Kenwood TK-8180 vs TK-8180H

[FreshPrincex21]

I'm recently new to GMRS and after several purchases of HT radios, I've decided to make the leap to getting a mobile radio for my Land Cruiser for my off roading adventures. After watching a couple YouTube videos, scrolling through the forums here on myGMRS.com and reading a couple Reddit posts. I've decided I want to go with a Kenwood mobile radio, specifically the TK-8180 line. I found two refurbished radios, the TK-8180 (30 watts) and the TK-8180H (45 watts). Like with most of my purchases I was going to full send on the 45 watts version till I came across a post where they stated that the 45 watts version only goes down to 10 watts on low, versus the 5 watts on low that the 30 watts version can do. Again I'm relatively new to the GMRS world so apologies if I get this wrong but seeing that the 45 watts version doesn't go down to 5 watts, that would mean I wouldn't be able to transmit on the channels 1 - 7 correct? Why is that an issue you ask? Well the group I usually go off roading with they like to stay on channel 5, they say that it's the channel that has the "least" amount of traffic on it. Despite my requests to move to a channel in the 15 - 22 channel range, I get out voted every time..

I know that there isn't a big difference from a transmitting and receiving standpoint between the 30 watts and 45 watts versions. I also know that the antenna and positioning of the antenna play a bigger role than the power levels. However is there any other differences between the two versions? Would I be missing anything if I went with the 30 watts version? The only reason I wanted the 45 watts version was for that extra bit of punching power if I ever needed it. Would I need to worry about heating issues with the 45 watts version? I plan to have it mounted on my dash since the previous owner already drilled holes for some type of radio or monitoring device. Seeing that the 8180 is a commercial radio, would I need to get my LMR license in order to legally use it? Even if I plan to use it only for GMRS purposes?

I look forward to some of the answers I get and/or feedback. Either would be greatly appreciated.

[gortex2]

I'd recomend the 8180 and not the 8180H. You wont see a difference in 30 vs 45 watts and if 90% of your use will be simplex and low channels being able to program 5 watts is better. 

No need for an LMR license unless you want an LMR frequency. 

[Lscott]

As pointed out there won't be much of a difference between 30 watts and 45 watts. If you're a long winded talker the 30 watt radio will generate a lot less heat that has to be radiated by the cooling fins in the radio's chassis. If the radio is going to get mounted in an area with restricted air flow that might be a big deal. Sitting on the dash board it's going to "cook" a bit from sun light exposure.

One other thing to look out for is which "band split" you get. These radios come in several ranges, 450-520, for the 30 watt radio, 450-512 for the 45 watt version. The 400-470 range is available for the 30 and 45 watt version. Note only the 450-520, and the 450-512, have FCC type 95 certification if that's a concern for you. Otherwise any of the ranges will work for GMRS.

You can double check the FCC grants for which FCC parts the radio is certified for by looking up the FCC ID found in the attached brochure at:

https://fccid.io/

You'll need a programming cable. I recommend getting one from this site:

https://bluemax49ers.com/

The programming software is attached. Use the "engineering" install serial. That one allows you access to a few more features and the all important read/write password bypass. Some used radios have a read/write password set. Without this feature you'll never reprogram the radio if the write password is set. I've used this software to program some TK-2180's and TK-3180's which are the portable versions of the mobiles.

TK-7180_8180.pdf KPG-89D V1.61.zip

[FreshPrincex21]

17 hours ago, gortex2 said:

I'd recomend the 8180 and not the 8180H. You wont see a difference in 30 vs 45 watts and if 90% of your use will be simplex and low channels being able to program 5 watts is better. 

No need for an LMR license unless you want an LMR frequency. 

I'm considering the 30 watts cause its also cheaper lol. Still hoping I can get the people I off road with to switch channels I just saw the prices of a LMR license and if I had to get one I would but glad I wont have to.

 

8 hours ago, Lscott said:

As pointed out there won't be much of a difference between 30 watts and 45 watts. If you're a long winded talker the 30 watt radio will generate a lot less heat that has to be radiated by the cooling fins in the radio's chassis. If the radio is going to get mounted in an area with restricted air flow that might be a big deal. Sitting on the dash board it's going to "cook" a bit from sun light exposure.

