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GMRS Equipment Reviews

GMRS Equipment Reviews

	Model: Kenwood TK805D

by Gregory J. Forrest

Below, I have attempted to note features that are NOT in specification sheets (i.e., the truly important ones).

Cost (new/used): $385/$150

Overall review:

A really good radio on a limited budget, or when buying a first radio. Power must be reduced for small GMRS base/control station operation. However, once you get used to high-end products, you will only use it as a secondary or base radio, but you won't ever throw it away. Recently discontinued; the TK860H replaces it.

Display:

Numeric only

Frequency Spread:

Manufacturer spread of 450-470 MHz, but will operate 438 to 470+ MHz without any modifications. Without retuning, there will be some receiver degradation below 445 MHz and above 470, but transmitter operates with specified power over entire range. It is easy to retune receiver front-end, but I never did. I used it between 438 and 470 and it worked just fine.

User Features:

The low power model is 25 watts (high is 45w). Unit is 16 channel and equipped with user-selectable or fixed-list scanning (programmable). Talk-around (simplex) button. Monitor button. A REC button on the radio is used to playback digitally recorded messages if you purchase this option (I didn't). Modular microphone. Remains on last selected channel if powered down (if power is always applied to radio). Can transmit on selected channel when in scan mode and will resume scanning after un-keying. Squelch-tail elimination, and reverse-burst capable. Speaker is louder than most amateur products. Separate power switch so that volume level is maintained.

Drawbacks:

Can be susceptible to intermodulation in a high-RF environment (it is better than most all amateur products though). Scanning will stop when radio is powered down, and channel cannot be changed while in scan mode. Scanning is slow, slightly better than most amateur products. Display reads "ScAn" while scanning, so unless you know what channel you were on originally, it is tough to tell which one you will transmit on (you can however quickly key it temporarily stop the scan and display the selected channel).

Priority scan muting is average in duration. Display only capable of reading "CH 1", CH 2", etc., except when in programming mode (7 digits). Talk-around and monitor modes are reset when channel is changed, radio is powered down, or placed in scan. Speaker in on top, and is a bit too rich in low-frequency components. Transmit power is set at rated level and is not adjustable (except from inside radio). Not narrow band capable (cannot operate in a narrower mode per 1996 FCC refarming rules - does not apply to GMRS)

Service Programmability:

Front-panel - Hold down two buttons simultaneously and power unit up to place in program mode. The "D" version is capable of DCS (Digital Coded Squelch). The TK805 (non-D) is the same radio but can only do CTCSS. Radio can be programmed for the following through the front panel:

• TX and RX Frequencies, 12.5 kHz steps
• Different TX and RX codes
• Mixed CTCSS/DCS on same channel
• Selectable scan delay time
• Two selectable priority-scan "look-back" times (for a busy and non-busy priority channel)
• Priority Scan - Fixed or "Selected Channel"

Software and cable - Very simple and affordable cable ($25) and DOS software ($50?). Plugs into microphone jack. Cable can be made at home with a TTL-to-RS232 converter chip. Entire process rates high on ease-of-use since it employs a spreadsheet-like frequency, code and scan list entry screen. This is in contrast to most all "rotten" Motorola RSS products, known for user-unfriendliness, dedicated "channel-screens", poor reliability and compatibility, inconsistent non-standard, unintuitive keyboard navigation keys, high cost, complex and expensive cable kits, restrictive license agreements - you get the picture. I will get off my soapbox..). A bit unreliable when used in Win3.1 because of com port problems. Otherwise bulletproof software.

GMRS Equipment Reviews has been on the Internet since January 24, 1999

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Last updated August 8, 1999