jgillaspy

Welcome to the forum! JG

Looks good so far, but you may want to consider a drip loop somewhere before the radio so water doesn't run down the wire to your radio. JG

Any virtualization program you can use and pass the com port assigned to the cable will work. JG

Parallels or Bootcamp. . . JG

Glad you got it sorted. Time to enjoy the fruits of your labor. JG

So, KPG-49D Version 4.21 is what I have and it is Windows. See if you can download the file I've attached. MODs, if this is forbidden, my apologies up front. JG KPG-49D_v4.21.zip

The software is free. Get version KPG-49d v 6.30. JG

95A vs. 95E. The older radios were grandfathered in. That is why we can use them on GMRS. New radios have to meet the new (95E) standards. JG

I recently took my mobile rig through in my backpack w/o issue. I got nailed on the "random" full check and would up with an agent that was considering getting her ham license, so we had a lovely chat. She couldn't believe I had a 2M/70cm rig in my backpack as she had only seen the old, huge HF stuff. JG

@rdunajewski Will this setup include a duplexer? Cost? JG

Before going the $$$ route get a better antenna. You have 3 "classes" to choose from: 1. A higher-gain antenna that simply replaces the OEM antenna on the radio 2. Use a mag-mount or other mobile antenna. I do this with both my GMRS and 2M/70cm rigs and it works well. 3. Go big and get an antenna you put on the roof. Obviously only choice 1 lets you walk around with the HT, but the others can greatly increase range if you can stay stationary. JG

Private Land Mobile: https://www.ntia.doc.gov/files/ntia/publications/compendium/0460.00-0470.00_01MAR14.pdf JG

That was cool! Thanks for the link. JG

I used the Hamstudy.org app and got 100% on the tech test. I decided to take the General while I was at it. After looking at the first 8 questions and not having a clue I turned it back in. Didn't want to waste anyone's time. Now I'm studying for the General exam, trying to get it before I have to pay for it. JG

I found some on Amazon. Should be here tomorrow. JG

So, this is really embarrassing. . . It is the label on the side of the radio. JG

Hey All, My google-fu isn't working well on this. I want to use mount screws (into the radio chassis) that have some type of knob so I can remove the radio for programming, etc. Any idea what they are? All the Kenwood literature says is 4 x hex-head screws and I've found nothing better. JG

Pics or it never happened. . .

Hey All, Thanks again for the info. According to Alex's post I'm really not very far off with my cheap meter, so maybe I'll just not use the first 14 channels (bummer). As far as tuning the split I've sent emails to a couple of radio shop here in SATX and I'll see what they offer. One place I found online wanted $250/hr )more than I paid for the radio), so maybe I'm better off just letting it be. JG

Hey WRAK968, Thanks for the info. I have not tuned the meter, but I was using a 50ohm, 100W-capable dummy load. I was actually wanting to lower the low power setting to ~5 watts so I can use the first 7 channels. Current reading are a little shy of 10 watts. I'll see if I can find a radio shop here in San Antonio to make the changes for me. JG

So, I have my TK-880H running now, connected to a Nagoya VHF/UHF antenna and was using my Surecomm SW-102 to check things and I noticed the reported power was off. Now I have read through other threads here and I know this meter isn't really measuring power, but voltages, but the 880H is supposed to output 45W and I'm not getting anything close to that (26.2W). Is there a way to "tune" the power (High/Low)? The low power is too high for GMRS01-07, so I'd love to fix that w/o lowering the high power output. Also, how does one lower the band range w/o a ton of equipment? I now have passed the Technician ham test and am waiting on my new call sign, so I'd love to use this radio for both GMRS and 70cm ham. Any help will be greatly appreciated. I do have the service manual, but I'm not finding much. I found on another site there there are physical adjustments w/in the radio, but w/o proper test equipment the changes are highly NOT recommended. JG

So, I finally got all the tools to test out my TK-880H. Here is what I got. First up, GMRS01: Second, a local repeater: So, I'm over powered for GMRS01-07 and under powered for repeaters. Why is my power so low for the repeater? I have it set to High in the software. I'm using a Nagoya dual-band VHF/UHF antenna I got from Amazon. JG

So, I used the repeaterbook app and put in anything w/in 15 miles of me for 70cm. I may have the Tx/Rx freqs backwards. Anyway, I'll keep trying. JG

GMRS traffic is almost nonexistent in my area of San Antonio. 2 of the 4 repeaters aren't online and one (Downtown) hasn't responded to my access request. Getting a bit frustrated, but the good news is the air waves are mine!! Once I get the mobile installed I'll start working w/my wife on distance. JG

So, radio kit arrived today and I have to say they do great work. Power on message is my last name, channels programmed as requested. The radio looks new. I'll have to wait until the weekend to route the wiring, but I bench tested it today and programmed a few more channels in Group 2 (ham 70cm repeaters near me). The cable from bluemax49ers worked like a champ. I even reprogrammed the buttons as suggested previously. You folks ROCK! Can you adjust the VCO on this v1 radio? I get an out-of-bounds message when programming in the 70CM band and didn't hear any traffic from the repeaters. Not going to key up until I pass my Tech test. JG