Description

Portable airband radio with built-in headset plugs

An emergency is no time to be searching for an adapter for your handheld radio. The PJ2 is the only handheld aviation radio that can be connected to standard aviation headset plugs (twin PJ plugs) without using a special adapter. The simplicity of this radio makes it a pilot favorite: just turn it on, type in a frequency, and plug in your headset. No menus, no wires, and no adapters. Dedicated volume and squelch knobs are easy to adjust, even in turbulence, and the extra-large screen and keypad make a big difference during an emergency.

Features:

• Standard GA headset jacks on the top (patent pending)
• Oversized screen
• Large keypad
• Last frequency button
• 20 scannable memory channels
• USB type-C plug for backup power
• Backlit screen and keypad
• Standard BNC antenna connector
• Transmit/receive indicator light
• Quick access button for NOAA weather
• Fast scan with 25 KHz spacing

 

Here’s why we think it’s the perfect backup radio.

1. No adapter cables.

An emergency requires quick action; there is no time to be fumbling with adapter cables and small plugs. The PJ2 eliminates this hassle, with standard PJ jacks (compatible with the vast majority of general aviation headsets) built right into the radio. Simply unplug your headset from the panel and plug it into the PJ2 – now you can talk to Air Traffic Control while enjoying the noise cancelling features of your headset without extra wires. If your headset has a single, 6-pin plug (often called a LEMO plug), simply use any standard twin plug-to-LEMO adapter cable. Patent pending.

2. Simple to use. 

An emergency is also no time to be reading an instruction manual, so the PJ2 is designed to be dead-simple to operate. There are dedicated knobs for squelch and volume, so just twist the knob to turn the radio on. There are no menus or frequency bands to manage either. Simply type in a frequency to start communicating.

The PJ2 is also designed for one-handed operation, so you can fly with your left hand and communicate with your right. A large push-to-talk button is easily accessed by your index finger, and a handy last frequency button makes it easy to flip back and forth between approach and tower. The large screen is backlit for easy viewing at night, and the oversized keypad is easy to use in turbulence. Everything has been optimized for pilot-friendly operation.

3. AA batteries.

Rechargeable batteries are a fact of life these days, but while they are excellent for devices you use every day (like a smartphone), they are not the best option for a backup radio. Because it’s likely your radio will sit in your flight bag for weeks between uses, we prefer easy-to-find AA batteries for the PJ2. With a shelf life measured in years, you can load up the radio and rest assured you’ll have power when you need it. No need to worry about charging another battery.

Our team of pilots went a step further, though. There’s also a USB-C plug on the right side of the radio for additional flexibility. While this won’t charge the battery pack (the AAs aren’t rechargeable after all), it will power the radio. Since USB-C is an increasingly popular connector, found on everything from iPads to ADS-B receivers, you don’t have to carry another obscure charging cable. Just plug it into your cigarette lighter or portable battery pack and turn the PJ2 on.

4. Low price.

The best backup radio is the one you have with you, so we believe value is another important feature. The only thing we cut was unnecessary features – not quality. There’s also nothing extra to buy since the PJ2 comes with an AA battery pack, antenna, and belt clip. And remember there is no adapter cable to buy.

In the box:

• PJ2 COM radio
• Alkaline battery pack
• Antenna
• 100-240V wall plug
• USB-A to USB-C adapter cable
• Belt clip
• Pilot’s Guide

 

Flying Magazine Editors’ Choice Award Winner!

We were honored to win a 2019 Editors’ Choice Award from Flying Magazine. They said, “The key to the the PJ2’s ease of use is that it’s the only handheld com that allows you to plug any headset with a standard twin plug straight into the unit, negating the need for an adapter cable. Large, dedicated volume and squelch knobs are made to be easy to grab in turbulent air, and the lack of menus keeps operation simple.”

 

Aviation Consumer’s “Gear of the Year”

The PJ2 was one of the best products of 2020 according to The Aviation Consumer magazine. They called it “well-rounded” and the “best portable radio” after a long-term trial.

 

Sporty’s Pilot Shop Staff Pirep

Doug Ranly

With the multitude of backup GPS options, what pilots really need from a radio is a solid COM-only radio – not another complicated computer to manage. The ability to unplug your headset from the panel that just went dark and plug it into an easy-to-operate portable radio is a potential lifesaver. It really is the ultimate backup radio for pilots.