REVIEW: BAOFENG AR 152 radio device

Walkie-talkie or radio? The BAOFENG AR 152 can safely be called the latter. The device was obtained via the official German Baofeng website as an emergency solution for occasional use at sea to be able to listen in.

Since the radio is identical in functions to a common Baofeng UV-5R, whose manual can be easily found online, we will not focus on the internal values and operation here. No, it cannot do SatCom. No, it cannot listen to BOS radio.

If the look somehow seems familiar, it is modeled after the American military radio AN/PRC-152. Well captured, one would say in a direct comparison.

From Top to Bottom

A short rubber antenna is included, which can be screwed into an SMA jack on the top. However, it is recommended to add a folding antenna to the order. In this case, it became the 74cm version with an ABBREE company logo. The Size-Matters principle is fully evident here. Especially with antennas, the rule is, the higher and longer, the better for long-distance transmission or reception.

The screw connection appears sturdy and the antenna can handle a lot. If you've never folded a folding antenna: Inside are two curved steel strips held together with shrink tubing as a rubber coating. It behaves just like a tape measure when folded. It is in the nature of shrink tubing to age with frequent bending. Either you repair it, or you consider the antenna as a consumable item. It is best stored unfolded.

Next to the antenna jack is the orange emergency button (Function TBD), a white LED flashlight, a colored status LED, a lanyard eyelet, and the Off-On/Volume dial.

The volume can be adjusted continuously. The dial is easy to turn, but locks well in the OFF position. Accidental turning on or off has not been an issue so far, but cannot be ruled out, as the dial is quite exposed.

The speaker has a good 30 mm diameter and delivers a pleasant sound. The built-in microphone is located below the speaker at around 8 o'clock. The display directly under the speaker is 35 mm x 25 mm in size, recessed into the housing by about 1.8 mm, and therefore well mechanically protected. The backlight can be activated in three colors (orange/blue/purple) and can also be completely deactivated.

Below the LCD, the radio actually ends, and the main selling point begins: the massive battery. 12,000mAh at 7.4V (nominal data) provide enough power to not have to worry about battery life for days on end.

When it's time, there is an "INPUT DC 9V" 4 mm jack on the battery itself, and you can connect the supplied charger.

On the back of the device, there is nothing but the battery release and two small TORX screws that hold the case together.

You can find the Kenwood connector on the right side. When not in use, it is protected by a non-removable, sturdy rubber cover, which, however, awkwardly protrudes when the cable is plugged in and cannot be rotated away.

Kenwood-compatible plugs fit very tightly and securely where they belong, making them almost impossible to remove with wet or oily fingers. That's good.

The left side: PTT button, framed by the flashlight switch at the bottom, and the FM (radio) reception button at the top. The PTT button is protected from accidental activation by a flat hem.

Technical Data

• Weight: approx. 590 g with antenna and battery
• Dimensions (LxWxH): 70 x 42 x 220 mm (without antenna, with battery)
• Battery capacity: 12,000 mAh
• Transmit power: 1 to 8 watts in three power levels (L=1, M=5, H=8 watts)
• Frequency range:
  • VHF (receive/transmit): 136-174MHz
  • UHF (receive/transmit): 400-520MHz
  • FM (receive only): 87-108MHz

CONCLUSION: A nice radio that breaks away from the typical walkie-talkie look. It has countless functions that go far beyond the needs of a layman and can be expanded further with a programming cable and software. The FM radio function provides some entertainment and also looks good on the desk. One important note to finish: transmitting operation only with a license! (Amateur radio).

The BAOFENG AR 152 is available directly from BAOFENG Germany starting at 97.23 euros

BAOFENG on the Internet