I've had this radio for a couple of months, the rear audio output works for me, I connected it via cable with a Zealot bt speaker. The sound continues to come out of the radio speaker as well, I lower it a lot while raising the sound of the external speaker. The audio quality improves a lot. I have GPS version (V2.02(1.3E) 2024-01-23)
I have to say, you guys over the pond do a great review on radios than the ones here in the US perform. Easy to follow and simple to understand. I appreciate you taking the time putting this out. Im hoping this could be the next open source radio that we get to play with
Thanks Dave! Yes it has the potential to be excellent if they can work around the rough edges and refine the firmware a little. For the price it’s hard to argue with the radio and it works for anyone looking for a cheap dual bander or maybe someone just getting started in amateur radio or even for the PMR 446 fans! 🙂
Hi , tx for your work 😉I bought one too As soon as it arrived, I took it out of the box and make a big mistake, I reversed the polarity of the power supply... I was very smart... it started with a white screen and some smoke😤
The unused pad on the PCB for what appears to be an SD card slot was probably what was going to be used for the record function. I have the same radio, and the same SWR meter!
Pauls audio isn't from his car. It's this radio related. In some places with lot of RF pollution, this radio will produce noise like this on signals under S9. I have experienced it in many chineese radios. This one included.
I know what you mean but on this occasion it was confirmed to be his car causing the issue as other stations can always hear the noise when he transmits. It was a Ford Ecosport with Kenwood TM-V71E. He has since removed the radio from the vehicle and switched to a Yaesu FTM-400 and no noise issues. I have found some of these Chinese radios very noisy on the receive particularly on the 2m band though.
Very informative video. I just received my radio today and have started to familiarise myself with it. I have n't checked the firmware version yet. One question, does your screen go blank after no activity after about 15 seconds? Thats quiet annoying. Do you know how to turn that off?
Thanks! Try going to option number 10 in the menu - it's labelled "LCD Timer" and set this to "Off" - this should stop the screen going off after a short period of time. Mine stays on all the time. Hope this helps! 🙂
I was already to go find one of these online, when I saw the TX Check marks in the CPS software skipped right over the GMRS (US) frequencies! Tell me it ain't so. There's no 462/467Mhz (FRS/GMRS Channels)?
are you sure it is "dual band"? did you try 220mhz? also our country 300+ Mhz are used for frashwater fleet. May you try 300Mhz? does it allow to enter it and transmit? thanks.
Hi, Simon, I'm Brazilian. I recently purchased this radio, but it is not starting the system. Is there any function or shortcut on the buttons to reset? I appreciate the help.
HELLO EVERYONE, I GOT THE RADIO TODAY, CAN YOU PLEASE TELL ME FROM WHICH MENU I ENTER THE SHIFT (-) TO ACCESS THE REPEATERS AND HOW TO PUT THE OFFSET (-600) ETC THANKS, THERE ARE NO INSTRUCTIONS IN THE PACKAGE
Thanks for the nice video. I still are not able to gave names to the channels. Can you make a little video about this or explain it. The manual instruction don´t work.
I’ve not been able to program repeaters on my 2520 I know it’s possible to do via a computer but there appears to be no shift or shift direction option in the radio menu, and only ctss. Very frustrating. Also receive sensitivity seems pretty poor and the lack of a proper signal meter makes the radio a bit of a let down for me.
First programm the RX frequency; than long press the 1 on the micro; red colour- here you can programm the TX frequency; than long press the # you con find it under point 4.5 on page 14
Does this come with a power supply so that the unit can be used indoors ? If not how do you power it indoors ? Thanks ! Edit : Also what is the difference between AR-2520 V1 and V2 if you know ?
I cannot get mine to communicate with my laptop, got the cable, downloaded the software, checked device manager, selected the com port and all I get is communication error.
I go hunting with friends sometimes and the max distance between us 10km, is the walkie talkie like quansheng uv-k5 enough? I don’t need fancy expensive gears.
The UV-K5 is a no brainer. It’s so cheap. I have one. If you get one, put custom firmware on it. I did manage to get around 10km with a NA-771 clone. I have a signal stick on the way and will test this when I get it.
As with most of these radios and handhelds, scan speed is about 1 channel per second, maybe 2. Dedicated scanners can reach 10 to 20 channels per second (e.g. the RadioShack Pro-97).
