PTT ID question

[steveforgues]

I'm looking to purchase a mobile radio to put in my truck for response to fire dept calls. Anyways, I'm looking at the TK-790 and the TK-7180. One of the requirements is that I have PTT ID. I understand a fair amount about radios, but am no expert. From my understanding, you have to have a board added with some radios in order to have this feature. So my question is, do either of these radios need a board to have PTT ID and if so, what board/part# do I need?

Thank you in advance for any info you can provide.

 

[W7FDX]

Some of the newer 7180s do have the PTT ID built in without a option board providing it has the up to date firmware I believe its version 1.22 and whoever is programming it has the newest software version 1.61. Which if you take it to a dealer to get it programmed they should be able to update it for you if it does not have the updated firmware.

 

[Jay911]

You also need to specify what signalling type you need to use with PTTID. Out of the box, the 7180 is configured for FleetSync. You can switch to MDC1200 if you have firmware 1.22 or newer (firmware version numbers are not the same as the software version number, as WVFC80 said).

If you need something other than FS or MDC, you will probably need an aftermarket board.

 

[W7FDX]

Seeing that I just seen he is from Kingston, PA which is somewhat close to where I live and I can usually pick them up and they use MDC 1200.

 

[steveforgues]

Just got a response back from the Deputy Chief that handles all our radio equipment. It is MDC1200 that is used for identifier.

 

[W7FDX]

Then the 7180 with the updated firmware would be your best bet. I recently picked up a 25w model brand new for $200. Unless your open to other Kenwood models that cost a bit more then I would recomend the NX-700 or the NX-720 they also have MDC 1200 with the added ability to do NXDN digital. I own a NX-700H and am very happy with it.

 

[steveforgues]

Getting a new one from an authorized dealer would be nice because of the warranty, but wouldn't object to getting a used one. I have purchased radios in the past off of eBay, but my Deputy Chief just warned me that there have been a lot of stolen Kenwood radio's being sold on eBay and other online auction sites. Apparently Kenwood has a database of most if not all the serial numbers that dealers/service centers can access to check. Seeing how I'm also a police officer, I certainly don't want to be buying a stolen radio.
WVFC80, might I ask where you got it for $200. Dealers I've found online are showing over $500. I don't want to be spending that much, or the wife would do very unpleasant things to me.

 

[mmckenna]

TK-790's won't do MDC without an add on board. This was a deal breaker when we were replacing our PD radios. Ended up going with the TK-5710 to get the built in MDC capability, among other things.

One of the drawbacks of MDC on Kenwood radios is that they only allow one MDC ID for the radio. On most of the Motorola stuff I've worked with, they let you add different MDC ID's. Probably not an issue if all you need is a single ID.

 

[W7FDX]

I had got it on Ebay like 2-3 years ago