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Seeking User Comments on 25W to 50W GMRS Mobile Radios
- Thread starter K4EET
- Start date
kny2xb
Member
At BlueMax49ers:
For the TK-8180: FTDI cable is $26.95 & free shipping, SJ-180 firmware update utility & KPG-89D CPS are free to download
Kenwood TK-8180 Radio FTDI Programming Cable KPG-46
Buy the BlueMax49ers Kenwood TK-8180 Radio FTDI Programming Cable KPG-46 for . Use our Software Advisor to find the best applications and driver downloads for your computer hardware and operating system. Over 85,000 cables sold with 100% customer satisfaction.
bluemax49ers.com
For the TK-3180: FTDI cable is $29.95 & free shipping, SJ-180 firmware update utility & KPG-89D CPS are free to download
Kenwood TK-3180 Radio FTDI Programming Cable KPG-36
Buy the BlueMax49ers Kenwood TK-3180 Radio FTDI Programming Cable KPG-36 for . Use our Software Advisor to find the best applications and driver downloads for your computer hardware and operating system. Over 85,000 cables sold with 100% customer satisfaction.
bluemax49ers.com
At UsedRadios/Sunny Communications:
TK-8180: Used-Radios.com, 3 different models
TK-3180: Used-Radios.com, 2 different models
kny2xb
Member
You're welcome
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
Just be aware, not all the TK-8180's/TK-3180's have Part 95.
The only models that do are the:
TK-8180 30 watt 450-520MHz model
TK-3180 450-520MHz model.
Neither model in the 400-470MHz range have Part 95, and the 450-520MHz 45 watt model does not either.
Good news is you can often find those cheaper as hams always want more power and 70cm band coverage. You should be able to find the 450-520MHz models for less money.
As for KPG-89, it's probably one of the easier softwares to learn. Kenwood did a good job with their software before they lost their way with the newer stuff.
I will second what MMckenna said Kenwood radios are best for GMRS use. Mainly just use Kenwood commercial radios on GMRS. I really out of loop on Chinese GMRS radios that users on the local repeater think are great radios.
These radios can be purchased on used market for less the Chincom junk radios and work much better. Better receive with no interference from nearby radios. Batteries, speaker mics and other accessories are plentiful.
Software not too difficult to learn and for GMRS use you most likely won't be entering too many channels.
Bluemax49ers are good for cables. American Communications has the software most times. Just don't use the KPG-89DN version with this one on doing narrowband only. For GMRS use don't really need to have the latest and greatest software.
Below is my thead on here about TK-3180 on GMRS from last year.
Kenwood TK-3180 great GMRS HT!
The Kenwood TK-3180 is a great GMRS handheld radio. I many different types and models of Kenwood radios and this radio works well for my limited use of GMRS. it's set up with all the repeater pairs with operator selected tone, plus having my local repeater allready programmed in a channel...
rf_patriot200
Active Member
There Are some hams on the mygmrs.com forums and some jerks, so just wear a Thick no B.S. skin !
I have a Midland MXT500 and I like the radio and it will put out 48 watts into a dummy load. When I first bought the radio it only had a channel capacity of 30 channels and then Midland came out with a firmware update with a channel capacity of 128 channels. The radio is a great consumer/GMRS radio and is a very simple radio for the use on the Trail. The radio just didn't have the features that I am accustomed to and need like the Motorola and Kenwood radios and I needed to have access to Part 90 analog and digital freqs.
The programming of the MXT500 is relatively easy using the Midland software.
The Kenwood products are also great products and meet most of my needs. I have several TK780 and TK880 radios. The channel capacity is a limiting factor for me. These aforementioned Kenwood models are only a 250 channel radio and I have both the 25 and 40 watt models.
The programming is essentially simple with the Kenwood programming software and is Parts 90 & 95, Subpart E type-certified.
The Kenwoods and the Midland radios are compact and a great radio to use as loaners for my radioless Jeep Creep friends so they can have radio comm on the trail. And, the Kenwood radios are conductive for use in my Porsche since space is limited.
For my radio needs, I need to have my radios that can be programmed with at least 800 channels with a mixture of both Part 90 (analog and P25 and DMR Digital) and 95 freqs. For this I am using the Motorola XTL and XPR mobiles and XPR and XTS portables.
I had a Wouxun KG1000G+ and I was not super impressed with the radio and I immediately got rid of the radio. The radio was built with poor shielding and is subject to being desensed from a nearby radio. The radio did put out about 47 watts into a dummy load and using the Wouxun programming software was not bad. The radio was limited to GMRS freqs only. The radio did have a channel capacity of 1,000 channels, but in only one Zone/Channel Bank.
Just like other Cheap POS Pandaland radios, most of the features were just foo-foo and lack the important user features.
