Picking up a Kenwood NX700/800

[LongRange308]

I have the opportunity to pick up a Kenwood NX700/800 (not sure of which model yet) to use for amateur bands, and Im wondering how well these radios work for such.

I did some horse trading to get this radio and corresponding kenwood power supply, but I think I came out with a good deal, as long as it will work for me. I already have a Kenwood 281, so Im hoping the one that comes is a 440mhz model.

Also, can you program these NX models with CHIRP or RT Systems? Can I use my 281 programming cable?

Thank you,

 

[kayn1n32008]

You can likely use the cable, but chirp and RT are a no go. You will need to find the correct software. KPG-111D Version 4.70. Do NOT use KPG-11DN it will force you to 2.5KHz analogue deviation. Majority of ham analogue is 5.0KHz deviation.

 

[kayn1n32008]

I have 2 NX700 mobiles and a NX200 portable. I LOVE them. 512 channels and 128 zones, operator selectable tone, and many other useful features. Solid radios. You will likely want an external speaker, the internal speaker leaves alot to be desired.

 

[LongRange308]

Awesome, thanks for the info.. Im just hoping that it isn't password protected for whatever reason.

I guess I will find out tomorrow!

 

[kayn1n32008]

Awesome, thanks for the info.. Im just hoping that it isn't password protected for whatever reason.

I guess I will find out tomorrow!

Then you need the 'engineering' serial number. I believe it works on v 4.70. If it does, that is the latest version it does work with. After that it does not.

 

[mmckenna]

You can likely use the cable, but chirp and RT are a no go. You will need to find the correct software. KPG-111D Version 4.70. Do NOT use KPG-11DN it will force you to 2.5KHz analogue deviation. Majority of ham analogue is 5.0KHz deviation.

Many of the Kenwood guys are amateurs, so they left some gaps on the NX-700 that makes life easier.

Below 150 MHz, it'll do wide band, even if you purchase a brand new radio with latest firmware and use the latest version of KPG-111DN

Above 150MHz, it will force you to narrow band, but you can contact Kenwood and purchase a "W license". It'll open up wide band for all frequencies (Marine VHF, Weather). It isn't free, and it's keyed to the KPG-111DN serial number, so no using "found" software off the internet, you'll have to have software purchased from a Kenwood dealer.

As for the UHF models, there are 2 sub models of the NX-800:
400-470MHz
450-520MHz
30 watt and 45 watt versions are available.

NX-700 is 136-174MHz and 30 or 50 watts.

As for the UHF models, they are forced narrow band from 420MHz to 470MHz, so the only way to get them to do wideband is with the W license for 70cm or GMRS.

So, if you score an NX-700, you are good to go on the amateur bands.
If you get an NX-800, you're going to be stuck with narrow, but you can get a W-license.

As for using them on amateur, I have an NX-700 in my work truck (along with an NX-900) and I have a zone set up with 2 meter frequencies in it. Works well. You can set up a Manual PL selection option, which might be handy. It'll do MDC1200, if you want to impress/annoy your ham buddies.
The front firing speaker works pretty well, but I've spec'd the KES-3 external speaker for many of the mobile installs at work in high noise locations, like garbage trucks. In our PD cars, we use the KES-5 speaker.

While the built in speaker works fine, with a larger speaker you get better audio, which can be handy.

Also, if you are installing this in a vehicle, you can get the KRK-10 remote head kit. You can find them on e-Bay for around 100 bucks.

I think you'll be happy with the radio. They have a lot of functions and features.

 

[kayn1n32008]

Many of the Kenwood guys are amateurs, so they left some gaps on the NX-700 that makes life easier.



Below 150 MHz, it'll do wide band, even if you purchase a brand new radio with latest firmware and use the latest version of KPG-111DN



Above 150MHz, it will force you to narrow band, but you can contact Kenwood and purchase a "W license". It'll open up wide band for all frequencies (Marine VHF, Weather). It isn't free, and it's keyed to the KPG-111DN serial number, so no using "found" software off the internet, you'll have to have software purchased from a Kenwood dealer.

