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Angstrem TETRA Azart-2 → R-187-VE →
Military HF/VHF/UHF software defined radio
R-187-P1 (Russian: Р-187-П1),
codenamed AZART-P1 (Азарт), 1 is a military
HF/VHF/UHF two-way handheld radio, developed
in 2012 by the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) in cooperation with
NGO Angstrem 2
(Ангстрем) in Moscow (Russia).
It is the successor to the R-168 Akveduct (Акведук) family (2000-2016).
Part of the AZART (АЗАРТ) family of devices,
this sixth-generation digital tactical Software Defined Radio (SDR)
can be used from 27 to 520 MHz with full encryption on VHF and UHF.
It offers a variety of analogue and digital waveforms,
including AM, FM, and SSB.
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The radio supports the digital TETRA standard, which has two modes of
operation: TMO and DMO.
In TMO it allows digitally encrypted communication,
but only when a suitable repeater (base station) is present in its vicinity.
In DMO, direct digital communication is possible between mobile stations,
but without encryption. Instead it offers audio masking,
which is probably a
time and frequency domain (F/T) voice scrambler.
As a powerful counter-countermeasure against eavesdropping and jamming, the radio
offers a sophisticated Frequency Hopping (FH) mode.
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With FH enabled, the radio can make up to
20,000 frequency jumps per second. FH also reduces the chance of being
located by means of Radio Direction Finding (RDF). To allow FH at this
rate, the radio uses GPS and Glonass for synchronisation. 3
It is backwards compatible with previous generation Akveduct devices,
which offer a frequency hopping rate of 100 jumps per second.
The R-187-P1 (AZART) was first used by public safety organisations in 2014,
during the XXII Olympic Winter Games in Sochi (Russia).
The Russian Armed Forces started using it in 2015.
The device was also used during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but in limited
quantities, which led to public speculation about its quality. Although the
device was completely designed in Russia, it was rumoured that it was
manufactured in China and that the build quality was sub-standard.
This has since been refuted.
During the Russian invasion of Ukraine [9], some R-187-P1 radios
were captured and analysed by Ukranian Forces, who managed to put them
to their own use.
The export version of the device — which probably offers
less secure encryption — is known as R-187-P1E.
A mobile version of the radio with a wider frequency range and a
higher output power, is known as R-187-VE.
The AZART R-187-P1 is expected to be succeeded during the course of
2023 by AZART-2, which offers enhanced performance
and less power consumption.
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The Russian word АЗАРТ (AZART) means Excitement or Passion.
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Also written as Angstrom or Angström.
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If the GPS or Glonass channel is jammed, the radio looses its high-speed
Frequency Hopping capability.
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PLEASE HELP —
We are still looking for additional information about the R-187-P1 (AZART),
such as circuit diagrams, (clear) operating instructions, information about
firmware revisions, add-ons and accessories. Any information or physical
material would help us to expand this page.
➤ Contact us
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Master password: 52867061
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The image below provides an overview of the controls and connections of the
R-187-P1 Azart. The bare device measures 195 × 70 × 40 mm and weights 466 grams
(~900 grams with standard battery and antenna #2). The device is
powered by a rechargeable battery that is
installed at the back. It is
shown here with the standard battery. A high capacity battery – which is somewhat
longer – was available as on option. At the front is a colour display with
backlight, and an 18-button keypad — similar to that of a common TETRA radio —
for input and menu selection.
At the left side is the Push-to-Talk (PTT) button, which must be held during
a two-way voice transmission. In this mode, the speaker (above the display) is
also used as the microphone. When used for full-duplex voice conversations,
e.g. in GSM mode, the additional microphone below the keypad is used.
Below the PTT-switch is an UP/DOWN switch for channel selection.
At the right side is an
expansion socket with 24 contacts (2 × 12)
for connection of peripheral equipment.