One other thing to look out for is which "band split" you get. These radios come in several ranges, 450-520, for the 30 watt radio, 450-512 for the 45 watt version. The 400-470 range is available for the 30 and 45 watt version. Note only the 450-520, and the 450-512, have FCC type 95 certification if that's a concern for you. Otherwise any of the ranges will work for GMRS.

You can double check the FCC grants for which FCC parts the radio is certified for by looking up the FCC ID found in the attached brochure at:

https://fccid.io/

You'll need a programming cable. I recommend getting one from this site:

https://bluemax49ers.com/

The programming software is attached. Use the "engineering" install serial. That one allows you access to a few more features and the all important read/write password bypass. Some used radios have a read/write password set. Without this feature you'll never reprogram the radio if the write password is set. I've used this software to program some TK-2180's and TK-3180's which are the portable versions of the mobiles.

TK-7180_8180.pdf 644.24 kB · 2 downloads KPG-89D V1.61.zip 3.23 MB · 3 downloads

Not much of a long winded talker so shouldn't be and issue but the sun light exposure is a concern. I think I saw on this forum that someone said there is a kit to be able to mount the face plate and store the body of the radio somewhere else. Might try to see if I can find that kit and use it instead of mounting on the dash. According to the listing both radios are on the 450-520 band split, maybe they meant 450-512 band split for the 45 watt? Checked both through the link you sent, thank you for that and both are Type 95 compliant.

Appreciate all the links and the programming software, you're making this real easy for me to pull the trigger on one of these bad boys

[Lscott]

One more thing. Sometimes these radios are loaded with the "Passport" firmware in place of the regular LTR one. In that case when you try to program the radio using the KPG software the radio display show "USE SJ-180". That's the special "Passport" version. You can fix it by writing the normal LTR firmware to the radio. However the firmware write feature has to be enabled. If not then you need the SJ-180 radio programming software and enable the firmware write feature. I've attached a copy of that too.

Unfortunately I don't have a copy of the mobile radios LTR firmware file, just the portables.

SJ-180 v2.2.0.6 for TK-7180-7180H-7182-7182H-8180-8180H 2.zip

[nokones]

The 8180 is the 30 watt version and the 8180H is the 45 watt version as previously mentioned. The 8180 30 watt version does have a low power setting of 1 watt and the low power setting for the 8180H is 10 watts but unfortunately the 10 watts is not legal for GMRS channels 1-7.

Get the TK 8180. The difference between the two radios you will never know the difference between 15 watts in performance. It's only about a dB and a half less.

In a group of other wheelers on the trail, more than likely the other wheelers are using either CCR POS junk or Walmart special bubblepack radios, in that case the TK 8180 30 watt version will be more than sufficient.

Also, you can't go wrong with the cables built by Blue Max 49ers.

[FreshPrincex21]

17 hours ago, Lscott said:

One more thing. Sometimes these radios are loaded with the "Passport" firmware in place of the regular LTR one. In that case when you try to program the radio using the KPG software the radio display show "USE SJ-180". That's the special "Passport" version. You can fix it by writing the normal LTR firmware to the radio. However the firmware write feature has to be enabled. If not then you need the SJ-180 radio programming software and enable the firmware write feature. I've attached a copy of that too.

Unfortunately I don't have a copy of the mobile radios LTR firmware file, just the portables.

SJ-180 v2.2.0.6 for TK-7180-7180H-7182-7182H-8180-8180H 2.zip 1.41 MB · 0 downloads

Thank you for the tip and the SJ-180 programming software! Hopefully the radio I purchased doesn't come with the passport firmware. If not I'll be scouring the internet/forums to see if anyone knows where I can get a copy of the LTR firmware file for mobile. If I have to go that route of updating to the LMR firmware, after I update the firmware then I'll be able to go back and program all my channels/repeaters with the KPG-89 programming software correct?

17 hours ago, nokones said:

The 8180 is the 30 watt version and the 8180H is the 45 watt version as previously mentioned. The 8180 30 watt version does have a low power setting of 1 watt and the low power setting for the 8180H is 10 watts but unfortunately the 10 watts is not legal for GMRS channels 1-7.

Get the TK 8180. The difference between the two radios you will never know the difference between 15 watts in performance. It's only about a dB and a half less.

In a group of other wheelers on the trail, more than likely the other wheelers are using either CCR POS junk or Walmart special bubblepack radios, in that case the TK 8180 30 watt version will be more than sufficient.

Also, you can't go wrong with the cables built by Blue Max 49ers.

