Puxing PX-2R – Pocket power!

In the UK and the rest of Europe, the PMR standard (Public Mobile Radio) is a license-free system for short range mobile communication.  Consequently it is the most commonly used format within airsoft as few airsofters feel that it’s worth the cost of paying for a licensed system.  PMR radios come in all shapes and sizes from bricks that would have not looked out of place when the mobile phone was in its infancy to sleek units that you could lose in a pocket.  Generally more features require more space, but that’s generally.  The Puxing PX-2R packs a whole host of features into a radio that is almost smaller than my mobile phone!

One word about the PX-2R: it does operate on the 446 MHz range used by PMR in the UK, but it can operate outside it.  Stay legal and stick to 446 and OfCom will ignore you 🙂

Here’s the PX-2R beside my Binatone Marine 900 which is not the smallest PMR out there, but is similar in size to many high end Motorolas and Kenwoods.  It’s ickle!  Unlike nearly all PMR radios, the PX-2R uses a standard mobile phone battery and the charging port and the supplied USB charging cable is a Nokia micro-jack sized (Nokia 5230 etc) which means you can either plug it into your PC to charge while you surf, or pick up a cheap charger from eBay and use that.  Construction is excellent with an alloy chassis hiding beneath the black plastic exterior.  The short whip aerial mounts via a mini SMA connector should you wish to experiment with antenna.

It may be small but the PX-2R is absolutely packed.  It has to be programmed with the PMR frequencies and it’s a good idea to save all of these to memory.  Since there are many more than 8 memory slots, you can also program team channels which use CTCSS (Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System) which gives PMR radios their sub-channels.  I would be lying if I said this was a simple as on the Binatone for instance, but nor is it rocket science, and once saved, there is no need to re-do them any time soon.  You will need to take a more methodical approach as the PX-2R doesn’t simply present you with the CTCSS ‘channels’ but the actual frequencies, however it progresses logically through them so you can work out what is required without a maths degree! PMR This document will give you the base frequencies and all the CTCSS freqs as well 🙂

In addition, the PX-2R can be programmed to receive normal FM radio stations. I completely understand you sitting reading this going “uh –  why?” but trust me, because it can, you’ll use it!  It’s not central to the function of the unit, but it’s bloody useful and I use the FM on this review sample more than I use the PMR functions!

The headset socket appears to be a standard Motorola single pin, and Rab at Military in Surplus can supply an earpiece/throat mike combo to go with your radio.

There simply isn’t space here to fully lay out all the features of this unit, but I’ll be working away to earn enough to buy the review unit!  It’s massively convenient, very competent and the sound quality is excellent.  Yes, programming it is a little fiddly and the manual isn’t a great help, but there is plenty of information about these little stars on the internet.

The PX-2R can be bought from MIS here: http://www.militaryinsurplus.co.uk/Radio/Headsets/Puxing-PX-2R-Radio/prod_532.html

If you have any questions, either post here or email Rab directly.

Radios are by their very nature gadgets, and the Puxing is slightly more gadgety than most.  I love it!