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- Analogue (unencrypted) operation on VHF and UHF in AM and FM
- 27-50 MHz (AM/FM) 1
- 118-134 MHz AM airband communication
- Satellite communication, including old NATO SATCOM
- Emergency open communication
- SSB (USB/LSB) on HF frequencies
- Broadcast bands AM/FM
- Digital TETRA standard (TMO/DMO)
- Bluetooth
- Infrared communication port (IR)
- USB port for programming and firmware update
- Low-rate data
- Text messages (TETRA)
- GSM 900/1800 (without SIM card)
- Navigation via GPS and GLONASS
- Two units can be combined into a repeater
- Remote location interrogation 2
- Remote emergency erasure 2
- Communication via Orlan-10 (Орлан-10) UAV
- Scanner mode
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The following features were added in firmware version 2.3:
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- Spectrum analyser
- Reception of frequencies as low as 100 kHz
- High speed data transfer with error-correction and voice channel
- Frequency search mode with scanner
- Backlight permanently ON mode
- Time synchronisation from a single satellite
- Unlimited ON time when used with external PSU
- Watchdog (auto-reset when error or freeze)
- CTCSS and DCS
- Full power mode (without pressing PTT twice)
- Histogram in Navigation menu
- Improved user interface
- Redesigned squelch in analogue modes
- Plop when closing squelch fixed
- New data transmission mode at 1,200-16,000 baud
- Various other changes
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typically used for communication with R-123 and R-173 radios which are
still used in the Russian BTR tanks.
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This feature is only available when the radio is within reach
of a TETRA base station, and has successfully registered itself with
the TETRA network.
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Channel frequencies and modes of operation can be programmed directly
on the radio using the built-in keypad and the colour LCD display.
Alternatively, all features can be programmed via a separately available
data cable and a Windows software application, although this application
is reported to be rather buggy.
By default, the output power of the radio is only half of what
is advertised. To get full power, the push-to-talk (ptt) button must be
pressed twice in quick succession at the start of a transmission.
Password protected radios can be unlocked with the master password
52867061. This password is also needed when entering frequencies
and modulation type in the service menu.
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The radio supports the digital TETRA standard as defined by the
European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI).
TETRA has two modes of
operation: Trunked Mode Operation (TMO) and Direct Mode Operation (DMO).
In TMO it allows digitally encrypted communication, but only when a suitable
repeater (base station, or network mast) is present in its vicinity.
In DMO, direct digital communication is possible between mobile stations,
but no encryption is available. Instead is offers audio masking, which is
probably a time and frequency domain voice scrambler.
➤ More about TETRA
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Counter-countermeasures (CCM)
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In the military scene, mobile radio sets commonly provide Frequency Hopping (FH)
as a counter-countermeasure (CCM) against eavesdropping, jamming and
locating by means of Radio Direction Finding (RDF).
in the case of the R-187-P1, the frequency can be altered up to 20,000
times per second, in a pseudo-random pattern determined by a secret
proprietary algorithm. To achieve this high hopping rate, the radio relies
on GPS or GLONASS for synchronisation. When the GPS or GLONASS
signal is jammed, the high hopping rate cannot be used.
The device is backwards compatible with previous generation
Akveduct (Акведуцт) devices,
which offer a frequency hopping rate of 100 jumps per second.
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The 4:25 minute video on the right was posted on YouTube on 29 October 2022.
It shows an AZART-P1 (R-187-P1) radio with accessories, which was probably
captured by Ukrainian troops during the Russia/Ukraine war [8].
Source: YouTube, Trophies Orcs
29 October 2022.
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In this video, YouTube user anonymous alligator explains how to enter
cryptographic keys into the Azart radio.
This keys are entered in the KEY menu (Клыч), which is part of the
Data Editor (Редактор данных) inside the
Service Menu (Сервисное меню).
Source: YouTube, anonymous alligator
2 August 2023.
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Overview of Azart station
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In this highly informative video, YouTube user URQQC demonstrates an
Azart radio that was captured in Ukraine in 2022.
Source: YouTube, UR3QQC
31 August 2022.
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The heart of the Azart system is the R-187-P1 radio itself.
With the standard battery it measures 192 × 65 × 36 mm and weights 720 grams.
It was usually carried in a canvas pouch that could be attached to a soldiers
webbing.
The user interface consists of a colour display and an 18-button keypad.
Transmission knob (PTT) and channel selector are at the left side.
Accessories can be connected at the right side.
