Extreme

Not looking for high gain or the ability to shoot at far distant repeaters but wouldn't mind something a little better than 1/4 wave. Been told by a qualified source that the helical would Phantom will outperform the 1/4. And according to Laird the Phantom has a "low radiation pattern" so I'm thinking it might be ok for simplex and trail riding similar to the pattern of the 1/4. But I've been mistaken before. Guess I'll try both and see if I can tell a difference (seat of the pants). I like that the Phantom is a couple inches shorter to the roof of my UTV. Thanks.

Any gains using simplex?

Anyone care to critique/compare these 2 antennas for mobile? I have the 450 1/4 wave on SxS and planned on another for the pickup. Have been advised that the 4503 is 3 - 5db gain while maintaining a low profile (3.5"). The Laird description. "The Phantom low visibility antenna has a wide bandwidth and low radiation pattern for superior results." Thanks.

Alan, Just an FYI. I just went through exactly what you're doing. I ended up with a Kenwood TK-880-1 V2 @ 25w from used-radios. You can do some searching on this forum for the benefits (or not) of 40w over 25 (draws 12A vs 8A on TX, is 1" deeper). I'm still considering the 880H for my pickup with more room to mount and dual battery reserve (not that I intend to TX from the SxS for long w/o it running). Installed mine in a 2019 Yamaha Wolverine X4. I think I'm going to like it. Got a couple HT as well to hand out to family when on the trail. Lots of help here and I've covered a lot of the questions you might have. You can search my posts for the answers I got on the topic. Or chime in with me and I'll do what I can.

I'll let you all know the response I get from the vendor when I call Wednesday. It was ordered as V2 but I neglected to look on the tag so will verify that tomorrow. My preference will be to return it for them to update since it should have come V2, but I might hit you up for the firmware if/when the time comes. On first glance I don't see FPRO in the software but haven't yet run Setup yet (waiting on the cable). Seemed odd to me that it took several cycles on/off before it reared up 'yyyyyy', but hey, it's all new to me. FYI, RCM recommended you to me if I need help, so thanks for the support folks.

WRAK968, on 16 May 2018 - 12:50 PM, said: I have the same problem suddenly. Powered up several times with no issue then today (installed 2 days ago) powered up normally with "Y04HFU". Tested simplex with HT and it worked great. Powered down, then back up to test repeater between 880 and HT. Display came up "yyyyyy" as described above. I see here that the OP resolved his issue with an upload but I'm not seeing details on where you got the firmware, etc. I should have the correct cable in my mailbox right now and have downloaded 49D software. Is that what I need or is there more to it? Details appreciated. And it's fine to talk to me as if I'm green.. because I am. Reposted this as a new topic since it didn't seem to show up as unread topic for all to see.

I have the same problem suddenly. Powered up several times with no issue then today (installed 2 days ago) powered up normally with "Y04HFU". Tested simplex with HT and it worked great. Powered down, then back up to test repeater between 880 and HT. Display came up "yyyyyy" as described above. I see here that the OP resolved his issue with an upload but I'm not seeing details on where you got the firmware, etc. I should have the correct cable in my mailbox right now and have downloaded 49D software. Is that what I need or is there more to it? Details appreciated. And it's fine to talk to me as if I'm green.. because I am.

I'm skeptical about buying off Ebay but it sounds like lots of folks have good luck there. Assuming that's where you get them. I spend the extra to get a 90 day warranty and to be sure it works out of the box. I have no interest in getting 2 or more to 'make' one good one. If you find one you're passing on, pass it on to me if from a reputable seller and I'd consider it.. kidding, sort of.. Regardless of where I buy, I am leaning toward another 880 in the pickup. The UTV install turned out well IMO so will see how much use it gets this summer on the trails, etc. Yeah, repeater. Don't need one at home, there's already two within easy reach of both my HT. I have a piece of dirt in Montana that would be close to ideal @ 5600', open with no trees or big buildings, looking over a good size town several hundred feet below and a couple valleys that stretch a long way. Closest repeater to that area is well over 100 mi. LOS and behind a few 10k ft. mountain ranges. Also happens to be at the junction of two major interstate highways. But I don't live there, visit a couple times a year only, so it would be more of a GMRS community service, if there's even a GMRS "community" in the area. Build it and they will come. ..and I know squat about requirements, as in enclosures, tower/pole, batteries with solar I'm assuming would be the ticket. Maybe I could find someone to maintain it for their group or such. Anyway..

Yup, I've put that one out of my mind for this application. The installation is complete on the UTV and I think it will be fine. Waiting on software and cable to arrive so I can go through and verify programming on the 880 to be sure everything it correct and maybe change some button assignments (same thing, different hard and software for the 3170 HT). Hopefully, I won't stumble around too much with the software. Or.. I could move the 880 to my pickup and just use PL259 - SMA jumper for HT in the UTV on the mobile antenna.. I'm actually liking that idea - (attribution for that idea to WREN301).

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..

Yup, got it. Thanks

Wow. Would never have thought of that. Yes, I tried hard to get a decent ground plane, otherwise, why bother..

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..

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

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.

Looks like 12ga. Looked it up and they say 18a max if for that gauge if I remember.

Welcome back Corey. I filled everyone's time with endless questions, like this one. 15a fuse in both ok?

Thank you sir! Interesting tidbit to stash away.

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.

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.

I think I'll invoke the blind squirrel idiom..

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).

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

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.

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.