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1.0 Introduction

It was about time for a new chapter in my AVS Plate Carrier Project, i was thinking recently.
So i started my research about communication equipment, aka “COMM's” 

And so i came upon the TS TAC-SKY AN/PRC-152A, the most detailed Dummy version of the Harris PRC-152A I could find.

IMG_20220108_164403.thumb.jpg.2abe3cbc4a8d379822cc250dd8c2714e.jpg

What i could learn so far: about COMM'S in general,and in relationship to the loadout, (Plz correct me in case i am wrong)

1.1 2nd Line Gear
Is the Equipment required to complete the mission consisting :
Plate Carrier, Ammo, VG, IFAK, Food&Water, Extra Clothing, and the COMMs.

1.2 COMMs
So one of the main components of the 2nd Line Gear are the COMMs, such a set-up usually consists of:
  • One, or two Radios
  • An Antenna
  • A PTT (Push To Talk)
  • A headset.
  • And nowadays often also a Rugged Smartphone with ATAK app.

Depending on the role of the user, the set-up can differ, a normal operator/gunner will usually have 1 radio, PTT, Headset, and optionally an ATAK phone.

Teamleader set-ups often consist of 2 radios, and 2 PTTs, to communicate with HQ and team simultaneously.
The most complex COMM's set-ups are seen with the JTAC, and FAC operators (Joint Terminal Attack Controller) (Forward Air Controller)

comms collage.png (7.18MiB)


1.3 US Military Radio History
A short summary of the history of US military radios, since this is a true tangle, I just provide the necessary links for those who would like to delve further into this.

1.3.1 SINCGARS
One of the 1st radio modernization programs, after Vietnam (PRC-66), was SINCGARS the first contract was awarded in 1983, to the then ITT (PRC-119)

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1.3.2 JTRS Joint Tactical Radio System
Was the name of a new ambitious project of the US DoD in 1997, the aim was to modernize all radios of all DoD branches (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines) to so-called SDR radios (Software Defined Radios) JTRS would eventually be a financial flop in and of itself.

Nevertheless, we do see sub-components appearing in Army modernization programs such as Future Force Warrior, and Nett Warrior.

1.3.3 MBITR (Multi Band Inter/Intra Team Radio)
Finally is a result of JTRS/FFW with the first contract in 2007 awarded for the Thales AN/PRC-148, followed closely by competitor Harris with the AN/PRC-152.
Harris eventually wins a $400 million contract with SOCOM in 2012 to replace the Thales AN/PRC-148 with the Harris AN/PRC-152.
(In response, Thales will upgrade the PRC-148 to PRC-148 JEM between 2015, and 2017)

901830606_prc148vsprc152.thumb.png.7aea05beb9a7797d58c095bbb3676451.png

2.0 Harris Falcon III AN/PRC -152 MBITR
In the past decade, about the most commonly used handheld radio by US SOF i think.
And for which I'll go a bit more into detail, first of all by explaining the above title:

  • L3 Harris: the US manufacturer, known from multiple US DoD contracts
  • Falcon III: the model
  • AN/PRC: Army Navy / Portable Radio Communications
  • MBITR: Multi Band Inter/Intra Team Radio
The Falcon III is a so-called Multi-Band Radio that exists in 2 versions
  • AN/PRC-152 (Non GPS and USMC only)
  • AN/PRC-152A with integrated GPS receiver.

There are some external differences between the two versions, which you can see below.

an_prc-152_uv_multiband_inter_intra_team_radio_tri_2.thumb.jpg.49024c22d89338d2ee52ad70053d1f97.jpg

The FALCON III functions on multiple wavelengths, and can send encrypted messages, making it possible to communicate both “Ground To Ground” “Ground To Air”
And in the case of the PRC-152A communicate via satellite link, and even video data.
For those who want to delve further into the functions of the AN/PRC 152, below some interesting links, and a diagram of the functional parts.

L3Harris Falcon III Data sheet
AN/PRC-152 Manual
USMC Field Manual

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3.0 Impressionism
What are the possibilities for the Milsimminded Airsoft player, or Re-enacter?

mbitr collage.png (2.3MiB)

A. Really working
A genuine Harris PRC-152 is not commercially available due to the encryption aspect AFAIK.
There is a TRI PRC-152, a really functioning clone, but for a price of €250 to €400!
Recently Baofeng  has a based-on PRC-152 but that is not really a replica, and costs €150

B. Dummies
Dummy cases are plastic dummies of the PRC-152 in which you can hide a Baofeng, or other walkie-talkie.
FMA has a PRC-152 dummy, but that is the non GPS version. 
Element/Ztachas a PRC-152 dummy, but...that's a kind of hybrid between an 152 and 152A, it does have the GPS antenna, but the details aren't just right. (I'll come back to that later)

TS TAC-SKY Finally has the nicest option, an almost perfectly detailed PRC-152A dummy case IMHO

 

4.0 TS TAC SKY

Is a CN manufacturer that makes repro's of existing COMM equipment, like headsets, PTT's, and dummies. TS TAC-SKY do their own R&D, and production, and have their own TAC-SKY official store and tacticalskystore on Ali Express

For this review TS TAC-SKY supplied me there PRC-152A / U94 PTT set  

And also this discount code: NMBNAOOJBQF9 

5.0 TS TAC-SKY's AN/PRC-152 dummy case
Is basically the only option for a correctly detailed AN/PRC-152A replica, all details are almost prefect replicated.
The set also includes a real, short, flexible antenna, which you can screw onto a Baofeng and fold over to fit in the case.