The programming of the MXT500 is relatively easy using the Midland software.
The Kenwood products are also great products and meet most of my needs. I have several TK780 and TK880 radios. The channel capacity is a limiting factor for me. These aforementioned Kenwood models are only a 250 channel radio and I have both the 25 and 40 watt models.
The programming is essentially simple with the Kenwood programming software and is Parts 90 & 95, Subpart E type-certified.
The Kenwoods and the Midland radios are compact and a great radio to use as loaners for my radioless Jeep Creep friends so they can have radio comm on the trail. And, the Kenwood radios are conductive for use in my Porsche since space is limited.
For my radio needs, I need to have my radios that can be programmed with at least 800 channels with a mixture of both Part 90 (analog and P25 and DMR Digital) and 95 freqs. For this I am using the Motorola XTL and XPR mobiles and XPR and XTS portables.
I had a Wouxun KG1000G+ and I was not super impressed with the radio and I immediately got rid of the radio. The radio was built with poor shielding and is subject to being desensed from a nearby radio. The radio did put out about 47 watts into a dummy load and using the Wouxun programming software was not bad. The radio was limited to GMRS freqs only. The radio did have a channel capacity of 1,000 channels, but in only one Zone/Channel Bank.
Just like other Cheap POS Pandaland radios, most of the features were just foo-foo and lack the important user features.
Last edited:
rf_patriot200
Active Member
Thanks for your comments and photos! I’m liking the Kenwood, Midland, and Wouxun brands for various reasons. Now if the features could all be made into just one radio, I would be set. 😂
As for needing 800 memories… Wow! 😳 My max count is around 200 and I get lost looking for things even with things sorted and grouped accordingly. 😂
The Kenwood model is high on my list. However, being an old Motorola kid, I’m wondering if my /\/\ friends would excommunicate me if I brought a Kenwood into my realm. 🤨Same Kenwood in my shack !
KF0NYL
Member
- Joined
- Oct 20, 2023
- Messages
- 190
That goes for every forum to include this one. You are always going to have a few jerks to deal with or ignore.There Are some hams on the mygmrs.com forums and some jerks, so just wear a Thick no B.S. skin !
And you aways will see bias against certain brands or about what countries a product comes from too.
Here is what I will suggest for Part 95 certified radios: go with either a commercial radio from Kenwood or Motorola or go with a Midland or Wouxun consumer radio. Those are going to be your best options.
As far as Midland versus Wouxun. You are going to see both positive and negative reviews for both brands. And both brands are made overseas.
There is no arguing that Kenwood and Motorola radios are better. But it's also hard to beat the Midland and Wouxun radios for their ease of use right out of the box.
Like others have pointed out, the Kenwood TK880 and TK8180 in the proper split are excellent choices. I've never used or purchased a GMRS only radio (cheap bubble pack ones not withstanding) Since the Kenwoods tick off all of the boxes, I wouldn't consider anything else.
I’m starting to believe that. 😃
There are some M brand radios that have a part 95 certification, but they are significantly harder to program at this point. The Kenwood's still work in windows 11 with current hardware.
Sticking with something commercial is the way to go if you want to keep organized with zones.
i cannot recommend the 8180 (and its portable brother the 3180) enough for GMRS. Tons of channels, alpha tags and you can even do OST and select from PL/DPLs from the front panel (I think its 16 slots setup when you program the radio via KPG-89D)
Actually 40 slots for the 8180. Can fit all the tone PLs or a mix of PL and DPL if needed. Eliminates the need for duplicate channels just to have a different PL.
Yes, if you click on standard tones it fills the list with them. Think the standard tones fill 39 slots with one open for you to enter another of your choice
16 tones where on older radios like TK380 and TK880 and other radios that program with KPG-49. Another older radios the TK290/TK390 series can only
do 16 PLs on OST.
prcguy
Member
Speaking of non GMRS specific radios, my all time favorite is the Bendix King EMV4990A. These are part 95 accepted, made in USA and getting pretty cheap, the last ones I bought 5yrs ago were about $70 and I saw some at the Dayton Hamvention this year for about $25. These are very high quality radios with 114 channels, 403-470MHz, 40w, selectable PL lists, programmable alpha numeric display and software was always free. The worst thing I've had to do to one is tweak it back on frequency using a service monitor and the free alignment software. They just keep working.
Forgot to add to include on my earlier post in this tread is the scan feature works properly on these radios. Going forward I know public safety doesn't use scan much on these radios with only wanting to receive the primary dispatch most of the time.
With scan the selected channel can be priority for transmit, so you will always transmit on channel you have selected
With scan the selected channel can be priority for transmit, so you will always transmit on channel you have selected
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