WSAR579

I’m hoping someone with Kenwood expertise can chime in here and help. I was updating the radio programming (adding some repeaters, turned off the Power On tone, nothing crazy) and with Unit 1, everything went well. I wrote the update to the second radio, but afterward the green light remains lit on each repeater channel regardless of whether there’s a signal or not. Additionally, it turned off the squelch on the 22 simplex channels that I have programmed on Group 1, but the programmed squelch level was not changed. Almost like the monitor function was turned on (it doesn’t appear to be). I figure I must have bumped something in the programming software between radios, but I cannot determine what. Any help or guidance is appreciated!

That’s where my head went initially also, for the same reason. Currently have 17-30 on Group 2 and it works. The only other option I see currently is using the Dial/Selector to change Groups (1-16) and then putting all 30 channels on Group 1 with the top A/B buttons being Channel Up/Down.

Good afternoon all. When programming a radio to include all 30 GMRS channels, how does one access channels 17-30 when the tuning knob only has 1-16? Would 17-30 be programmed on a separate Group that can be toggled? Is there a reference somewhere for which buttons on a radio are generally assigned to specific functions as a best practice? Working with and getting to know my TK390 has been fun, just looking for some help here and perhaps a little baseline on this. Thanks all!

Yep, that’s the one! I actually acquired the cable and the software, and have been able to program a few local repeaters and write them to the radio. I’ve successfully one up, as identified by what everyone is calling the “squelch tail,” so I believe I’m on the right track!

Great read at that link, btw - thanks again!

Yeah everything I’ve read about them is ultimately positive, even with their limited abilities, so it was fortunate happenstance that I bought them awhile back. Seems like they don’t hurt to have in a pinch if I need something short range. I do have a question - for you of whoever wants to weigh in here: When programming a channel like 15, that has a corresponding repeater, that channel will only pick up that repeater if it has the specific CTCSS tone assigned to it programmed into the radio, correct? Otherwise the radio just be listening for general localized chatter, and NOT the repeater? Assuming that is the case, would one then program a Group 1-22 of “Open” channels and then a second Group of repeater channels with the necessary tones? Or is that where channels 23-30 would come in? On a radio like my TK390, it has a knob with 16 channels so I’d imagine I would have to program a function button regardless if I wanted to hit channels 17+? I guess a short way of asking that would be: if I programmed the Repeaters into 15-22, am I then committed to ONLY hearing repeater traffic on those since they have the tones programmed? Or is there a way to bypass those? Or, as mentioned above, do I program them into higher channels? The more answers I get, the more questions I have.

Thank you, glad to be here! And yes, it certainly seems like I took quite the leap right off the bat. I ingested a LOT of info before buying, but it seems like perhaps I could’ve held off a bit longer. Nonetheless, I’m feeling pretty good about my understanding of GMRS generally, and this thread has already helped improve that understanding immensely! I still feel okay about the TK390 purchase too, although I’m realizing it was probably a little overzealous. I recently realized that I have a blister pack of Midland GXT1050’s hiding unopened somewhere in my garage for the last 18 months. My goal this weekend is to find them, charge them, and see what I can learn from them as well. Thanks for the link, I’ll definitely check it out. I also stumbled across those guys’ podcast on Spotify awhile back and it’s been a wealth of information also. Thanks again!

Solid history, thank you!

Ohh wow, okay - Amazing info, thank you!

Ok, so that’s what they mean by “GMRS Certified.” I know that the commercial/professional radios can have more power and therefore aren’t recommended on the GMRS frequencies without ensuring that they’re within the wattage limits .5-5w. Having purchased the radio that I have (TK390), I believe that is something I have to indicate when programming the channels? I noticed a “Tx Power: Low/High” toggle for each channel, and I know the radio is rated up to 5w. Would I indicate High on the GMRS and Low on the FRS channels, respectively?

Thank you. I’ve poked around RadioReference quite a bit, there’s some very useful info over there as well. I checked your link and from there pulled up my state (TN). I see all of the organizations and their listed frequencies and it got me wondering - is there a way, just by looking at that info, to tell if - for instance - Local EMS on 462.950 is using Analog or Digital? Is it a safe assumption that by 2024, most professional orgs have moved into Digital? Thanks for the answers and engagement here.

Ohh yeah, okay - I’ve come across that chart that you’re referencing a couple times. Admittedly forgot about it, but now I recall the business bands, etc… so long story short, don’t go wandering off into those frequencies, got it. Thanks again!

This is what I figured, but that’s totally okay! As I’m learning about this radio I’m realizing that I enjoy it, and as someone who enjoys hiking, fishing, and camping, I can see this coming in handy quite often as our little one grows up. However, it brings up another question that probably has the same answer… The TK390 has a frequency range from 450-490, and GMRS only takes up a portion of that band… what’s going on from 450-462, and 467-490? Is that bandwidth just used for two people to get off the GMRS band and chat with less traffic?

Thank you Steve, that all makes sense! That also helps refine and reinforce some of my understandings about picking up repeaters, talk-around, etc… I appreciate the info!

Hey everyone! Completely new to two-way radios and GMRS, etc… but I’ve been lurking and researching and reading through as many threads as possible for awhile and between y’all and the general internet, I feel like I’ve gotten a pretty good base understanding of everything. I’ve held off on asking questions bc most of them are already addressed either here, YouTube, RadioReference, etc… so I apologize if this information is already out there somewhere and I just missed it. 1 - As someone who doesn’t have a network of radio enthusiast friends, what’s one guy to do with a solo radio? I know the obvious answer is to buy a second one for my wife and hound her on it (ha!), but outside of that… what can I actually accomplish with an old analog radio? I want it in the event that cell phones are out of commission, power goes down, etc… and I picked the TK390 (450-490) after seeing enough positive feedback that I was confident in my purchase. I’m just curious what its capabilities are for a solo guy with one. 2 - When programming the channels into it, I assume just programming the 16 GMRS channels is a good place to start? Should I skip the FRS channels? With the Repeater channels being 15-22R, are those sequential AFTER the first 22 channels (IE: 23-30) or are those just the “second column” of the corresponding GMRS channels (Tx/Rx)? I know most of the local emergency stuff (police, EMS, etc) have likely switched to digital so I won’t get to eavesdrop on those frequencies, but everything I’ve read said to learn on an Analog first and then make the switch to DMR/P25 once I’ve gotten comfortable with/better understand the capabilities of two-way radios. 3 - When looking at Repeater info for programming purposes: is the Repeater’s (Tx) MY corresponding (Rx)? For example, if a Repeater says 462.500, does that number go in my Encode or Decode column? I’m assuming the Repeater’s Transmit Frequency would be my Receive Frequency, right? Do Repeaters generally Receive on the Low Frequency (462.500) and Transmit on the High one (467.500), or vice versa? I hope I’m asking that right… perhaps a better way to ask would be: if a Repeater says it’s Rx is 462.500, is that info telling me that MY Rx should be set to 462.500, or that the Repeater’s Rx is that and therefore my Tx should be programmed to that. Anyway, I’m excited to join the group and look forward to hearing any answers that you’re all kind enough to share! Thanks in advance! - Jeff