Yeah, it's not great on the airband although most distant aircraft and control sounded reasonable. It's not lacking in sensitivity compared to some other radios, just the muffled audio problem - similar to the Quanshengs without modified firmware. Almost like it's using FM demodulation instead of AM.
It does not appear to have auto power on. I've looked through the menu and and it doesn't seem to be an option. They could add this in a future firmware but for now it's not possible.
Yeah I know what you mean, makes it so much easier to operate but it's down to the size of this unit. Take a look at the Hiroyasu IC-980Pro (great name), that seems to have both volume and VFO in a small package like this.
I've had this radio for a couple of months, the rear audio output works for me, I connected it via cable with a Zealot bt speaker. The sound continues to come out of the radio speaker as well, I lower it a lot while raising the sound of the external speaker. The audio quality improves a lot. I have GPS version (V2.02(1.3E) 2024-01-23)
Another absolutely quality review as always.
Thanks Lewis, appreciate the support! 🙂
@@Transmission1 I’ve yet to find better quality reviews with as much detail! Cheers
I have to say, you guys over the pond do a great review on radios than the ones here in the US perform. Easy to follow and simple to understand. I appreciate you taking the time putting this out. Im hoping this could be the next open source radio that we get to play with
Another good video Simon. Nice to speak the other day. 73s
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it. Always nice to speak on the air! Catch you soon!
Thanks for the review Simon, it does need the issues sorting though, all the best Dave 🙂
Thanks Dave! Yes it has the potential to be excellent if they can work around the rough edges and refine the firmware a little. For the price it’s hard to argue with the radio and it works for anyone looking for a cheap dual bander or maybe someone just getting started in amateur radio or even for the PMR 446 fans! 🙂
Hi , tx for your work 😉I bought one too
As soon as it arrived, I took it out of the box and make a big mistake, I reversed the polarity of the power supply... I was very smart... it started with a white screen and some smoke😤
The unused pad on the PCB for what appears to be an SD card slot was probably what was going to be used for the record function.
I have the same radio, and the same SWR meter!
Nice review Simon
Thanks! Glad you liked it!
A long-press of the "4" button on the mike switches between Hi and Lo power
Pauls audio isn't from his car. It's this radio related. In some places with lot of RF pollution, this radio will produce noise like this on signals under S9. I have experienced it in many chineese radios. This one included.
I know what you mean but on this occasion it was confirmed to be his car causing the issue as other stations can always hear the noise when he transmits. It was a Ford Ecosport with Kenwood TM-V71E. He has since removed the radio from the vehicle and switched to a Yaesu FTM-400 and no noise issues. I have found some of these Chinese radios very noisy on the receive particularly on the 2m band though.
Rear 3.5mm jack does give audio output, it needs a TRS plug (ie stereo rather than mono configuration).
??? And it works???
Do you already made it? And it works...have any vídeo?
Ottima recensione 👍 Ottima Ricetrasmittente ! La mia e stata consegnata oggi , e concordo in pieno su tutto quello che hai detto !!
Funziona anche in am? Canali europei?
non la trovi bassa di modulazione?
Great review! I have been looking for a cheap mobile rig for my truck. I might have to take a look at this one even with the firmware issues.
Very informative video. I just received my radio today and have started to familiarise myself with it. I have n't checked the firmware version yet. One question, does your screen go blank after no activity after about 15 seconds? Thats quiet annoying. Do you know how to turn that off?
Thanks! Try going to option number 10 in the menu - it's labelled "LCD Timer" and set this to "Off" - this should stop the screen going off after a short period of time. Mine stays on all the time. Hope this helps! 🙂
@@Transmission1 Thanks, worked a treat!
I was already to go find one of these online, when I saw the TX Check marks in the CPS software skipped right over the GMRS (US) frequencies! Tell me it ain't so. There's no 462/467Mhz (FRS/GMRS Channels)?
The P1-3 buttons can't be programmed for scan, so I have to plug in the mic to get it to scan. I only bought mine to scan air band on a desk radio.
are you sure it is "dual band"? did you try 220mhz? also our country 300+ Mhz are used for frashwater fleet. May you try 300Mhz? does it allow to enter it and transmit? thanks.
I have found the speaker lead could be modded to wire in 2 additional cables
Wow
Hi, Simon, I'm Brazilian. I recently purchased this radio, but it is not starting the system. Is there any function or shortcut on the buttons to reset? I appreciate the help.
Mine gets clobbered by pager interference. After I loaded the memory channels with the supplied software, it no longer powered up.
