ABBREE AR-2520 Dual Band Ham Radio Transceiver With AIRBAND Receive

Here we take a look at a new mobile transceiver, the ABBREE AR-2520. We test the RF output, transmission quality, and how well the Airband AM receive actually works. Also known as a Hamgeek MT-8900.
Purchase Radio here:
www.banggood.com/custlink/Gvm...
Code:BG659cee
Code price:$71.99-80.99
Exp:2/29
s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DlI...
Programming Cable:
www.banggood.com/custlink/vDm...
Software:
drive.google.com/file/d/15T2d...
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[@chrissewell1608]

Wow. I have been watching this channel for several years, and finally see a face to go with the voice!

[@craggyham]

Thanks for the cool find and keeping me updated on all these gizmos you always do a great job going over things.

[@TechMindsOfficial]

You're very welcome 🙂

[@ReyArteb]

been watching your videos for many years, i have to admit its strange to see a face with the voice.. nice to meet ya Matt! (your gonna be famous now) thanks for all your work. love learnig new stuff from your videos.

[@TechMindsOfficial]

Thanks for your watching over the years, not sure about famous, might have to hide again as I dont want that lol.. Cheers matey..

[@Buglet720]

Great video, Matt. It sounds like the radio still uses FM for air band reception. This would account for the distorted strong signals, especially if the bandwidth is wide enough to still encompass the AM sidebands

[@gtretroworld]

These things are getting smaller and smaller, looks to be half a finished radio too. Good little video buddy and it is also good to see a fellow KZbinr in front of the camera.

[@TechMindsOfficial]

Thank you!

[@zvjezdaniput6121]

Dude that is an awesome face reveal. But over all this raadio....MAGNIFICIENT AND EXTRA COOL! Keep up the good work!!

[@JPDW3072]

You have a really nice and calming voice.

[@gbamck]

I have an old QYT 8900D with a 3.5mm socket on the back. It has a 3.5mm jack to USB A lead for programming channels/firmware dumps.

[@L8errore8robot]

Hi Finally we can see you on camera After tons of videos. Greta job !

[@TechMindsOfficial]

haha.. not sure if its a good thing but its worth a try right? lol. Thanks for watching :-)

[@daltxdma]

Thank you so much for this detailed and informative review. I'm really interested in getting one of these radios for my car. On a side note, and I mean this quite sincerely as a compliment, you sound so much like Richard Ayoade. Cheers!

[@kyhwana]

Liking the power and spurious emissions testing!

[@angelscomputers]

NICE I finally see the face of the guy I've been watching his videos for years! hahaha. Great job!

[@TechMindsOfficial]

Thank you for watching :-)

[@whiskeymike5154]

It's good to explain those spectrum analyzer plots and why harmonics are important to keep us legal. Thanks Matt.

[@TechMindsOfficial]

You're welcome, thanks for watching.

[@kurtstefans5738]

Good review. Thanks. Surprises the maker didn't add APRS capability to this radio.

[@TechMindsOfficial]

Thanks! I'm sure it could be capable in some way or another. Cheers

[@vbrindle]

Is this the first time you have shown your face? It's always a surprise because you imagine a face to the voice. Anyway another great video.

[@TechMindsOfficial]

I have in a few videos but they were quite some time ago. Not sure if it will be a regular thing, but open to try new things if it makes the video more meaningful. Thanks for watching! :-)

[@ChrisMuncy]

Thanks Matt. It looks like this radio has a lot of potential for its price. I would be curious to see what the inside looks like as far as interface ports, specifically Bluetooth as you said it was missing. Also, if there was a way that you could run an external data connection off the front RJ45 and still keep the microphone connected. So for the price again, this might be a great experimenters radio. I'm seriously thinking about getting this for my apartment here in North Houston. As a side note, you rock the goatee just as good as I do. Like the others have said, it's good to see your face after all this time.

[@TechMindsOfficial]

It does appear to have a lot of potential. Will definitely be interesting to see a version with bluetooth and the micro sd card slot. Guess we will have to wait and see what comes out. Thanks for watching :-)

[@bulldogbrower6732]

Finally we see your face after all these years. Wasn’t expecting the Van Dyke.