I had no idea. Learned something new. I have never gone beyond ver 4.70 later software does not offer anything I need and being in Canada, all the LMR stuff I use is wide band still.

I think you'll be happy with the radio. They have a lot of functions and features.

I fully agree with you, the NX700/800 series are outstanding radios.

 

[LongRange308]

Awesome.. I think regardless of the model I end up with, Im going to have a great setup.

I am literally trading an ultralight MSR tent and $50 cash for this radio and power supply. To say Im coming out like a winner is an understatement.. If its 2m, then I think I will have a Kenwood 281 for sale here pretty soon. haha

 

[LongRange308]

Ended up being the NX700. I downloaded the programming software and my cable for my 281a worked fine. It's up and running in my shack right now.

The internal speaker is not working at all and I can barely get an audio signal from the audio out port on the back. Luckily there was a pigtail connector wired up on the back and thats providing a good audio out signal, so a Polk audio satellite speaker I had laying around is handling the audio out duties.

Audio reports have been good so far, so it looks like I have a winner.

 

[mmckenna]

Sounds like it's got the KAP-2 cable. Is it a 6 pin Molex type connector?
Depending on how the jumpers are set, it'll route the audio to this connector. If you'd rather use the front speaker or the rear 1/8" jack, you can reset the jumpers inside the radio.

Sounds like you got a good deal.

 

[LongRange308]

Sounds like it's got the KAP-2 cable. Is it a 6 pin Molex type connector?
Depending on how the jumpers are set, it'll route the audio to this connector. If you'd rather use the front speaker or the rear 1/8" jack, you can reset the jumpers inside the radio.

Sounds like you got a good deal.

It does have the connector you described.

Can you walk me through how to route the audio back to the internal speaker? I would love to have the options.

Thank you.

 

[mmckenna]

Sure thing.
First things first: Disconnect the radio from power. Don't just turn it off, actually disconnect the power connection. Open up the radio and inside you'll see a small circuit board the KAP-2 cable connects to. On that circuit board there will be a row of 6 pins with 2 each 2 pin jumpers.

Pins 1, 2, & 3 are used for the horn alert function. You don't need to change those unless you are going to use the radio to trigger something.

Pins 4, 5, & 6 are for the speaker function.

There will probably be a jumper across pins 5 & 6. You want to move that jumper to pins 4 & 5.

Reassemble the radio and reconnect the power. Audio should now be coming out of the front speaker.

Other option would be to remove the KAP-2 cable and circuit board all together.

Let me know if that doesn't work.

 

[LongRange308]

Moving the jumper worked great. I decided not to pull the KAP-2 board in case I decide to use it for something down the road.

This is literally a superfluous radio since I already have a TM-281a... Im thinking backup radio or if I ever get another off-road toy, this could live quite happily in it.

Thanks for the help!

Sure thing.
First things first: Disconnect the radio from power. Don't just turn it off, actually disconnect the power connection. Open up the radio and inside you'll see a small circuit board the KAP-2 cable connects to. On that circuit board there will be a row of 6 pins with 2 each 2 pin jumpers.

Pins 1, 2, & 3 are used for the horn alert function. You don't need to change those unless you are going to use the radio to trigger something.

Pins 4, 5, & 6 are for the speaker function.

There will probably be a jumper across pins 5 & 6. You want to move that jumper to pins 4 & 5.

Reassemble the radio and reconnect the power. Audio should now be coming out of the front speaker.

Other option would be to remove the KAP-2 cable and circuit board all together.

Let me know if that doesn't work.

 

[mmckenna]

Moving the jumper worked great. I decided not to pull the KAP-2 board in case I decide to use it for something down the road.

This is literally a superfluous radio since I already have a TM-281a... Im thinking backup radio or if I ever get another off-road toy, this could live quite happily in it.

Thanks for the help!

Awesome, glad it worked.