as low as possible and try again. If that doesn't work, my only guess is that the firmware has been updated to be "compliant" with FCC rules but I find that unlikely as this radio isn't approved to begin with.
@@CallMeColtLLC it worked!!!! Thank you. If your repeater has a uplink freq...where do you enter that?
@@TOMGABSER That's covered in the video in the offsets. Terminology may be different but ultimately anything with repeaters is offsets and tones.