Tait TP9800 multiband

[iamhere300]

I can't be certain about size, but it is the lightest all band radio on the market

 

[mmckenna]

I can't be certain about size, but it is the lightest all band radio on the market

I'd totally believe that.

 

[iamhere300]

Curious to see how the battery life is. I know the TP9600's are just "eh".

Still waiting on our demo units, like everything there has been a delay.

For some reason a lot of the TP9600's were sold with a 2,400 mAh battery. The wildland version has a 3,300 mAh battery. On the bigger battery we get up to 27 hours on the TP9600 (5,5,90 TDMA). Obviously this comes down a bit on the TP9800 as it draws a bit more, and analog or non-TDMA brings it down a bit more, as does real world usage.

It has been discussed in some owner discussions where it was verified that the lower cap batteries were the ones in use that got the poor reviews.

Have you got your demo units yet?

 

[2154]

I've had one for a few months now & it is for sure the lightest and best ergonomic of all of the multi-bands on the market. If you've never used a Tait before, the interface takes some getting used to along with the programming software. The receive is good but maybe a bit lower when compared to the VP8000/APX8000/XL-200. Transmit side has no complaint yet and right along par with the competitors. Audio is a bit less than the competition as well on stock but with some a little fine tuning of the settings, it's much closer. I'm kinda partial to the VP8000 right now but for the size difference and cost difference, the TP9800 brings in a very strong case for itself.

 

[mmckenna]

Was able to get my hands on a Tait TP-9800 from our local rep. Here's some photos of it compared to a Harris XL-200p with LTE.
I agree wtih @2154, "best ergonomic of all the multi-band on the market". Is a bit lighter than the XL-200

 

[mmckenna]

Having both sitting here on my desk listening to a VHF conventional/analog system that is just on my fringe. It's hard to tell the difference between the two radios. They both receive essentially the same. If one didn't need the WiFi/LTE of the XL-200p (Tait is said to be working on a solution), I'd prefer the Tait just based on ergonomics and price. I think when the 9900 comes out, they'll really have themselves well established in the market. Pretty amazing how far the industry has come in the last few years. A 136-941MHz portable radio with P25 and DMR is really an amazing thing.

 

[Project25_MASTR]

Having both sitting here on my desk listening to a VHF conventional/analog system that is just on my fringe. It's hard to tell the difference between the two radios. They both receive essentially the same. If one didn't need the WiFi/LTE of the XL-200p (Tait is said to be working on a solution), I'd prefer the Tait just based on ergonomics and price. I think when the 9900 comes out, they'll really have themselves well established in the market. Pretty amazing how far the industry has come in the last few years. A 136-941MHz portable radio with P25 and DMR is really an amazing thing.

Rumor is JVCK paid Tait to develop a LTE "hotspot" RSM to accomplish such a task on the VP8000 after they learned how poorly received (i.e. lost sales) their decision to not include LTE in the VP8000 (overriding EFJ's criteria for it to be in there). Also in typical JVCK fashion, there is not any legal documents to keep Tait from using the RSM developed...or at least that's the rumor.

 

[mmckenna]

Rumor is JVCK paid Tait to develop a LTE "hotspot" RSM to accomplish such a task on the VP8000 after they learned how poorly received (i.e. lost sales) their decision to not include LTE in the VP8000 (overriding EFJ's criteria for it to be in there). Also in typical JVCK fashion, there is not any legal documents to keep Tait from using the RSM developed...or at least that's the rumor.

That's interesting. Seems like Tait already solved most of this with the Axiom products. Glad Kenwood did something about this.

 

[wsp44]

here’s a couple more photos compared to the VP8000 and APX, it’s not even close in size.

It is in fact the same chassis as the 9600

 

[DeoVindice]

here’s a couple more photos compared to the VP8000 and APX, it’s not even close in size.

It is in fact the same chassis as the 9600
View attachment 156770
View attachment 156772

For all the VP6/8000's thickness, it is still substantially smaller and lighter than legacy 5100, VP6/900, and XTS5000 portables, even when the older radios use Li-ion batteries. Really it's impressive how well the industry has scaled things down over the last decade.

Regarding the LTE speaker mic, I've always liked Tait's approach with the Axiom (and the discrete module on the XL). Allowing an LTE carrier direct, OS-level access to a subscriber radio has never sat well with me, we're a small enough operator that we can't realistically benefit from OTAP and proprietary MCPTT, so LTE is a security vulnerability rather than a value add.

Tait's engineering in general is intriguing, unfortunately I don't know of any dealers in this area so we're buying VP6000s in small quantities for underground equipment operators. Tait DMR portables would likely take a bite out of Motorola's market share on ergonomics alone; they're a favorite of Australian mining for a reason.

 

[kayn1n32008]

Tait's engineering in general is intriguing, unfortunately I don't know of any dealers in this area so we're buying VP6000s in small quantities for underground equipment operators. Tait DMR portables would likely take a bite out of Motorola's market share on ergonomics alone; they're a favorite of Australian mining for a reason.

Tait is a really underrated.

With Kenwood, Tait and BK bringing multi/all band radios to the market are going to take a good market share from Motorola and Harris.

There are lots of fire departments that are still analogue conventional, DMR conventional. Kenwood and Tait are game changers for those departments that need to interoperate with users on other bands and/or trunking systems.

