After many years, Kenwood has finally added RC4 support to the NX-5000 product line in P25 mode. Known as Enhanced Encryption, P25 EE, or ADP in Motorola's terminology, the feature was introduced in firmware version 4.50. Our team verified interoperability with Motorola XTS and APX radios and with TAIT Tx9400/Tx9600 radios. It should also work with EFJohnson and L3Harris P25 radios.
The transition to digital radio in the land mobile market has been marked by fits and starts, misinformation, and outright confusion. This paper aims to help readers choose the right protocol by separating fact from fiction.
March 3, 2019: Kenwood has released version 3 software (KPG-D1 3.0) and NX5000 firmware version 3.0. The main new feature is DMR Tier III support.
Unbelievable: someone at Kenwood maintains a firmware release history file. We obtained a copy and have made it available here.
We waited four months for Kenwood NX-5000 version 2.60, and it has finally arrived. Versions 2.51 and 2.52 were released in the meantime, but neither came with information about new features or bug fixes. JVC-Kenwood couldn't explain those releases even to its dealers. We assume they were minor updates that did not warrant much attention or the effort of installing them.
Some time ago, JVCKenwood promised to release high-power and low-band radios in late 2018 or in 2019. We previously reported this announcement. High-power VHF and UHF radios have already been developed, and preproduction samples exist. According to the latest rumors, however, the low-band model is still in doubt: Kenwood is waiting for a volume order from one major customer.
Kenwood is developing DMR Tier II trunking, similar to Hytera XPT. A release is expected at the end of the year. It looks as though Kenwood has conceded ground: the company bought Radio Activity srl and began intensive development of DMR features. NXDN did not live up to expectations, so the shift toward DMR seems predictable.
No information about new features or bug fixes was provided. That's typical of Kenwood. But why? As usual, download it from the Files section. The next firmware release is expected to be version 2.60, due in June.
Dear Kenwood Corporation: Your Viking (formerly EFJohnson) radios support ARC4. TAIT radios support ARC4. Harris radios support ARC4. And, of course, Motorola radios support ARC4, better known as ADP. But, as you know, NX5000 radios do NOT support ARC4 in P25 mode....
Version 2.50 of the Kenwood NX5000 firmware and FPU software has been released. This release offers few exciting new features, but some additions may interest business users. Download the files from the Files section.
It has been officially confirmed that high-power versions of the NX5700 (VHF, 110 W) and NX5800 (UHF, 100 W) will be released at the end of 2018 and in mid-2019, respectively. Up to a year and a half to wait :(
And one more thing: a low-band mobile radio has also been announced. So far, only a 39–50 MHz mobile RF deck has been announced; there is no news about a 29–39 MHz radio. Expect to wait around 18 months for the low-band model as well. That's a long wait, but for the first time, you'll be able to use NEXEDGE, DMR, and P25 on low band!
Firmware V2.50 is coming soon for both NX3000 and NX5000 radios. The two platforms now use the same version numbering. V2.50 was supposed to arrive three to four months ago, but it has not yet been released.
New files have been added to the Files section, including service manuals and an initial remote setup guide. Thanks to our contributor!
You can now download NX5000 files here. Most are otherwise available only through dealers, often after days of waiting and repeated reminders. Here, you can download them immediately, free of charge. Visit the NX5000FC Files section.
An independent website dedicated to JVC-Kenwood NX5000 radios has launched.