Kenwood/EFJ already has two great multi-band mobile radio packages in the Kenwood Viking VM-7000 and the Kenwood NX-5000 but as most people know the company has been behind in the multi band portable radio arena. All I can say is keep your ears and eyes open over the next several months…something very exciting is coming ! I’ve seen the prototype but can’t say much more than that at this time, but I can say I’m really excited about it ! 😁👍.
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Multi Band news
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mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
Thanks, I've heard the same thing, maybe a release at IWCE in March. I'm in the market for Multiband radios, and if Kenwood can release something that will support NXDN as well as P25 in a multiband platform, I'll be interested.
Tait is supposed to release something similar soon.
Hopefully IWCE 2022 makes up for the steaming pile of poo that was IWCE 2021.
When we and another department were shopping around for radios earlier this year and mentioned possibly going with multi-band (we wanted VHF analog and 7/800 P25 trunked) our Kenwood rep recommended the NX-5000 series but also said something about a new viking model coming out next year if we wanted to wait. He didn't have many details except to say "The VP8000 all-band portable might interest you, but it won't be available until next year, and unfortunately I don't know what the cost will be right now".
After speaking with him and doing a search I realized there was nothing I could find, so I'm not sure if he was suppose to let that slip or not. We ended up not going multi-band so it wasn't mentioned again and I didn't ask any questions.
After speaking with him and doing a search I realized there was nothing I could find, so I'm not sure if he was suppose to let that slip or not. We ended up not going multi-band so it wasn't mentioned again and I didn't ask any questions.
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The vp8000 is no longer vapor talk from what i was told, that yes, it will be forthcoming.
I'm pretty sure Kenwood is skipping IWCE again this year. That said, the VP8000 is coming. I first saw a prototype early last summer.
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
Yeah, that sucks if they do skip it. They weren't at the one last fall either. I'm registered (just for the expo floor) this year, so I'll see who shows up. If it's the miniaturized version of last fall, I'm going to be disappointed.
News is they are skipping this year also.
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
Well, boogers.
DeoVindice
P25 Underground
That sucks. I've heard to expect the 8000 this summer but I'm not holding my breath.
Why don't other manufacturers have any interest in offering an even-vaguely similar product competing with or similar to the APX 8000? I guess the Harris XL-200 is about the only alternative, and AFAIK there is nothing in DMR yet...
DeoVindice
P25 Underground
Harris does with the XL-200P. BKR is working on one, as is EFWood (which had a V/7/8 offering up until a couple months ago).
I suppose right now it would be a difficult time to introduce a new anything, when everything you sell is constantly on backorder and such.
martyemtp
Member
The word that I got was that EFJohnson/Kenwood discontinued manufacturing of the VP900. They have a limited stock of those radios. No date was given when the new multi-band portable radio was going to be ready for the market. One would hope that they release the specifications of that radio before they start selling the radio.
It would have been nice they had a demo at the IWCE, but they would have to be present.
It would have been nice they had a demo at the IWCE, but they would have to be present.
I have a couple VP900's in VHF/7/800 Great radio, hated to see them dump it, but doesn't surprise me with KW now in the ownership seat.. NEED pricing on the 8000's SOON as I am going to grant writing and cant really justify $8K plus for the APX8000...
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
I agree, I'm in the same boat. I need to buy a bunch of multiband portable and mobile radios in the next year. Currently looking at the Harris, but would like to see some options. Disappointed that Kenwood/EFJohnson won't be at IWCE this spring.
Not sure wat AFAIK means, but I was told first hand from authoritative source at Kenwood/EFJ that the new VP-8000 multi band portable will include DMR capability.
MTS2000des
5B2_BEE00 Czar
So is MSI. IWCE is done. Not much left but cellphone MVNOs selling cheapo Chinese feces pieces PTToC devices "Nextel lives!" and China DMR crap. MSI out, JVC Kenwood out- waiting on L3 Harris to pull out.
Meanwhile, WHEN WILL JVC KENWOOD release an APX 8K killer? Love to see such a product on a VP6K chassis. Anyone? Bueller? Anyone?
Heard it was on the VP6K chassis, not certain but that is from relatively reliable(historically) source.
Sure leaves us with our backs against a wall. APX8K is @21 weeks out when ordered... Its definitely a difficult mess. Especially since IPSC wont let us add radios that aren't TDMA capable, soooo pushing us to place orders for radios that are 6 months out, or wait for one that is not released yet and hope the availability will be better...
Sure leaves us with our backs against a wall. APX8K is @21 weeks out when ordered... Its definitely a difficult mess. Especially since IPSC wont let us add radios that aren't TDMA capable, soooo pushing us to place orders for radios that are 6 months out, or wait for one that is not released yet and hope the availability will be better...
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