The Top 5 Kenwood Two-Way Radios
Communication on the jobsite is extremely important. Whether it's typical day-to-day operations, or times of emergency - being able to contact your team across large distances, can make all the difference. Cell phones are great for communicating with friends and family, but they often aren't as fast - or as tough as a two-way radio. As a leading manufacturer of high-quality digital and analog two-way radios, Kenwood has spent years building their reputation - and they don’t disappoint. This week, our Gear Experts® are going to cover our top 5 favorite Kenwood Radios.Â
The Kenwood TK-3400U16P & TK-3400U16PS
First up is the Kenwood TK-3400U16P ProTalk 2 Watt Two-Way Radio. This radio is available in 2 different configurations - a long antenna (TK-3400U16P) and a short antenna (TK-3400U16PS) version. The short version was designed specifically with tower climbers in mind and features a shorter antenna for easier handling when working in at-height locations.
The Kenwood TK-3400U16P ProTalk 2 Watt Two-Way Radio offers a dynamic feature set and solid durability but has also been improved to offer a larger UHF "bank" of frequencies and louder sound. This two-way radio is the ideal solution for communications in tower climbing, construction, manufacturing and warehousing, retail, hospitality, facility management, and rental fleet applications.
Features:
- Transmit Power Output: 2 Watt
- 16 Channel UHF
- Wireless Cloning
- 90 UHF Pre-Programmed Banked Frequencies
- 39 QT/ 168 DQT Privacy Code
- Diecast Chassis
- Weather-Sealed Construction
- Audio Output Power: 1 Watt
- Removable Antenna
- 2,000 mAh Li-Ion Battery with up to 22 Hours of Talk Time
- Advanced Ergonomic Controls
- Fast 2 1/2 - 3 Hour Charge Time
- Weighs Only 9.9 oz with Battery
- Meets Military Spec 810 Standards
- Compatible with Other Business Radios Operating on the Same Frequency & Code
- Up to 6 Mile Range in Open Areas
- Includes Radio, Antenna, Battery, Fast Charger, Belt Clip, and Owner's Manual
- 2 Year Manufacturer's Warranty
Kenwood TK-3400U16PS: The Video
The Kenwood NX-P500
The Kenwood NX-P500 2 Watt Portable Radio may be small, but it is as mighty as it’s larger counterparts. It features nearly 16 hours of battery life - with the battery saver feature turned on - and is IP54/55/57 and MIL-STD-C/D/E/F/G certified.
The Kenwood ProTalk 2 Watt Portable Radio is a lightweight, 6-channel radio featuring both NXDN digital and FM analog modes. At only 5.6 ounces, the ProTalk NX-P500 is built to be your convenient and lightweight radio on the job.
Features:
- All in one package
- Dual Mode NXDN digital & FM Analog
- 2watt Output Power
- 750mW Speaker Output
- 5-hour long battery life
- 6oz lightweight
- Second PTT
- 6CH Preprogrammed
- 7-Color Large LED indicator
- Voice Announcement
- VOX/Semi-Vox Operation
- Power-on LED
- Wireless Clone
- Free Programming Software
- IP54/55/67 and MIL-STD-810 C/D/E/F/G
Kenwood NX-P500: The Video
The Kenwood TK-2402V16P
Next up is the Kenwood TK2402V16P Compact VHF Portable Radio. This radio might be compact, but that doesn’t stop it from having all the bells and whistles - plus a ton of power. This 5 Watt portable radio is designed for local area industrial job site communication.
The Kenwood TK2402V16P is available in 16 channel models in VHF/UHF frequency bands. The 400/402 Series offers progressive features such as wireless cloning, channel voice announcement, FleetSync PTT ID, and multiple signaling formats. In addition, the 400/402 has enhanced transmit/receive audio and 1W of audio output.
Features:
- 5W (136-174 MHz) VHF
- 16 Channels
- Single Priority / Normal Scan
- 4-Color LED (Blue/Red/Green/Orange)
- 2 PF Keys
- Enhanced Kenwood Audio
- Companded Audio (per CH)
- VOX Ready
- Voice Inversion Scrambler Built-IN
- 16 Scrambler Codes (per CH)
- Lone Worker Alert (per CH)
- QT/DQT
- Wireless Cloning
- Password Protection
- FleetSync®
- Battery charger included
- MIL-SPEC 810 C/D/E/F/G
- P/N: TK-2402V16P
The Kenwood PKT-23
The Kenwood PKT-23 ProTalk Pocket-Sized Portable Radio is, just like the title explains, pocket-sized. Weighing in at only 3.9oz, Kenwood’s PKT-23 UHF two-way radio provides 1.5 watt transmit power, 4 channels, and up to 15 hours of operation.
This small but powerful radio is simple to operate and durable, meeting or exceeding MIL-Spec standards 810 C/D/E/F/G (11 items) and IP54 (dust/water intrusion). Connect to the standard micro USB port to charge or use the included charging cup, and plug Kenwood headphones into the 3.5mm audio jack for hands-free operation. Versatile, strong, and small - the PKT-23 is built business tough.
Features:
- 5 Watts Transmit Power
- 4 Channels
- Enhanced Kenwood Audio
- Micro USB Port
- VOX Ready
- IP54 & MIL-STD 810 C/D/E/F/G 11 items
- Li-Ion Battery offering up to 15 hrs of Operation
- 2 Year Warranty
Kenwood PKT-23: The Video
The Kenwood TK-3230DX
The Kenwood TK-3230DX ProTalk 1.5 Watt UHF Radio has been specially designed for demanding use with clear communications in a small compact size. It features a high contrast digital display for easy viewing and has a priority scan mode for listing to multiple channels. The fast charging capabilities provide a full charge in 2.5 hours, and with power saving mode turned on - you can get 18 hours out of the battery.
Features:
- 5 Watts UHF
- Compact, Durable Design (5.5oz)
- Li-Ion Battery offering 14 hrs of Operation (18 hrs – Save On)
- Fast 2.5 Hour Charger
- 6 Channels (version 2.0)
- 64 Pre-set Frequencies (Version 2.0)
- 39 QT/83 DQT Encode/Decode
- FleetSync PTT ID Digital ANI and SelCall
- Wireless Cloning
- Super Lock
- Time Out Timer
- Enhanced Kenwood Audio
- 4-digit 7-segment LCD with backlight
- Scan Function • Privacy Talk®
- Tone Alert, Key Lock, Battery Save, Low Battery Alert
- VOX Ready
- STD 810 C,D,E & F MIL Standards
- Select from 10 Call Alert Tones
- Two Year Warranty
Radio Accessories
Radios are an important part of communication on the jobsite, but sometimes you need the ability to customize your setup, allow multiple units to charge at one time, and replace batteries or other parts. Thankfully, Kenwood makes a full line of accessories including earpieces, cases, chargers, batteries, and more! → Click here to see Kenwood’s full accessories selection → Click here to see Kenwood’s full radio selection If you've got more radio questions or you're looking for a specific radio, click here to contact our Gear Experts®. **The content of this blog is not intended to replace proper, in-depth training. Manufacturer’s instructions must also be followed and reviewed before any equipment is used.
Gear Up with Gear Experts: The Podcast
→ Click here or use the player below to listen to our podcast episode where we sit down with Kenwood and talk all things two-way radio. If you haven’t already checked out Gear Up with Gear Experts, our podcast dedicated to at-height, industry, and construction, it is available for download! You can find it on all major podcast listening platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play Music, + your favorite podcatcher of choice. And, you can head on over to gearexperts.com to follow us on social media, check out our detailed show notes, and sign up for updates.
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