This is a fully functional replica of the Marconi PRR (Personal Role Radio) Radio.
It comes preset with 16 channels within the 440MHz range, but can be reprogrammed.
The Radio is powerd by 2x AA batteries and the wireless PTT by 1x flat CR2032 battery.

Package includes the actual Radio (with single PTT, antenna, dial buttons, battery compartment), Wireless Remote PTT, Pouch, Manual, Bowman headset with headband.

Price: US$114

Photo 1/3:


Photo 2/3:



The PRR as used by US and UK Forces:

Photo 3/4: (Photo Courtesy US Marine Corps, released)


Photo 4/4: (Photo Courtesy Royal Marines, released)

Oh wow, that's awesome, one more thing to put on my list to buy! Programmable as well, so much awesomeness!

Well, if you know how to. I think it needs special software. For us here in HK it's not a problem. There are shops who provide such services.

Nice! Any more info about the radio's wattage and actual frequency range of the radio?

Or where to buy them first?

It can be filled with cement for all I care. It looks like a marconi and will sit on the front of my osprey looking pretty, winner.

Its so cool that it comes with a headset, PTT and even a pouch! And the headset is in desert Marpat, so cute!

here's hoping they've thought carefully about the wireless PTT individual keys, or there's going to be some really confusing radio goings-on! That antenna is also a little short for 440mhz. Caveat emptor, your range may be compromised!

Looks nice, I'd like to test one...

ooh! any idea if the parts are compatible with the actual PRRs?

Fill it with dog poo and it will still be on my vest! Any techspecs and sale info?

KWP I'm sure you could help us and get some of them programmed for PMR 446 frequencies, should we buy some. *begs*

These are team radios. How far apart is your team going to be?? If you want range you carry a Squad radio pumping out a few watts.

The MBITTR replica is out shortly at around 4 watts. Combined with the PRR you can have a replicated radio environment similar to squad level comms.

So who is selling these???? I've got $114 waiting.

The first batch is expected to arrive in Hong Kong on coming Tuesday.
Quantity and which colours etc. I will have to check with the person who imports them from Mainland China.
As for the brand I guess we can assume it will be ACM (All China Made, No-name) as it's with all trades and stuff and they certainly don't pay for licenses.

Range shouldn't be a concern, even the real PRR is made only for short distance communication within your squad (the real PRR working at 2.4GHz has a range of only 500 meters). Any cheapo Motorola Talkabout Walkie Talkie has a range of 2-5 kilometers.

I could ask my contact what he got, if you guys tell me which colours you want.
Afaik, it's two sets available:
1) OD radio, ACU pouch, OD headset, OD R/C
2) Tan radio, desert digi pattern pouch, tan headset, tan R/C


I will have to change the frequencies on mine too, as here in HK only the 409 band is allowed for us civis.
I was told it may cost me about US$38, probably less.

Hi.

I'm after the OD model. Please PM when in position to organise a sale.

these look awesome, I need a new headset too. What kinds of radios will these work with?

The one that comes with the set?

Well obviously, I ment other teammates with different radios.

They're programmable, so I guess with any radio. Provided that it will be able to be programmed in the same frequencies as your teammates radios.

These radios will work with any other radios on the same frequency range. If they are on the 440Mhz+ range, then they will very likely be able to be programmed to UK 8 PMR frequencies around 446mhz and therefore work with any standard UK PMR radio.

However, since they are programmable, they will also work with any other radio and can be similarly programmed.

Thats awesome! Time to go do my homework on radio programming!

Thanks!

Off topic i know But, do the USMC still use PRR's?

I wouldn't get too excited about them being programmable - there's not a standard interface, so it's going to be specific to the gubbins in this radio, whatever that may be. That they don't seem to come with software or a prog cable means it's going to be a bit more difficult than, say, a Puxing or whatever.

True. Some Puxing radios even when it is sad that are programmable are not. We had problem with one from 3 ordered in the same time from same seller. One inside is looking ok, but not reacting when plugged. Other two of them are just working ok.

This is probably going to be not so popular radio so I wouldn't count for any programming tutorial, radio-tech forum ideas or so.
Well, will see...

Even if this one isn't programmable, could you easily program other radios to the frequency this one operates?

Speculation upon speculation.

Come on guys. Its a new product. It has no display so it will either have pre-programmed fixed UHF channels for different markets (e.g. UK PMT 446) or will be programmable.

I've had nothing but good experience of programming radios from real kenwoods, replica kenwoods to Puxing radios. I've got several puxing radios across 3 models and they have been a breeze to program from XP laptop to military rugged tablet PC's running Windows 98.

