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 canceling features of your headset without extra wires. Want to use your radio at an airshow? The PJ2+ also has a 3.5mm jack so you can plug in your favorite earbuds.

2. Simple to Use

There’s no time to read an instruction manual when the panel goes dark, so the PJ2+ is designed to be dead simple to operate. There is one concentric knob 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 thumb, 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 or USB-C

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. NOTE: rechargeable AA batteries are not recommended.

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.