Abbree AR-2520 Software?

[OK2MOP]

Firstly, I would like to warn people that there are two HW versions, and I suppose the firmware linked here is only for V1 firmware on the radio (not to be confused with V1/V2 versions sold without or with GPS). V2.02(1.03E) seems to be equivalent with the firmware file provided here but for 2023.12.9/2401 labeled board which contains some differences. So if the brick is because of update, you are probably stuck. If it is because of CPS edit, there are several things:

1. If the serial port still communicates, maybe CPS can be used to write settings again?
2. Chirp with Ruyage UV58Plus driver (which is also used for RT-890) can also be used to retrieve the data, although some settings areas may be different
3. If the settings cannot be read normally but radio communicates, GitHub - DualTachyon/radtel-rt-890-flasher: Flash utility for the Radtel RT-890 radio could be used to back up SPI flash, unfortunately it only works on running radio. There are backup areas for calibration (0x3C0000) and settings (0x3CB000) where a copy is stored (besides the original 0x3BF000/0x3C1000 areas), when a change is made. But this will provide raw data, and probably would require writing a custom tool to get them to radio.
4. As far as I know there is a way to force a restore of calibration data on V1.0x and probably also on V2 by holding one of the keys when starting the radio (0x12), but I do not know which one it is. It may be also possible to factory reset this way? There is some SPI flash erase taking place when 0x11 key is held during boot, but again, I do not know which one it is. Maybe something is written in manual about that?

Also, two last warnings - some of my USB2TTL adapters refused to correctly read data from the radio. And I suppose the pins on the radio RJ-45 serial interface (USART3) may not 5V-tolerant (it depends if they are remapped or not, standard ones should be OK) so if you use 5V USB2TTL convertor, you can possibly damage your device.

 

[vk3tk]

Thanks for the reply.
I’ve noticed that I can still talk to the radio via the software. It powers up when connected to the pc, but won’t boot when the usb lead is disconnected.

 

[OK2MOP]

And is it possible to read codeplug from radio from PC still? Does the SPI flash backup work in Radtel utility (JUST MAKE SURE YOU DO NOT CLICK ON ERASE BY MISTAKE IN IT)?
Is the display showing anything? Because there are two communication modes for the radio - even when turned off, the bootloader mode is active, and some communication can happen. It can be even turned on via a secret command by sending "[O,\x01]" (0x5B 0x4F 0x2C 0x01 0x5D hexadecimally) through the serial port to test if the power button is not broken. But if the main firmware or codeplug are broken, it will probably not go further.

Attached are the backed up factory settings for official tool and Chirp with Ruyage_UV58Plus driver if they would be any help. The updat file is probably 1:1 copy of the SPI flash memory on the addresses I have mentioned

 

[vk3tk]

The radio appears to work normal - only when the USB lead is plugged into the PC, the memory channels that I loaded are all there and the display works. If I unplug the USB lead the display goes off and the radio is essentially dead.

Thanks for the files! I'll try them.

 

[OK2MOP]

This is strange, it looks like some hardware issue like the CPU not being correctly powered. I suppose when you have both the cable and the microphone disconnected, it does not work either? And what about the serial cable connected only to radio but not to computer USB? Maybe you could contact either seller or (qz)iRadio which manufactures the radios for Abbree if they have any idea?

 

[oldtrapper]

Does anyone know where I can find the software for the Abbree AR-2520? I looked online and the Abbree website does not seem to have it.

In case links are down, since Abbree complaints about hosting their software, there is a downloadlink on Banggoods product page. You have to right click and save as.

I dunno know whether or not I am allowed to post deeplinks in this forum and therefore just provide the link to Banggood product page:

ABBREE AR-2520 25W Funkgerät AM Vollband-Mobifunkgerät 108-520 MHz, 999 Kanäle Amateur-GPS-Kfz-Funkgerät mit Handmikrofon

Only US$92.99, buy best abbree ar-2520 25w walkie talkie am full band mobie radio 108-520mhz 999 channels amateur gps radio car radio station with hand mic sale online store at wholesale price.

www.banggood.com

 

[oldtrapper]

no matter what I try, I always get "communication error"

Maybe your USB2Serial converter has the wrong PCB. Currently I know about two different ones. The most common one and not working with this AR 2520 is the CH340. Just look into your device manager. If CH340 shows up, you're sporting the wrong PCB in your USB A plug. Unfortunately I do not now the name of the second serial adapter type. Anyway, different from CH340

 

[zolee1988]

hello,
i just got my ar-2520 v2 with V2.02(1.3E) firmware. i powered on, i do a test rx-tx on pmr1, i worked fine. i turn on the gps. after that few minutes it freezed, and stopped working.
when i try to turn on, just blink a blank black screen. i can lock the screen via short press the power button, a lock icon apper at top left corner. i can turn off via long press power button palys turn off sound. but nothing else.
i built programming cable, when i try read via cps, it says passwords error.
can you help me?

 

[vk3tk]

I gave up on mine. I sent it back, I couldn't get it to work again after programming it- It would power up only when the programming cable was plugged into the computer. I had the same firmware as zolee1988.

