[New guy here, "Hello..."]

Welcome to the forum!

JG

[My mobile radio and antenna install]

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

[Wouxon KG-1000G Scan Groups - How to Activate?]

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

JG

[Wouxon KG-1000G Scan Groups - How to Activate?]

24 minutes ago, Knuk said:

Regarding the elusive cable and software, are Mac users out of luck?

Parallels or Bootcamp. . .

JG

[TK880]

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

JG

[TK880]

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

[TK880]

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

 

JG

[The never-ending Part 90/95 debate, and my discussion with the FCC]

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

[HTs and Airport Security]

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

[Best option(s) to link repeaters?]

@rdunajewski Will this setup include a duplexer? Cost?

 

JG

[Repeaters Near Metuchen, NJ]

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

[Frequency]

Private Land Mobile:

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

JG

[Seeing and Understanding SWR]

That was cool! Thanks for the link.

 

JG

[Difficulty of test?]

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

[TK-880H mount screw size and thread pitch]

I found some on Amazon. Should be here tomorrow.

 

JG

[TK-880H mount screw size and thread pitch]

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

 

JG

[TK-880H mount screw size and thread pitch]

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

[Mobile GMRS Radios and use in vehicles]

I drive an 01 Silverado and here is my setup. For daily use locally I carry a Wouxon KF 805G, attached to a roof mounted antenna and powered by the battery eliminator.  When I go in a store or whatever I disconnect the coax, slide off the eliminator, attach the "rubber duck" antenna and slide in the regular battery and off I go.  For "road trips" I fashioned a mobile mount out of some plywood and "L" brackets for a mobile CB and mobile GMRS. While driving it sets on the Trans tunnel, If I'm staying in a hotel I disconnect both radios and carry the set up into the hotel room.  

The KG805G isn't high powered but it works for me locally. The mobile setup isn't pretty, but I'm not in a truck  show.

 

Hope this helps and enjoy!

 

Pics or it never happened. .  .   

[Power and Frequency Tuning for a TK-880H]

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

[Power and Frequency Tuning for a TK-880H]

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

[Power and Frequency Tuning for a TK-880H]

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

[Kenwood TK-880H-1]

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

 

[Kenwood TK-880H-1]

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

[Kenwood TK-880H-1]

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

[Kenwood TK-880H-1]

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