While this newest member of the NXDN family has slowly rolled out in to the main stream
industry for use, it also sports the ability to be used as a P25 radio in the First Responder Industry. For Radio Shop personnel, it’s a dream come true without the “M” price tag for that batwing multiband thingie… (at $7,500 MSRP)
I had the pleasure of spending some good money on a great radio. While I said I would do a little write up on it, I will. But in the meantime, this is what I will do, Kenwood has probably a better laid out information on the NX 5000 series than I would ever get close to doing. So with that, I will point you to the following page for your reading fun.
http://nexedge.kenwood.com/nx_5000/index.html
So on that note, here is a MSRP List price breakdown for someone in HAM RADIO that
wants to get their hands on this.
Full Keypad Portable, you will need to choose what battery and charger you want to go with, plus antenna ($15 VHF/UHF standard, or $35 for the High Gain VHF KRA-25).
Base Radio $825 STD /$875 Full Key, This radio comes with Type C NXDN Trunking, and Conv. NXDN and Analog (LTR in the next update)
Front Panel Program: $300, P25Conv: $575, 4000 Channels: $420 (1024 standard)
Batteries: from $115 to $175, These will fit the standard KSC-32 charger.
KNB-LxM Smart Charger – KSC-Y32K runs at $115
Mobiles: VHF due out Jan 2015. 700/800 MHz TBD
Base: $980, options; same as above for the portables, PER RADIO!.
Remote Kits: single, dual, and triple RF DECK kits will be out 2Q 2015,
this will allow one or two head use of 1,2 or 3 RF decks. (SEE WEB LINK ABOVE)
Now for the kicker, software. (Cables by the way are the standard 16 pin Portable or
RJ-45 Mobile connectors.
KPG-D1NK – NX5000 Radio Service Software. This is listed at $155.
THIS SOFTWARE BY DEFAULT IS NARROW BAND COMPLIANT.
As of Dec 5th, I was told, the portion below 450 MHz (380-449.987500) is being petitioned
to JVCKENWOOD CORPORATE for US allowance of 20/25khz wide band use. T-Band
470-512 has already be written for wide band use. VHF IS NOT EFFECTED below 149 MHz, so 138-149 will do both WBFM and NBFM. 150-161 is NBFM.
NOW TAKE NOTE, this software is licence key controlled with the Licensed Management Client software (which there is no charge for this software). This software also validates your purchase of FPP, P25, Bluetooth, 4000 channel, ect. licenses. It will communicate to your radio, validate the serial number, validate the option key, and then program your radio. NOTICE!!! ONCE IT IS ACTIVATED, IT REMAINS WITH THAT RADIO FOREVER! There are NO TRANSFER of LICENSES from/to BER / NIB Radios, you have to order a new key. This even applies to us dealers. If the radio is bricked or “BER”
and you spent some coin for all those little goodies, well, that $2800 radio is OUT.
So keep in mind, as you add features to the radio, it makes it that much more important
to keep it operational, for a long long time… (just saying)
I am working with Kenwood to find out how to have the LMC (KPT-300LMC) setup for
ham radio users. For now, an account request form has to be filled out and sent in
to activate it for you use, and the information will be sent back to you. I will revise this
once I have more detailed information on the process.
Please contact your local dealer, they should be able to offer a decent price for your
radio enjoyment. Most of you know how to contact me already, and I will offer a quote
as well. I like to also allow other shops the same opportunity also, since I am in Florida.
Cheers for now and enjoy!
Evans Mitchell
KD4EFM / WQOD582
