Kenwood NX-1200DE3

For more than a decade, Kenwood’s NEXEDGE range has been the company’s flagship two way radio offering, pioneering dual function analogue and digital operation for business and industry. The NX-1200DE3 is an entry level solution, providing a reliable, affordable everyday option for general communications needs.

Like the rest of the NEXEDGE range, one of the defining features of the NX-1200DE3 is its ability to operate in both analogue and digital modes simultaneously. Whereas other models on the market can be programmed to work on either analogue or digital frequencies, Kenwood’s NX range two way radios automatically detect the type of signal and switch between the two seamlessly.

This makes the NX-1200DE3 ideal for businesses looking to upgrade legacy analogue fleets to digital gradually. As a great value dual mode model, it allows digital functionality to be introduced one handset at a time without undue financial pressure.

A non-display handset, the NX-1200DE3 is straightforward and simple to use, ideal for getting new users up to speed with two way radio quickly. It features the traditional push-to-talk button, but also comes with VOX voice activation, meaning it will automatically switch from receive to transmit when it hears someone speak, which is ideal for convenient hands-free use.

The NX-1200DE3 operates on VHF frequency range, the longer of the two wavelength bands which two way radio operates on. This makes it well suited to use outdoors, as VHF frequencies function better where there is a clear line of sight (i.e. fewer obstacles in the way) and in return offer longer coverage ranges. In addition, the handsets meet IP54 and IP55 ratings for water and dust resistance, making them suitable for use in all weather conditions, plus they meet US military standards MIL-STD-810 C/D/E/F/G for temperature and shock resistance.

For such a great value two way radio, the NX-1200DE3 is not short of features or high quality functionality. Like most Kenwood radios, it benefits from Enhanced Kenwood Audio technology, which includes automatic gain control and noise suppression to deliver clean, crisp audio in all environments.

In addition, it comes with what are now widely considered to be standard safety features in more expensive industry-grade two way radio solutions, including Emergency Call override and a one-touch Emergency Key alert system, plus Lone Worker monitoring and an advanced motion detection function which can be set up to trigger alerts in the event of a fall or if an operative stops moving.