Could the Kenwood VP8000 multi band, multi protocol radio be my favorite radio?

The Kenwood VP 8000 is quite an incredible radio. The one feature that puts this radio head and shoulders above the rest is the ability to be multi protocol. It can be P25, nexden and or DMR… Pick two. It is very robust, great quality, and has really good programming software. 
If only this radio had No Affiliate Scan!

[@stevebrodie79]

I wish I had the money to afford these, you should try the Tait TP9900 multiband and multi protocol radio. I think you would like it.

[@AdventureCruiser]

@@stevebrodie79 a friend just bought one, and I’m hoping he will let me borrow it long enough to make a video. We’ll see!

[@ParthPatel-ku4jr]

The Kenwood VP8k is definitely a chonky boy. I had a perfect little silicone holder for my 8k in my truck and the Kenwood fits in it but it hits the shifter 😂. It carries nice on the belt. The DMR is AMAZING. My local PD is DMR and I always hated listening to them bc the audio sucked. The Kenwood sounded great out of the box.

[@flightstatic4662]

Great video as always, hope BK is taking notes - I'd pick up a BKR9000 in a heartbeat if it did DMR in addition to P25

[@RookieLock]

Man This is like a dream radio for me.. Untill BK does multi protocol... wish i could afford one tho, lol.. Love your videos man !

[@rm2002a]

I like the ergonomics on the VP8000. The PTT/side buttons are comfortable to use. I just wish they’d release the NXDN for it.

[@jeffkardosjr.3825]

I'm an amateur radio DMR user and with reception, the Retevis RT73 mobile sounds good. I was using a linked repeater system where the person on the other end was using a Yeasu VX-6R, Fusion C4FM(another digital format). He sounded good for being on digital and better than some DMR radios.

[@DurakeMe]

I can put you in contact with a guy for the Tait TP9900 that does all band including 900MHz. P25 and DMR. Def something to look into.

[@AdventureCruiser]

That would be really awesome!

[@henryatkinson1479]

Do you have a dealer who even has a demo unit yet in the US? I've not seen one outside of trade shows and my dealer has no date yet despite being a Tait Gold partner - which for me kind of sucks since I'm in the process of cutting a medium-size DMR system over to a P25 trunk.

[@dctw4678]

@@henryatkinson1479 Have you looked into getting or demoing a VP8k?

[@Internethugg]

Interesting your take on DMR. I would like to hear a VP8000 on DMR now. The NX5000s I've played with sounded terrible on DMR. However, it could wholey be based on their programming. I've used a large mix of radios on various P25 systems. Programming plays a part because some suck and some sound alright. Using an XPR7550e on DMR and a APX6000XE on P25 phase II side by side daily, the DMR sounds better. That said, these are Gen II Mototrbo radio, and the settings have to be just right for them to sound good.

[@ReaPer_INNOVATIONS]

Nice work thanks for the video man

[@chi4370]

If you think the Kenwood is clunky now, throw the high capacity battery on it. I have big hands and I find it difficult to press the PTT with the bigger battery on it.

[@abgcapital4597]

very nice radio not a fan of not being able to do NAS .. How was the process of getting programming software ?

[@SamThornby]

Your videos remind me of JerryRigEverything but for radios 😆

[@AdventureCruiser]

@@SamThornby that is an awesome complement, thanks. I’ve only watched a few of his, but that guy is incredible.

[@nathanryanwood7296]

can you possibly scan vhf and uhf at the same time

[@AdventureCruiser]

@@nathanryanwood7296 yup! Bands don’t really matter anymore.

[@joenichols590]

its easier to go from an older radio to newer and not the otheway around firmware is different

[@henriquemiranda5748]

So I’m learning about the kenwoods, can’t afford them, but still learning as I go, so basically the CPS for the kenwood there is licensed just like the NX series? Basically you said you buy a license for 3 years, when those years are up, CPS locks you out until you pay again? Is that how it works? Because if it is I will never buy a kenwood, I don’t like not owning what I pay for

[@Jeff9876-k4g]

I believe that’s Armona support as in getting new versions of Armada, tech-support and being able to switch your licenses to different radio.

[@Porty1119]

No, that's just for update support. The software will function in perpetuity.

[@dctw4678]

Im not hating by any means but would like to make a couple points. The XPR is a sub $1K commercial radio, the VP8K is inherently a mission critical radio (that will do DMR) that is $4K+... The audio should be better, its apples to oranges. Kenwood is a little misleading with perpetual licenses, only certain licenses are actually perpetual, P25 conventional and P25 P1 ARE perpetual. P25 P2, DMR T2, DMR T3, purchased frequency bands, and multiple others AREN'T perpetual, and until they recoup the money that it took to develop these, they won't be perpetual. I do agree that JVC should add ENTER as a soft button it would simplify things in the menu. Also remember that JVC isn't catering to or entertaining the hobbyist that wants to NAS, and while unfortunate, I understand why they elected to go this route. To even add a trunking system you need a SKF for the NX5000 and a AKEY for the Viking line and unlike MOTO, there isn't a system key generator for either in the wild.

[@Porty1119]

TRBO radios in general are budget radios sold at a fairly high price for what you actually get. Pricing between a VP5000 and R7 is shockingly close. The Select/Enter soft button feature was implemented in firmware revision 8.42. I find myself mostly using the menu/enter key, but you now have the option.

[@dctw4678]

@@Porty1119 I know the R7 got a complete overhaul, (ive got a demo with one of the RM780 microphones and I like the feel of both) but in doing so it's not so budget friendly anymore.

[@AdventureCruiser]

Really great points, thanks for sharing.

[@Gmtail]

How much is the programming software for it? Also, how does Kenwood handle the ASK for P25 systems?

[@AdventureCruiser]

I think the software was around $450 for five years. A lot of money in my opinion, but I was too curious to pass it up. As far as a key for trunking… Good luck. I hear it is more tightly guarded than Trump was. 🤔

[@Gmtail]

@@AdventureCruiser So you’re saying it’s not guarded at all 😅😅😅👍 Thank you for the info. Yeah, that’s a lot for software that isn’t perpetual. As far as the ASK goes, I was curious if one does have an ASK for a Motorola system like I do, will the Kenwood software recognize it and allow for programming.

[@AdventureCruiser]

@@Gmtail sadly no, and I’ve been told through forums and friends that Kenwood only issues the keys to authorized system managers. You could possibly get a key from a system administrator, but that’s the only way.

[@Gmtail]

@@AdventureCruiser Got ya. Yeah I already have a limited key for the system I’m affiliated with. I can program all of the radios within the ID group we have assigned, but am looking for a cheaper option for a radio vs buying the APX line.

[@russelltech]

@@AdventureCruiser So after five years you can no longer program the radio?

[@Demo8pro765]

What vendor did you use

[@AdventureCruiser]

I have bought from three vendors. King radios, 49er communications, and Vincent communications.

[@Demo8pro765]

I gave them all a call to said they don’t sell the Kenwood just accessories, but one told me that the software cannot be purchased and used by the end user the radio must be programmed by them then sent out just curious that the case for you as well?

[@AdventureCruiser]

@@Demo8pro765 shoot, I misunderstood which brand, I was trying to buy. I was going quickly. For Kenwood I bought through Mojave Repeater.

[@saulgoodman5533]

What tier of DMR does the Kenwood operate on?

[@dctw4678]

2 and 3