The Radio Information Board

Hello everyone!!

So as I do not want to make a mistake in purchasing a new radio(handheld), I need some help. My FD is going narrowband in January. I would like to know which model or models of Kenwood handhelds with a alpha-numeric display would be a good one. We are on VHF Hi-band(between 150-160 Mhz). Also something with around 100+ channels as I use it to monitor the railroads too. Thanks in advance for all your help!!

Regards,
Railroad Joe

We just purchased the TK-5210 and they work great

Here is some information:

http://www.two-way-radios-inc.com/Two_W ... tk5210.pdf

We use a tk-2170 and they work great and they are priced very nice.

If you are on a very tight budget the ICOM radios are worth a look. The IC-F50 will do narrow band and has 128 channels with an alphanumeric display. ICOM will sell directly to FD's off the GSA pricelist which is almost half of retail.
But that TK5210 sure looks like a nice radio. The emergency button on the ICOM is downright difficult to get to and nearly impossible with gloves on.
Peter

We are using the 180 series portable and as far as functionality and quality, they are A+. The features packed within this radio are perfect for public safety. Myself and my captain are testing two 3180's right now and so far so good.

One of our neighboring towns recently switched to UHF and bought a slew of 3180's nand they have had excellent results.

Now as for the VHF version. I just programmed a high band model (TK-2180) for someone and they love their radio. Even with the helical antenna they are reporting RX & TX.

I do not know much about the TK-5210, but I can assume that the price will be quite high becasue of it's P25 capability.

Good Luck...

Thanks to everyone who has posted here. Also, even though brand new radios are a sure thing, how far back can I go in models?? Will a TK-272G work for what I'm looking for?? One other thing, looks like I'll have to dump the TK730H(G) Dual head radio in my car. I'll replace it with only 1 radio as I do not need the remote head in the rear of the car(Ford Expedition) What would be a decent alpha-numeric 45+ watt radio for my car?? Not only new, but used off eBay. Thanks again for all the replies!!

Regards,
Railroad Joe

TK-7180H 50W. Program with the same software for the 180 series portables I mentioned before.

Good Luck

Joe,

I know nothing and less every day. But in response to a question I asked last month about Kenwood handhelds on here I was told "The G indicates its Narrow band capable." So the TK-272G should be OK for you.

We have about 20 of them on our local VFD and the only complaint has been batteries. Nobody is ever satisfied with battery life unless it never needs recharged. We have has a bunch of batteries fail recently, but I was warned average life would be about 2 years with some last 1 year and some lasting 4, and no rhyme or reason to which ones or why.

n9gik wrote:Joe,

I know nothing and less every day. But in response to a question I asked last month about Kenwood handhelds on here I was told "The G indicates its Narrow band capable." So the TK-272G should be OK for you.

Once again - "narrow band capable" on VHF does NOT mean the radio has a synthisizer capable of the FCC 7.5KHz bandplan channels.

The "70G" series WILL NOT work on the new channels. The bottom line is that the FCC adopted a bandplan based on splitting 15 KHz channels in half but all existing radios at that time were designed only for frequencies divisible by either 5 or 6.25 KHz. The ability to handle the newer channels requires the capability for a divisor of 2.5 KHz which was not available before the FCC adopted the change.

I am not sure about the "90" series but I don't believe any Kenwood with a 3 digit model number will work. If the radio was designed before the late 1990's it probably won't work.

Note that this is an issue only with VHF radios. The FCC adopted standard 12.5/6.25KHz channel spacing for UHF so any "narrow band" UHF radio is also capable of the "split" channels.

Well, maybe the frequencies we will be using will help. Rx 154.8525/Tx 158.9325 and Rx 154.7475/Tx 158.9925 Those are the new narrow band freqs. Also, even though this posting is under Kenwood, if you have any other manufacturer you could recommend, please do. Thanks again!!

Regards,
Railroad Joe

Those frequencies are only divisible by 2.5 so any older radio that can only do steps of 5 or 6.25 won't work. This is true of all radio maunfacturers. Before the FCC adopted these non-standard frequencies, there was no reason to have a radio that could do 2.5KHz steps.

Generally, unless the radio model first came on the market after about 2000, it probably can't do the new FCC VHF frequencies.

So, use of these new frequencies means buying recent model radios. In looking for a new radio, don't be fooled by "narrow band compliant". Get assurance from the dealer that it is designed for the new FCC split channels.

If you go with the 180 series mobiles and portables from Kenwood you won't go wrong. You can do FleetSync ID's for the radio so you know who's call. Which is something you can do with Moto or ICOM, etc.

The advantage you will find with Kenwood is that you can purchase the programming software and make all the changes you need for relatively inexpensive costs. Moto software is expensive and can be quite laborious to use.

Again...Good Luck!

David

Again,

Thanks to all who answered my question here. I appreciate it very much!!

Regards,
Railroad Joe

let us know how you make out.