Barrett Communications

Barrett Communications designs and manufactures a complete range of high-frequency (HF) and very high-frequency (VHF) tactical radio communication solutions that are easily adaptable to varying environments, from manpack, to mobile vehicle and base station configurations.

The company’s communication products and solutions are used worldwide across a wide range of defence personnel, including border security, paramilitary police, coast guard and national defence forces.

Customisable communications solutions for military applications

Barrett Communications provides clients with international technical support and tailored operator training through a support network.

The company also provides tailored solutions for HF radio communications systems, with a complete design and international installation capability that includes:

• IP Connectivity
• Operator consoles
• Custom-built interfaces, control systems, operator positions
• MIL-STD HF data systems
• Integration of new HF equipment into existing systems
• Turnkey mission-based installations
• High-power transmitters for GMDSS systems
• High-power HF email and data systems

All Barrett Communications products can be modified to suit any tactical need.

Tactical HF radio systems

The PRC-4090 Tactical HF radio system is a multi-role HF communications system that can be deployed as a 30W manpack, a 150W vehicle-mounted system or a 150W base station.

The lightweight transceiver includes an integrated automatic antenna tuner, a battery management system integrated into each Li-ion battery, all mode operation, automatic link establishment (2G and 3G ALE), optional internal modem, encryption and frequency hopping. When teamed with other Barrett HF products, the versatile Barrett PRC-4090 transceiver provides secure email, data transfer and telephone connectivity within a HF network and outwards to international telephone and internet networks.

The Barrett PRC-4090 transceiver can be controlled from major mobile and desktop platforms including iOS, Android and Windows devices for wireless voice and radio control via the 4000 series HF remote control app.

Features of the PRC-4090 include:

• LCD full-colour touchscreen display
• Lightweight and compact design
• IP Network connectivity
• Built-in GPS receiver
• Advanced Calling Features
• Automatic Antenna Tuner

Available options include:

• Internal data modem
• Digital voice and Secure Digital Voice
• Frequency Hopping
• 2G and 3G ALE

VHF Tactical Radio System

The PRC-2080+ Tactical VHF radio system is a low-band radio that is lightweight, compact and high-quality. The device’s basic controls and portability are specifically designed for multi-role tactical operations.

Analogue voice and digital unencrypted data are fitted as standard. It is available with a secure fixed frequency (FF) digital encrypted mode with a digitally encrypted free channel search (FCS) or an anti-jamming digital encrypted frequency hopping (FH) mode. It conforms with MIL-STD-810G specifications for immersion, vibration, drop and shock rating.

The PRC-2080+ Tactical VHF radio system addresses five main roles, and the 5W model is hand portable for squad / platoon-level applications. The PRC-2081+ 25W Tactical VHF manpack suits company / battalion / brigade-level applications.

When deployed in the docking station and combined with the 50W VHF amplifier the systems can be used for in-vehicle, and base station applications.

Features of the PRC-2080+ include:

• DSP voice and data signal processing
• Compact, lightweight modular design
• Frequency Hopping
• Selective Calling

Barrett 4050 HF SDR Transceiver for secure communications

The Barrett 4050 Transceiver is an SDR based HF SSB transceiver with a frequency range of 1.5 to 30 MHz in transmit and 250kHz -30MHz in receive. The Barrett 4050 is designed using the latest technology enabling a physically small package with a full feature complement.

Deployable for base and mobile installations, the Barrett 4050 HF SDR Transceiver is designed to operate in the most arduous environments, as encountered by offroad vehicles, vessels and aircraft.

When the transceiver is combined with various Barrett products it provides highly secure data transfer, email and telephone connectivity within a HF network, the international telephone network and the internet.

The Barrett 4050 is fully interoperable with digital selective calling systems. The transceiver supplies four and six digit selective call features such as remote transceiver disable capabilities, point to point and / or multipoint secure call, status calling, GPS tracking, SMS text and telephone interconnect.

The 4050 can be supplied with multiple waveform options, including with MIL-STD-188-110A/B (STANAG 4285, 4415, 4481, 4529, 4539). These waveforms provide ‘throughput’ rates up to and exceeding 19,200bps in combination with Barrett’s latest digital transmission software and intuitive user interface.

Barrett’s GPS interface supports connection to any NMEA 0183 external GPS receiver antenna for tracking applications, supplying position information, or emergency call features.

Features of the 4050 include:

• Intuitive and user-friendly touch-screen interface
• IP Connectivity (ED-137c compliant)
• Wireless and wired operation via iOS, Android and Windows devices
• Multi-Language software GUI
• Digital Voice and Secure Digital Voice option
• 2G & 3G Automatic Link Establishment (ALE)
• On-board high speed data transmission modem options
• Detachable control head

About Barrett Communications

Established in 1976 Barrett Communications designs, manufactures and markets HF and VHF radio equipment for specialised, autonomous, medium and long distance radio communications. 

The Barrett radio networks are capable of providing voice, email, data, fax, and tracking solutions for fixed base station, mobile and manpack portable applications.

Our global distribution and customer support network provides easy access and backup for our customer base in over 150 countries globally. 

Barrett products and systems are expertly created to provide the best in HF and VHF communications technology backed by ISO9001:2015 quality assurance certification. Barrett Communications was acquired by Motorola Solutions in 2022.