Sporty’s Introduces PJ2+ GPS COM

When something works well you keep it, and if you are part of the product development team from Sporty’s Pilot Shop, you improve upon it, which is precisely how Sporty’s created the PJ2+ COM radio.

Like many pilots, I have a hand-held radio in my flight bag for emergencies and also to monitor my student pilots’ progress during their first solo, so I submit my handheld is utilized a bit more than other pilots who simply have one for backup.

The PJ2+ has many of the same features as Sporty’s popular PJ2 COM radio, released in 2022. The design quickly became a hit because of the direct PJ headset jack inputs. The PJ2+ has the headset jacks along with a 3.5mm jack for earbuds. 

The PJ2+ can be powered by a USB-C plug on the right side of the radio for use in the cockpit. You can also plug it into the airplane’s cigarette lighter (if the airplane has one) or use a portable battery pack.

The unit comes with a lithium ion battery that is rechargeable with a type C port on the side of the radio. In the upper right corner of the screen is a battery life graph, so you can make battery life assessment part of your preflight.

If you intend to use this device as an emergency backup, Sporty’s (and this CFI) recommend pilots use AA alkaline batteries, which are easy to find at any convenience store and easy to carry in your flight bag. You will need six for the PJ2+. The instruction manual suggests that if the radio will not be used for several months, it should be stored without the batteries inside. As someone who has lost a portable radio to the potassium carbonate meltdown (that nasty white powder indicating alkaline battery corrosion) I applauded this warning. I’ll keep the batteries in the package next to the radio in my flight bag.

The PJ2+ GPS can be used as an intercom, very helpful when you take your vintage aircraft without an electrical system into airspace that requires a radio. When you add a splitter (sold separately) you can plug two general aviation headsets into the top of the radio, avoiding an external intercom box and cables all over the cockpit.

The knob that turns it on is at the top of the radio chassis. It also controls volume and squelch. The headset plug holes are covered with a rubber gasket attached to the chassis when a headset is not used. The antenna is easily detachable for ease of storage.

The push-to-talk button doesn’t take much force to activate and the transmission sent and received in the pattern were clear—which was much appreciated as many of us have had the transmission experience akin to the teacher in the Charlie Brown cartoons. A large TX appears on the screen when you transmit.

You don’t have to cycle through menus or search frequency bands to find what you need—simply type it in on the oversized keypad. The numbers on the keypad are large enough to be “over age 40 friendly” and are backlit, as is the screen, which definitely comes in handy in low-light situations. Hold the backlight button (located on the right side of the chassis) down for three seconds. The backlit screen is now in color and the backlit keypad in night mode.

The push-to-talk button is the largest button located on the left side of the radio chassis. It was easy to use with my left hand as my right hand was on the yoke flying.

There is also a last frequency button which will come in handy if you need to jump back and forth between the automated weather and the Unicom frequency, such as when you are monitoring a student pilot’s first solo from the ramp.

Bluetooth and GPS

Another new feature: a GPS equipped with Bluetooth, allowing you to connect wirelessly to a headset. To pair a device, press the Bluetooth button, activate your Bluetooth, and take advantage of the pairing mode. Devices can be given names and disconnected and removed from your list of saved Bluetooth devices.

The GPS is simplified functionality in that it shows your ground speed, altitude, track, and distance and bearing to a preprogrammed destination, but it does not contain an airport approach plate database, so you can’t fly an approach with it. However, it can provide you with basic directions to get you back to a preselected home field, and provide latitude and longitude to give your location. The latter could come in very handy if you experience an unscheduled off-airport landing. Pro-tip: if this happens, text your long/lat location to 911, because a text message takes less power to get out than a phone call.

And speaking of emergencies, the PJ2+ GPS has an emergency mode. If you press and hold down the “2” on the keypad, it automatically programs the frequency to 121.5 and will display the way back to your preprogrammed home airport.

The PJ2+ has the same dimensions as its predecessor with a clip that allows you to attach it to your belt, or to the side-leg pouch of your cargo pants or even an exterior pocket of your flight bag for extra security.

The PJ2+ GPS is available now at Sportys.com at an introductory price of $399. Each unit includes both lithium-ion rechargeable and AA battery packs, USB-C charging cable, wall charger, and belt clip. The PJ2+ COM has a 1-year warranty.

This radio/com is not just for the pilots who believe in the “belt and suspenders approach.” This is for the pilots who believe in the “belt, suspenders, and duct tape” approach.