BKR 9000 Reviews

[aglowgibbon]

For those who have their BKR 9000s in hand, what are your experiences? I'm curious to hear what your positives and grips are. I've seen a ton of gripes on Reddit from BKR 5000 users, but not much on the 9000.

A couple of my concerns:

• No hirose adapter for keyloading (KVL only)
• Horrible RSMs. I haven't seen anything from OTTO either.
• No battery clamshell
• Lack of DMR support in comparison to VP8000 and TP9900 (For now, maybe coming?)
• Long term durability compared to Moto, EFJ, Tait, Harris, etc.

 

[EMT_20]

I purchased two for my agency to replace two DPHX5102 portable radios in one of our Type 6 wildland engines. For our use locally at home and when we go out on assignments, we need an all-band radio.

To address your concerns first:
- As far as I know BK does not have or plan to have a hirose adapter for key loading. I purchased a hirose connector and modified one of my existing programming plugs (BKR0710).
- I like the RSM's, especially the first BKR RSM that came out when the BKR 5000 did (BKR0203). I have been told they are going to discontinue that model. I prefer it over the newer version (BKR0204) because I can have a SCAN (round black button) and a HOME (emergency button) button programmed on the RSM whereas the BKR0204 only has the emergency button and a volume up/down toggle switch like the Motorola APX RSM's have. You can assign the buttons and toggle switches to do whatever you want in RES though. BK is supposed to be coming out with a new RSM in the 3rd quarter of this year I believe, the BKR0210, Microphone, Speaker, w/Antenna Conn., LE, BKR9000.
- BK is supposed to be coming out with a clamshell as early as this summer from what I have been told. Their website gives and ETA of sometime in the third quarter of 2024, BKR0122, SURPASS Clamshell AA Battery Pack, Orange, BKR9000. Open Market Item.
- I have heard and read the rumor that they are looking at adding DMR, just not sure when.
- From my experience with the new radio which includes using it on one wildfire assignment so far this year as well as field testing them since we received them I would have to say that I believe they will hold up just as well or maybe better than the Motorola's. Only time will tell.

Here are some of the things I have noticed so far and that I am not fond of in this new radio:

- Keypad backlighting is not as bright as the BKR 5000.
- Remote Speaker Microphones (RSM's) don't come with a D-Ring as the original literature pictured. The spring clip on the BKR0203 has the notches for one but did not come with one. The spring clip on the BKR0204 does not have the notches for a D-ring and is shaped differently than the BKR0203 both the clip itself and the attachment point on the back of the RSM is different than the BKR0203 so they are not interchangeable. The springs are weak and don't compare to a Motorola APX RSM, so having a D-Ring is a necessity in my opinion.
- Screen orientation on the BKR 9000 is different from the BKR 5000 so I have to have modify the text that is displayed to fit the screen on the BKR 9000.
- The textured rubber coating, HeroArmor, it holds and grips well in the hand but it sticks when inserting and removing it from a pocket or radio holder. My biggest concern with it is if it will hold up over time or break down and degrade like some of the rubber coating has on some of my hand tools. When the rubber coating gets old or exposed to chemicals it gets gooey and starts to peel off and break down.
- The belt clip/holster. The holster holds the radio well but you have to use two hands to remove it from the holster.
- Volume/Power knob collar switch. Not sure if it is the knob and switch piece or the rubber coating, or both, but sometimes when I turn the radio knob too fast it will turn the collar switch beneath it as well.
- Volume adjustment. Sometimes the radio will give the volume adjustment tone, when enabled, even when you aren't adjusting the volume or even touching the knob.
- Channel Selector Knob. One of the radios we have feels like the channel selector know has junk in it. It is not as smooth a click or tactile response as the other radios channel selector knob.
- Emergency Button. Not a huge fan of the emergency button's tactile response or profile of the button itself. Haven't had an issue with the 9000 but I just sent my BKR 5000 in to have the emergency button looked at. Sometimes the short and long presses don't work as they should.
- Battery Charger (BKR0303-2). Just had one of our new dual-bay chargers reprogrammed to fix the battery firmware issue. My biggest gripe is they have no vehicle charger yet for the BKR 9000. I have been told they will be coming out with one in the summer. The BK website shows that it will be the BKR0355, Charger, Vehicular, BKR-P Series, set to come out sometime in the 3rd quarter of 2024.