Sent back.
HELLO EVERYONE, I GOT THE RADIO TODAY, CAN YOU PLEASE TELL ME FROM WHICH MENU I ENTER THE SHIFT (-) TO ACCESS THE REPEATERS AND HOW TO PUT THE OFFSET (-600) ETC
THANKS, THERE ARE NO INSTRUCTIONS IN THE PACKAGE
Hello, I also cannot find the frequency shift settings to talk on the repeater... Please answer me in this matter...
No shift is entered, the reception and emission frequencies are entered successively. See chapter 4.5 from page 14 in the manual.
any chance you could upload the freq you use on the software?
also, does the radio do close call?
Thanks for the nice video. I still are not able to gave names to the channels. Can you make a little video about this or explain it. The manual instruction don´t work.
I’ve not been able to program repeaters on my 2520 I know it’s possible to do via a computer but there appears to be no shift or shift direction option in the radio menu, and only ctss. Very frustrating. Also receive sensitivity seems pretty poor and the lack of a proper signal meter makes the radio a bit of a let down for me.
Try manually adding the required offset in your transmission and CTSS tone where required.
@@spudhut2246 but there is no offset option in the menu, that’s the point
First programm the RX frequency; than long press the 1 on the micro; red colour- here you can programm the TX frequency; than long press the #
you con find it under point 4.5 on page 14
@@DF6PF thanks I’ll give it a try
hola me podrian decir donde comprar el software ar 2520 gracias
Would like to know if the sensitivity of this radio in reception compared to Yaesu and Icom on a scale of 0 to 10 what rating would you give?
Waiting the Answer..
Apakah bisa mode ssb atau hanya mode FM
Is it possible to lock the frequency through programming?
Does this come with a power supply so that the unit can be used indoors ? If not how do you power it indoors ? Thanks !
Edit : Also what is the difference between AR-2520 V1 and V2 if you know ?
just gps
I cannot get mine to communicate with my laptop, got the cable, downloaded the software, checked device manager, selected the com port and all I get is communication error.
I heard GPS has to be off.
Is it posible to connect the radio with a TNC to do digital modes like VARA en FT8? Does anyone know the mic-pin layout?
How difficult is the programming?
Fax tx em 290 mhz?
Does anyone know how to manually program for repeaters, especially input/output directions. It seems to do the opposite of what I input???
I go hunting with friends sometimes and the max distance between us 10km, is the walkie talkie like quansheng uv-k5 enough? I don’t need fancy expensive gears.
The UV-K5 is a no brainer. It’s so cheap. I have one. If you get one, put custom firmware on it. I did manage to get around 10km with a NA-771 clone. I have a signal stick on the way and will test this when I get it.
Getting a better antenna makes a huge difference
@@Mr.Thermistor7228 I have my signal stick now and it seems to work well, but I haven’t properly tested it yet.
This radio have BK4819 like quansheng
How fast is the scan?
As with most of these radios and handhelds, scan speed is about 1 channel per second, maybe 2. Dedicated scanners can reach 10 to 20 channels per second (e.g. the RadioShack Pro-97).
Como fazer o RESET
I'm struggling to find a firmware download link?
Yep me to no body has it
Airband reception sounds like a Chinese translation
Yeah, it's not great on the airband although most distant aircraft and control sounded reasonable. It's not lacking in sensitivity compared to some other radios, just the muffled audio problem - similar to the Quanshengs without modified firmware. Almost like it's using FM demodulation instead of AM.
Is there a way to enable auto power on? I have to manually turn the radio on each time I start the car
It does not appear to have auto power on. I've looked through the menu and and it doesn't seem to be an option. They could add this in a future firmware but for now it's not possible.
Wait until you lock the keys without knowing lol
I like it
Where can I download the CPS software for the Abbree AR 2520? Thanks
I’m having the same problem. Radio is junk
I have one I love it 2e0liu
look same with Motorola MT8900.
airband sounds like stuck on FM and not AM
Ham Geek MT-8900
I'm sick of 'ham' radios with no VFO knob!!!
Yeah I know what you mean, makes it so much easier to operate but it's down to the size of this unit. Take a look at the Hiroyasu IC-980Pro (great name), that seems to have both volume and VFO in a small package like this.
non vale nulla is fallure radio
Hello!
Could you give me the link to download the UV2520 radio program software?
thank you
I’m tired of begging for software for this.