[@MrToymod]

Ha ha

[@TechMindsOfficial]

haha I have literally had that since I was about 17, so I dont even see it anymore :-) Cheers

[@advocaciamendes]

Thank you, for one more lesson...

[@seanyem]

Pretty sure the socket on the back would be used for extermal GPS Antenna, Great to see you Matt

[@yipvrc6876]

Many Chinese amateur radio users like the MDC1200, which was still part of the British Hong Kong police radio system, so the low-priced radio equipment produced in China comes with this sound to satisfy their special preferences.

[@jeremyturner4327]

I think is the first time I have seen you on camera. Looks very like the Retivis RT73

[@TechMindsOfficial]

I have been in a few videos of mine but that was a while ago now, hope it didnt put you off watching! haha. Cheers

[@Colin_In_VK]

Just watched a video with a HamGeek MT-8900 with Motorola on it others have other brands on them.

[@janhenkins]

Nice find, Matt! I'm wondering whether that little jack on the back is for an external GPS antenna... The GPS included in this little unit looks to be poorly integrated into the radio's functions, which is a pity. However, with a data cable connected to the front and a Raspberry Pi, I'm thinking that this could be an excellent little unit for packet and APRS. And between £56-£64 at the moment, this radio is even cheaper than a Raspberry Pi 5! 😛 Thanks for the video, Matt - excellent as always!

[@TechMindsOfficial]

That was exactly my thoughts too, a little pico or pi running some software. Cheers!

[@pvdk]

Good idea to use this for aprs !

[@bob_mosavo]

Thanks, Matt 👍

[@TechMindsOfficial]

My pleasure!

[@joshstohr]

What a cool find of a radio, they did this exact radio in an HT handheld too!! Gotta say it looks pretty badass, $7x for the no BLE no GPS and $9x for the version with Blu & Gps…… Uhhh this buying a new Ht every month has got to stop!! 😂

[@philnicholson7462]

Have just entered the small Chinese radio market; got a Quansheng KV-5 with the Egzumer mod, plus a few Baofeng’s. What irks me is the propensity for manufacturers to make the point that their radio “also” has airband. Other than the modded KV-5, it seems that none of these radios have the capability to properly modulate AM. Yes I can hear the replies back that it’s not their primary objective, but why advertise a feature as a selling point if it’s unusable??

[@ifell3]

Nice to see a face behind the voice. A comparison of yhe ats 20 plus on the way?

[@mononcyoyo]

I have a Anytone 778UV (Retevis RT95), and it does have similarities with this radio, both dual band VHF/UHF and around 25W

[@gebarr474]

Excellent video, I will receive this radio in a couple of days, is it possible without the programming software to assign names to the saved channels? It is true that with antennas that are not self-saturating the Rx audio, its possible change the modulation to am in airband frequencies? thank you, greetings from Uruguay

[@Transmission1]

Hi Matt, enjoyed the review thanks. Have you managed to locate the programming software for this radio yet? I got one earlier this week and I quite like this little radio but I've had no luck in tracking it down! I got the GPS version and it works well. The only thing of slight concern is when the radio is in scan mode if you press the PTT button the radio crashes with an erroneous frequency on the display. Any other key press is fine but if you stop the radio scanning by means of the PTT that's it - you need to pop the power lead. Hopefully there will be some improvements via a future firmware update but right now it feels a little rough around the edges!

[@TechMindsOfficial]

Not yet, I was hoping to have it today but the seller hasn’t sent it me yet. As soon as it does I will share it. On a plus note I managed to replay attack the little data packets at the end of the roger beeps. Comes up on the display when receiving it. Video to follow soon.

[@stefanz6502]

From across the pond, I love your videos.

[@TechMindsOfficial]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@guerrillashadowman]

Just ordered the V1 version. What is the S meter like? Does it have one and does it appear to work fairly accurately? Thanks great review

[@Davidslabofficial]

Awesome video and just a guess that mistery connection point on the back might be gps antenna port 😅.. or might be normal ant port just like HRD-747 Handheld reciever

[@TechMindsOfficial]

It could be for sure! Next video I make on this will show inside the radio and the main board, but I'll do this once I get the programming software. Thanks

[@Davidslabofficial]

@@TechMindsOfficial Awesome that would be interesting to see the guts best of luck.

