Looking for some suggestions for an HT that supports NXDN

[chuckworkb]

Hello,
I am looking for a radio I can use that will work via a hotspot to connect to NXDN talk groups. I know there are DMR and YSF links to NXDN, but I am interested in getting a radio specifically for use with NXDN using the hotspot.
It would need to work in the ham 70 CM band to connect to the hotspot. Also I have a couple of repeaters in my state also using the 70CM band for NXDN that I could probably connect to if I were traveling and in their range.
Used radios, rather than new to try to keep the cost down a little is where my wallet needs to be.

Also, any suggestions and places to download the software to program the radio are greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[tweiss3]

I'm unaware of an amateur radio that does NXDN, so you are probably looking at a commercial unit, like a Kenwood NX-3320 or a Motorola equivalent.

 

[chuckworkb]

I'm unaware of an amateur radio that does NXDN, so you are probably looking at a commercial unit, like a Kenwood NX-3320 or a Motorola equivalent.

Yes, I agree. I won't find the typical Yaesu, Icom, Alinco, etc, Ham radios to work this mode. I'll check out your 3320 suggestion. NXDN is a mode developed by Kenwood and ICom I think it was. Thanks for the reply. 73

 

[Cognomen]

Fo Kenwood, the older NXDN UHF models are the NX-340, NX-320, NX300.
The current entry-level model is the NX-1300.
The current mid-tier model is the NX-3320.
The current top-tier model is the NX-5300.

Note that the NX-1300 can be ordered in analog-only, or analog/NXDN, or analog/DMR, so make sure you get the correct model.

I use the NX-5000-series (mobiles and portables) with the DMR licenses added, for analog, NXDN, and DMR all in a single unit.

The older Icoms (IC-F4161D) handle 6.25kHz NXDN, but they don't handle 12.kHz NXDN, if that's an issue for you. I'm not familiar with the newer/current Icoms.

 

[kayn1n32008]

I recommend Kenwood for NXDN. The software is quite easy to use. NX300, NX320 or NX340.

 

[kayn1n32008]

I'm unaware of an amateur radio that does NXDN, so you are probably looking at a commercial unit, like a Kenwood NX-3320 or a Motorola equivalent.

There are no ham specific radios that do NXDN and Motorola does not make any NXDN capable radios.

 

[mmckenna]

Used radios, rather than new to try to keep the cost down a little is where my wallet needs to be.

NX-300 is your best bet if you want to keep costs down. Make 100% sure you are getting the NX-300K2. It is the UHF band split that covers the amateur radio band.

Also, any suggestions and places to download the software to program the radio are greatly appreciated. Thanks!

This limits you to the NX-300, NX-320 or NX-340. Since software is copyrighted, the only -legal- place to get it is from Kenwood, but you can find it from "other" sources.
Just understand that there is a connection between radio firmware and software version. Also, you need to pay attention to market codes. Big issue I see is people buying random radios of e-Bay and then downloading bootleg software off the net and running into all kinds of headaches.
Make 100% sure you are getting a US market radio and that it DOES NOT HAVE A READ/WRITE PASSWORD ON IT!


The newer NX-1300, NX-3300 and NX-5300 use the new software licensing scheme and you can't just 'download' it off the web.

 

[chuckworkb]

Thanks everyone! Now I have some research to follow up on, and hopefully make some progress.