MDC upgrade for Kenwood

Jaqx · Post by **Jaqx** » Wed Oct 27, 2004 10:39 am

Has anyone heard an update on Kenwood's plans to offer MDC-1200 for 80/90 series mobiles and portables?

I called and spoke with a tech at Kenwood (actual corporate Kenwood) about a year and a half ago about this and he said that it was in testing and that it would likely become a standard feature after testing. After a minute or so of conversation he got quiet and then said that he really wasn't able to say much.

I've been waiting to hear more about it but haven't heard a peep.

Has anyone else heard about this?

n9upc · Post by **n9upc** » Wed Oct 27, 2004 3:58 pm

Kenwood will never do MDC1200 as a standard feature based on the fact that Kenwood has Fleetsync and Enhanced Fleetsync.

That is there version of MDC1200 and in my opinion is a little bit better.

Since MDC1200 is now an open protocol and can be added for as little as $20/board leads me to think that it will never be an option as they have there own format.

Not to also mention that they would have to most likely pay /\/\ for rights on ever radio they sold with MDC1200 in it, and now with the way of digital and ID'ing is standard I think you will see MDC1200 fade away as everyone goes digital.

(Of course the last part is my opinion and that is what it is. The top part is from what some high up kenwood reps have said to me.)

Vern · Post by **Vern** » Thu Oct 28, 2004 1:03 pm

While we're on the subject of Fleetsync, can a 90 series radio without it, be upgraded by flashing the radio with new firmware, or does it require newer radios. Our fire dept radios are about 3 years old, the option isn't in the programming screen, my radio is about two years old, and has the Fleetsync built in. These are TK 290's and 790's.

Vern
KE4MAO

nmfire10 · Post by **nmfire10** » Thu Oct 28, 2004 7:55 pm

1. You need the latest firmware in the radio

2. You need the latest DOS software for the portables.

3. You need the windows software or the latest DOS software for the mobiles.

Wes · Post by **Wes** » Fri Oct 29, 2004 2:04 am

The 90 series can encode fleetsync if they are after a certian serial number and the firmware is upgraded. They cannot, however, decode it at all....

I do not know the beginning serial number where they will do it.

Wes

MO_TRASHER · Post by **MO_TRASHER** » Sat Oct 30, 2004 1:56 am

You can get MDC-1200 encoders here: http://www.cimtechcorp.com/aniproduct.htm
I've used their stuff and it works well. I thought at one time Kenwood offered a plug in or an installed board as an option.

jackhackett · Post by **jackhackett** » Sat Oct 30, 2004 6:44 pm

Yes, Kenwood will install an MDC encoder board for you, a Cimmaron QE2. We got a few 890s from them like that a not too long ago. I don't recall how much they charge. We've also installed a bunch of the QE2s in 890s and some other Kenwoods ourselves, they're kind of a pain to do, not recommended for beginners...

My own opinion on Cimmaron boards, they have an unacceptably high failure rate.

nmfire10 · Post by **nmfire10** » Sat Oct 30, 2004 7:55 pm

Do these aftermarket boards produce a sidetone for the pre-id?

jim · Post by **jim** » Sat Oct 30, 2004 7:57 pm

The Midian board does.