 

[aglowgibbon]

I purchased two for my agency to replace two DPHX5102 portable radios in one of our Type 6 wildland engines. For our use locally at home and when we go out on assignments, we need an all-band radio.

To address your concerns first:
- As far as I know BK does not have or plan to have a hirose adapter for key loading. I purchased a hirose connector and modified one of my existing programming plugs (BKR0710).
- I like the RSM's, especially the first BKR RSM that came out when the BKR 5000 did (BKR0203). I have been told they are going to discontinue that model. I prefer it over the newer version (BKR0204) because I can have a SCAN (round black button) and a HOME (emergency button) button programmed on the RSM whereas the BKR0204 only has the emergency button and a volume up/down toggle switch like the Motorola APX RSM's have. You can assign the buttons and toggle switches to do whatever you want in RES though. BK is supposed to be coming out with a new RSM in the 3rd quarter of this year I believe, the BKR0210, Microphone, Speaker, w/Antenna Conn., LE, BKR9000.
- BK is supposed to be coming out with a clamshell as early as this summer from what I have been told. Their website gives and ETA of sometime in the third quarter of 2024, BKR0122, SURPASS Clamshell AA Battery Pack, Orange, BKR9000. Open Market Item.
- I have heard and read the rumor that they are looking at adding DMR, just not sure when.
- From my experience with the new radio which includes using it on one wildfire assignment so far this year as well as field testing them since we received them I would have to say that I believe they will hold up just as well or maybe better than the Motorola's. Only time will tell.

Here are some of the things I have noticed so far and that I am not fond of in this new radio:

- Keypad backlighting is not as bright as the BKR 5000.
- Remote Speaker Microphones (RSM's) don't come with a D-Ring as the original literature pictured. The spring clip on the BKR0203 has the notches for one but did not come with one. The spring clip on the BKR0204 does not have the notches for a D-ring and is shaped differently than the BKR0203 both the clip itself and the attachment point on the back of the RSM is different than the BKR0203 so they are not interchangeable. The springs are weak and don't compare to a Motorola APX RSM, so having a D-Ring is a necessity in my opinion.
- Screen orientation on the BKR 9000 is different from the BKR 5000 so I have to have modify the text that is displayed to fit the screen on the BKR 9000.
- The textured rubber coating, HeroArmor, it holds and grips well in the hand but it sticks when inserting and removing it from a pocket or radio holder. My biggest concern with it is if it will hold up over time or break down and degrade like some of the rubber coating has on some of my hand tools. When the rubber coating gets old or exposed to chemicals it gets gooey and starts to peel off and break down.
- The belt clip/holster. The holster holds the radio well but you have to use two hands to remove it from the holster.
- Volume/Power knob collar switch. Not sure if it is the knob and switch piece or the rubber coating, or both, but sometimes when I turn the radio knob too fast it will turn the collar switch beneath it as well.
- Volume adjustment. Sometimes the radio will give the volume adjustment tone, when enabled, even when you aren't adjusting the volume or even touching the knob.
- Channel Selector Knob. One of the radios we have feels like the channel selector know has junk in it. It is not as smooth a click or tactile response as the other radios channel selector knob.
- Emergency Button. Not a huge fan of the emergency button's tactile response or profile of the button itself. Haven't had an issue with the 9000 but I just sent my BKR 5000 in to have the emergency button looked at. Sometimes the short and long presses don't work as they should.
- Battery Charger (BKR0303-2). Just had one of our new dual-bay chargers reprogrammed to fix the battery firmware issue. My biggest gripe is they have no vehicle charger yet for the BKR 9000. I have been told they will be coming out with one in the summer. The BK website shows that it will be the BKR0355, Charger, Vehicular, BKR-P Series, set to come out sometime in the 3rd quarter of 2024.

This is beyond helpful. I ended up going with the VP8000 because of some of my concerns. I'm certain this will help others in their decision.

 

[EMT_20]

Another thing about the BKR 9000 that I don't like, which is not really a concern, the speaker is on the back of the radio! It is taking some getting use to.
I have not been able to get my hands on the Motorola APX all band radio or the Kenwood either. My primary focus for sticking with BK is because that is what we use primarily in the wildland fire service. I belong to a municipal fire department that currently uses the APX 6000, APX 4000 and HT1250's as backups but we are part of a statewide system that responds at the requests of the state to wildfires and all-hazard incidents. When we are deployed, having a radio that we can FPP on the fly is essential for interoperability.

