JVCKENWOOD announces LPRs UBZ-M51L, UBZ-M51S and UBZ-M31

JVCKENWOOD Japan told they release new LPR(Low-Power Radio) products as KENWOOD brand.

+ UBZ-M51L_M51S_M31 | License Free Low-Power Transceiver | Products | KENWOOD(Japanese)

UBZ-M51L(left), UBZ-M51S(right)

UBZ-M31

UBZ-M51L, UBZ-M51S and UBZ-M31 are categolized as License Free Low-Power Radio in Japan. They need 1AA Alkaline battery or 1AA Ni-MH battery such as eneloop or Ni-MH EVOLTA made by Panasonic of each. The battery duration is about 25hrs.

They also have Repeaters(UBZ-RJ27, optional) Access function. The sizes are 1.85(W) 3.15(H) 0.87(D) w/o antenna. The weights are approximately 4oz w/ AA battery. The weight is almost equivalent to one smart phone.

The difference between UBZ-M51 series and UBZ-M31 is as follows and the waterproof/dustproof functions;
 - Emergency & Background Tone
 - Second PTT
 - Quick Scan

Those functions as above are only available for UBZ-M51 series. And UBZ-M51 has IP67. UBZ-M31 is IP54, less tough than UBZ-M51 series.

The common functions UBZ-M51 series and UBZ-M31 have are
 - 38CTCSS
 - Voice Scrambler
 - PTT Holding
 - Low Battery Sound&Display Alarm
 - APO(Auto Power-off)
 - Auto Channel Select w/ CTCSS
 - 10 Call Tones
 - TX Inhibited
 - VOX
 - Earphone Only mode


Now let's check the advanced functions as a radio maniac.

UBZ-M51 series owns UBZ-M51L that has the long antenna as expected by many Japanese LPR funs. The antenna length of UBZ-M51L is 7.28in. This may be the longest antenna in the LPR in Japan. UBZ-M51S, the other UBZ-M51 series has 2.95in. These antennas are fixed with the transceivers. If we tried to bend, to fold or to pull strongly, they would break themselves.....my mistake, "we would break our rigs!"

Position of the antenna of UBZ-M51 series and UBZ-M31 is left-centered not to touch those antennas with our bodies. It is expected not to have users give the stress when using the radio with belt clip.

1mW ultra low power continuous TX function is available within some repeater channels. We can add our ideas to these LPR HTs.

The power switch is with the volume knob so we cannot resume the audio level. This would be a minus point when using in the store and so on everyday.

Although full channel(47ch) scan function is unavailable but 3 channels memory is useful. And the memory channel scan is also available. We can set 3 channels memory freely.

The voice scramble mode ON/OFF can not be set for each memory channel. The squelch level can be selected, 3 levels plus Off-squelch mode.



> Conclusion <

UBZ-M51 series and UBZ-M31 last battery over 25hrs, only 1AA! It is also compatible with KENWOOD repeaters. Especially, UBZ-M51L has a long antenna and longer distance communication is expected than the original models.

If you want a foldable antenna model, UBZ-EA20R is recommended. It lasts 72hrs battery only 1AA supplied with!

I'm eager for the speaker microphone SMC-35 that will be released soon.

SMC-35 speaker microphone

If I need waterproof and dustproof functions, KMC-55 speaker microphone is better.....

KMC-55 IP67 speaker microphone

but I love the solid design SMC-35 has because UBZ-M51 series and UBZ-M31 also have simple & solid designs. Both speaker microphones have each 2.5mm earphone jack, why not 3.5mm?

KEP-6 earphone with 2.5mm mini plug

 Maybe KENWOOD wants us to buy a genuine product KEP-6..... But I love such the contrary guy.