Abbree AR-2520 Dual Band VHF/UHF Mobile Radio Review

[@spudhut2246]

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

[@RingwayManchester]

Another absolutely quality review as always.

[@Transmission1]

Thanks Lewis, appreciate the support! 🙂

[@RingwayManchester]

@@Transmission1 I’ve yet to find better quality reviews with as much detail! Cheers

[@giovenri]

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)

[@m0ogy]

Thanks for the review Simon, it does need the issues sorting though, all the best Dave 🙂

[@Transmission1]

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! 🙂

[@DnBclassictunes]

Another good video Simon. Nice to speak the other day. 73s

[@Transmission1]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it. Always nice to speak on the air! Catch you soon!

[@sylenzyostampa]

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😤

[@DrFiero]

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!

[@tonym7cvk430]

Nice review Simon

[@Transmission1]

Thanks! Glad you liked it!

[@ccsukdigital]

Rear 3.5mm jack does give audio output, it needs a TRS plug (ie stereo rather than mono configuration).

[@QuikboySousa]

??? And it works???

[@QuikboySousa]

Do you already made it? And it works...have any vídeo?

[@roryo1386]

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.

[@TwoTubesADV]

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?

[@Transmission1]

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! 🙂

[@TwoTubesADV]

@@Transmission1 Thanks, worked a treat!

[@giorgionicoloso8885]

Ottima recensione 👍 Ottima Ricetrasmittente ! La mia e stata consegnata oggi , e concordo in pieno su tutto quello che hai detto !!

[@anonimoanonimo4950]

Funziona anche in am? Canali europei?

[@ik1qfj]

non la trovi bassa di modulazione?

[@davepickering997]

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.

[@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

[@dejwisdejwis6119]

Hello, I also cannot find the frequency shift settings to talk on the repeater... Please answer me in this matter...

[@sanduflorin8755]

No shift is entered, the reception and emission frequencies are entered successively. See chapter 4.5 from page 14 in the manual.

[@cyberbillp]

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)?

[@guerrillashadowman]

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.

[@spudhut2246]

Try manually adding the required offset in your transmission and CTSS tone where required.

[@guerrillashadowman]

@@spudhut2246 but there is no offset option in the menu, that’s the point

[@DF6PF]

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

[@guerrillashadowman]

@@DF6PF thanks I’ll give it a try

[@paulkolbe-hurley7194]

I have found the speaker lead could be modded to wire in 2 additional cables

[@paulkolbe-hurley7194]

Wow

[@adrianerusso5898]

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?

[@adesusiyanto]

Waiting the Answer..

[@DF6PF]

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.

[@joelsonjornalimso]

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.

[@thedayofevil]

How fast is the scan?

[@bikeham]

Mine gets clobbered by pager interference. After I loaded the memory channels with the supplied software, it no longer powered up. Sent back.

[@CavanSounds]

any chance you could upload the freq you use on the software? also, does the radio do close call?

[@eb7hgv]

Hello! Could you give me the link to download the UV2520 radio program software? thank you

[@5675492]

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 ?

[@srdjanstevanovic293]

just gps

[@bvdmedia]

This radio have BK4819 like quansheng

[@EMPTYor]

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.

[@uzaiyaro]

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.

[@Mr.Thermistor7228]

Getting a better antenna makes a huge difference

[@uzaiyaro]

@@Mr.Thermistor7228 I have my signal stick now and it seems to work well, but I haven’t properly tested it yet.

[@HansReuvers]

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?

[@JoeFramo-uw9fp]

I like it

[@iaincartmell6074]

I have one I love it 2e0liu

[@shb0313]

Is it possible to lock the frequency through programming?

[@custisstandish1961]

Does anyone know how to manually program for repeaters, especially input/output directions. It seems to do the opposite of what I input???

[@NAsloath]

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.

[@Scorpster]

I heard GPS has to be off.

[@bikeham]

I'm struggling to find a firmware download link?

[@bobmcnelis3648]

How difficult is the programming?

[@arturoosheaarmenta6729]

hola me podrian decir donde comprar el software ar 2520 gracias

[@WATTYUK]

Wait until you lock the keys without knowing lol

[@user-hk4qx7is4z]

Apakah bisa mode ssb atau hanya mode FM

[@user-lc6dy9wb2b]

Ham Geek MT-8900

[@robertbrown3413]

Airband reception sounds like a Chinese translation

[@Transmission1]

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.

[@zellobrasil5822]

Fax tx em 290 mhz?

[@paulob.5996]

Where can I download the CPS software for the Abbree AR 2520? Thanks

[@stichoza]

Is there a way to enable auto power on? I have to manually turn the radio on each time I start the car

[@Transmission1]

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.

[@zellobrasil5822]

Como fazer o RESET

[@fastercomm705]

look same with Motorola MT8900.

[@davidl8523]

airband sounds like stuck on FM and not AM

[@samallan6616]

I'm sick of 'ham' radios with no VFO knob!!!

[@Transmission1]

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.

[@stalin200000]

yeee.... what antena is used for this video