BK radios have been designed for decades to do two main things:
- Ability to clone from one BK radio to another BK radio.
- Field programmable (FPP - Front Panel Programming).

Other brands of public safety radios can do it as well, just not as easily and not to the extent that the BK's can. And you have to have those features optioned when you buy those radios and that raises the price. Cloning and FPP come standard on all BK radios.

I would recommend you check out AdventureCruiser on YouTube. He has made some videos about the BKR 9000 as well as other multi/all-band public safety LMR portable radios. Watch the videos he has posted in the last week, they will be helpful.

 

[policefreak]

Is there anyone who has a BKR9000 that has been able to evaluate reception on fringe systems both analog and P25? And perhaps, how does it measure up to a Motorola APX in that area?

 

[gtaman]

Is there anyone who has a BKR9000 that has been able to evaluate reception on fringe systems both analog and P25? And perhaps, how does it measure up to a Motorola APX in that area?

It’s on par in my tests.

There are going to be many variables though.

 

[gtaman]

Overall I like my BKR9000.

I do have to get use to the smaller display from the 5000. A lot of my cloned stuff has to be re typed.

The hero armor is cool but as others said time will tell. If it becomes a problem I’m sure BK will fix it.

The top emergency button is almost too good. It’s a real pain to press but I guess it will prevent accidental use.

I’m not sure if others notice this but my audio rattles pretty bad when up high. Even connected to an RSM. I have not played with the AGC yet to see if that helps.

You can build a KVL Hirose adaptor using the program chungus

Not too many gripes. I like it a lot FPP is really nice on it.

 

[KE4ZNR]

I don't know if this will help others but BK shipped us a KVL 3000/4000 cable (Part # BKR0587) to use with our 2 loaner radios:


I have not had a chance to really use it yet (been busy with other projects) but hope to be able to hook it up later today.

 

[KE4ZNR]

We do a monthly failsoft test on our system and I am looking forward to see how our BKR 9Ks react to going into and getting out of Failsoft mode. I have been over RES and it looks like everything is configured correctly so we will see what happens when we bring the system down for a bit.

 

[Project25_MASTR]

I talked to a BK Sales rep last week. They are currently working on getting approval with the Zone/Core administrator and once they get that they can push down to the regional administrators for testing. It'll be interesting to see how it handles roaming between VHF and 7/800.

 

[aglowgibbon]

I don't know if this will help others but BK shipped us a KVL 3000/4000 cable (Part # BKR0587) to use with our 2 loaner radios:
View attachment 163351

I have not had a chance to really use it yet (been busy with other projects) but hope to be able to hook it up later today.

This was a major complaint I had. I didn't want to have to purchase a KVL, and they don't make a hirose adapter natively. I was told BK and the dealer that they would void my warranty if I made my own hirose adapter.

 

[TDHG4U61]

I purchased two for my agency to replace two DPHX5102 portable radios in one of our Type 6 wildland engines. For our use locally at home and when we go out on assignments, we need an all-band radio.

To address your concerns first:
- As far as I know BK does not have or plan to have a hirose adapter for key loading. I purchased a hirose connector and modified one of my existing programming plugs (BKR0710).
- I like the RSM's, especially the first BKR RSM that came out when the BKR 5000 did (BKR0203). I have been told they are going to discontinue that model. I prefer it over the newer version (BKR0204) because I can have a SCAN (round black button) and a HOME (emergency button) button programmed on the RSM whereas the BKR0204 only has the emergency button and a volume up/down toggle switch like the Motorola APX RSM's have. You can assign the buttons and toggle switches to do whatever you want in RES though. BK is supposed to be coming out with a new RSM in the 3rd quarter of this year I believe, the BKR0210, Microphone, Speaker, w/Antenna Conn., LE, BKR9000.
- BK is supposed to be coming out with a clamshell as early as this summer from what I have been told. Their website gives and ETA of sometime in the third quarter of 2024, BKR0122, SURPASS Clamshell AA Battery Pack, Orange, BKR9000. Open Market Item.
- I have heard and read the rumor that they are looking at adding DMR, just not sure when.
- From my experience with the new radio which includes using it on one wildfire assignment so far this year as well as field testing them since we received them I would have to say that I believe they will hold up just as well or maybe better than the Motorola's. Only time will tell.