[@pvdk]

Hi Matt, I just ordered one after watching this and the newest videos on this little radio. I didn't order GPS as I just want to use it for local access to my FM repeater nearby. I think the programming cable uses a CT-340 chip. I first will try to use a cable I have here. But I want to ask, can you program a channel with the handmic using shift - or +, CTCSS tone, wide or narrow setting, etc... Does the fan comes on when transmitting? Does it sounds noisy? Thanks for any feedback. 73 Phil ON4VP

[@jmenriquem]

Hello! Thanks for your videos, I enjoy a lot with them. I am a newbie in Hamradio. I bougth an AR 2520, but the user manual, I think, is not very well written. I read that there is a repeater feature. I mean, it is possible to TX with a walkie talkie of, for example, 5w in the frequency (A), the AR 2520 RX in the frequency (A) and TX, repeating the conversation in the frequency (B) with 25w? I wasn't able to do this (I am newbie). If It is possible, could you upload a video explaining how to do this with this radio? Explaining this feature of Hamradio repeater with another radios is wellcome as well. Thanks!

[@ds5wis]

How to lock the frequency for 144-145 430-440 completion inspection?

[@mostlypostie1]

Hi Matt, record the data burst and play it back via another transmitter, to see what the radio does when it receives the data bursts.

[@TechMindsOfficial]

I tried that a few days ago using a hackrf but it didnt do anything. Maybe I will try again and report back if I discover anything. thanks

[@TheStos78]

I ordered last week and I am waiting for the V1-non GPS to arrive with a programming cable. I am curious to see/test programming. Have you tried scanning the QR code in the menu to see what/where it redirects?

[@TechMindsOfficial]

Yep, it just loads the manual in high res image. Hopefully I’ll have software tomorrow and will make another video on it. Thanks :)

[@TimGray]

Any idea how to determine how deaf they get with off frequency interference? Beofengs get really deaf in urban environment so I wonder how deaf these get if near any other transmitters?

[@josephdeery4931]

Hi there I love your shows. Did you notice any access-ability for white-stick operators? Thank you very much Joe

[@TechMindsOfficial]

Not that I know of apart from voice prompts.

[@earlyadapter643]

This looks like the mobile version of the Radtel-RT490, Jianpai 8800 and its 7 other clones, so didn't you try the chirp support of this to see whether it fits ? But the KT-8900 although it is a mobile Baofeng, also needs its own programming software so not sure it works.

[@MrGustavoFava]

good afternoon! Do you have the cable diagram to connect 2 radios as a repeater?

[@funnythings34]

Hallo , nice Radio due to the GPS - but i order one from China - it workes 2 minutes . The display become blue - and i looked for the ribon cable pcb to display - also i tried reprogramming . Fakt is i had to send it back - this was not so easy . i knew from some other OM s in Italy they have had the same problems , it is this serie ? how old is your radio now ? Thanks a lot Tim

[@KB1UIF]

Hi, i understand that monitoring Air band in the UK is now illegal, so that might be something worth meantioning. It used to be legal a long time ago, and i used to take a radio to airports and enjoy listening to the controllers and aircraft. I now live in the USA, and it's not an issue here. I wonder where you are to be able to listen to the air band?

[@ik1qfj]

hello, any idea how hard reset abbree 2520? Menu inaccessible....thank you

[@Pauljames944]

For anyone who buys or owns this, could you please tell me if the cooling fan actually is turning?? Mine didnt and without it gets very hot! Ive now fitted my own thermostatic switch so it actually does work

[@mikeh.9266]

Don't know if anyone has mentioned this yet, but that "GPS data" sounds like an imposter Motorola MDC1200 sound ( nothing but a noise) The talkpod a36 has the same thing. Hope this helps.

[@gimx2006]

Hi Matt, it sounds like MDC (Motorola Data Communications). hope this helps you figure it out :)

[@TechMindsOfficial]

I thought that too, I did try a MDC decoder yesterday but it didnt work, maybe I will have another bash at it. Cheers!

[@DJPOLE]

How much amperes does it consume at high power TX? Which power supply would be aceptable for this radio at home? 5-7Amps? 7-9 Amps?

[@MikieLAX]

Can it receive AM on 2 meters/70 cm? The reason why I ask, with a Beat Frequency Oscillator, we could then receive SSB on these bands.

