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kenwood nx-3820 frequencies

lilmill

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Hello we just had a couple nx-3820's installed in company trucks. They are programmed with allocated BB frequencies for ease of use. My question is can you manually put in a frequency to use the 70cm band that this is set up for
 

mmckenna

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The radio is programmable with software KPG-D3N.
There is an OPTION for front panel programming, but it is a licensed feature that lists for $125 per radio. The option is activated via software and cannot be done without it.
Highly unlikely it has that feature in it unless it was specifically requested when purchased. Pretty rare option for business use, and technically not allowed by the FCC except in very specific instances (although many hobbyists use it).

But, wait, there's more!!!!
KPG-D3NK software is $155.00 per user license. It is not something you can download bootleg version off the darker corners of the internet. It must be purchased from a Kenwood dealer. Activation of said software is only to individual computers for each individual license. IT requires KPT-300LMC authentication software for the software and any add on features.

It also requires KPG-46XM programming cable, list price $162.00.

But, don't break out your checkbook just yet.

It is possible that the radios have a read password, write password, or a read/write password in them. So having the programming software and cable does not guarantee that you'll be able to program them.

And, for added pleasure:

There are TWO version of the NX-3820:
NX-3820HGK -only- covers 450-520MHz.
NX-3820HGK2 -only- covers 400-470MHz.
So, you have to have the correct model to even think about programming 70cm amateur stuff.

And, the whip cream/cherry on top:
If this is a US market radio (either version) it will be locked to narrow band analog, so it's going to sound like crap on wide band hammy stuff. Wide band enablement is possible, but it takes some work.

So, if you have the right model, and you are willing to spend $317 (list price for the software/cable) and you want to go through the challenge of getting wideband enabled on a radio that isn't yours, AND you want to spin the wheel on the password protection on the radio, then you MIGHT be able to program 70cm frequencies in it.

So, 317 hard earned dollars, to be able to program the radio via laptop. Add another $125 if you want to do it from the front panel. And keep in mind that programming from the front panel is nothing at all like how an amateur radio works and gets annoying.
Or, take that $317(or $442 if you want front panel programming) and buy yourself a dual band amateur radio that you own and isn't bolted to a company truck, and you don't need a laptop to program it (if your boss will let you do that…).


But, hey, whatever floats your boat…..
 

mmckenna

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If you want to check and see if your radio has it already (unlikely), try the following:

Try the programmable keys under the display. One may be programmed to allow front panel programming. If not...

Press the button with the overlapping squares under the display to enter menu mode (if that's how it is programmed)
Scroll through the options and see if there is a "Panel Program" option.

If not, see post above….
 

tweiss3

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FPP in UHF only allows narrowband, so even if the radio has it, it's not going ng to be helpful for ham/gmrs
 

lilmill

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since I ordered the radios I also ordered the programming cable and software. I'll see what I can do, it seems that the radio's have lots of features that are probably not enabled unless you buy keys. It was close to 5k for 5 radios with the remote face mount kits. And as the came programmed it seems that they can only be used as 12 channel analog simplex radios.
 

mmckenna

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since I ordered the radios I also ordered the programming cable and software. I'll see what I can do, it seems that the radio's have lots of features that are probably not enabled unless you buy keys.

Right, stock radio gives you a ton of features, however there are some things that do require purchasing a feature license to activate:
-Front panel programming
-1000 channel expansion
-BlueTooth data
-DMR Tier 3 trunking
-NXDN type C, Type-C Gen2, and S-trunking
-DMR ARC4 encryption
-AES/DES encryption
-Remote control by subscriber unit

Those are features that most users do not need, so keeping them as a licensed feature keeps the basic cost of the radio down.


It was close to 5k for 5 radios with the remote face mount kits. And as the came programmed it seems that they can only be used as 12 channel analog simplex radios.

No, you have the option of running them as analog and NXDN or analog and DMR
Just make sure whatever you use is covered by your FCC license.
Stock, they'll do 512 channels.
 

Frmn85

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sigh....seems like Kenwood is going the Motorola route with options and money
 

KevinC

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sigh....seems like Kenwood is going the Motorola route with options and money
And if it included a lot of features you didn’t need you’d probably complain about paying for something you didn’t need.

Would you like Ford to include every single option on every car? Or be able to pick and choose which ones you want?
 

Frmn85

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Im talking about software options, if you look at the options in the 1G model NX320, it was wide open. Meaning almost all options were already included-this includes trunking.

I understand they need to make their buck but most of the options in the radios are software/firmware related so its not too difficult to implement and just include most of it like they did with their 1G 320 model.
 

mmckenna

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I understand they need to make their buck but most of the options in the radios are software/firmware related so its not too difficult to implement and just include most of it like they did with their 1G 320 model.

The 3820 includes Type C trunking. But that won't do you any good if you do not have a trunking system to connect it to.
Front panel programming isn't permitted by FCC rule, so they don't need to give it away for free. It's not something most people should have access to. These are not amateur radios and should not be confused with them.
The 3xx0 series radios are considered a low end public safety/high end commercial radio, and 1000 channels isn't something that customer base needs.

The NX-x00 series mobiles, which your NX-3820 replaced, was comparably priced and had less features.

Really sounds like you need to buy an amateur radio, since that is obviously what you are looking for. Buying commercial radios isn't something that works out well for most hams.
 

lilmill

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Mar 29, 2017
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I have yaseu radio's for personal ftm400 and ft3 . I was just trying to get some more use out of the company radios and thinking if nxdn selection is possible then it would give a little privacy from the company analog radio . Kinda like using c4 on the yaesu's , now I just have to see where I put the programming cables.
 

lilmill

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looks like a manager in the company ordered some 900mghz radios 2 mobile and 2 ht . all other company radios are 450's. I have the programing sw and cable for mobile on order . thinking of making a disaster box with the 4 . When dealing with Business bands how do you choose the freq. looks like overall company has gone 450mghz, but I'm thinking we can use these as disaster relief units point to point
 

mmckenna

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I have yaseu radio's for personal ftm400 and ft3 . I was just trying to get some more use out of the company radios and thinking if nxdn selection is possible then it would give a little privacy from the company analog radio . Kinda like using c4 on the yaesu's , now I just have to see where I put the programming cables.

NXDN will do that for you. To be legal, your license would need to reflect NXDN emission designators.

The NXDN side does come with a low level encryption feature. I think it's 15 bit encryption, but good enough for most users.
Encryption is not permitted on the ham bands in all but a few very select cases (satellite telecommand), but I think you are talking about using this on your business frequency.
 

mmckenna

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looks like a manager in the company ordered some 900mghz radios 2 mobile and 2 ht . all other company radios are 450's. I have the programing sw and cable for mobile on order . thinking of making a disaster box with the 4 . When dealing with Business bands how do you choose the freq. looks like overall company has gone 450mghz, but I'm thinking we can use these as disaster relief units point to point

You would need to hire the services of an official FCC authorized frequency coordinator if you wanted your own frequencies. They would find suitable frequency pairs and help you get them licensed. Click on the "Frequency Coordinator" tab to get a list:

There are some 900MHz itinerant frequencies that might be suitable for what you are doing.

However, if you have not dealt with the FCC paperwork and requirements, you'll save yourself a lot of time and effort by having a radio shop or frequency coordinator help you with the itinerant licensing. There's a lot of details and things that have to be just right or the FCC will kick out your application.
 
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