Here are some of the things I have noticed so far and that I am not fond of in this new radio:

- Keypad backlighting is not as bright as the BKR 5000.
- Remote Speaker Microphones (RSM's) don't come with a D-Ring as the original literature pictured. The spring clip on the BKR0203 has the notches for one but did not come with one. The spring clip on the BKR0204 does not have the notches for a D-ring and is shaped differently than the BKR0203 both the clip itself and the attachment point on the back of the RSM is different than the BKR0203 so they are not interchangeable. The springs are weak and don't compare to a Motorola APX RSM, so having a D-Ring is a necessity in my opinion.
- Screen orientation on the BKR 9000 is different from the BKR 5000 so I have to have modify the text that is displayed to fit the screen on the BKR 9000.
- The textured rubber coating, HeroArmor, it holds and grips well in the hand but it sticks when inserting and removing it from a pocket or radio holder. My biggest concern with it is if it will hold up over time or break down and degrade like some of the rubber coating has on some of my hand tools. When the rubber coating gets old or exposed to chemicals it gets gooey and starts to peel off and break down.
- The belt clip/holster. The holster holds the radio well but you have to use two hands to remove it from the holster.
- Volume/Power knob collar switch. Not sure if it is the knob and switch piece or the rubber coating, or both, but sometimes when I turn the radio knob too fast it will turn the collar switch beneath it as well.
- Volume adjustment. Sometimes the radio will give the volume adjustment tone, when enabled, even when you aren't adjusting the volume or even touching the knob.
- Channel Selector Knob. One of the radios we have feels like the channel selector know has junk in it. It is not as smooth a click or tactile response as the other radios channel selector knob.
- Emergency Button. Not a huge fan of the emergency button's tactile response or profile of the button itself. Haven't had an issue with the 9000 but I just sent my BKR 5000 in to have the emergency button looked at. Sometimes the short and long presses don't work as they should.
- Battery Charger (BKR0303-2). Just had one of our new dual-bay chargers reprogrammed to fix the battery firmware issue. My biggest gripe is they have no vehicle charger yet for the BKR 9000. I have been told they will be coming out with one in the summer. The BK website shows that it will be the BKR0355, Charger, Vehicular, BKR-P Series, set to come out sometime in the 3rd quarter of 2024.

I agree very much about the channel selector knob, very unhappy. I was about to call support regarding it, my radio is 30-days old. For the time being I have to assign a function on the keypad for zone & channel, otherwise I love the BKR-9000.

 

[aglowgibbon]

I agree very much about the channel selector knob, very unhappy. I was about to call support regarding it, my radio is 30-days old. For the time being I have to assign a function on the keypad for zone & channel, otherwise I love the BKR-9000.

Do you think it is an issue that can be fixed or more something that is inherent to the radio?

 

[TDHG4U61]

Do you think it is an issue that can be fixed or more something that is inherent to the radio?

Hmm, based on another person's thoughts I have read, I feel it is an issue. Just my opinion or other users are not saying. Otherwise I do like the radio but not starting nothing big, appreciate every one on the forum here.

 

[2wayfreq]

I have 2 that I am evaluating. The collar switch moves a slight bit when changing channels I wonder if the knob could either be pulled up just a hair to take binding pressure off of the collar switch. Or, a (Very Thin) slick plastic washer that would isolate the knob from the collar switch.
The BK Plastic Holster is a pain to remove the radio. I popped out the belt clip by accident and had to bend the tongue back and re-insert it.
Has anyone found a quality leather D Swivel Holster for this radio?

 

[rsmith7799]

So the holster issue has been addressed and BK is working on a solution. Others have simply filed down the tabs on the side of the radio.

 

[2wayfreq]

So the holster issue has been addressed and BK is working on a solution. Others have simply filed down the tabs on the side of the radio.

Ok, Thank you Rick.

 

[TwoSerious]

Does the BKR9000 have the same issues with knobs as the BKR5000? Biggest issue I've dealt with on incidents is the channel knob cracking and sliding off.

 

[policefreak]

I have heard some reports of that via a Facebook group for the BKR9000.

 

[rsmith7799]

BK went with another vendor for the BKR9000 knobs since they were having issues withe the 5000's.