Kenwood NXDN

[merlin]

I have been off the Kenwood train for some time and thinking getting into Nexedge.
Been looking at a few radios and cureous of a shortlist, which might be the better radio, most features, some pro's and con's etc.
For now, looking into UHF and trying not to sink a lot of $$ into it.
List:
NX-320-K2
NX-800-K (HK)
NX_820-HG-K

TYIA merlin

 

[mmckenna]

List:
NX-320-K2
NX-800-K (HK)
NX_820-HG-K

TYIA merlin

Well, the 320 is a portable and the other two are mobiles.

The NX-#00 series were the top tier at the time of their release. The NX-#20 were the mid tier.

So, from your list, the NX-800 would be the radio with the most features.

As for a portable, the NX-300 would be the higher feature from that era.

 

[kd4efm]

EOL except for what you find out on fly-bay.

Now radios (series)

NX-5000 (p25, dmr, nxdn, 2 digital 1 analog, by codeplug)
NX-3000 (dmr or nxdn by codeplug)
NX-1000 (single digital mode plus analog)

 

[mmckenna]

Plus, the NX-800 mobile and the NX-300 portable use the same software (KPG-111) and you can swap codeplus between the radio models easily.

 

[merlin]

EOL except for what you find out on fly-bay.

Now radios (series)

NX-5000 (p25, dmr, nxdn, 2 digital 1 analog, by codeplug)
NX-3000 (dmr or nxdn by codeplug)
NX-1000 (single digital mode plus analog)

Well, between feebay and the now MFG. cost, (like the covid thing) these are more than I am willing to pay.
EOL dosn't mean bad, most of my good radios are EOL.
DMR would be nice though.
TNX

 

[merlin]

Plus, the NX-800 mobile and the NX-300 portable use the same software (KPG-111) and you can swap codeplus between the radio models easily.

OK, so how do the 800 and 820 compare. I can get these fairly cheap.
TNX

 

[mmckenna]

Well, between feebay and the now MFG. cost, (like the covid thing) these are more than I am willing to pay.
EOL dosn't mean bad, most of my good radios are EOL.
DMR would be nice though.
TNX

I've got about 450 NX-410's all technically EOL, majority are pushing 12 years old, and all working fine.

If you want DMR, you either need to pick one of their specific DMR radios, which would have model numbers that start with TKD, or one of the newer NX series radios, like NX-1000, NX-3000, NX-5000 series.

If you want a basic durable DMR radio, the NX-1x00 DUK series are very nice. I've got about 70 of them here at work and they are inexpensive new. Well under the $300 mark for a basic/no frills model.

 

[mmckenna]

OK, so how do the 800 and 820 compare. I can get these fairly cheap.
TNX

800 has a bigger display (14 characters) and 512 channel capacity.
820 has a smaller display (10 characters) and 260 channels

Make sure you are getting the correct band splits, as there are 2 different UHF models for both of these., 400-470 or 450-512MHz. Also, the NX-800 has two different power levels 30 watt or 45 watt. NX-820 is 45 watts only.

NX-#00 series (as well as the NX-210, NX-410 and NX411/NX-901) all use the KPG-111 software
NX-#20 series uses the NX-141 software.
Not a big deal, but having the same series radios makes life easier. You can easily make a codeplug for your mobile, and stick it in the portable with minor key changes. If you ever plan on getting an NX-300, get the NX-800 and save yourself a lot of time with programming, although there are ways to transfer codeplugs between software...

 

[mmckenna]

Oh, and if you start playing with portables:
NX-300 will have a larger public safety type 14 pin side connector for accessories.
The NX-320 uses the Kenwood 2 pin connector.

The 14 pin connector is a lot more friendly if you change audio accessories frequently.

On the mobiles, The NX-#20 series uses a DB15 accessory connector on the rear. The NX-#00 series uses a DB25. If you plan on playing around connecting these to external devices, the DB-25 on the NX-#00 gives you some more options.

