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
NPOAngstrem2
(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.
The radio supports the digital TETRA standard, which has two modes of
operation: TMO and DMO.
It also offers digitally encrypted communication
when a suitable repeater (base station) is present in its vicinity.
In DMO, direct digital communication is possible between mobile stations,
but with a weaker encryption in combination with a CVSD waveform,
or a proprietary encryption running on top of TETRA ACELP codec.
As a powerful counter-countermeasure against eavesdropping and jamming, the radio
offers a sophisticated Frequency Hopping (FH) mode.
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 military variant (R-187-P1) is a component of the Russian
Ratnik infantry combat system [14].
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 was expected to be succeeded during the course of
2023 by AZART-2, which offers enhanced performance
and less power consumption.
The Russian word АЗАРТ (AZART) means Excitement or Passion.
Also written as Angstrom or Angström.
If the GPS or Glonass channel is jammed, the radio looses its high-speed
Frequency Hopping capability.
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, accessories and firmware updates.
Any information or physical
material would help us to expand this page.
➤ Contact us
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 weighs 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 BPD-2 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.
Features
Analogue (unencrypted) operation on VHF and UHF in AM and FM
The following features were added in firmware version 2.3:
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
typically used for communication with R-123 and R-173 radios which are
still used in the Russian BTR tanks.
Although the original specifications initially claimed that the radio could
operate in the GSM band, this appears not to be the case. The required
frequency range is not supported and the GSM protocol is not implemented.
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.
Modes
The following modes of operation are available:
TETRA TMO
TETRA DMO
СКЗИ
VPD
ВПД
VPD-2
ВПД-2
Firmware mode
In addition, the following boot modes are available from the boot loader
(see page 65 of the
manual [D]):
•
0
Режхим открытой связи
Clear mode
•
1
Режхим закрытой связи
Secure mode
•
4
Режхим тех. маскирования
Technical masking mode
Operating instructions
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 default master password
52867061. This password is also needed when entering frequencies
and modulation type in the service menu.
Forced shutdown
If the device becomes unresponsive, you might have hit a bug in the firmware.
In that case it is best to do a forced shutdown by pressing the ✽
and # buttons simultaneously and holding them for several seconds.
The device will then be powered off. Wait a few seconds and then turn the
device ON again.
TETRA
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, two forms of audio masking are avaiable:
Technical Masking Mode
This refers to firmware Mode 4, selectable from the
bootloader.
According to discussions on Russian forums, this is an extrypted 16 kbps CVSD
mode, that offers compatibility with R-168 radios. The underlying waveform is
FSK with a shift of 50 kHz.
Subscriber masking
This appears to be some form of digital encryption running on top of the
TETRA ACELP codec. Although the payload is encrypted, the metadata is in
plaintext. The exact waveform depends on the selected mode, but in most cases
it is either TETRA or a custom protocol running on top of the TETRA physical
layer.
Although these masking options are a form of digital encryption, they are
approved only to the level of Confidential (which in Russia is not an official
classification level). These modes are not endorsed for the transmission of
SECRET conversations.
For secure mode, a special device known as UVRD 1 is required.
It acts as a key transfer device (once) and also as a
Crypto Ignition Key (CIK) every time the radio is started.
The CIK is connected to the accessory socket at the side of the radio.
Russian: УВРД
= устройство ввода радиоданных
= radio data entry device.
Counter-countermeasures (CCM)
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 backward compatible with previous generation
Akveduct (Акведуцт) devices,
which offer a frequency hopping rate of 100 jumps per second.
What to do
if you find an Azart radio on the battlefield
This information may be useful for someone who finds an Azart radio
in a conflict situation, such as on the battlefield. If you want to use the
radio yourself without being located and without the radio being remotely
disabled, do the following:
Remove the battery
Remove the antenna
Re-install the battery
Turn the device ON
Enter the service menu using master password (default: 52867061)
Select FACTORY DEFAULT RESET
Re-connect the antenna
Program any channels, frequencies and waveforms
Use the device
As the radio has been reset to the factory default settings, it will no
longer try to register with the original TETRA network, as a result of
which the firmware can no longer be disabled remotely. Furthermore, it is
no longer possible to request your location.
Footage
Introduction
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.
Keyloading Azart
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.
Overview of Azart station
In this highly informative video, YouTube user URQQC demonstrates an
Azart radio that was captured in Ukraine in 2022.
The heart of the Azart system is the R-187-P1 radio itself.
With the standard battery it measures 192 × 65 × 36 mm and weighs 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.
Standard battery
АБ-8
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.
High-capacity battery
АБ-12
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.
Antenna
АШ
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.
Battery charger
ЕП/БЗ
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.
Switcher
ПУ
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.
Although the Azart radio was developed in Russia and (partly) built
in China, it contains many Western components – in particular digital
and analogue chips – from a wide variety of manufacturers.
As this is a major concern during the Russo-Ukrainian War that started in 2014
[12], the Ukrainian Government has listed all
Western parts that are used in the Azart radio[13]. 1
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.
Connections
Accessory socket
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].
Pin
Signal
Russian
1.
Ground (GND) 0V
Корпус
2.
Headset (sensing input)
Гарнитура
3.
Internally connected to 9
3-9
4.
Microphone
Микрофон
5.
Microphone
Микрофон
6.
Keyboard (input)
Клавиатура
7.
Vref 1.7V (output)
-
8.
USB +5V (and charge)
USB +5V
9.
Internally connected to 3
9-3
10.
USB Data + (green)
USB D +
11.
-
-
12.
USB Data - (white)
USB D -
13.
-
-
14.
-
-
15.
Speaker
Телефон
16.
Speaker
Телефон
17.
RS485
RS485
18.
RS485
RS485
19.
Push-to-Talk (PTT)
Тангента
20.
-
-
21.
10-30V/DC charger
10...30В ЗУ
A.
?
B.
Sensing input
C.
Remote (sensing input)
ПУ
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.
Headset wiring
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.
USB cable
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.
Battery
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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Crypto Museum. Created: Thursday 12 October 2023. Last changed: Sunday, 10 May 2026 - 14:03 CET.