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The radio is usually powered by the standard rechargeable Li-ion battery
shown in the image on the right. It allows the radio to be operated for
6-12 hours, depending on its usage.
The battery can be charged in situ – with a charger connected to the
accessory socket en or sparately by using a dedicated charger.
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High-capacity battery
АБ-12
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For situations in which the standard battery provides insufficient power,
e.g. when making a lot of high-power transmission surng the day,
a high-capacity variant was available. It is larger than the
standard battery and extends the length of the radio by several
centimetres.
The battery can be charged in situ – with a charger connected to the
accessory socket en or sparately by using a dedicated charger.
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A suitable antenna must be connected to the TNC socket at the top of the
radio. Three different antennas were available for the R-187-P1, each with
a different frequency range:
- 136-520 MHz — wanted
- 100-520 MHz
- 27-520 MHz — wanted
The antenna shown in the image on the right is the type 2: 100 to 520 MHz
frequency range.
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The batteries can be charged in several ways. In most cases a user
has several batteries that are charged externally with the
charger shown in the image on the right. It consists of two parts:
(1) a PSU that must be connected to the mains, and
(2) a holder into which the battery is installed.
Batteries can also be charged in situ, by connecting the radio
to a 10-30V/DC source or to a PC by means of a USB cable.
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When using a headset it is neccessary to connect it
to the radio via the so-called switcher (ПУ) shown in the image
on the right. The switcher is connected
to the accessory socket
of the Azart radio, and provides
two accessory sockets at one of
its long sides. One socket (ГАРНИТУРА) is used for connection
of the headset. The other socket (АПД) is for
other accessories.
The other side of the switcher
holds the controls: MODE (РЕЖИМ) UP/DOWN and
PTT (ТАНГЕНТА).
The switcher can be fitted to the webbing.
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Note that at the time the Azart was developed (2012), the use of Western
components in Russian (military) equipment was not yet prohibited and
sanctioned. Many Western components suppliers even had a representation
in Russia at the time.
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At the right side of the radio is a 24-pin connector, consisting of two
contact pads with 12 contacts each, that can be used for the connection of
a range of accessories, such as external microphone, speaker, headset,
programming device, power, personal computer (via USB port), etc.
Below is the pinout of this connector, when looking into the socket
on the radio [11].
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Pin
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Signal
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Russian
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1.
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Ground (GND) 0V
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Корпус
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2.
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Headset (sensing input)
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Гарнитура
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3.
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Internally connected to 9
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3-9
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4.
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Microphone
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Микрофон
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5.
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Microphone
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Микрофон
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6.
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Keyboard (input)
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Клавиатура
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7.
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Vref 1.7V (output)
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8.
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USB +5V (and charge)
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USB +5V
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9.
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Internally connected to 3
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9-3
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10.
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USB Data + (green)
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USB D +
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11.
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12.
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USB Data - (white)
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USB D -
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13.
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14.
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15.
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Speaker
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Телефон
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16.
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Speaker
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Телефон
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17.
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RS485
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RS485
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18.
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RS485
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RS485
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19.
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Push-to-Talk (PTT)
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Тангента
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20.
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21.
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10-30V/DC charger
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10...30В ЗУ
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A.
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?
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B.
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Sensing input
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C.
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Remote (sensing input)
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ПУ
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Note that the pin numbering is rather unusual. As there are no numbers an any
of the connectors, the numbers and letters from the solder pads inside the
radio are used. Also note that pin 1 (ground) is available at both contact
blocks.
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Below is the wiring of the headset and/or remote control unit (RCU) [11].
At the left is the wiring of the buttons, the speaker and the microphone.
At the right are the pins of the accessory socket at the right side of the
radio. At the centre is the cable from the headset to the radio. Depending
on the type, an arbitrary number of 1k resistors will be fitted as part
of the wiring, commonly inside the connector. This is done to let the
radio know which type of headset or RCU is present.
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The diagram below shows the wiring of an USB cable that can be used to
connect the Azart radio to a Personal Computer (PC). At the left is the
wiring of the USB connector. The colours represent the wiring of a
standard USB cable that can be modified for this purpose. At the right
is the accessory connector at the right side of the radio, when looking
into the socket.
