Cheaper PMR Radio - recommendations?

[SilverFish]

Well I’ve done the same as SilverFish and ordered one of these http://www.radios2u.com/kenwood/3107pmr446.htm purely to try of course, the seller has mailed me to say there in the post.

Just had an email saying that the flight was cancelled and I have another 3 or 4 day wait.... hmmmm

We shall see,

Michael

 

[ebbo]

Just had an email saying that the flight was cancelled and I have another 3 or 4 day wait.... hmmmm

Hmm that’s odd, anyway I haven’t received a similar mail so I guess I’m ok, let us know when yours arrives won’t you.

Eddy, you do defiantly want to keep the aerials as near vertical as you can.

 

[roddy]

Hi folks

don't know if this is of any use ?

http://www.lidl.co.uk/gb/index.nsf/pages/c.o.oow.20050414.p.Motorbike_Hands-free_Speaker_Set

 

[Eddy802]

Those Kenwoods landed yet?

Come on, we want the gen??

 

[ebbo]

Well Eddy, I actually ordered two. The first one, orderd from the website still hasn’t arrived yet I think it’s becalmed in a Sampan somewhere in the South China Sea’s

The second was won on eBay and arrived via TNT this morning taking just a couple of days to arrive from China.
It’s a very well made radio, I’m well impressed, when you press transmit next to my PC, the speakers (not plugged in) produce a deep hummmmmm… my ordinary PMR radios do nothing!!

So, I’m still waiting for the first one I ordered to arrive, then I can do some proper testing.

Fingers still crossed, I'll let you know.

Martin

 

[Eddy802]

Cheers Martin.

Humming on 4watts?

Looking forward...

 

[SilverFish]

Those Kenwoods landed yet?

Come on, we want the gen??

I got carded by the post office yesterday so hopefully I will pick it up Thu morning. Get it all charged up and talk to...? Havent quite figured that bit out yet.

Anyone within shouting distance of Boxhill this weekend?

Mike

 

[SilverFish]

It's arrived now. From what I can tell it looks exactly the same as the Kenwood TK-3102, just with more power.

 

[Eddy802]

Nice. I have a couple of questions (if you don't mind)...

1. What was the total price (and time frame from order to delivery)?

2. Can you confirm that it's compatible with UK PMR channels?

3. Have you sourced cables to patch the radio to your intercom?

I can feel a change in tack coming on!

 

[judge]

It's arrived now. From what I can tell it looks exactly the same as the Kenwood TK-3102, just with more power.

That's an exceptional price given how much TK3101's sold for but I always thought part of the PMR446 regs was power output meaning that technically these are illegal to use in the UK? That said I'd happily operate one, though not on a battery as 4W operation will kill battery life, unless they are a new type of battery as well? Intrigued

 

[notadrop]

Cobra MT725
These have had a good review [4star]
http://www.446user.co.uk/review_40.html

and can be got at a bargain price from Maplins.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=38085&TabID=1&source=4&doy=14m4

 

[ebbo]

Eddy, the KT-3107 works happily to my Alan 456r and BT Freeway FM radios, the seller sets (programs) the radio up to work to the PMR frequencies.

Battery Life.
The Kenwood booklet suggests a battery life of 8 hrs assuming 5%tx 5%rx and 90% standby
Mark sells replacement and high capacity batteries from his website at reasonable cost, high capacity £7.99 standard 6.99 desk charger £7.99, you could always carry a spare, it wouldn’t cost a lot

If Silverfish’s radio has just landed, perhaps my second one will arrive in a few days time. If I was buying from Mark again I would go for TNT delivery for sure.

http://www.radios2u.com/

 

[SilverFish]

1. What was the total price (and time frame from order to delivery)?

£68 via paypal and about twelve days to delivery. There was some kind of delay with flights.

The seller specifed the value "GBP10" on the customs declaration - I really should complain to Her Majesty's Customs and Excise....

AFAIK, the only difference between this and the European version is that it comes with a two prong charger and doesnt have a cradle - you plug the charger jack directly into the battery.

2. Can you confirm that it's compatible with UK PMR channels?

The literature does say so but I havent been able to confirm yet. The frequencies it lists appear to be identical .

3. Have you sourced cables to patch the radio to your intercom?

The headset sockets and power terminals appear just like the older Kenwood TK's so Autocom's parts should work ok, but will confirm this weekend.

Any volunteers in the Boxhill area this weekend to help me test it out?

Cheers,

Mike

 

[Paul Young]

I bought a pair of Cobra PR950's in the US last time I was there.

They use 466Mhz & the PR950 comes with the facility for "high output" transmission @ 2w, giving an 8km/5 mile max range. I've had no problems using these in the UK, but they're not technically legit.

Pretty good value IMO - See here

I ordered another pair of these before going on holiday & they arrived in about 6days from SoCal. $52 a pair including delivery so around £30 for two radios with 5mile range & no customs hassle.

 

[SilverFish]

I cant get hold of Autocom Part 95, the lead between a Kenwood PMR and the Autocom Pro 7 this weekend.

I've taken it to where I work at Luton airport and I can receive ok but havent yet tested my transmissions.

 

[Eddy802]

Does anyone have the 3107's hooked up and tested through Autocom yet?

My Intradride order arrived on Wednesday (wrong Autocom patch leads - I'll chase them today) and I have a 3107 on order! I was hoping to beat the Intaride backlog and have the Kenwood first, prove it and cancel the Intaride order if appropriate.

Do Autocom stand by the need only for part 95 to connect these imports?

Is the power output adjustable on the 3107?

Cheers

Eddy

 

[SilverFish]

Does anyone have the 3107's hooked up and tested through Autocom yet?

Im away this weekend and still havent been able to get the Autocom leads. But, I used to have the older Kenwood radio (TK3101?) and it looks exactly the same as that, same location for battery terminals, mic, speaker etc.

I dont think we will get official confirmation from Autocom as this radio is not sold or supported in the UK.

The power does not appear to be adjustable.


Mike

 

[Eddy802]

I just spoke to Autocom and they said the patch leads I required for TK3101 are:

Part 102 for my ProSport 7 - to interface and bike-power the radio @£21

Part 110 for SWMBO Active 7 - bike-power not available through this unit, so interface only @ £15

Part 95 is for the 3201 and apparently won't fit the 3101!

Now I wonder which of teh UK available sets the 3107's chassis matches?????!

 

[SilverFish]

I just spoke to Autocom and they said the patch leads I required for TK3101 are:

Part 102 for my ProSport 7 - to interface and bike-power the radio @£21

...

Part 95 is for the 3201 and apparently won't fit the 3101!

Now I wonder which of teh UK available sets the 3107's chassis matches?????!

My mistake; Part 102 it should be then. The pic I posted shows the 3107's chassis and it has the same battery terminals as the 3102, so part 102 should connect to these just fine.

Part 102, IIRC, has a 5 pin DIN plug for the Autocom side, and on the radio side a double connector for the speaker and mic, and then another wire for power which is screwed to the terminals.

Others please correct me as I am working from memory.


Mike

 

[ebbo]

Eddy, my second 3107 came yesterday, but I’m still unable to test them back to back because he forgot to include the battery (he did wonder who’s it was) Battery now coming form China by TNT, expected Sat or Mon.
My son has asked him if he can get any decent digital cameras, I’ll let you know.