[@Ciobolina]

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

[@DonzLockz]

It looks like another brand and must be built at the same factory. It's tiny and affordable, not too bad. Edit: Ham Geek MT-8900

[@TechMindsOfficial]

Yeh, I had noticed that model just after I had uploaded this video.

[@taylorlavata2837]

Does it work with Chirp ?? Look forward to your response

[@anonimoanonimo4950]

Funziona anche con banda europea am? Grazie

[@MindCode86]

Hello, the Googledrive link to the Software is not working anymore. Could you please provide info on where I could find the Software?

[@MindCode86]

Does not matter anymore. That shit just went up in smoke and its not working anymore. Dont buy!

[@kevinclose9082]

Hi Matt. I have one of these and I am confused why there are 3 power cable fuses. Also My eysight isnt great but they look like they have 15 amp printed on the fuse! Whats the max safe amp output from a 12 volt supply please. I dont want to fry the radio!

[@TechMindsOfficial]

Thats a good question, but mine is firmly packed away somewhere. If I remember I just used the fuse that was already in the power lead. Thanks

[@zerobow9413]

Not a bad cheepy, get the feeling its a handheld inside. Those GPS data bursts sound a bit like trunking data

[@TechMindsOfficial]

Definitely not a handheld inside, I checked the board already, but it does appear to use similar firmware for sure.

[@rjy8960]

I'm disappointed that it doesn't have an emergency button and a flashing LED / torch function.

[@Mr.Thermistor7228]

Why would you need that when its stationary mounted?

[@rjy8960]

@@Mr.Thermistor7228 Any decent Chinese radio regardless of form factor has an emergency button and a light. It's a natural law of the universe ;)

[@Jack-tr1jm]

Wondering if the menu permits CTCSS tones, +/-, etc, to allow you to properly connect to repeaters?

[@TechMindsOfficial]

Yep absolutely, you can manually program the memories through the menu. I know I didnt show this but when I get the software I will cover software and manually programming. Thanks for watching :-)

[@Pauljames944]

Hi just saw your comment yes they have built in ctcss, works perfectly. Regards Paul

[@cagivasupercity]

Hi what about 220 Mhz, also TX? tnx

[@chrissewell1608]

Does it have a removable face plate?

[@DonauweIIe]

now if they made a radio that little for 20m SSB with 100W HF out that would be great.

[@bulldogbrower6732]

It would be great if the Bluetooth worked. Then the GPS information could be sent to a map program on the computer.

[@TechMindsOfficial]

Thats a very good point. Hopefully we will see something in the near future.

[@iaincartmell6074]

I’m just waiting for mine it today or tomorrow it comes I’ll,let you kown how good it is 2e0 liu iain

[@iaincartmell6074]

Find it hard to program a repeater in and store a channel did get one in then tride another one and lost it but I like it going in my car soon as it done

[@bakterhu]

Hello All! I would like to ask if someone could help me with how to set up the Ripiter mode in the menu?! Since there is no OFFSET menu and - + option! :( And is there any programming software for this radio that can be downloaded somewhere? Unfortunately, where I bought it, I asked the seller about this, but he didn't answer! :(

[@TechMindsOfficial]

My next video, released later today will include links to the software.

[@bakterhu]

THX.@@TechMindsOfficial

[@WaynetechSPFX]

How to hook this up in your home?

[@TechMindsOfficial]

First you will need a power supply capable of providing enough current and voltage, 13.8v and 10 amps would be plenty. Or you could use a car battery. Second you will need an antenna and some coax cable to go between the antenna and the radio. Most people purchase a dual band co-linear antenna and put it above the roof for best performance. hope that helps.

[@Hamradio101]

Does anyone know where to get the software for programming this radio thanks

[@TechMindsOfficial]

Hopefully I will have the software tomorrow, then I will share it. Cheers

[@psychodadsn]

Being a mobile radiothe usual torch/flashlight would have been useless. I was hoping for a mini discoball with a control button instead.

[@user-lc6dy9wb2b]

Ham Geek MT-8900

[@StephenSwinton]

I have just taken delivery of one of these cheap little radios. Generally speaking, i think its ok for the money. On the downside I have noticed that the cooling fan at the rear doesn't work. I thought maybe it would work when the rig temperature comes up, but no! After approximately 15 minutes of QSO between myself and a Ham friend of mine on 2m. The radio heated up very well. In fact it was worryingly hot when I decided, enough was enough. This was on low power and as hot as it got, the fan still didn't switch in! Has anyone else any experience of this, or any thoughts on it? Steve M7HME.

