Low-band radios remain in doubt

Some time ago, JVCKenwood promised to release high-power and low-band radios in late 2018 or in 2019. We published news about this. High-power VHF and UHF radios have already been developed, and preproduction samples exist. No uncertainty there. 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, the California Highway Patrol (CHP). If CHP places an order, Kenwood will manufacture NX5000 low-band mobiles in the same housing as the 110 W VHF/UHF radios. Otherwise, the low-band models may never make it into production.

The photo below shows an NX-5000 VHF radio with 110 W of RF output power. Remember the good old TK-730H/830H and TK-790H/890H radios? This is their replacement.

Keep your fingers crossed for the low-band version: the TK-690H was discontinued a few months ago.

There is more bad news from a reliable source. Kenwood will not release a replacement for the TK-190 portable. The company discontinued the TK-190 this year and has no plans to produce any more low-band portables :(