IMG_20220109_100526.thumb.jpg.e10c8ee79588d21cf762d6c9280a938c.jpg

5.1 External Details
From my previous chapter: 2.0 Harris Falcon III we now how the PRC-152A should look .

Looking at the TS TAC-SKY from above, we see the perfectly recreated dial knob, a correct GPS antenna, a genuine U283 6-pin connector, and a threaded antenna connection.

16.thumb.jpg.af0ab358662341a2ce8481b8c4e30be5.jpg 

     1564497764_16(2).thumb.jpg.43e34b9658ddb78aaf97c40847587cea.jpg

Further below the speaker/microphone panel in the Harris PRC/152-A grid pattern,  dough without the rectangular openings as with the real Harris (detail)
Also note the white Harris logo at the top, (without the ®)

Below the grid, the dummy display, not functional of course, but the inscription seems to be correct according to Harris photos.

Under the display, the keypad, made with soft silicone buttons , and not functional, the recessed panel is OD instead of black (as on the real Harris.) 
Also notice the FALCON III (also without ®) and WIDEBAND NETWORKING texts.

Nice and interesting detail: the keyboard and display are translucent, which opens up possibilities for some diy with lights.

IMG_20220108_155528.thumb.jpg.3366dcbb118ae1f2c986eecb976e74a6.jpg    IMG_20220108_161334.thumb.jpg.4d147292a7e5e3073a410751c7b3947c.jpg

On the left side; the panel with the "volume" and "squelch" buttons, this actually looks a bit "plastic", especially the screws.
However, the design is quite correct.

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On the right side the "external connector", this one is also kept simple plastic lookin.

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Furthermore, the entire housing of the radio, is made of OD-colored plastic, with an eye for all small details, the OD color could have been more in Harris style IMO

At the bottom; the dummy battery witch can be removed the same way as the original, when the latch is pushed upwards, the battery can be removed by a CCW rotating motion

IMG_20220109_101706.thumb.jpg.57b4f56a2d276fbe07e2053d94648efc.jpg

The battery itself has also been correctly copied, complete with a sticker with safety instructions, a nice detail that enhances the authenticity.

IMG_20220108_160039.thumb.jpg.c88f3fae5af29d802b13cbd4a677d024.jpg

To see how accurately the TAC-SKY PRC-152 has been replicated.

Check my Harris vs TAC-SKY PRC-152 photo gallery
Check my TAC-SKY Externals photo gallery
Check my TAC-SKY accu photo gallery 

5.2 Functionality
You can also use the PRC-152 dummy as a case for a Baofeng, or other radio, if you unscrew the rear part of the radio part, an empty space appears. Here you will find a cable with Kenwood connector which is connected to the U283 connector on the outside

Since I don't own a Baofeng (yet) I also share a picture of TAC-SKY itself here.

IMG_20220108_160729.thumb.jpg.4c7328c04428e25325ceacf56dea3ce1.jpg   Knipsel.JPG.4826e18a32582080aa36bd593b8962e1.JPG

This way you can connect your Baofeng with a PTT, and a real U229 connector, which benefits the view & realism aspect.

IMG_20220108_162838.thumb.jpg.4294056e4d497c2fdb41019cb0f15cae.jpg

Check my full TAC-SKY internals photo album here

5.3 TAC-SKY vs Ztac PRC-152
You should definitely compare the dummy PTT cable system of the Ztac 152 with the TAC-SKY 152 to see that there is actually no comparison! 
And not just the Ztac cable system btw, compare ALL the details in my comparison photo gallery.

IMG_20220108_164017.thumb.jpg.636aac96faf3ccd1b7459e56e34bddba.jpg

Check My full TAC-SKY vs Ztac PRC-152 photo album

6.0 U94 PTT
This set also contains a nice replica of the real TEA U94 PTT.
According to TAC-SKY itself, comparable to milspec quality.

TEA is an American manufacturer of communication equipment, and the Team Wendy Helm. TEA also has a long history of cooperation with the US DoD.
The U94 PTT is an iconic model that we regularly see in several SOF units, over the years.
We distinguish  a U94 and U94 GEN II, both models are still in use AFAIK.

U94 collage.png (1.9MiB)

Check the U229 connectors

u229 collage.png (2.41MiB)


6.1 TS TAC-SKY U94 PTT
TS TAC-SKY's U94 PTT is a so-called old-gen version ( no GEN II)
The back is equipped with a (removable) spring clip, to attach the PTT to your gear.

The U94 has a cable one side, with a U229 connector at the end, which must be connected to the U283 connector of the PRC-152A
use a detail which you can also see above, and which includes the authenticity!

On the other side of the U94 is the 6.35mm Jack to connect a headset.

IMG_20220108_162919.thumb.jpg.bb6635d86a6faa1e134531bb8a99c2af.jpg

   IMG_20220108_162926.thumb.jpg.9e41e26d900f88e6b4139d5d9fb80cc3.jpg

And below the fully connected set, complete with my Ztac COMTAC III headset

IMG_20220109_101305.thumb.jpg.e1f09aeddf5b3d9a37e74ba84d19d3ad.jpg

Check my full TAC-SKY U94 PTT photo album here

7.0 Conclusion
The TS TAC-SKY PRC-152A  is a solid, aesthetic correct item , it has a connection system with genuine U283/U229 connectors!
Due to re-enactment the only major cosmetic issue could be the overal color ? but since MBITR are mostly carried for 90% in a radio pouch think this not such a big issue after all ?
The TAC-SKY costs €52, about the double  of a Ztac or FMA, but they do NOT have real U283/U229 connectors!

IMHO the TS TAC-SKY PRC-152A is the ideal solution for hobbyists who want the "PRC-152A looks", but doesn,t want to spend $200 a $400 on a working replica 

Edited by aac
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  • aac changed the title to Review: TS TAC-SKY AN/PRC -152A Dummy

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