So much pessamistic speculation is - well very cynical. Let's give the product time to get to market. and see. I for one am 100% certain these radios will ship as Kenwood system clones just like 99% of all other chinese replicas- but that's my humble opinion.

needless to say, if it's more than 0.5w tx power, it will be illegal to use on PMR446 frequencies. *shouts into the dark*

The MBITR has been out since May, with versions done by Toy Soldier and Dragon Red. The TS version is just a dressed up citizens radio with 22 channels and low power, but the DR one is 5watts (or .5 watts, two settings) and 99 fully programmable channels handling 400mhz to 470mhz.

I'd love to combine the DR one with these for squad comms. Can't wait to see who's selling them and how they're programmed and specs. ...and a review.

airsoft global has them in OD and Tan.

Wow a PRR, sounds interesting. I too am waiting for a review, but right now I am still learning for the DR MBITR.

But if this PRR turns out to be a good radio, I may pick up the MBITR and PRR (if they are compatible).

http://airsoftglobal.com/product_info.php?products_id=10932
http://airsoftglobal.com/product_info.php?products_id=10933

anyone know if they do spares for these? I'm wondering if the knobs and battery covers fit actual PRRs

Unbeleiveable. How can you possibly sell radios without giving more information???

No power spec. No frequency per channel listing, not headset interface type- nothing! This is a big indiactor that they don't know what they're selling and will give you absolutely no help if it goes wrong.

I think I'll wait and buy from another retailer who shows a bit more interest in their product.

Wait until http://www.px-airsoft.com/index.do has them in stock: he's actually specialised in radios.

Wow they do a lot of radios and provide some information so you know what you're buying. Thank you for that.

I'll definitely look them up to buy the PRR if the frequencies match UK PMR.

You accidentally the main verb.

Yes, PX-Airsoft will have them. I actually had the chance to test them, but I didn't have any batteries.
That's because they require special Li-Ion batteries of the type 14500 (3.6V) - two of them. Afaik, these are UHF radios programmable from 410MHz to 470MHz. Overall build quality is amazing. No cheapo plastic and all the buttons make a very sturdy impression. I had the feeling these are real PRRs. I will test if they are real specs by replacing the single PTT with my real single PTT. But function and performance wise I will have to wait until tomorrow when I have those special Li-Ion batteries available.

Edit: Don't mean to spread rumours, but I was told they will make only 200pcs. in total. Unconfirmed, but could be true.

Here's a list with the preset channels and one more pic:

Photo 1/2:


Photo 2/2:

I'm loving the way this headset looks.

Considering a purchase.

How exactly do I reprogram the radio? Is there some kind of input I can connect some kind of cable to my computer? Or do I need to take it to specialist and have them do it (mentioned in the posts above).

I am excited about this radio, because you mentioned it is solid and durable. I have to rethink and reorganize my vests now, because they are configured for the slender/tall MBITR and not the wide/short PRR.

edit: Can I also attach a different headset?

I think these are commonly available batteries, at least in America. I looked them up online (googled 14500 battery) and got a whole bunch of links and sites.

Can someone give a link or more info about these batteries? It seems a huge drawback for me.

PC programmable Two-way radios have cables that plug into the headset socket. The other end is USB. The cable comes with a USB driver and software.

Install the software, with the radio turned off, plug the cable on radio and PC, switch on radio run the software and it will (99%) detect the radio and upload the settings from the radio onto a table to allow you to change the various settings. When you've finished, there'll be some option to download/write the new settings/changes to the radio.

It's really quite straight forward.

I imagined it would be something like that, but my question was meant to ask if THIS radio would come with this USB cable and software.

And if not, are these things I can purchase myself easily?

you've really got to appreciate the irony of someone cloning a radio that makes a really big point of using the universal AA battery, only to make the clone use something completely the opposite. Fail-o-rama.

Agreed- totally baffling!

it's not that tricky to work out....the Marconi electronics are made specially to work at 3v. This uses the guts of a stock radio chipset from some chinese copy of a kenwood or similar - it needs 6-7v to do anything.

And I had been thinking that I have a perfect Christmas gift for myself.... yea these batteries thing made whole story go down.

Who actually uses these? They look pretty cool. Much cheaper than the functional MBITR replica.

I know the Marines use them as of last year (2008) in Iraq.

That's cool. I guess I'll get one of these instead of a MBITR then; save myself some money.

The batteries can be bought from here
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.19626
$4.75

and probably need one of this
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.1251

Nicholas