Kenwood TK-2180 Antenna & Battery Options

[espoonhunter]

ANTENNA QUESTION:

I own a Kenwood TK-2180 which covers 136-174 MHz. Kenwood OEM antennas for the TK-2180 include:

KRA-22 VHF Helical Antenna (Short) 148-162 MHz

KRA-26 VHF Helical Antenna (Standard) 146-162 MHz

KRA-28 VHF Helical Antenna ("Wide Band") 140-170 MHz

I would like an OEM antenna (or even an after-market helical antenna with the proper connector) that covers the full range of the radio with an acceptable SWR. Relm/BK Radio seem to be able to do it with:

KAA-0810 136-174 MHz Antenna for the Relm KNG-P150 Handheld

LAA-0818 136-174 MHz Antenna for the BK Radio VHF Series
(known as the standard "Bendix King" handhelds used by the USFS and BLM)

Does anyone know where I can get a wide band VHF antenna with an acceptable/safe SWR across the 136-174 MHz range with a connector for the Kenwood TK-2180? I would at least like 144-174 MHz so I could use it for the 2-meter amateur band and interoperability needs during EMS/SAR ops with the forestry folks. I know I can get separate antennas for various frequency ranges, but am not interested in that option.

BATTERY QUESTION:

Kenwood OEM batteries for the TK-2180 include:

KNB-31A Ni-Cd 1700 mAh (not an option because it's a Ni-Cd at only 1700 mAh)

KNB-32N Ni-MH 2500 mAh (I have a couple of these, but a memory effect is setting in despite proper discharge/recharge cycling)

KNB-33L Li-Ion 1700mAh (I have a couple of these, but they don't last long enough!)

Why can't Kenwood produce a battery pack that has the larger (but tolerable) form factor of the KNB-32N with a Li-Ion chemistry? A 2500 mAh Li-Ion battery pack would be ideal! Does anyone know of an after-market high-capacity Li-Ion battery for the TK-2180 radio?

-----

I'm frustrated that Kenwood can produce such a great radio with such terrible antenna and battery options...

Thanks in advance for any replies...

 

[Alarmguy]

I have a pricelist for March 2009 for TK2180/3180 that shows a KNB43L 3300mAh
Li-Polymer battery. I have a bad KNB32N also. I am thinking of getting the KNB43L to replace it.

 

[espoonhunter]

Thank you Alarmguy!

I located the 4-page Kenwood "March 2009" manufacturer's price list PDF you referenced and saw the new KNB-43L. Perfect!

Now for the antenna... anybody have any suggestions? I just have to believe that Kenwood has a third-party manufacture the KRA-25s (VHF "high gain" 148-162 MHz) and the KRA-28 (VHF "broad band" 140-174 MHz)...

Interestingly, I have the Kenwood KRA-25 (VHF "high gain" 148-162 MHz). In appearance, it looks IDENTICAL to the pictures I've seen of the BK Radio (Bendix King) LAA 0818 (VHF "broad band 136-174 MHz) antenna. That is, the lengths are identical (9.5 inches) and the form factors are exactly the same from the ribs on the antenna to the tapering of it... the ONLY physical difference is the connector (obviously, Kenwood's proprietaty vs. BK Radio's proprietary) and MAYBE the two colored stripes on the antenna tips- the Kenwood has two BROWN stripes, while the BK Radio has two RED stripes (though that could even be the same, I am comparing pictures and my color recognition is HORRIBLE).

I almost want to believe these antennae are the SAME (the colors of the two stripes on the tips could match; trying to compare a picture of the BK Radio antenna and the off-color stripes of the Kenwood isn't very easy, for me anyway). The only difference could be the connector...

Does anyone know who manufacturers these antennas? Given the remarkable similarities, I just cannot imagine them being manufactured by Kenwood and BK Radio proprietarily (is that a word?); it must be a third manufacturer producing both.

Could the Kenwood KRA-25 be used across the entire 136-174 MHz (or at least 144-174 MHz) range without causing damage to the transceiver (i.e., is the SWR acceptable)? Is there anyone with the capability and willingness to test this? If I could I would, I just don't have the BK Radio antenna or the proper testing equipment.

 

[n7maq-1]

I located the 4-page Kenwood "March 2009" manufacturer's price list PDF you referenced and saw the new KNB-43L. Perfect!

Now for the antenna... anybody have any suggestions? I just have to believe that Kenwood has a third-party manufacture the KRA-25s (VHF "high gain" 148-162 MHz) and the KRA-28 (VHF "broad band" 140-174 MHz)...

Interestingly, I have the Kenwood KRA-25 (VHF "high gain" 148-162 MHz). In appearance, it looks IDENTICAL to the pictures I've seen of the BK Radio (Bendix King) LAA 0818 (VHF "broad band 136-174 MHz) antenna. That is, the lengths are identical (9.5 inches) and the form factors are exactly the same from the ribs on the antenna to the tapering of it... the ONLY physical difference is the connector (obviously, Kenwood's proprietaty vs. BK Radio's proprietary) and MAYBE the two colored stripes on the antenna tips- the Kenwood has two BROWN stripes, while the BK Radio has two RED stripes (though that could even be the same, I am comparing pictures and my color recognition is HORRIBLE).

I almost want to believe these antennae are the SAME (the colors of the two stripes on the tips could match; trying to compare a picture of the BK Radio antenna and the off-color stripes of the Kenwood isn't very easy, for me anyway). The only difference could be the connector...

Does anyone know who manufacturers these antennas? Given the remarkable similarities, I just cannot imagine them being manufactured by Kenwood and BK Radio proprietarily (is that a word?); it must be a third manufacturer producing both.

Could the Kenwood KRA-25 be used across the entire 136-174 MHz (or at least 144-174 MHz) range without causing damage to the transceiver (i.e., is the SWR acceptable)? Is there anyone with the capability and willingness to test this? If I could I would, I just don't have the BK Radio antenna or the proper testing equipment.

I would not use the KRA-25 for the full band, I would go with the KRA-28, but for ham use, and RR use I use the EXH-155, for ham use only I switch to a EXH-150, I can't tell a difference between the two. If I'm working on stuff that I need 162MHz plus I use a KRA-28.

The KRA-25 close to a Centurion EXH-155-SFK. (now Laird Technologies) http://www.lairdtech.com/

Jim

 

[pddispatcher]

How much for a KNB43 and will the charger that charges the KNB 25 work for the 43?

 

[Thayne]

The charger will work but the battery costs about 140 list, just under 100 dealer net

 

[espoonhunter]

pddispatcher...

The OEM Kenwood KNB-43L retail price is $163 each, but I'm sure you can find it cheaper if you search.

And no, the charger for the KNB-25A (which is the KSC-25 charger) will NOT work with the KNB-43L. You will need the KSC-32 charger.

 

[Thayne]

The OEM Kenwood KNB-43L retail price is $163 each, but I'm sure you can find it cheaper if you search.

And no, the charger for the KNB-25A (which is the KSC-25 charger) will NOT work with the KNB-43L. You will need the KSC-32 charger.

You are right about the charger; I never remembered my 2180 came with the KSC-32 --Me bad

I think the KSC-32 will also do the non-Li-ion batts; do you know if that is true?

 

[espoonhunter]

Correct.

The KSC-32 charger supports multi-chemistry batteries, so it will charge Ni-Cd, Ni-MH, Li-Ion, and Li-Polymer batteries (of the appropriate model).

You are right about the charger; I never remembered my 2180 came with the KSC-32 --Me bad

I think the KSC-32 will also do the non-Li-ion batts; do you know if that is true?