Kenwood Radio Questions from an Amateur

[CrownVictoriaCop]

Hello RR Community,

I have been a scanning/radio enthusiast ever since I was in the 5th grade. My father bought me a RadioShack scanner as my elementary school graduation present so I could listen to the many members of our family who were law enforcement officers.

Ever since then, my interest in radios and such has grown. I don't know why, but I was always intrigued with such things. After scanning my local police department for many years, the department switched to an OpenSky system, which I cannot scan without an expensive upgrade.

That's when I started to learn more about the GMRS and FRS systems. My mom bought me two Motorola basic radios last year, and I just enjoyed using them. I also got a job working at a place that uses radios for communication.

Well, I want to take my interest up to the next level. I recently saw a TK-3217 radio for sale online. These are the exact ones we use at my work, and its price is reasonable. I was considering using some of my Christmas money to buy it. I just wanted to ask some questions though to you Kenwood veterans before I make the dive.

First of all, I'd like to be able to program the radio to use my work's frequencies, so I don't have to worry about being questioned when I go to my office to pick one up (they ask me a bunch of questions about the event I'm working at, and I have to sign it out) and also so I can talk with my co-workers off duty in case they need help. Our work uses an LTR Standard analog system which frequencies are available on here. How easy is it to program the talkgroups into this scanner?

Second, the ad claims that it can store 128 channels, but you can only select one of 16 channels at a time. How does that work?

Any other advice for someone like me would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

CVC

 

[ramal121]

The TK-3217 is an export radio and is not available through USA dealers. Not that you couldn't buy online, but you will have a tough time getting support (ie program software) here. The USA equivalent is the TK-3212, and if you need LTR trunking for work, neither of these models support that. They are conventional only. You need to look at the TK-3180, 3140 or 3173 for LTR.

See if you can find something that fits your needs. A good used TK-380 wouldn't be bad either, and then we could help you with the model specifics...

 

[Raptor05121]

I have a TK-2180 (VHF version of 3180) and it has everything you need. Like Ramal said, that 3217 is going to be tough to get software and cables for it. I am a KW dealer and I don't see anything for that model.

 

[CrownVictoriaCop]

Thank you guys very much for your responses. I ended up purchasing a used TK-3212 for an excellent price, came with a charger and a shoulder mic. But that was before reading that it had no LTR. Oh well, it'll still be a great radio for FRS/GRMS. I also purchased the programming stuff for it.

Are there any other places I can purchase used radios on the cheap side besides eBay? I still have some cash left over and I'd like to buy an LTR one.