Used TK-5310s?

[DeoVindice]

I'm currently maintaining a small fleet of Kenwood UHF portables (TK-360Gs, TK-390s, TK-3180s) for my business on analog NFM. My business partner and I are interested in P25, especially for encryption, and the TK-5310 appears to be a good fit. I considered EF Johnson 5100s, but have not heard good things about reliability and support on these.

We're fairly heavily invested in Kenwood multipin mics and cables, so a portable that will allow use of these, plus TK-3180 batteries and chargers, is very attractive. Used TK-5310s on Ebay are fairly few and far between; does anyone know a good source for a couple?

 

[kayn1n32008]

Beware, I hardly ever see TK-5310’s and haven’t seen one yet with the AES SCM(Secure Cryptographic Module). The other issue you will run into is key loading. The best option to key load AES keys into P25 radios is the KFD Tool. I think it’s about US$250. Other option is looking for a KVL-3000+ or KVL-4000. Those won’t be cheap.

 

[kayn1n32008]

Additionally, you would need to see if the AES SCM is even still available.
You will also want version 3 hardware.

 

[mmckenna]

NX-300, NX-320 would probably be cheaper. NXDN will still give you encryption standard. Unless you have a specific need to interoperate with someone else on UHF that is running P25, there's not really much reason to go with it.

The TK-5x10's are kind of all over the place, there's 3 different 'versions' of hardware and lots of different firmware versions. I have a 5210 at work and I like it, but it's a model 3.

 

[DeoVindice]

NX-300, NX-320 would probably be cheaper. NXDN will still give you encryption standard. Unless you have a specific need to interoperate with someone else on UHF that is running P25, there's not really much reason to go with it.

The TK-5x10's are kind of all over the place, there's 3 different 'versions' of hardware and lots of different firmware versions. I have a 5210 at work and I like it, but it's a model 3.

You make a very good point. NXDN does appear to do what we need; P25 is not strictly necessary. I've used NX-420s and NX-3420s occupationally at a previous job and was pleased with the portables themselves (the system was another matter entirely, but any complaints about it were ignored). I just wish Kenwood hadn't used the two-pin connectors on them. Our budget would absolutely permit NX-320s or NX-3320s, and I'd strongly consider stretching it to secondhand NX-5300s if I could find a few good ones.

 

[mmckenna]

You make a very good point. NXDN does appear to do what we need; P25 is not strictly necessary. I've used NX-420s and NX-3420s occupationally at a previous job and was pleased with the portables themselves (the system was another matter entirely, but any complaints about it were ignored). I just wish Kenwood hadn't used the two-pin connectors on them. Our budget would absolutely permit NX-320s or NX-3320s, and I'd strongly consider stretching it to secondhand NX-5300s if I could find a few good ones.

NX-300's have the 14 pin connector.
NX-3300's have the 14 pin connector.

 

[DeoVindice]

NX-300's have the 14 pin connector.
NX-3300's have the 14 pin connector.

10-4! If we go through with new radios, it looks like it'll be NX-3300s. Thanks for the guidance!