[building a repeater out of two Kenwood TK-880]

I'm using 100 feet of LMR400 with no issues. I also have a ED Fong antenna that at first I thought was junk. I could not rx anything with it and tx was almost as bad. Swapped out the radio and all was fine. I've hit both GMRS and Ham repeaters at quite a distance, The GMRS repeater is 45 miles away on a relatively high mountain top and come in very clear, the ham repeater is 52 miles away and is noisy but readable.

 

I've had my repeater project on the back burner most of the summer. I dusted it off again last night and installed the KCT-19 cables in the two TK-880s I'm planning on using. I've also ordered a ID-O-Matic controller today. Once it shows up I'll get it programmed and hooked up. 

[building a repeater out of two Kenwood TK-880]

I have some paperwork that mentions removing some diodes as well. I've been told you may not need to do that if you have the software and can program the KCT-19 cable to do what you want it to do. I'm not sure if that is true or not, it's all Greek to me.

 

I haven't had any time to work on my TK-880 repeater. Purchased a new house and everything is still packed away in boxes.

[building a repeater out of two Kenwood TK-880]

I just picked up 4 KCT-19 cables for $14.95 each and a TK 880H-1 for $75.00 complete with the bracket mic and power cord. Now I need to find a diagram for joining the two radios and maybe a controller. I have a duplexer already and the antenna.

[building a repeater out of two Kenwood TK-880]

Thoughts on the ID-O-Matic IV controller?

[building a repeater out of two Kenwood TK-880]

Also, I have found the accessory pigtail for the Kenwood TK-880 on line for 21 bucks.

[building a repeater out of two Kenwood TK-880]

Got it and thanks again. I looked around for a forum last night but didn't come up with much. didn't have a lot of time to spend on it either. I'll keep looking today.

 

Thanks again.

[building a repeater out of two Kenwood TK-880]

I have the software and cable for the 880 already.

 

OK, I'm not up to snuff on the Motorola lingo.  RSS = ? 

 

I'll go look for a Motorola forum.   Thanks!

[building a repeater out of two Kenwood TK-880]

Ah, I figured that is what most people would say. Is the programming software and cables available at a reasonable cost? My local radio shop wants $35.00 just to look at the radio.

 

The one I have now is a 25W 4 channel. It would make a good RX radio and has the 16 pin connector. I've seen the cables on eBay and they are very inexpensive. Probably the best way to go even with the cost of programming.

 

Thanks for the info. I'll have to go look for a M1225 repeater thread now.

[building a repeater out of two Kenwood TK-880]

Following....  I have a Tk880 as well and would like to get a 2nd of and make a repeater. I also have a Motorola M1225 I could use are a RX radio and pick up another 40W M1225 for the TX radio. I would prefer to go the Kenwood route.