Ambulance Radio Options

[ericthenerd]

Hey all-

An agency I work with is specing out a new ambulance and there were talks about buying new mobiles with it. We have an analog VHF simulcast system with two repeater sites. We use Kenwood TK-790's for primary communications, with the dual head kit. One head in the back, one in the cab. We occasionally have to do radio reports to the hospital from the back, so I definitely want to keep the dual head functionality if possible. We also run a Kenwood 860G in each rig for UHF communication with our local and state law enforcement.

In the last few years, our PD has switched to a conventional P25 system. They run TK-5810 mobiles and TK-5310 portables. We would like our new ambulance to have the ability to communicate with them on their system.

What are our best options for radios in the new rig? I like Kenwood for ease of programming and cost, but we have both Kenwood and Motorola dealers that we work with. Should we stick with the TK-790's for VHF and just get a 5810 or 5820 for the P25 UHF? Or would we be best to switch to the NX-5700/5800 series? Since our primary is still analog, I feel like we would be wasting the potential of the 5700, but it would allow us to upgrade to digital easily if we decide to do so.

What's the smart decision here? Thanks in advance for everyone's help.

 

[KK6ZTE]

If you're buying new radios, invest in something that will last.

The 5810 is nearing EOL, so don't invest there. The NX-5000 comes in a dual head dual band configuration. That would be my suggestion. Order it without any digital options, then you can upgrade as needed. Then you only have one head that will handle both sides, and you can listen to both bands at once.

I'm working with a PD that is analog only now, and their maintenance department is moving to DMR. I'm pushing the PD to get the NX5300 instead of a comparable DMR only radio because of the easy migration to P25 should the surrounding agencies migrate. The price difference was staggeringly low.

 

[mmckenna]

I concur with that.
If you are comfortable with Kenwood radios, then switching brands might cause some frustration.

NX-5000 mobiles, specifically the NX-5700 VHF and the NX-5800 UHF connected to dual control heads will do what you need.

There are two bandsplits for UHF, so you'll need to get the right one. Only one bandsplit for VHF.
Out of the box, they'll do analog and NXDN. P25 can be added to one or both RF decks as needed. You can also add NexEdge trunking, DMR and P25 trunking if needed.

EF Johnson V7000 is another option. Same physical radio with some differences:
Will do analog and P25. Will do Motorola Smart Net/Smart Zone trunking if you ever need that. Won't do NXDN or DMR at this time.
Can even do up to 4 RF decks, if you ever need that level of funkyness.

There's a few other dual head options from Kenwood, but if you are looking at long term, I'd go with the NX-5000 line.

 

[ericthenerd]

Thanks for the advice.

If I understand correctly, we can order the NX-5700 and NX-5800 RF decks with the dual remote head kit, and just pay to have the 5800 upgraded to P25, right? Then if we change over to digital on the VHF side down the road, it's as simple as going to the dealer and upgrading the 5700 as well? Seems simple enough.

Sounds like this would be the best option to try and get everyone on board with.

 

[mmckenna]

Thanks for the advice.

If I understand correctly, we can order the NX-5700 and NX-5800 RF decks with the dual remote head kit, and just pay to have the 5800 upgraded to P25, right? Then if we change over to digital on the VHF side down the road, it's as simple as going to the dealer and upgrading the 5700 as well? Seems simple enough.

Sounds like this would be the best option to try and get everyone on board with.

Correct.

And, you can do the P25 feature license upgrade on your own, if you were so inclined.