Sadly, with systems like Capacity Plus/Connect Plus/Capacity Max Advantage out there, Tait and Kenwood are at a disadvantage. It's a pipe dream, but standards compliant networks would really level the field

 

[Project25_MASTR]

If our ISD SRO's didn't have patches in place with the ISD campus systems, I would be pushing the VP8000 to them pretty heavily. To the best of my knowledge, there hasn't been any demo of Tait equipment out here and I don't think anyone here knows how to spell BK outside of our medivac guys.

 

[mmckenna]

Sadly, with systems like Capacity Plus/Connect Plus/Capacity Max Advantage out there, Tait and Kenwood are at a disadvantage. It's a pipe dream, but standards compliant networks would really level the field

If APCO and others were smart, they'd start coming up with Project type standards that strongly discouraged these sorts of proprietary systems. They kind of tried to with P25, but it would be nice if it had some teeth.

I think any agency that sets up a system that locks users into one brand radio gets exactly what they deserve. There's enough knowledge out there to know this is a really bad idea. Unfortunately there seem to be too many that are afraid of the salesmen.

 

[DeoVindice]

Tait is a really underrated.

With Kenwood, Tait and BK bringing multi/all band radios to the market are going to take a good market share from Motorola and Harris.

There are lots of fire departments that are still analogue conventional, DMR conventional. Kenwood and Tait are game changers for those departments that need to interoperate with users on other bands and/or trunking systems.

Sadly, with systems like Capacity Plus/Connect Plus/Capacity Max Advantage out there, Tait and Kenwood are at a disadvantage. It's a pipe dream, but standards compliant networks would really level the field

A large site near me (coincidentally owned by an Australian outfit) put in a DMRA-standard Tier 3 system, subscribers are a mix of Motorola and Kenwood. It's a breath of fresh air from the CP/CM junk some operators use. Public safety in that county uses VHF P25 conventional; I could see local fire/rescue purchasing TP9900s or VP8000s (or their eventual mobile counterparts) for interoperability. The CM sites end up mounting two radios in their trucks.

 

[wsp44]

Tait is a really underrated.

With Kenwood, Tait and BK bringing multi/all band radios to the market are going to take a good market share from Motorola and Harris.

There are lots of fire departments that are still analogue conventional, DMR conventional. Kenwood and Tait are game changers for those departments that need to interoperate with users on other bands and/or trunking systems.

Sadly, with systems like Capacity Plus/Connect Plus/Capacity Max Advantage out there, Tait and Kenwood are at a disadvantage. It's a pipe dream, but standards compliant networks would really level the field

Tait is very underrated, and from what I've found a lot of agencies have never heard of them.

If APCO and others were smart, they'd start coming up with Project type standards that strongly discouraged these sorts of proprietary systems. They kind of tried to with P25, but it would be nice if it had some teeth.

I think any agency that sets up a system that locks users into one brand radio gets exactly what they deserve. There's enough knowledge out there to know this is a really bad idea. Unfortunately there seem to be too many that are afraid of the salesmen.

key word is SMART, if it is logically or makes sense then throw it out the window....

Unfortunately you are right, too many are afraid of the sales guy, or are dumb enough to believe them. I know of an agency that was told that the competitors subscriber units wouldn't work on their P25 system, which was total BS, unfortunately they believed it and didn't know any better.

 

[iamhere300]

If anyone is having difficulty finding a tait dealer, please contact me and let me help. I am not selling you radios, but I will certainly find a good dealer to sell you tait radios.

I am not a sales guy. Where you buy your tape radio from is mute to me. I just think it's a great product. Ideal more with engineering and very high level marketing. You have a problem I will do my best to help you if your local dealer can't. I say that I don't normally ever have to get involved with that end, but I will If it means you're satisfaction

Again I am not trying to sell your department you, or undercut any local dealer, I just think it's an excellent product and it you will be happy with it.
No commission for me, no nothing. It's important for me for y'all to understand that. I have worked incredibly hard on this product, I am now in a position where medically I may not get to see it go out like I expected to, but it'll always be my baby.

There are other exciting things coming.

 

[iamhere300]

For all the VP6/8000's thickness, it is still substantially smaller and lighter than legacy 5100, VP6/900, and XTS5000 portables, even when the older radios use Li-ion batteries. Really it's impressive how well the industry has scaled things down over the last decade.

Regarding the LTE speaker mic, I've always liked Tait's approach with the Axiom (and the discrete module on the XL). Allowing an LTE carrier direct, OS-level access to a subscriber radio has never sat well with me, we're a small enough operator that we can't realistically benefit from OTAP and proprietary MCPTT, so LTE is a security vulnerability rather than a value add.

Tait's engineering in general is intriguing, unfortunately I don't know of any dealers in this area so we're buying VP6000s in small quantities for underground equipment operators. Tait DMR portables would likely take a bite out of Motorola's market share on ergonomics alone; they're a favorite of Australian mining for a reason.

Can I help you find a Tait dealer?

 

[motorcoachdoug]

I have an Independent dealer that I sometimes do work for here in the Wash DC metro area. He can get his hands on Tait, Harris, Motorturbo, radios and software. Lately I have been doing a lot of turbo work for him as well as some Tait thrown in. If you want his contact info please shoot me a PM

 

[CopperWhopper67]

TP9900 Announced
Datasheet

 

[Troppo]

I understand that Tait announced today in a dealer webinar that they are releasing a software upgrade that can be purchased for existing and new TP9800 and TP9900 radios that will enable Front Panel Programming (FPP).

This is part of their new feature set that is being released with the new TP9800 aimed at Wild Fires