[@TechMindsOfficial]

I notice that others are also reporting this. I have contacted my supplier who will hopefully speak to the manufacture so we can get an answer on this. I will report back once I hear something. Thanks, Matt

[@Arkadio87]

Po wgraniu najnowszego softu wentylator działa 👌 73!

[@tikke1976]

Roger gps soumds like MDC1200

[@TechMindsOfficial]

I had thought that too. I did try a MDC decoder yesterday but it didnt decode anything, maybe I will try again. Cheers!

[@herby4215]

Does it requires any license

[@TechMindsOfficial]

Yes, for the 2m and 70cm band at least.

[@robyd1967]

What's chip have? Bk?

[@TechMindsOfficial]

Sorry, not sure what you are asking?

[@charlesr9110]

No chirp support?

[@TechMindsOfficial]

I spoke about Chirp support in the video. :-)

[@AZREDFERN]

HE HAS A FACE!

[@johnr6218]

Either you've got giant hands or that's a tiny radio!

[@TechMindsOfficial]

lol.. well I definitely dont have giant hands 🙂

[@user-sq8xt9gk7u]

Fcc id?

[@revbikerbigd8664]

QYT8900D is a better radio. It's what I have in my f150

[@neptuno338]

I have this radio and the RX is very bad

[@iaincartmell6074]

Only66 .99 to buy from china

[@dangruner5926]

Mmmmm. No thanks. I’ll steer clear of this Chinese crap. Great video!

[@paulhowell5011]

When most radios are using Chinese built components and some of the “big” brands have some of their stuff made there

[@oldmanstuff_au]

My sentiments too..

[@TheHsan22]

"Dual-band" and "both bands" of course refers 2m and 70cm amateur bands. Just sayin'.

[@petrok1rp254]

-46/-33dB for 2nd/3rd harmonic attenuation… really? How this shit can be used on the air? It should be avoided anywhere in the world! 🤦

[@SoundJudgment]

Nah. This Chinesium unit doesn't pass the test. Low quality sound. I hear some tiny WTs with better audio.

[@matthewdavies2057]

Mor Chinese crap. Try returning it for warranty work. Slope detecting AM.

[@rustamjan1753]

Даное радио есть большое говно , на 255.550 МГц оно не слышит ничего ! При подключении ГСС прибора , радио показало очень плохую чувствительность ! Не рекомендую Китайское говно приобретать !!!!

[@radiotests]

You know what I think about cheap chinese radios. Don't bother to check into a local net with them. The noise and transmit quality makes you an unwelcome participant.

[@paulhowell5011]

Is that so? Been running a “cheap” Chinese baojie 213 for years in the car and temporarily as a home base and never had any of the issues you describe. If anything I usually get told it sounds pretty good for a “cheap” radio.

[@lilbill6089]

There's a reason these are so cheap. One (of many) is that harmonic performance is poor, typical of Chinese radios. Using one of these could get someone into trouble if one of those harmonics is on an active frequency. I'm staying away.

[@NihilisticHatred]

No one is getting I trouble for harmonics.

[@HouseholdDog]

Just throw a notch filter on it if you are really worried.

[@mostlypostie1]

You always need to test it before you can make that very broad claim. There are many Chinese radios that perform very well, in full accordance with the various emissions requirements. This isn't one of them, but it isn't the worst either.

[@Lagomosa]

Keep paying 10 times more for less

[@our12silly]

This is a good radio overall. I picked it up off of Banggood and it's been nice to work with. The GPS is a welcome add if you can get that model. My understanding reading the manual the GPS function will send to another 2520. I haven't tested it yet, but I do have two of the radios and I will be testing it soon as I get them both programed and installed. Thank you for the video. Can you provide the cable pins you used to make the data cable? Thank you again!

[@TechMindsOfficial]

RJ45 Pin 3 = GND Pin 4 = TX Pin 7 = RX

[@gonosz01]

Pin3-GND Pin4-RX Pin7-TX tested and works like this @@TechMindsOfficial