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Below is the pinout of the battery when looking onto the contacts. This is
the same as looking into the battery compartment of the radio, when the radio's
keyboard is facing down. The outmost contacts are the (-) and (+) poles.
The centre contact is wired to an internal circuit that prevents the battery
from being fully discharged.
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Device Handheld military radio Purpose Military and civil communication Principle Software Defined Radio (SDR) Developer NPO Angstrem, MoD Russia Manufacturer NPO Angstrem Model R-187-P1 Designator AZART-P1 Family AZART Product PAKD.464113.006 Country Russia Year 2012 Users Public services, Russian MoD, others Master pwd 52867061 Waveforms AM, FM, USB, LSB, TETRA, PRCH, GSM Navigation GPS, Glonass ± 25/25/40m Interface USB port, RS485, IR, Bluetooth Frequency 27 - 520 MHz VHF spacing 1, 6.25, 8.33, 12.5, 25 kHz UHF spacing 25, 250, 500, 1000 kHz Output ≤ 4 W Hopping ≤ 20,000 hops/s Data rate ≤ 256 kb/s, typically 7.2 kb/s Storage 512 MB Antenna TNC socket (see below) Range 4 km Operation 6 to 12 hours Temperature -30 to + 50 °C Storage -50 to + 50 °C Dimensions 195 × 70 × 40 mm Weight 466 g 1 Price ~ US$ 10,000 2 Quantity < 60,000 3
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Without battery and antenna.
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The unit price was projected at 30,000 rubles (~ 10,000 US$), but the
actual price was much lower as they were manufactured in China [10].
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Based on the allocated budget [10].
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АШ-136/520-П 136-520 MHz Short АШ-100/520-ПН 100-520 MHz Medium АШ-27/520-Н 27-520 MHz Long
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АБ-8 Standard battery АБ-12 High-capacity battry ПУ Switcher ГНШ-П-22-2 Headset
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R-187-P1 Standard version used by Russian forces R-187-P1E Export version
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Below is a non-exhaustive list of countries in which AZART is used or
which have shown an interest in AZART [5]:
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- Russian Federation
- Armenia
- Belarus
- Myanmar
- Sudan
- Uganda
- Iran
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- Cuba
- Mali
- Pakistan
- Burkina Faso
- Several African countries
- Several Asian countries
- Several Latin American countries
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Machine translated by Google.
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- Azart PC software
Collection of Azart software for Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7.
Operating instructions available above under [F] and [G].
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- The military of 10 countries are interested in buying Russian ... 'Azart'
VPK News, Electronics and optics (translated from Russian).
2 September 2021.
- Dr. Thomas Withington et al, Russian Comms in Ukraine: A World of Hertz
RUSI website, 9 March 2022.
- Adrian (YO3HJV), Russian AZART R-187 in Ukraine War
16 March 2022.
- Dr. Thomas Withington, TETRA Talk
Armada International, 1 April 2022.
- Sergey Flash, How to use the trophy radio station R-187-P1 'Azart'
ARMIA INFORM, 20 November 2022.
- Encryption Microchip from AliExpress Found Inside russian Portable 'Azart' Transceivers
Hi-res images of the interior of the R-187-P1.
Defense Express, 20 November 2022.
- Hacking AZART thread: TLDR Chinese garbage with master password 52867061
The Radio Research Group, @radio_research on Twitter. 18 December 2022.
- Radio Station Azart-P187-P1 Lot
User Tropies Orcs on YouTube. 29 October 2022.
- Wikipedia, Russian invasion of Ukraine
Visited 14 October 2023.
- Military, World, Russia, Signal Troops - Equipment
Global Security (website),
21 March 2023.
- Anonymous, Wiring of the Azart accessory socket
February 2024.
- Wikipedia, Russo-Ukrainian War
Visited 20 March 2024.
- War & Sanctions, Foreign components in weapons
Government of Ukraine. Visited 20 March 2024.
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© Crypto Museum. Created: Thursday 12 October 2023. Last changed: Wednesday, 20 March 2024 - 11:51 CET.
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