NotMarconi

Have been programming a TK-880H with KPG-49D software using a KPG-46 USB cable and an x64 Windows PC. Works fine. Trying to program a TK-8102H with KPG-70D software using the same cable, com port, and PC but the software returns a com error. Bought the 8102 as untested with power cables cut short when taken out of service. Tried changing PC com ports with same results. Tried CHIRP, error says radio refuses com. A local Kenwood tech says if the 880 works with that setup on my PC then the 8102 should too. Powered up the 8102 with a 50watt dummy load and #1 program lamp lights up, volume controls work, but no other panel buttons work other than power on/off. With a 50 watt dummy load a Surecom SW-32UV power meter shows it’s putting out about 30+ watts on ‘some frequency’ so I think it’s PROBABLY working. Tried downloading a com driver Kenwood recommends but after Windows tells me it’s installed, it doesn’t show up in Device Manager anywhere and retrying different com ports, still no joy. Can’t find the Kenwood driver anywhere on the PC but probably a moot point as both radios should work with the setup I’ve been using. Any ideas or is the 8102 ‘just what I paid for’ ——- a parts radio?

Thanks for the text file MarkinTampa. I’m surprised it’s from a 6.30 version (mine is a 4.21 version) cause it reads like a dos file, but I’m not complaining…..I knew it would be difficult to reference. Thanks again. And Lscott, thanks for the reference but I’ve tried that, and the x64, and the x86 versions and none of them will download, they just spin in a loop. Not sure what to do next but use the text files.

I can't get the Microsoft 'fix' for viewing the old .hlp files to work on my Windows 10 machine so I can use the KPG-49D HELP files. VERY FRUSTRATING! Does anyone have the HELP files for Kenwood's KPG-49D Version 4.21 in text (.txt) or Microsoft Word or PDF or any other file type that I can download? Thanks in advance.

Thanks Steve. Found the baud rate by looking at the PC COM port used to down load from the radio, but still haven’t found the HEX files for the firmware flash. Probably all for naught as I can’t get the thing into PROGRAM MODE. Unless I find a way, it’s a door stop.

Trying to flash the firmware of an old TK880H Version-1. First issue is that I can’t find a HEX file for the version-1 to update with. Second issue is that I don’t know what baud rate to flash at since depressing the scan key when powering on the radio does not provide a rate to use for the update, obviously an important technical setting. Anyone have any help for this? Thanks in advance for your response.

Thanks to you too Socalgmrs. Think I’ll study the Professional Engineer’s R56 reference and then take your advice. Good call!

Thanks Steve. Scanning the R56 I can see I need the education. Thanks again.

It appears that when assembling my rooftop antenna system I can attach my coax lightening arrester either to the SO-239 of the antenna that will be clamped near the top of my 7-foot aluminum tubing mast or, I could splice it into the LMR-400 coax with an SO-239 and a PL-259 end near the bottom of the mast just before the coax enters the wall of the house. The base of the aluminum tubing mast will also have a ground wire attachment and both ground wires will be fixed to an 8-foot ground rod some 25-feet away, 4-feet out from the house. My question is ‘in which of these 2 locations should I install the coax lightening arrester’ regardless of what rigid antenna is at the top of the mast’ ?