nyc787

I have several TK3180. I like the performance of this model but it’s bulky on the belt and at times people stare at me suspiciously like I’m a cop or something. I would want to acquire a couple of more compact units like TK3170 but how much of a performance difference will I notice with its shorter antenna and being a 4 watt radio? Will it be a big downgrade from 3180 or 5 watt vs 4 watt is negligible difference?

For handhelds consider the Kenwood TK3180s for their ease of programming, durability that run on 5 watts with option to switch to lower power mode. The units themselves are not compact but with the KNB33L lithium batteries, you’ll shed a lot of weight and bulkiness compared to the heavy KNB32 NiMh cells. For programming you will need KPG89D software and a programming cable found on ebay. Some TK3180s run on SJ180 software (Like mine did) and won’t work with KPG89D but people recommend you stick to KPG89D. To enable KPG89D on these units, you need to get the SJ180 software and TK-x180 E&K firmware. (can be found online). 1st step is to open the radio with SJ180 and enable “Firmware Programing” found in optional features tab. After firmware programming is enabled,make sure COM Port is selected, then you write it to the radio through programing tab in SJ180. 2nd step is to install the firmware. Close the SJ180 software/program. Open the TKx 180 firmware FPRO file. A grey window will pop-up where you’ll click on folder icon. There you will search for file name ending in HEX something like “TK2180K_ REL22_1 HEX.” Hold down the S Key on the radio and power it on while holding the S key, this will enable programing mode on the radio.Then click on COM Port 3 in the FPRO file and Write the selected HEX file to the radio. 3rd step is to open KPG89D and program your radio. (I forgot the step of holding the S Key on radio and powering the radio to enable programing mode.)

I went ahead and bought several used 3180s. I’ll update if I like them once I get a chance to use them.

Looking to acquire handhelds and would like to stick to one brand. Since I have Kenwoods already I’m interested in TK3180 for its compact size and 5watt output. Does this model pick up repeater channels and as flexible to program as the TK880? I thought about Btech 8watt model but bit hesitant about ease of programming and negative reviews about it not doing clean transmits and I feel like a 5watt vs 8watt output would be negligible difference in performance?

I'm looking at polyphasers but there are a million models, which one is correct? Can the polyphaser be attached to antenna first and coax to polyphaser? https://www.polyphaser.com/search?Category=RF+Surge+Protectors&Rfpssp99app=Amateur+Radio&sort=y&view_type=grid

My superintendent was busy and wasn’t around to go with me on the roof to show me what would be proper way to ground it. I don’t see any grounding sources on that roof. Correct grounding is my only setback to the project. Once I figure that out, I’ll get a Laird 5db FG4505W.

I intend to use my setup for simplex comms 10 miles out and also hit repeaters around me, but in case I won’t be able to use repeaters, I want the antenna to be strong enough to reach 10+ miles out without problems. I have no interest in setting up my own repeater. I say base antenna because I don’t think a 20” mobile antenna is going to work in my application.

I can also get a schedule 80 PVC, clamp the antenna to PVC and stand the PVC next to the bracket and tether it, that way, the bracket won’t have to hold all the weight 10 feet in the air. I’m going to search around how people ground their antennas properly on roofs here.

I had chance to go on my 6 floor roof to see where I can mount the antenna. One of the issues is the nearby TV dishes from neighbors. Will I be causing disruptions to them with my antenna? Primary goal is for antenna to hit 6-10 miles over. Planning to use LMR400 need less than 20 feet to reach my window. Will it flex enough over this wide ridge? 2 spots where I can mount antenna. Yellow arrow shows old metal mount where I can attach to without having to drill anything new. What would be the max allowed antenna height on 6 floor roof? Will a ground to a wall be sufficient lightening protection or do I must install a lightening arrestor? photo upload website

I’ll be using my mobile radio as base radio but I’m trying to understand main differences in performance from mobile antennas vs. base antennas. How is it possible for a 40” mobile antenna to have 6db when 9 foot base antennas can also be 6db? What would make the base antenna more powerful then?

I was looking at GMRS repeater directory and it lists output frequencies only like 462.550 or 462.725. Does it mean I just add an extra zero because the last 4 must be matching on Tx and Rx? So I would program repeater as Rx 462.5550 and Tx. 467.5500 ? If repeater has access tone and they set it to say Tone D754N do I have to program the given repeater Tone to Rx and Tx frequency? So the rule is last 4 digits on Rx and Tx must match and also the PL/Tones must match on input/output?

Thank you guys, I learned a lot, starting from 0 to programming frequencies to now figuring out which antenna I’ll get and proper mounting.

The antenna connection on this model is called SO-239 (female) and I have to look for antennas with PL 259 (male) connection? Most antennas I see online say they have N female connector; do I have to look for connection accessory that is called N female to PL259?

Ohh yes newbie indeed and clear info on GMRS basics in programming is very scant and choppy on the web.

Would it make sense to keep repeater channels and simplex channels in separate groups? And going back to repeater channels, since most repeaters are private, does it mean I have to get PL tones from repeater owners and then match those repeater tones to my simplex tones for repeaters to work for me? Like repeaters PLs always have to match with your simplex channel PL unless a repeater is open type?