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Extreme

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Everything posted by Extreme

  1. Got it. More good stuff. Thanks. In effect, even if by mistake or dumb luck, the positive was hooked up last since the radio is grounded through the coax before installing the fuse. Had I done it properly, the radio would not have powered up w/o ground connected to the battery, I would have thought nothing of it, I wouldn't have asked the simple question about negative fusing, or learned all I have in this thread. I could have assumed that Kenwood knows what they're doing by having both sides fused, and by having instructions to wire to positive and negative battery terminals.. and with my luck could have burned down my brand new UTV or pickup. That's why we ask questions..
  2. Wow. Would never have thought of that. Yes, I tried hard to get a decent ground plane, otherwise, why bother..
  3. A bit surprised when I installed the 880 in my Yamaha SxS today. Last thing I did of course is put fuse in. Connecting positive first as always. Ground had not been connected yet. Radio powered up as soon as I installed a fuse in the B+, red, hot. Is this an issue? Floating ground? Hmm..
  4. Thanks for that. Ordered FTDI cables from bluemax49ers for both TK3170 and TK880. Did I read on the forum that the software for the 3170 is the same as for the TK880? Not finding that post but will continue searching. Downloaded the software as well. Is the license key the box that pops up asking for name, company and S/N (is that Kenwood S/N?)? Forgive my ignorance, but is all I need to do is double click Setup, fill in that form and rock on? I quit before filling in the form since the radio is out in the shop. I'm awful good at not getting software type stuff right first try... 880 Kenwood KPG-49D RSS Programming Software from Hamflies. Version 4.20 for Windows
  5. Appreciate the enlightenment. I'm installing a Kenwood TK-880 into my new Yamaha Wolverine (side-by-side) tomorrow. Got it mounted tonight and will wire tomorrow, fish the antenna cable, etc. I expect to have it up and running by Sunday latest. Ford pickup is next for the same radio.
  6. Looks like 12ga. Looked it up and they say 18a max if for that gauge if I remember.
  7. Welcome back Corey. I filled everyone's time with endless questions, like this one. 15a fuse in both ok?
  8. Thank you sir! Interesting tidbit to stash away.
  9. New Kenwood mobile power harness has inline glass fuse holders (old school) on both positive and negative wires (red/black). Gotta be something to do with RF? But I'm not finding the answer in searches or in the Manual. Please explain.
  10. These radios have 90 day warranty and guaranteed to work properly. Programming was free with the purchase so a no-brainer. I already knew what I wanted - channels and repeaters, having bought a new Wouxun 805G HT and programmed that. So it was a matter of sending the vendor the spreadsheet for them to program. I do intend to get the software & cable for future use on the Kenwoods if needed. Have links for that. Ya, from what I gather here, the Kenwood is less painful for programming compared to Motorola, as you say. Lots of help from fellow myGMRS members choosing the radios I ended up with. 3170 for the Li battery and a bit smaller size than some HT. Both Kenwood HT and mobile will arrive tomorrow. Have a leg up on the installation into my side-by-side already, got the antenna and NMO with cable so need to route and get the antenna on the kayak rack. The pickup install will be next (a different thread). I do want to get an SWR/Pwr meter but not break the bank. It will be for initial setup/test and little more than that. Could have gotten my hands on a Bird some years ago (decommissioned and sent away).. sure wish I'd done that. Complete with 460-ish pucks.
  11. I think I'll invoke the blind squirrel idiom..
  12. Finally! After umpteen attempts with the ebay cable I finally got it to work. Hopefully I'll have 1st time success with the Kenwood cable(s).
  13. Not as closely as maybe I should. Got the link from a fellow member who said it worked perfectly on his new 805G so went with that. https://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-Programming-Cable-Baofeng-TYT-Wouxun-Chinese-HT-All-Window-versions-PC03p/153080854606?pageci=ac220fbc-d53f-4647-9549-9ae5f6dabe36&epid=17034686501
  14. http://www.miklor.co...tingStarted.php takes me nowhere. So, elementary I'm sure.. When I get the cable, plug it in and Windows should load the drivers, correct? https://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-Programming-Cable-Kenwood-TK-3360-TK-3170-TK-3317-TK-3306-TK-3302-KPG-22p/152698191388?hash=item238d857e1c:g:I4MAAOSw9h9ZobLO Downloaded the software Open zip. There are 2 Setup Files inside: 1. Application and 2. Configuration settings. Do I just need to run both of those files and follow instructions? This is where I seem to lose it.
  15. If you look around on the Internet you can find PDF copies of the radio user guide and service manuals. Useful to have. Have done this for all 3 radios. And have actually read a lot Also if you get the FCC ID off the back of the radio you can search the FCC database where you will find the test reports and the FCC grant, Part 90, 95 etc. for example, the radio is certified. Did this as well, before ordering a used radio. https://fccid.io/ Will be interesting to see on the cable and software. Supposedly the ebay seller is the best (recommended here). Will have to keep playing but it can get frustrating when things do go as advertised. Thank you.
