New Firmware release information

[buddrousa]

Question to think about.
Is the D1N Software causing the slow transfer rate or is it the radio that is causing the slow transfer rate?

 

[AM909]

... Matter of fact, it sure would be nice if KW would completely eliminate, and replace D1N with Armada for the KW 5000 series. ...

That's the VP5000 series. Same hardware, different firmware, possibly some feature differences.

 

[pb3400]

View attachment 178935View attachment 178936View attachment 178937View attachment 178938View attachment 178939

Generally will these features make their way to the modern NX radios?

 

[wsp44]

Would be nice if we could be able to program the 5000 series KW radios to ignore the radio system's UID decoding, and be able to enter our own UID's instead. I mean, technically we can, and I have entered my own, only to have the (not updated) system's produced UID tags take priority over the ones I entered. (KW DMR)

Matter of fact, it sure would be nice if KW would completely eliminate, and replace D1N with Armada for the KW 5000 series.

Wishful thinking, I know. But these multi mode 5000 series radios sure are nice 👌

Rumor is the NX5K gen 2 will have software modeled after armada (thank god)

Generally will these features make their way to the modern NX radios?

No, while they are the same hardware, the firmware is completely different.

EFJ targets the public safety market with P25, JKUSA targets B&I NXDN/DMR. About a month ago there was an email sent to all Kenwood dealers about a "strategic realignment" and one of the biggest things mentioned was that JKUSA was going to pull the P25 protocol from the NX line mainly in the 7/800 public safety market. The waters between the two sides of the house were already murky, and this didn't provide any clarity. However, when you really look at it, both sides of the house were competing against one another in the subscriber market with the NX5K and VP5K.

The NX5K isn't going anywhere and will have support for the foreseeable future, P25 included, but it is due for a hardware refresh, probably sometime in late 26 early 27 and I wouldn't expect the NX5K gen 2 to support P25. You will also see the VP5K gen 2 which I believe will follow in the footsteps of its big brother, the VP8K, it will be a single band multi protocol.

 

[03msc]

So is the NX5K gen 2 going to basically look the same, just different firmware or whatever? Or are you talking complete redesign of the radio(s)?

I get the whole P25 is PS and NXDN/DMR is B&I, but around here most of the PS agencies (counties and cities) are either NXDN or DMR and most running Kenwood either way. Either NX5K or NX3K. A few counties utilize the statewide P25 system with their own talkgroups but many don't. State agencies are P25, however, of course.

 

[buddrousa]

Kenwood is shooting their self in the bottom if that comes to light. I know several agencies near me running the NX5400 and NX5900 on the TACN System due to cost savings plus the audio quality. Some Staff have NX5700 NX5800 and NX5900 all 3 in the mobile rack some with common remote heads some with their on remote heads.

 

[tweiss3]

Kenwood is shooting their self in the bottom if that comes to light.

I'd have to agree. P25 is what set the 5K from the 3K. If they bring NXDN to the VP line, and remove P25 from the NX5K, there would be no reason to keep the NX5K in the line at all, as long as the VP5K still exists.

 

[buddrousa]

Now if by someway Kenwood could upgrade the NX5000's to work Analog NXDN DMR and P25 all 4 at the same time then they would have a killer radio on the market and make Interop a 100% complete package. If I remember correctly JVC/Kenwood bought out EF Johnson just to get their hands on the rights to Motorola Trunking that EF Johnson had the rights to so as I see it Kenwood should be in the drivers seat.

 

[tweiss3]

If I remember correctly JVC/Kenwood bought out EF Johnson just to get their hands on the rights to Motorola Trunking that EF Johnson had the rights to so as I see it Kenwood should be in the drivers seat.

V16, still available as an option on Viking radios, haven't see it offered on anything "Kenwood".

 

[buddrousa]

Motorola from the EF people I talked to told us EF was being bought by Kenwood. In the process Kenwood got the rights to Motorola P25 Trunking after the sale we were told EFJ 5100 and 5300 were no longer supported. Shortly after that the NX5000's showed up with P25 Trunking the NX5400 and NX5900 were the late additions to the market.

 

[wsp44]

So is the NX5K gen 2 going to basically look the same, just different firmware or whatever? Or are you talking complete redesign of the radio(s)?

I get the whole P25 is PS and NXDN/DMR is B&I, but around here most of the PS agencies (counties and cities) are either NXDN or DMR and most running Kenwood either way. Either NX5K or NX3K. A few counties utilize the statewide P25 system with their own talkgroups but many don't. State agencies are P25, however, of course.

I understand, typically this is the way it is everywhere, Large counties or cities that can afford P25 have TRS, but the more rural counties/cities have DMR, NXDN, or just Analog.

I think it will just be an update to modernize the NX5K as it's close to 10 years old already, however the NX5K is pretty well rounded. I would love to see a top screen, and maybe OTIP added, a new CPS, but I also don't want it to lose the ability to do P25.

Kenwood is shooting their self in the bottom if that comes to light. I know several agencies near me running the NX5400 and NX5900 on the TACN System due to cost savings plus the audio quality. Some Staff have NX5700 NX5800 and NX5900 all 3 in the mobile rack some with common remote heads some with their on remote heads.

I agree, as somebody who has sold ALOT of the NX series I was very worried, but was reassured that the NX5K would be supported for a VERY long time, even when the original version is EOL'd, P25/DMR/NXDN enhancements through FW updates will continue. Think the NX5000S series, it was EOL'd when the supply chain was restored after COVID, but they continue to support it with FW updates.

 

[pb3400]

Thank you for your thoughts. I think it's a big missed opportunity for JVCK to not leverage Armada and that entire teams QOL improvements in the NX series. Probably there are reasons for that, but, D1N desperately needs refinement.

 

[wsp44]

Thank you for your thoughts. I think it's a big missed opportunity for JVCK to not leverage Armada and that entire teams QOL improvements in the NX series. Probably there are reasons for that, but, D1N desperately needs refinement.

I agree, and I think anybody who uses D1N will agree.

 

[buddrousa]

Yes it needs work but at what expense a change in software would require a change in the radio. I do not think it is possible and keep the NX5000's as we know them today. I have been using Kenwood software dating back to the TK253 TK353 series radios.

 

[kd4efm]

I am starting a new thread since this has gotten to be too large.
Admins, please close this from further posts.

 

[AK9R]

I am starting a new thread since this has gotten to be too large.
Admins, please close this from further posts.

To get the admin's attention, it's best to use the Report feature. But, I saw your post, so I'll take care of it. In the future, let's try to limit the "firmware release" thread to announcements of new releases. Discussions of new features would be off topic for such a thread.