 

[merlin]

Looks like I will end up with the NX-800. ATM it is the cheapest of the lot.
What I am wanting to hear is high split sites ~460Mhz, 2 systems, 5 sites.
I have a few radios that do DMR, so don't need an expensive option.
TNX

 

[northstarfire0693]

The NX 300 has been used in Christian County KY on their Nexedge system from when the system went online to current. I have dragged them through many structure fires and everything else you will see in the fire service. Never had one fail in the whole department. Radios and the TRS worked good. Take it for whats its worth, but just my experience with KW and Nexedge.

 

[mmckenna]

Looks like I will end up with the NX-800. ATM it is the cheapest of the lot.
What I am wanting to hear is high split sites ~460Mhz, 2 systems, 5 sites.
I have a few radios that do DMR, so don't need an expensive option.
TNX

Just be aware, if these are trunked radio systems, these radios will NOT decode, even if you put the frequencies in as conventional.

 

[mmckenna]

The NX 300 has been used in Christian County KY on their Nexedge system from when the system went online to current. I have dragged them through many structure fires and everything else you will see in the fire service. Never had one fail in the whole department. Radios and the TRS worked good. Take it for whats its worth, but just my experience with KW and Nexedge.

I'd agree with this.
I've got about 450 NX-410's that most have been in service since ~2011. The number of radio failures I can count on one hand. Very durable radios.
Our PD is using the NX-210, and has been for almost 10 years. Supposed to be a short term solution that keeps dragging on. They've stood up very well in public safety service. I believe many of the railroads use the NX-210 also. They've stood up well and have proven to be cop proof.

 

[Frmn85]

The good news with their 1st generation portables 320,800 etc. is that most features are offered license free- site roaming and trunking (type C and LTR)

 

[merlin]

Well, I didn't know my Kenwood stockpile was so obsolete, Now I need to know what software and programming cable to work with this.
(For NX-800 k)

 

[mmckenna]

The good news with their 1st generation portables 320,800 etc. is that most features are offered license free- site roaming and trunking (type C and LTR)

Type C trunking is included with the newer NX-3x20 mobiles and 3x00/3x20 portables.

 

[mmckenna]

Well, I didn't know my Kenwood stockpile was so obsolete, Now I need to know what software and programming cable to work with this.
(For NX-800 k)

KPG-111 is the software for the NX-800 (also the NX-700, NX-900, NX-901, NX-210, NX-410, NX-411, NX-200, NX-300)
Programming cable is the KPG-46

Before you get too far down this road, some of the newer firmware/software combinations will force you to narrow band on UHF. Yes, including the ham bands, GMRS, etc. You can get wideband keys, but you'd need to get that from a friendly Kenwood dealer.

Other than that, good solid radios. I've had NX-900's (the 800MHz version of the 800) running for 12 years now. Never had any issues with them (about 50 currently).

 

[merlin]

OK, well I have all the software one could ever use and do have a lot of firmware up to NX220_E520_6647
What I don't have is a programming cable and what I found are cheapies I never liked to use.
Thinking maybe the USB cable 'blue Max' KPG-46P will work. What do you think ?

 

[kb5udf]

I can’t specifically comment on their Kenwood cables, but I have bought 5+ BluMax cables for Motorolas and one for an ancient Icom (I think it was an Icom). They all work well.

 

[mmckenna]

OK, well I have all the software one could ever use and do have a lot of firmware up to NX220_E520_6647

NX-x20 firmware is for the x20 line and different than what you'd need for the NX-800. I forget where the narrowbanding change was made. I know all my original radios from 2011 were running 2.83. I think the narrow change happened in the 3's. 4.0 came out in mid 2013, after narrow banding mandate.

What I don't have is a programming cable and what I found are cheapies I never liked to use.
Thinking maybe the USB cable 'blue Max' KPG-46P will work. What do you think ?

I've heard BlueMax makes pretty good stuff. But at work, I stick with the factory cables. Cost isn't an issue and it makes troubleshooting with the manufacturer easier when I don't have aftermarket products in the mix.