I am one of the lucky winners of the Retevis Ailunce HA2 giveaway. Here is a quick review of the radio.
My initial impression is that the quality of the HA2 is on par with Kenwood/Icom/Yaesu. Buttons feel good and are backlite. I like that the volume knob is also the ON/Off switch. I like that there is a channel selection knob in addition to using a button.
Receiver is excellent and the audio is clear.
It has 3 power levels. Low, Middle, High (5w, 3w, 1.5w). A 10w option can be selected by holding the "2" button to open the Power Setting menu. Then hold down the "*" button until the "Ultra High" menu option is added to the Power Setting Menu. I don't foresee using this feature. I don't want 10w at VHF/UHF frequencies that close to my head.
A long press of the Menu key takes you to the 12 preprogrammed NOAA frequencies.
The HA2 has Digital APRS capability using the GNSS satellite network. Years ago I used APRS but this was the analog FM mode using digipeaters. Digital APRS requires a compatible infrastructure (DMR repeaters, MMDVM hotspots, Et al.) I have not tried to setup this feature.
To program the radio with a computer using the supplied cable, you remove the mic cover and insert the Motorola style connector and screw it down to hold it in place, and plug the USB A into your computer (no need to download a driver). The programing software is available on their website (Windows only). The software is somewhat "clunky" to use. When I launched the software a popup explained that I should update the firmware. I didn't. I'm leary about updating firmware without first getting the radio set up and functioning to my liking. I'll then read about the firmware update to find out what changed. If the "new" features don't matter to me I don't update the firmware. I've bricked a few HTs updating firmware. You can set up all the features of the radio from the computer.
The Bluetooth app is much easier to use and is very well done. The Bluetooth app is much faster to read and write to the radio than the computer app. The app is available on the App Store for iOS, and Google Play for Android. I have an iPhone. Updating the firmware was a deep rabbit hole. iOS users have to join Apple's "TestFlight" to use a Beta version of the iOS app. No thanks!
The Bluetooth app nor the computer app can download directly from online databases like RepeaterBook or RadioReference. The HA2 is supported by Chirp so I used the data from another radio I programmed in Chirp (copy/paste). Saves a lot of typing and frustration. I didn't try to program the radio from the key pad.
Once you have HA2 programmed it operates like my other HTs. Easy to use and intuitive if you have some experience using HTs. It is a nice radio and will be my primary HT from now on.
In the Box
Specs
My initial impression is that the quality of the HA2 is on par with Kenwood/Icom/Yaesu. Buttons feel good and are backlite. I like that the volume knob is also the ON/Off switch. I like that there is a channel selection knob in addition to using a button.
Receiver is excellent and the audio is clear.
It has 3 power levels. Low, Middle, High (5w, 3w, 1.5w). A 10w option can be selected by holding the "2" button to open the Power Setting menu. Then hold down the "*" button until the "Ultra High" menu option is added to the Power Setting Menu. I don't foresee using this feature. I don't want 10w at VHF/UHF frequencies that close to my head.
A long press of the Menu key takes you to the 12 preprogrammed NOAA frequencies.
The HA2 has Digital APRS capability using the GNSS satellite network. Years ago I used APRS but this was the analog FM mode using digipeaters. Digital APRS requires a compatible infrastructure (DMR repeaters, MMDVM hotspots, Et al.) I have not tried to setup this feature.
To program the radio with a computer using the supplied cable, you remove the mic cover and insert the Motorola style connector and screw it down to hold it in place, and plug the USB A into your computer (no need to download a driver). The programing software is available on their website (Windows only). The software is somewhat "clunky" to use. When I launched the software a popup explained that I should update the firmware. I didn't. I'm leary about updating firmware without first getting the radio set up and functioning to my liking. I'll then read about the firmware update to find out what changed. If the "new" features don't matter to me I don't update the firmware. I've bricked a few HTs updating firmware. You can set up all the features of the radio from the computer.
The Bluetooth app is much easier to use and is very well done. The Bluetooth app is much faster to read and write to the radio than the computer app. The app is available on the App Store for iOS, and Google Play for Android. I have an iPhone. Updating the firmware was a deep rabbit hole. iOS users have to join Apple's "TestFlight" to use a Beta version of the iOS app. No thanks!
The Bluetooth app nor the computer app can download directly from online databases like RepeaterBook or RadioReference. The HA2 is supported by Chirp so I used the data from another radio I programmed in Chirp (copy/paste). Saves a lot of typing and frustration. I didn't try to program the radio from the key pad.
Once you have HA2 programmed it operates like my other HTs. Easy to use and intuitive if you have some experience using HTs. It is a nice radio and will be my primary HT from now on.
In the Box
- HA2 Handheld
- 2800mAh Li-Ion battery w/USB-C charge port
- USB C charging cable
- Charger Base
- USB programming cable (Motorola style connector)
- Belt clip
- Antenna – 144 / 440MHz
- User Guide
Specs
- The HA2 weighs in at 11.9oz
- Case size is 5.75" (H) x 1.5" (D) x 2.5 (W)"
- Charges via USB C directly connected to the battery, or charging base (also connected by USB C cable)
- TX range is 144-148 and 420-450
- 1024 Memory Channels with 16 "Zones", each zone 64 channels.
- Receives NOAA and Airband
- GNSS and Digital APRS.
- Bluetooth
- Water-resistant up to a depth of 3ft for 30 minutes.
- Power range : 5w, 3w, 1.5w (10w has to be unlocked by hold the "2" button and the "#")
- Antenna SMA-M (Male)
