Kenwood NX Series
Some info on Kenwood's new NX series, which supports multiple digital modes.
Common features
Both the mobile and portables have a fair number of items in common.
Both support 1024 channels (in 128 zones), with a 4,000-channel upgrade (KWD-5000CH).
Both have built-in GPS (?) and Bluetooth, and a microSD(HC) memory card slot which requires a software upgrade to enable.
On the analog side, both FleetSync and MDC1200 are supported, along with 2-tone paging and DTMF.
Digital Mode Support
Radios come with NXDN standard, with DMR and P25 as paid options. The radio is capable of any two of the digital modes.
Trunking
- LTR analog trunking
- NXDN Type-C trunking (Gen 1, Gen2)
- P25 Phase 1 and Phase 2 (paid upgrades)
Programming
The KPG-D1NK programming software covers mobiles and portables, with a list price of $155.
Portables
They're IP67 or IP68-rated. The price list carries a weird note that in freezing temperatures, a carrying case must be used.
- NX-5200 - 136-174 MHz, 6W
- NX-5300 - 380-470 MHz, or 450-512 MHz, 5W
- NX-5400 - 700/800 MHz, 3W
- Choice of "standard" (limited) or "full" keypad, both with color LCD
List price is $825 for the standard keypad, and $875 for the full keypad.
Mobiles
Up to 3 radios can be controlled from one control head.
- NX-5600 (?), a new 39-50 MHz radio
- NX-5700, 136-174 MHz, 50W
- NX-5700HBF, 136-174 MHz, 110W, scant details (new launch)
- NX-5800, 380-470 or 450-520 MHz, 45W
- NX-5900, 700/800 MHz, 35W
| Part Number | Description | List Price |
|---|---|---|
| NX-5600HBK | 39-50 (?) MHz lowband, 110W | TBA |
| NX-5700K | VHF 50W, with head | $980 |
| NX-5700BK | VHF 50W, RF deck only | $720 |
| NX-5800K | UHF, 45W, 450-520 MHz, with head | $980 |
| NX-5800BK | UHF, 45W, 450-520 MHz, RF deck only | $720 |
| NX-5800K2 | UHF, 45W, 380-470 MHz, with head | $980 |
| NX-5800BK2 | UHF, 45W, 380-470 MHz, RF deck only | $720 |
| NX-5900K | 700/800 MHz, 30/35 W, with head | $1,250 |
| NX-5900BK | 700/800 MHz, 30/35 W, RF deck only | $990 |
They are available in two modes:
- K: with control head
- BK: RF deck only, no control head
Mobile Relay
With two RF decks, a "Mobile Relay" cross-band repeater can be used. See this discussion on Radio Reference for more. It's bi-directional, but it can only be enabled on a pre-programmed frequency. From the discussion, it appears that it can support analog-analog or digital-digital (same mode), but doesn't support linking between analog on one RF deck and digital on the other. (It is not clear why this is not supported.)
Control heads
- KCH-19M - Seems to be the standard option (with "-K" series radios) - $180
- KCH-20R - "Featured" control head - $600
- KCH-21R - Handheld control head - $995
Upgrades
These seem to be common between mobiles and portables.
General
| Part Number | Description | List Price |
|---|---|---|
| KWD-5000CH | 4,000-channel upgrade | $420 |
| KWD-5001FP | Front-panel programming | $300 |
| KWD-5002SD | microSD card slot activation | $105 |
| KWD-5003BT | Bluetooth serial data | $35 |
| KWD-5007RC | Remote Control by Subscriber Units | $40 |
Digital Modes
There are a number of $$$ upgrades for P25 trunking, OTAR, etc., which aren't listed here.
| Part Number | Description | List Price |
|---|---|---|
| KWD-5100CV | P25 conventional | $575 |
| KWD-5300CV | DMR Conventional (Tier II) | $60 |