  16. Are you saying the "Prolific" serial to USP chips are fake? Or that there are "fake Prolific" cables labeled as Prolific but not genuine? I have one (ebay) for the Wouxun 805G (serial - USB is where my laptop put it). It's from the recommended ebay cable seller. His reply to my question on why it wouldn't work for me was, "I cannot find any software for that radio.". I also have the Wouxun cable and CD from the dealer but the software won't work with either the Wouxun cable or the ebay cable. It tries to read from the radio then gives the dreaded "Connection Fail". Thankfully, I got the 805'G' so it's programmable with the keys, the 805 is not. I was under the impression the ebay cable was plug 'n play, no software required. First off, the drivers didn't load automatically so had to go online for them. .zip files, and that confuses me at the git-go but I did my best until successfully loaded drivers. Same "Connection Failure". Verified COM Port, etc. But it is in there as serial - USB. Again, I can take this up on another thread later on. I did comment to my wife that folks tend to write instructions for people who 'know stuff'.. poor assumption in my case.. lol. But for now all my radios should be programmed to my needs. Thanks again gang!
  17. Similar description of OST in the 3170 manual that I read before posting above. I guess my question is: will OST allow me to modify PL tones? Not real clear for this layman. Actually it's moot now, since I had the dealer program a button for OST (free programming with purchase) along with the PL tones for repeaters in 3 states that I expect to at least try (8 total, a few 'redundant', and a few with unique PL/CTTSS, as in not 141.3). I have a handy spreadsheet for reference if necessary. A few repeaters in the wide area are identical but hundreds of miles apart so all I need to do is pull up the myGMRS App on my phone to confirm them and fire away. I've already obtained permission for them, regardless of whether that was required - all have been very accommodating and a few very encouraging. Whether OST does what I hope with PL tones is not a big deal but would be nice. Thanks for the software/cable links. I've had zero luck with programming another radio so suspect it's the operator.. that's a topic for another thread. Thanks to all. Kenwood TK-3170 OPERATOR SELECTABLE TONE You can change the preset encode and decode tones for the selected channel. Your dealer can program up to 40 tones on your transceiver. To turn OST ON or OFF, press the key programmed as OST. • The OST indicator ( this function is activated. To change the preset encode/decode tones: 1 Press and hold the key programmed as OST for approximately 1 second. • The OST name appears on the display this function 2 Press the <B and C> keys, rotate the selector, or enter an appropriate number using the DTMF keypad to select your desired encode/decode pair. 3 Press the Side 1, S, or and return to normal operation.
  18. Yes, that's been discussed. Seems the 1/4 wave will work best as far as RF goes and has the added benefit of it's 6" length. The NGP antennas are much longer and would be a pain for overhead clearance on a UTV, would require spring loaded base, etc. I'll probably run the 6" on the kayak rack with an extension bracket for starters to see how it works then move to the ground plane listed above if I think it will help. The antenna will be on a 2" flat of angle aluminum that is tied to a 1" wide piece of steel, in turn tied to 1.5" steel roll bar.. all above the UTV plastic roof. Not as complicated as it sounds. Expecting my Kenwood 880 (and a 3170) Friday so will probably get the install done over the weekend. I'll post pictures if allowed and we can tear into it then. Nothing will be done that can't be undone or modified (bolts, not welds), and done with stuff I had laying around.
  19. Although in Nevada I travel your area a couple times a year and have the .550 repeater in your area programmed into my radios. Will be interesting to see how far out I can hit it (Howe, maybe?). Will try from Dubois and the top of Monida (doubtful)
  20. Searching that page: both Montana and Idaho have laws 'pending' in their legislatures but cities in both states have their own hands-free laws. And, as Downs said, "Y'all are assuming the cops even know the ins and outs of these laws.", there's a chance you'd have to argue with an officer even if you were on a two-way radio that's exempt from the law... the officer might not know. Arguing with a cop can turn a good day bad in a hurry.
  21. To clarify for me please.. on the 3170 can a button be programmed to enable PL/CTCSS tones to be selected and assigned from the buttons. OST (Operator Selectable Tone) is in the 3170 manual and the description sounds like a description of PL. "call with different tone will not open squelch". Just ordered a 3170 and having it programmed. Called them quick to change up a key assignment to include OST. So thanks for the info here, even if I'm late finding it.
  22. Looking at this to resolve my concerns for a ground plane on UTV side x side. https://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/laird-technologies-mbc-1649. The one with SO-239 Instructions say cut radials to 8" for 406 - 512Mhz but using this calculator it comes out to 6.25" or so. Either way has to be better than little to no GP. I have a good visual on how to install on the kayak rack above the double plastic roof. And I expect to get some grief on the trail from the non-believers.. beam me up.. but it should hopefully maximize GMRS performance. Critique away please.
  23. https://handsfreeinfo.com/index-cell-phone-laws-legislation-by-state/ Nevada: The term does not include a device used for two-way radio communications if: (1) The person using the device has a license to operate the device, if required; and (2) All the controls for operating the device, other than the microphone and a control to speak into the microphone, are located on a unit which is used to transmit and receive communications and which is separate from the microphone and is not intended to be held.
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