Long post!
I received my United Star PRC-148 today!
Lets start on the review!
Packaging
The box is quite bigger then I though it would be. The box is appealing and has a lot of info on it.
The padding inside the box is nothing spectacular. Just a plastic mold that is pretty flimsy. But it appears to hold everything in place as it should.
Everything is well packed and sealed in plastic bags.
What is included with the Radio?
-PRC-148
-Antenna, Whip Antenna, Antenna Adaptor
-Stickers, Antenna extension cord, Programing cable
-MOLLE antenna adapter (don't know how its actually called lol), Charger
-CD, Manual (very small)
First Impression[/
Wow that things looks AMAZING. <--Those are the first words that came in my mind.
Everything looks very well built and detailed. The buttons works great and the knobs also works great.
The radio is pretty straight forward. there is 7 buttons and 2 knobs
-Menu/mode
-Scan/GR
-Lock/escape (keep the lock button pressed until it locks, do the same to unlock.)
- Down arrow
-Up Arrow
- Enter/lamp
-ALT
-PTT
-Dual watch operation
-Emergency alarm
- Power on/Volume knob
-Channel/Menu knob
One of the first thing I've done tho is to take a closer look at the U283 plug.
The plug looks to be real and it
IS FUNCTIONING BUT there is an Impedance problem with Mil Headset. I had NO trouble receiving and the PTT. Only to send which is normal.
Construction
This thing feels really solid. It is made out of High Grade plastic and the buttons seems to be made out of real good rubber. The U283 is made out of metal of course and the antenna plug is also made out of metal. the knobs clicks good and turns great. The only weird thing I think with he buttons is the PTT. You don't really feel when you press it.
It really feels like a brick.
Programming
First thing first, Its a real pain in the ass to make it work haha.
the Software didn't want to install on my PC. Got it to work with Conker, a file will be released for people who are experiencing the same problems as I did. plug the radio and open it up (apparently you can let it closed but I didn't test it) and fire up the software. Press read data (mine doesn't even work! maybe its a bug somewhere) then do what ever you want and once its done press Write (mine works .. weird because read doesn't)
The software is REALLY basic and a bit of a pain to use (buggy). That has
always been a problem with radios I think anyways.
testing
I only did some light test as I don't have anybody to try it with. But so far the radio works VERY GOOD. transmit and receives really good.
I will try tot est it more later if I can have someone with me to test it.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Well built
Feels solid
Works great
Looks stupidly awesome
Functions
functioning U283 plug
Cons:
Price
Impedance issues with RS headset
Software
Overall a GREAT PRC-148. From the things I've heard on other PRC-148 (DH and stuff like that) this one wins all the way!
Other pics:
A small retarded video :
YouTube - United Star PRC-148 Overview