TBR001 Squad Leader VHF FM Radio

TBR001 Squad Leader Radio (TBR001 班长电台) is the first-generation Chinese VHF FM transceiver designed to equip a squad leader in an infantry unit.   Information about this radio is scarce, I believe it was designed in late 90’s, and only saw limited service. The radio looks like a civilian walky-talky but without a speaker.   

It is very light weighted in military standard, only about 380 g with antenna and battery (without headset). The radio body itself (with battery) is measured 140x60x40 mm. It has 8 channels (49.3, 49.4, 49.5, 49.5, 49.6, 49.7, 49.8, 49.9, and 50.0), and they are compatible with 861, 272 transceivers.  The output power is 0.3W and normal communication distance is about 1000m.  It is powered by a 7.2V battery unit attached to the bottom of the radio, inside it has 6 AA size rechargeable NiCd batteries, later the battery is replaced by rechargeable Lithium battery.

The controls are very simple, it has a on/off switch with volume control, a channel selection knob and a squelch control knob.  Those control knobs are too small for larger hands.  The antenna is a rubber type and 120mm long.  The headset is TKOS-4 headset which represent a smaller version of what is for TBR115 transceiver.  It also come with a battery charging station which could charge the battery which still attached to the radio or not.  The TBR001 transceiver is still in service with PLA infantry unit but is being replaced by more modern TBR001A or TBR002 Squad Leader Radio.