Kenwood Protalk TK-3401D PMR446 Two Way Digital Single Radio - Black

It is a well know fact across all forward operating bases on non warp planets that Space Rangers use the PMR446 radio frequencies to communicate.The local FOB gives out Cobra 975s which being brand new issue I had assumed were Digital and not Analogue.After a recent meteor strike whilst camping I decided we needed a way to keep in contact with the Space Rangers.I did my homework and found the Kenwood TK-3401D.Assuming that the Cobra 975s were Digital I thought that being able to listen to the 'old' Analogue system would be novel so I purchsed the TK-3401D.After a couple of minutes of playing around I worked out that the Cobra 975s and also my Motorola TK81 Hunter are all Analogue just like the really old Binatone Terrain 550s I dug out of the Space Rangers weapons storage unit at the FOB (Toy Cupboard ) last night.So what I thought was a professional version and equally higher priced radio (8 times more than a Cobra 975 - (£50 for 2 Cobras vs £200 for 1 TK-3401D) actually turns out to be a rather advanced piece of Technology.The unit is solid, yet uncomplicated to use in the field.Setting it up takes a tiny bit of patience as you have to power cycle (switch off and on) whilst pressing different keys to get into the audio described set up menu.The biggest frustration I had was understanding that unlike all of the consumer PMR446 units like the Cobra 975s or the Motorola TK80 and TK81 that are set out of the box on Channel 1 with 'an ID of zero' so that you can unpack, put a battery in switch on, select the same channel if '1' is too conjested and everything works.This meant that the consumer units were set to turn the squelch off for all communications. Thus you press the talk button on one radio and you can hear it on another radio.This did not work with the TK-3401D.I was beginning to think I had a faulty unit but I played around for a few hours and it turned out that the radio was set by default to use 'ID ten' on Channel one.This meant that I could transmit from the TK-3401D and I could be heard on all the consumer radios. Conversely if I transmitted from a Cobra or Motorola nothing could be heard on the TK-3401D unless I held the 'force squelch off' button.It took 20 seconds to configure one of the Cobras to use 'ID ten' on Channel 1 and everything worked.Doing this meant the TK-3401D knew to turn off squelch as this transmission was meant for it as the transmission was targeted for it because of the ID label matching.This is how all the radios should be set up, using IDs as it keeps alot of the conversations from other people on the same channel being heard on your radios. It will not stop transmission collisions but you will only hear the transmissions from radios on the same channel where the ID matches the ID you are using.I just ordered a second TK-3401D as having watched the videos on Youtube about the digital benefits of the TK-3401D I really want to have a play.I can keep in contact with all of my Space Rangers using Analogue PMR446 consumer units and although very expensive compared to one of them it is extra money well spent just considering the Analogue system alone.I have been to big events and found the Analogue system heavily congested so I am interested to see if digital fixes it.One minor niggle the TK-3401D does not seem to have a 'Call Button' which is useful when you want to get someone to answer a radio and neither does this unit seem to let you hear the ringing noise of the Motorolas or Cobras.Great quality feel to the radio, worth the money especially if tou want digital capabilities. Eyes open though in that consumer PMR446 radios, the inexpensive ones seem to all be Analogue not Digital. So if you want to have a Digital system then buy two or make sure the other units you have are digital.Next project is to set up a PMR Gateway to relay the radio conversations across the World using the Internet.

Very clear reception not sure about the range though

Very good product

Features and price

It was just a lump nothing worked. I had read so much about kenwood being top end. No compatibility with any other radio.

Really solid in construction to take all the everyday knocks you can throw at it. Superb quality audio on digital mode. Crisp, clear & very loud. Well worth the extra money over the cheaper consumer versions. made for professional use they have great range which work with crystal clear audio right to the very edge of the reception range.. Compatible with the old analogue PMR446 too which is useful when I want to keep in touch with friends who have the older/cheaper technology. Fast charge. Used by shop security, pub bouncers etc so built to last & be 100% reliable. Licence free. The extra 16 digital channels are especially useful in built up areas such as large towns etc where the older 8 analogue channels can get clogged up with many users. Some will be security & business doing it on the cheap but also many kids who use them to chat to friends etc. A simple press of the mode button changes to digital and takes you to 16 frequencies above & away from all the noise thereby increasing their useful range. Also if privacy is something you want, then although no radio can be truly secure, there is much less chance of your transmissions being overheard when using dPMR digital mode. Ideal for situations where reliable communications are essential.