Has anyone used a 8180 as a node radio for allstar. How well does the radio handle the heat, can it run continuously without a issue at high power?
Kenwood TK-8180 and allstar node
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I've used one at low power (10ish watts, IIRC) for near-continuous duty cycle with a small fan on the back and it never warmed up. (not for allstar, but TX is TX) Would you have it all the way up, tuned for maximum output?
I have a TK-8180 running Pi-star on P-25 and NXDN at 20 watts with a cooling fan and no problems. Running 30 watts will get the radio hot. I have pretty good range with 20 watts. I can also run 10 watts on low power. Just depends on how busy the talkgroup is. I have the TOT set at 120 seconds for extra protection.
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
Commercial mobiles are not designed to run flat out at 100% rated power continuously. It'll cook if you try that at full power.
Commercial users are not as long winded as hams. Usually a 5/5/90 ratio is used, 5% transmit, 5% receive and 90% idle. They'll do more than that, but 5/5/90 is used for most designs.
Crank the power down and they'll likely run forever with some air flow over the heat sink.
Or go crazy and get yourself something like an old Motorola MTR-2000. Those puppies will run flat out and full power. Same with Quantars, accidentally left one keyed up for a couple of days. Was still humming along when I remembered.
Commercial users are not as long winded as hams. Usually a 5/5/90 ratio is used, 5% transmit, 5% receive and 90% idle. They'll do more than that, but 5/5/90 is used for most designs.
Crank the power down and they'll likely run forever with some air flow over the heat sink.
Or go crazy and get yourself something like an old Motorola MTR-2000. Those puppies will run flat out and full power. Same with Quantars, accidentally left one keyed up for a couple of days. Was still humming along when I remembered.
Gunnar_Guy
Member
In the spec sheet and service manual Kenwood say the TK-8180 radios are rated for 20% transmit duty cycle and since no standby duty cycle restrictions are given there's no reason to assume 80% of the time on RX should present a serious problem. The 5/5/90 duty usually is a condition for portable radio rated battery life rather than TX/RX heat dissipation.
The TK-8180 is supposed to meet MIL-STD-810C/D/E/F, which dictate environmental conditions where it can operate but I'm not aware that the standard itself defines an airflow other than calling for "sufficient" and Kenwood nowhere I can find lists their test conditions or that they assumed a value for CFM.
Basically use low power, put a fan on it, keep at room temperature and should be alright.
The TK-8180 is supposed to meet MIL-STD-810C/D/E/F, which dictate environmental conditions where it can operate but I'm not aware that the standard itself defines an airflow other than calling for "sufficient" and Kenwood nowhere I can find lists their test conditions or that they assumed a value for CFM.
Basically use low power, put a fan on it, keep at room temperature and should be alright.
MTS2000des
5B2_BEE00 Czar
Hams have a fetish for using mobile radios with a 5-5-90 duty cycle for repeater/remote base operations or gas bag for 5.5 hours a day, then wonder why the magic smoke comes out. There is a reason why a Quantar can belt out 100 watts 24/7/365- it was purpose built for that. A cooling fan on a mobile radio will buy time, but how long? And not all mobile "like" to be run at low power levels. The Radius/Maxtracs, unless the version designed for 2-10 watts out, is forced lower, puts out all kinds of oscillations and the PA actually runs hotter than at it's rated output.
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