KRA-25

[evfd1625]

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Has anyone used the KRA-25 antenna and have any thoughts on performance compared to the 26?

 

[jrw14493]

We have several of the KRA-25 antennas in operation in a mountainous area of the state. The dept. was using 5210's with the KRA-26's and was always complaining about coverage and lack there of. After doing a full system check out and finding nothing wrong, we switched them to the KRA-25's and the chief called the next week and commented on the night and day difference the new antennas made.

Several other departments in the same county are also using these antennas and won't go back to the 26's. I'll say they made a huge difference for our clients, but I suppose everybody may not have the same experience. Make sure your portable is aligned properly and then try the KRA-25 antenna.

 

[wb4wdu]

I have had good luck with the KRA-25. My TK2312 will transmit and receive when some of the Big "M" radios wont. It preforms about the same as the Big "M" sets with the standard antenna. Your results may be different but Im sold on the 25.

 

[evfd1625]

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I've done some testing and I can usually get 3dbm increase in signal with the 25 per the maintenance mode on my NX-200, however I don't know if this is normal, but my 200 and 3180 both have "jiggly" antenna Ports. Not sure if anyone has experienced this before.

 

[jrw14493]

"Jiggly" antenna port? Never experienced that. I can't remember if the NX-200 and 3180 have the large nut that tightens down with a knob nut wrench or if you take the case off and the antenna jack is held to the chassis of the radio with two screws, like with the 5210.

 

[evfd1625]

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I can just feel the antenna moving the jack around if I grab the base and move it slightly. Its hard to explain. But I can't verify if it is just the jack or the entire chassis. I know there is a nut under the channel selector on the 200 to install and remove the channel stopper. Mine does move around under there, so I wonder if the nut could be loose.

 

[evfd1625]

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But thinking about it. That wouldn't seem to make a difference as the nut only affects the channel selector knob and not the rest of the top of the radio.

 

[ramal121]

The antenna SMA connector is a flange mount with two screws to the frame. If the screws loosen the antenna will wobble, eventually breaking the connection of the SMA to the board. You'll have to pull the frame from the housing to inspect. Tightening the circ nut helps, but I think these are missing from the later portables.

Kenwood started to put a sticky film on top of the flange mount to keep the screws in place. My favorite fix is to remove the screws and apply some loc-tite to them. Do this before you break something and have to go shopping for a new SMA receptacle.

 

[evfd1625]

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I'm not exactly sure how to remove the chassis from the shell on the Kenwood radios. Any tips?

 

[ramal121]

If you want to attempt it, not that hard as long as you pay attention and not loose any small screws. This is for both the NX-200 and TK-2180.

Remove antenna and pull off both the channel and volume knobs. Remove the circ nut from the channel shaft (I have spanners for this but curved needle nose works just as well).

Remove the belt clip and the screw for the accessory connector cover. Remove the battery and take out the two screws at the bottom of the battery compartment.

Using a small screwdriver, wedge it between the plastic housing and the metal frame at the bottom center. Lever the screwdriver to pry up the frame a little. Then grab the frame with your fingers, pull back and down to remove the radio from the housing.

Then take the black rubber thingy up off the volume shaft. Remove the circ nut from the volume, the top black plastic piece and then the orange top seal.

Now you can see the antenna SMA mount. Take the two screws out (were they loose)? Pull gently on the SMA. If it comes right out, it's broken. If it's still snug in there, the center conductor is still in one piece and soldered to the board. Apply Loc-tite to the screws and tighten back down.

Now make sure the front white button membrane is seated properly and reassemble in the reverse order.