WillB
Member
Whats the general feed back on these radios? Things that are liked and disliked about them? Do they seem to hold up good?
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Thoughts on TK 2180
- Thread starter WillB
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I used a 2180 almost every day for two years and never really had a problem with it.
Compare to some other radio's that I've had in the past, this one is one of the toughest I've seen.
I don't use it any more since I upgraded to a NX-210. Still have it if your interested.
Hope this helps.
Compare to some other radio's that I've had in the past, this one is one of the toughest I've seen.
I don't use it any more since I upgraded to a NX-210. Still have it if your interested.
Hope this helps.
radionerd13669
Useless Contributor
Good radio well built, lots of features. You cant go wrong with it
Astro25
Member
Great radios. I have MANY of them in service with PDs, FDs and even a local railroad. They seem to hold up quite well and people are generally pleased with them. Newer firmware also allows MDC1200 capability. They'll also do FPP.
If you plan on going P25 any time soon, the 5210G/5310G series portables are also quite nice.
If you plan on going P25 any time soon, the 5210G/5310G series portables are also quite nice.
Av8tor56
Member
Great radios. A word of warning though. We have a local ambulance company that has a lot of them. Howerver, they bought aftermarket batteries and they don't fit properly. As a result they have taped the batteries in place.
powerlineman
Member
- Joined
- Jul 25, 2005
- Messages
- 121
I have had a MT1000, HT1000, HT1250.....the TK2180 is by far my favorite radio. I have a NX200 that I like also...but it only has a 16 channel position knob. I like how the 2180 knob rolls over. Some people like the ability to count the clicks. Im a dork and like more than 16 channels in a zone.
baycomm
Member
Tk2180/nx200
The NX200 channel knob has a removable stop & it can easily be programmed to work the same way as the TK-2180. Just pull the knob off and then lift out the plastic stop piece. In the programming the "16 zone/group" check box should be unchecked. Both are great radios. The NX200 does have better MDC1200 functionality if you need it as well as more features + NXDN digital. With rebates from Kenwood the NX might even be less expensive (depends on the dealer).
The NX200 channel knob has a removable stop & it can easily be programmed to work the same way as the TK-2180. Just pull the knob off and then lift out the plastic stop piece. In the programming the "16 zone/group" check box should be unchecked. Both are great radios. The NX200 does have better MDC1200 functionality if you need it as well as more features + NXDN digital. With rebates from Kenwood the NX might even be less expensive (depends on the dealer).
MTS2000des
5B2_BEE00 Czar
2180 and the 3180 (UHF version) are some of the best analog portables Kenwood ever made.
With F/W of 1.61 they do MDC1200 encode/decode without any add on boards.
Some of the best front ends of an analog portable, comparable to the old Motorola Saber analogs in a side by side test for RX sensitivity and selectivity.
Very easy to service, housing replacement is a breeze and inexpensive.
Great battery life, and programming software is logical and straightforward.
You can't go wrong with these radios if you need a rugged, quality lightweight portable.
And they are fully narrowband compliant, they do splinter channels and all. Very wide banded, the UHF range 2 (450-520) works on the 440 ham band very nicely.
With F/W of 1.61 they do MDC1200 encode/decode without any add on boards.
Some of the best front ends of an analog portable, comparable to the old Motorola Saber analogs in a side by side test for RX sensitivity and selectivity.
Very easy to service, housing replacement is a breeze and inexpensive.
Great battery life, and programming software is logical and straightforward.
You can't go wrong with these radios if you need a rugged, quality lightweight portable.
And they are fully narrowband compliant, they do splinter channels and all. Very wide banded, the UHF range 2 (450-520) works on the 440 ham band very nicely.
WillB
Member
They have the option to do stored voice also correct?
I can't see the need to upgrade to the NX series. The only people that run digital in our county is PD and sherriff. State patrol is digital car to car but we don't talk to them direct anyways, we let dispatch handle that.This would be for my personal use at the FD.
I can't see the need to upgrade to the NX series. The only people that run digital in our county is PD and sherriff. State patrol is digital car to car but we don't talk to them direct anyways, we let dispatch handle that.This would be for my personal use at the FD.
- Joined
- Nov 8, 2004
- Messages
- 12
Great radio, excellent features.
If you get one and need MDC, I can upgrade the radio and program them as well.
Let me know.
I have the TK-5220 now.
If you get one and need MDC, I can upgrade the radio and program them as well.
Let me know.
I have the TK-5220 now.
WillB
Member
So what is a good price to pay for a 2180 programmed with the stored voice playback feature?
Raptor05121
Member
The VGS-1 is an optional board that has to be installed into the receiver itself.
I have a TK-2180 and my whole department uses nothing but Motorola's (HT750, HT1250, CDM1550s, Etc) and they all think (and know) my KW outperforms them. For some reason, I have a much easier time hitting repeaters than they do (both are 5W). It also has a clock built in, which is very nice so I can record the dispatch time on my runs.
The Li-Ion battery is only 1700MAh, but does not have the memory charge effect of the Ni-CD or Ni-Mh batteries. The other two optional batteries Ni-Cd has 1400MAh I believe and the Ni-MH has 1900MAh. The Li-Ion has a decent battery life (never left me stranded, I've gone ~24 hrs with an open scan) but the 1900 is what you want for extended life, but will also have the memory charging effect.
It also does Amateur quite well! Programming is easy (if you have the software/hardware). Its all MIL-spec. I've had it in pouring rain on accident, dropped it more than 10 times since I've had it. Nothing will hurt it. Has paging option. Easy to select channels (versus HT750), and lots more channels! 128 talk groups with 128 channels each! Definitely my favorite handheld ever.
Will, check your PMs.
I have a TK-2180 and my whole department uses nothing but Motorola's (HT750, HT1250, CDM1550s, Etc) and they all think (and know) my KW outperforms them. For some reason, I have a much easier time hitting repeaters than they do (both are 5W). It also has a clock built in, which is very nice so I can record the dispatch time on my runs.
The Li-Ion battery is only 1700MAh, but does not have the memory charge effect of the Ni-CD or Ni-Mh batteries. The other two optional batteries Ni-Cd has 1400MAh I believe and the Ni-MH has 1900MAh. The Li-Ion has a decent battery life (never left me stranded, I've gone ~24 hrs with an open scan) but the 1900 is what you want for extended life, but will also have the memory charging effect.
It also does Amateur quite well! Programming is easy (if you have the software/hardware). Its all MIL-spec. I've had it in pouring rain on accident, dropped it more than 10 times since I've had it. Nothing will hurt it. Has paging option. Easy to select channels (versus HT750), and lots more channels! 128 talk groups with 128 channels each! Definitely my favorite handheld ever.
Will, check your PMs.
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