Help with NX200

[darrell585]

Hey, I'm new to this radio stuff and i've got a Kenwood NX-200. I've got the programming cord and software. Would I be able to pick up police/ems with this radio? I am in Indiana. Just looking for a little guidance. Thanks!

 

[mikewazowski]

Post moved to it's own thread.

Please start a new thread if your post has nothing to do with any existing threads. Thanks.

For starters, you might want to give a better location than Indiana. A lot will depend on where you're located.

 

[mmckenna]

This radio, in it's native form, will do VHF analog and VHF NXDN digital only. 136MHz to 174MHz.

If the department you want to listen to is on the VHF band and they are running analog or NXDN conventional (non-trunked), you should be just fine.

If the department you are wanting to listen to is running P25 phase 1 digital, there is a manufacturer available P25 firmware upgrade for this radio that will REPLACE the NXDN functionality with p25 phase capability. It's somewhere north of $700 and requires the radio be shipped back to Kenwood for the upgrade.

 

[mmckenna]

I'll add this as just a friendly suggestion:
I see your post count is 1 and you said you are "new to this radio stuff".
I run a number of radio systems, including some for fire and police departments. I'm suggesting this as a friendly request:

Please do not program in any transmit frequencies for any of these agencies you are wanting to listen to. While you may very well be disciplined enough to not transmit where you shouldn't, all too often the radio can fall into the wrong hands. A radio can be stolen, lost, or simply picked up by a child or unknowing friend. It's way too easy to press the push to talk button on a radio and not realize the issues it can be causing.


The NX-200 is a really solid radio and should give you years of use. I'd recommend putting it to its full potential by looking into getting your amateur radio license. This radio will work great on the 2 meter VHF band (144-148MHz). Getting your license will teach you a lot about radios, how they work and what you can do with them.

Good luck and enjoy your new radio.