Chinese Military style radios

[G4RMT]

One of my usual Chinese suppliers sent me some very vague information on a new model of those military dual band radios that were popular a couple of years back, but have become very difficult to get. PRC-152 was the old model. They're quite expensive but an interesting and somewhat large item. The info was that they're pretty much a typical dual bander but with metal castings, resistance to water, and able to be mistreated quite a bit - with chunky antennas and MIL grade connectors. I decided to order one to see what it's like. These are not from the usual AliExpress type outlets but direct from the factory. I got an amusing response today, now they have the money. They will now make one for me! The pictures show what it will look like, not does look like! Should be interesting this one.

[m0lsx]

Made to measure radio.

[Metradio]

Suits you sir !

Mike

[G4RMT]

This is clearly a copy of this Harris radio,
and looks like this
http://www.limelight.org.uk/152a.jpg


The Harris radio is clearly a very different radio - Wideband, data and voice, and the copy seems to simply share the same shape housing, with a simple radio inside. I suspect I will either get a very nice tough radio, or a total pile of poo!

[m0lsx]

This is clearly a copy of this Harris radio.
The Harris radio is clearly a very different radio - Wideband, data and voice, and the copy seems to simply share the same shape housing, with a simple radio inside. I suspect I will either get a very nice tough radio, or a total pile of poo!

To be fair to them the Chinese mostly do some decent radios for the money & even if it's a variation of something like a Baufeng in a better case then it will be an OK radio.

[G4RMT]

The radio arrived today - not sure what to make of it. Very tough, long antenna with a TNC connector, so pretty tough, and the parcel bore warnings of lithium cells and compliance with air freight regulations. Inside one of these complete with the Harris branding!

Trouble is, despite the labelling it was dead. Put the pack on charge and nothing much happened after an hour - red charge light still on. Opened the pack up - and it is empty.

Odd!

[G4RMT]

Got a reply today as to why the package had the label saying not contained lithium cells - and I asked them why they didn't say it would have the word Harris on the front, clearly making out counterfeit rather than a copy. The reply was not quite enlightening.

Hi Paul


Sometimes If we reply a little slowly ，Hope you can understand，Because now im in the holidays ，China National holiday is coming .About your question i will reply as below ：

1. About the shipping paper say its battery product，Because We are walkie talkie factory ，So our cooperation shipping company think its battery product .

2. About this brand is our Another brand ，Many of customers sell our this product .Its Manufacture from us .

3. About the programming we say ,It can by from hands or computer ,If you want to through computer ,You need buy the program cable .

4.About our service ，You will Find ，Whatever your question ，We are reply at first time ，Not have any later .

5. Next time ，if you need we help you buy the battery together ，we can help you do it.

I'm not really sure they understood the question and I don't understand the answer. Oh well - I've managed to find some of the batteries I need, so at least I'll have a working radio.

[sinclairuser]

the label is to warn shippers and customs that there is no lithium batteries in the product, its like all these china products something gets lost in translation.
i bought a copy of a garrett hand scanner(metal detector), and reading the label in plain english would lead you to believe there were batteries in the device and it complied with regulations, but what it actually means is there are no lithium cells in this package, since regulations state they have to be out of the device(clear as mud).
my batteries arrived two days later, sent separately from within the uk.