 

[harpia]

hello,
i just got my ar-2520 v2 with V2.02(1.3E) firmware. i powered on, i do a test rx-tx on pmr1, i worked fine. i turn on the gps. after that few minutes it freezed, and stopped working.
when i try to turn on, just blink a blank black screen. i can lock the screen via short press the power button, a lock icon apper at top left corner. i can turn off via long press power button palys turn off sound. but nothing else.
i built programming cable, when i try read via cps, it says passwords error.
can you help me?

I just got the same problem here. I am trying to get a refund with the saller.

 

[vk3tk]

The ar-2520 is a very dodgy radio. The software needs a lot of work and the radio gets intermodulation desensitising on receive.
I think the Youtubers shouldn't be plugging this one.

 

[zotya]

Hello Guys!
Same this problem, but this is second Abbree/iRadio/Baofeng AR-2520 (Unkown manufacturer), so it's very hard to find original firmware.
I order a V1 (without GPS), and the sended have v2.02(1.3E) firmware.
Anyone can clone me this firmware, or one working firmware?

My radio is ready to communicate with my PC, and I can read with chirp, and the Radtel Flasher, but the rom is empty... Today morning work perfectly, few hours ago the rom has been cleared.

Thank you guys!

 

[Tryer]

And is it possible to read codeplug from radio from PC still? Does the SPI flash backup work in Radtel utility (JUST MAKE SURE YOU DO NOT CLICK ON ERASE BY MISTAKE IN IT)?
Is the display showing anything? Because there are two communication modes for the radio - even when turned off, the bootloader mode is active, and some communication can happen. It can be even turned on via a secret command by sending "[O,\x01]" (0x5B 0x4F 0x2C 0x01 0x5D hexadecimally) through the serial port to test if the power button is not broken. But if the main firmware or codeplug are broken, it will probably not go further.

Attached are the backed up factory settings for official tool and Chirp with Ruyage_UV58Plus driver if they would be any help. The updat file is probably 1:1 copy of the SPI flash memory on the addresses I have mentioned

I am trying to send the command via Arduino serial monitor, but no result.
Please, what boud rate should I choose? Thanks.

 

[19rf1521]

Hallo,
ik heb zojuist mijn ar-2520 v2 met V2.02 (1.3E) firmware gekregen. ik heb het ingeschakeld, ik doe een test rx-tx op pmr1, ik werkte prima. Ik zet de gps aan. na die paar minuten bevroor het en werkte niet meer.
wanneer ik probeer in te schakelen, knippert er gewoon een leeg zwart scherm. Ik kan het scherm vergrendelen door kort op de aan / uit-knop te drukken, er verschijnt een slotpictogram in de linkerbovenhoek. ik kan uitschakelen door lang op de aan / uit-knop te drukken en het geluid uit te schakelen. maar niets anders.
ik heb een programmeerkabel gebouwd, als ik via cps probeer te lezen, staat er een wachtwoordfout.
kun je me helpen?

hello,
i just got my ar-2520 v2 with V2.02(1.3E) firmware. i powered on, i do a test rx-tx on pmr1, i worked fine. i turn on the gps. after that few minutes it freezed, and stopped working.
when i try to turn on, just blink a blank black screen. i can lock the screen via short press the power button, a lock icon apper at top left corner. i can turn off via long press power button palys turn off sound. but nothing else.
i built programming cable, when i try read via cps, it says passwords error.
can you help me?

The bolts for the bracket were too long for me and damaged the PCB

 

[BubbaKush]

And is it possible to read codeplug from radio from PC still? Does the SPI flash backup work in Radtel utility (JUST MAKE SURE YOU DO NOT CLICK ON ERASE BY MISTAKE IN IT)?
Is the display showing anything? Because there are two communication modes for the radio - even when turned off, the bootloader mode is active, and some communication can happen. It can be even turned on via a secret command by sending "[O,\x01]" (0x5B 0x4F 0x2C 0x01 0x5D hexadecimally) through the serial port to test if the power button is not broken. But if the main firmware or codeplug are broken, it will probably not go further.

Attached are the backed up factory settings for official tool and Chirp with Ruyage_UV58Plus driver if they would be any help. The updat file is probably 1:1 copy of the SPI flash memory on the addresses I have mentioned

Is there any new firmware updates?

 

[BubbaKush]

Here we fix the fan issue on the Abbree AR-2520 by updating to the latest firmware.

Does this lose gain in high?

 

[harpia]

Were you guys able to recover by flash? I can't use this utility. Isn't there an easier program to use on Windows?

 

[sp4feu]

Service program for ABBREE AR-2520.

 

[harpia]

It doesn't work with it in "white screen" state

 

[sp4feu]

It doesn't work with it in "white screen" state

Everything works fine. I tested 2 pieces, v2 and v1. The radios have a large offset deviation. After calibrating the offset and increasing the microphone gain and deviation, the radio gets a kick. The maximum power is 26W, but it is optimal to set it to 20W because it gets very hot.