TCA PRC-152a forums, user groups?

[rescue161]

I know they would not do true freq hopping, but you never know what they might try to pass as hopping. I was hoping for some new rendition.

 

[VK3TYG]

Hey, I have a copy of the PC software for the new 2023 TCA PRC-152, seems to run fine & have worked out how to set it to English mode !
However, I have been informed you need a new version programming cable to use with it, bummer ! No wonder could not get it to communicate with my radio at all... Not cheap either. Anyway, will post a copy of the software for owners of this new version PRC-152.
(Ok, cannot insert the PC Software RAR file, too big ! How do I upload files onto this forum ?).

 

[rescue161]

I think that is the version that I finally got, but my cable did not work either. Do you have the pinout for the new cable?

 

[VK3TYG]

No sorry, I don't have the new cable yet, but will definitely buy one in the near future.

 

[rescue161]

Just to be sure, the software version that you have is Ver 0.2? Mine is that and dated 12 May 2023.

 

[VK3TYG]

Yes that’s the same version I have. Can tell is for the new model with the Zones A - H and GPS settings. Would like to know what the last two fields for each channel are for. But no help file of course…

 

[rescue161]

It seemed like a rush through version as it isn't as polished as the previous releases. I worked with the seller of my cable and then they realized that I had the new version, so they sent me the new software and a different driver and told me it would work. It did not and now they won't answer emails...

 

[VK3TYG]

Ok that’s not good ! I am in contact with a seller on Facebook, he seems to be ok so far. ShiQuin. I now wonder how many other owners of this new model have actually got the PC software to talk to the radio ? Hopefully mine will ok when I get the new cable. Otherwise there will be no chance of doing any firmware updates in the future.

 

[rescue161]

herodream888 was the seller of my cable. The Prolific driver that they sent would not work. My PC kept installing a CH340 driver. The seller kept insisting that I was doing something wrong, so I took the cable apart. Go figure, there is a CH340 chipset on the PCB, not a Prolific. Once I sent them pictures of that, they sent the CH341 driver. It still would not work. They asked which version of radio I had and I told them the 2023 version. They then sent the new version of software, which keeps asking me for a password when I attempt to read the radio. The seller says that it should not do that. If I cancel the password or get it wrong, the radio resets. Now the seller won't respond. For all I know, my cable should work, but nobody seems to know what password I should use.

 

[VK3TYG]

Ok, interesting about the password, my software was not asking for this. However, try using iewlhu as the password, this is what my seller told me !

 

[VK3TYG]

Also curious to know what your programming cable looks like…

 

[rescue161]

Programming Cable For TCA PRC 152A 148 Radio NEXUS 6Pin USB Cable Free Software | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Programming Cable For TCA PRC 152A 148 Radio NEXUS 6Pin USB Cable Free Software at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

That is the cable that I bought. That password did not work either. It also wants a password to read/write, so you can't just write over the codeplug with a fresh one. I suppose the cable would work if I had that password.

 

[VK3TYG]

Mmm, almost suspect that cable is for the older radio versions, the software on the PC shown is the older software, definitely not what I have. My software was not asking for any password to read the radio, waited like 10secs, read progress bar not moving, then timed out & said to check the radio connection. Tried a few times with no joy.

 

[VK3TYG]

The programming cable needs to specifically state is for the new 2023 model radio, no such mention in this EBay ad.

 

[VK3TYG]

I believe I have managed to figure out how to get this radio to TX GPS data to other radios ( for the GPS enabled version of course). Unfortunately I don’t have another radio to fully test with…. The HOP menu item appears to enable data TX when set to ON, in conjunction with the GPS & GPS TX menu items set to ON also.

 

[anr4669]

Any one had a issue with tca/prc 152a will not shut off have to remove battery and can’t impute buttons won’t work the radio worked fine when I first got it ? Any suggestions?

 

[paulears]

One of the keypad buttons is probably stuck - turn it off, and then give every button a hard quick prod. This usually cures it for a while. I think it is dust and small particles caught in the matrix layers that float around and jam the gap.

 

[soflophoto]

A TRUE PRC-152 is covered in the Harris forums. The China $300 special is no more than a Baofeng in a fancy case. I assume these forum you posted this in is sufficient as is all other CCR's

I don't think these radios deserve a spot on RR. They would be more suited for an air soft or paint ball forum.

I disagree! With a Harris battery, or a 6-cell 18650 they will pump out 15w. They are DEFINITELY not the same as real Harris PRC 152 radios... But the "AR-152" is a baofeng (green plastic case and all)! This Aluminum cased monster is very different. For starters, mine has 2 mainboards and an options board, (the Baofeng has 1 board) the side connector works, and it's compatible with ALL NATO radio accessories! Try that with a Baofeng! You are free to "not like it" and obviously you don't, but you clearly have not used a TCA PRC-152A (UV/GPS. New for 2023) in the wilderness, and yes there are SO MANY radios that weigh less than a ¼ the weight and transmit better, but try rolling your jeep down the side of a mountain trail, and when you do find your radio (and the mount that firmly held it in place before the roll-over, is now under the jeep and you need to dig it out, and it STILL works perfectly... THEN tell me it's a freaking 15w Baofeng!

 

[asart]

Hey, I have a copy of the PC software for the new 2023 TCA PRC-152, seems to run fine & have worked out how to set it to English mode !
However, I have been informed you need a new version programming cable to use with it, bummer ! No wonder could not get it to communicate with my radio at all... Not cheap either. Anyway, will post a copy of the software for owners of this new version PRC-152.
(Ok, cannot insert the PC Software RAR file, too big ! How do I upload files onto this forum ?).
View attachment 144717

Did this have a "Rock" "Paper" "Scissors" screen when you first installed it?

I just got my software and the ZONEs at the top are garbled. I assume it is trying to put Chinese charactors there.

Also, has anyone had any luck figuring out how to set the ANI on the radio?

 

[prcguy]

I disagree! With a Harris battery, or a 6-cell 18650 they will pump out 15w. They are DEFINITELY not the same as real Harris PRC 152 radios... But the "AR-152" is a baofeng (green plastic case and all)! This Aluminum cased monster is very different. For starters, mine has 2 mainboards and an options board, (the Baofeng has 1 board) the side connector works, and it's compatible with ALL NATO radio accessories! Try that with a Baofeng! You are free to "not like it" and obviously you don't, but you clearly have not used a TCA PRC-152A (UV/GPS. New for 2023) in the wilderness, and yes there are SO MANY radios that weigh less than a ¼ the weight and transmit better, but try rolling your jeep down the side of a mountain trail, and when you do find your radio (and the mount that firmly held it in place before the roll-over, is now under the jeep and you need to dig it out, and it STILL works perfectly... THEN tell me it's a freaking 15w Baofeng!

It’s still a CCR.