FAQs

Is NEXEDGE compatible with other companies’ products and systems?

Yes. The NXDN™ protocol used by NEXEDGE is compatible with other companies’ products that conform to the mandatory features and standard optional features specified by the NXDN™ Forum. Details are provided on the Forum website.

Is NEXEDGE compatible with TETRA?

No. TETRA is a 4-slot TDMA radio system, standardized by ETSI. However, KENWOOD Solution Developers Program (KSDP) partners and other solution providers are currently developing gateways to enable two-way connectivity between different protocols.

Is NEXEDGE compatible with DMR?

No. DMR is a 2-slot TDMA radio system. However, KENWOOD Solution Developers Program (KSDP) partners and other solution providers are currently developing gateways to enable two-way connectivity between different protocols.

Is NEXEDGE compatible with dPMR?

Some NEXEDGE radios can be made dPMR compatible by rewriting the radio firmware using programming software, but the CAIs are incompatible.

We currently use an FM analog system. Can we gradually migrate to a NEXEDGE digital system?

Yes. NEXEDGE is flexible enough to make it possible to migrate from FM analog to NEXEDGE digital at your own pace.

As regards NEXEDGE making effective use of current FM analog systems, specifically what components are of use?

You can use power amps, combiners and other equipment that form part of FM analog systems. Moreover, NEXEDGE radios have a digital mode and an FM analog mode, so it is possible to gradually convert systems currently in use from FM analog to digital. Also, absolutely no special peripheral equipment is required for 6.25 kHz operation; standard LMR facilities can be used as they are.

Does mixed mode work only in conventional mode?

Yes. Mixed mode is available only for “conventional” operation (FM analog conventional & NEXEDGE conventional).

To whom do you recommend NEXEDGE?

We recommend NEXEDGE to users with the following needs/issues:

• “Our present equipment suffers from a kind of rasping noise on the edges of the communications area.”
• “We want to extend the range a little, but we are hesitating because of the cost of installing repeaters.”
• “With our present equipment, competitors can eavesdrop on our communications and important information is being leaked. We know we could prevent this with scramblers, but they are expensive.”
• “We want to send GPS positional information with voice simultaneously, and sometimes we want to send long data messages instead of voice, but right now we have neither of these capabilities.”
• “We currently use LTR trunking, but we only have about 200 IDs, which is inconvenient.”
• “We are operating a multisite system, but running costs are high because we have to use leased lines to connect the different sites.”
• “We are running a system as an SMR operator, but too much time is spent in managing IDs and accounting. We want something simpler.”
• “We want to make the right choices now so that we will not be faced with additional costs if and when we are compelled to transition to 6.25 kHz.”

How is it that both FM analog and NEXEDGE units can share the same RF channel?

With conventional operations using 12.5 kHz channels, NEXEDGE radios can be used in either FM analog or digital mode. However, since the frequency is the same, a choice must be made between FM analog and digital. For example, if someone transmits in FM analog mode, the receiving unit will switch automatically to FM analog. Similarly, for digital mode transmissions the receiving unit will switch to digital and decode the digital voice signal.

How is it that both voice and data be transmitted simultaneously on the same channel?

With FM analog communications, it is not possible to transmit voice and data simultaneously, but this can be done using digital mode. This is because digital technology converts the voice signal into a digital signal for transmission; in other words, both voice and data are transmitted together as a digital signal. At the receiving end, the voice and data are separated and individually decoded.

How far exactly does NEXEDGE coverage extend?

It is not possible to precisely compare coverage areas since they vary depending on the conditions for radio wave propagation. However, when comparing coverage areas under the sort of conditions typically encountered, NEXEDGE/NXDN™ technology offers better audio quality at the extreme fringes of radio coverage. In addition, using narrower 6.25 kHz channels means that receiver filters are narrower too and so RF sensitivity can be increased.

1. Comparing digital 6.25 kHz operation with digital (TDMA or FDMA) 12.5 kHz operation, the former offers 15% longer range, which works out as 30% greater coverage area.
2. Comparing digital 6.25 kHz operation with FM analog 12.5 kHz operation, the former offers 20% longer range, which works out as 50% greater coverage area.

How will we conduct on-site measurements when operating 6.25 kHz digital communications? Do we need special testing equipment?

No special testing equipment is required: tests can be conducted in standard 12.5 kHz channel spacing. However, the frequency stability of the KXK-3 OCXO unit is +/-0.15 ppm, with a 2-year aging characteristic of +/-0.25 ppm. To ensure that any deviation is within the 0.5 ppm specified for UHF, maintenance is needed every two years. Also, a high-precision reference oscillator and frequency counter capable of measuring from 10 to 1 Hz are needed for adjustment of the OCXO.

Do we have to use a high-stability clock for 6.25 kHz operation?

FCC Part 90 specifies that frequency stability must be within +/-0.5ppm for a UHF base station operating with a 6.25 kHz-wide channels. If your country/region mandates this for 6.25 kHz operation, please use the optional KXK-3 high-precision OCXO. However, if your system works on 12.5 kHz channel bandwidth, the KXK-3 is not required even in 6.25 kHz very narrow mode.
For 6.25 kHz trunked operation, the optional KXK-3 must be used whatever minimum frequency stability is mandated (VHF/UHF).

Is it possible to make a backup file of the entire system (containing all hardware and user data)?

Yes, but a complete system backup comprises 2 files: a KPG-110SM data file containing the system configuration, and a KPG-109D data file containing the frequency configuration.*
KPG-110SM is the NEXEDGE Trunking/IP System Manager for Windows; KPG-109D is Windows programming software.

Is it possible to mix KENWOOD NEXEDGE radios used in peer-to-peer direct mode with IDAS transceivers manufactured by ICOM?

Yes. Basic interoperability has been confirmed, although some data CAIs are not compatible since they have been developed independently.

Can we connect multiple repeaters using the IP network?

Yes, KENWOOD NEXEDGE system repeaters can be connected via IP.

When running a trunked radio system, can we remotely monitor operating performance and statistics? Some kind of dial-in facility would be great.

Yes, KENWOOD NEXEDGE KPG-110SM System Manager software offers these features. Also, server-based NEXEDGE Generation 2 offers multi-point remote monitoring using the Network Manager’s asset monitor software.

When sharing NXDN™ digital voice channels with FM analog voice channels, can we keep on using CTCSS tones in the FM analog channels?

Software is available to configure the shared channel as either “shared” or” AUX”. Both operating modes employ CTCSS signaling for a radio’s built-in decoder/encoder, if required.

What are the advantages of NEXEDGE Generation 2 ?

If building a multi-site trunked system with NXDN™ Type-C trunking, the maximum number of sites is limited to 48. NEXEDGE Gen2, however, is effectively limitless, being capable of linking up to 1,000 sites. Moreover, the adoption of an advanced server-based system design has taken virtually all aspects of operation to the next level, with expanded system monitoring (SNMP) and configuration capabilities, as well as remote functions and reduced downtime when reconfiguring the network. Also, a zero-based software review has resulted in a significant increase in GPS data communications capacity.

Is NEXEDGE Generation 2 fully compatible with the Generation 1 ?

Basic Gen2 functions are compatible with Gen1, and NXR-x00 Series repeaters need only have their firmware updated. Gen2 is also compatible with the existing NX IP interface, and equipment developed for Gen1 can be used with Gen2. However, since Gen2 involves building an advanced server-based system, it does require new hardware and software.