I ended up going with the TK-8180 and ordered a cable from Blue Max 49ers. However, I may pick up the high power version later on in the future as a base station.

You nailed it on the head, the group I wheel with are rocking Midland HT's and bubblepack specials. With a mobile unit in my rig, I look forward to not having to charge my HT's as much.

[nokones]

In a couple of my Jeep groups I found that there is always a know-it-all Sad HAM Einstein with his dual purpose GMRS/HAM Boofwanger radio who refuses to program the designated trail comm channel for narrowband operation so all the Walmart/Amazon bubblepack radio users can understand what he is saying and not miss any syllables.

Most of the time, these Sad Ham Einsteins are the Trail Leaders and when they are I have the designated Trail Comm channel programmed in my mobile and portable for wideband operation so I can understand what they are saying.

[Lscott]

5 hours ago, FreshPrincex21 said:

If not I'll be scouring the internet/forums to see if anyone knows where I can get a copy of the LTR firmware file for mobile.

I think I found that for you. I wanted a copy for my records. I keep a collection of Kenwood radio programming software, even for radio models I don't have.

 

5 hours ago, FreshPrincex21 said:

after I update the firmware then I'll be able to go back and program all my channels/repeaters with the KPG-89 programming software correct?

Yup! I had a used TK-3180 once that showed up with the SJ-180 firmware. Lucky for me the firmware update feature was enabled so all I did was load the new firmware in the radio and used KPG-89D to program it.

TK2180K_TK3180_7180_8180_V122_035C_Firmware.zip

[FreshPrincex21]

17 hours ago, Lscott said:

I think I found that for you. I wanted a copy for my records. I keep a collection of Kenwood radio programming software, even for radio models I don't have.

 

Yup! I had a used TK-3180 once that showed up with the SJ-180 firmware. Lucky for me the firmware update feature was enabled so all I did was load the new firmware in the radio and used KPG-89D to program it.

TK2180K_TK3180_7180_8180_V122_035C_Firmware.zip 402.25 kB · 1 download

You are awesome! Cant wait to get my hands on the radio so I can get it programmed and throw in my rig. I've been watching that tracking link like a hawk

Sweet! I'm going to spend some time while I wait for the radio to arrive, looking up how to navigate the programming software. I'm assuming it's a bit different than Chirp or Wouxun programming software.

[FreshPrincex21]

18 hours ago, nokones said:

In a couple of my Jeep groups I found that there is always a know-it-all Sad HAM Einstein with his dual purpose GMRS/HAM Boofwanger radio who refuses to program the designated trail comm channel for narrowband operation so all the Walmart/Amazon bubblepack radio users can understand what he is saying and not miss any syllables.

Most of the time, these Sad Ham Einsteins are the Trail Leaders and when they are I have the designated Trail Comm channel programmed in my mobile and portable for wideband operation so I can understand what they are saying.

Haven't had that experience yet, but I'm planning on venturing out to other wheeling groups just to gain new experiences. I'm sure I'll come across a few people like that. How infuriating would that be for a bubble pack user not being able to understand the comms clearly , especially when it's coming from the trail leader.

[Lscott]

4 hours ago, FreshPrincex21 said:

Sweet! I'm going to spend some time while I wait for the radio to arrive, looking up how to navigate the programming software. I'm assuming it's a bit different than Chirp or Wouxun programming software.

It’s a completely different experience. Programming commercial radios is a lot different. 

The function reference is a good addition to the software’s help file. 
 

The modifications manual is for adding accessories to the radio and the connections for the various ports.

TK-2180_3180_7180_8180 MPT Function Reference V2.00.pdf TK2180_3180_7180_8180 Modification Info V1.13.pdf

[FreshPrincex21]

16 hours ago, Lscott said:

It’s a completely different experience. Programming commercial radios is a lot different. 

The function reference is a good addition to the software’s help file. 
 

The modifications manual is for adding accessories to the radio and the connections for the various ports.

TK-2180_3180_7180_8180 MPT Function Reference V2.00.pdf 1.96 MB · 2 downloads TK2180_3180_7180_8180 Modification Info V1.13.pdf 3.88 MB · 1 download

Thank you! I'm going to get as familiar as I can with those PDFs before my radio arrives. It should be here Tuesday, I just received the cable from Blue Max 49ers today

[WSER249]

PMJI, but, for a GMRS newbie also looking into getting a 8180, this was a very informative thread, thank you.