Steve

just got the 880s radios in the mail today.... sure enough, holding down the "D" button did NOT enable programming. You where right, I guess that guy's video showing the short cut was on a radio that was already "software enabled" ..... what about that zero ohm resister? Does that have to be modified also to allow FPP. So now, i'll order the cable. I found one on ebay for $17 at: http://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-Programming-cable-Kenwood-Mobile-KPG-46-radio-/350253626255?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item518cbe338f then i can start programming. Right now, the radios just come on with "Ch 3" on the screen. none of the buttons do anything except beep. its as if it was locked to that channel. here's the antenna i ordered. I also got that in the mail today. its nice. I'll set it all up soon, i even have the silicone tape to keep the connection waterproof. http://www.ebay.com/itm/111492843918?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

wow, this is some great info... let me address a few issues: I def don’t need the ID feature, i know all the radios have to have the names programmed in, i think its more of a new feature to play with at this point. I already tried it on my Baofeng and its very slow. At the end of the transmission is the only place for it. I just realized its not fast like the data burst. I think it would get old fast. TK-880 Version 2.0 I'm looking at the PDF again, (link above) and ANI PTT ID is def a normal feature, the "new" feature with a * next to it are: (straight copy and paste from the brochure PDF) I agree that the 3.1 is a little over the top, but its the lowest priced one that has the voice recording feature. There is a "radio check" feature that i like where you DTMF a command and it will record what is hears next and repeat it back out. it will also function as a simplex repeater. So i think it gives me a lot of options. At the end of the day, after i put all the time and money into this, what's a few $ more to get a good controller? in the MEANTIME, i dont "need" that controller as i get used to the GMRS and 25 watts in my area. I think i will end up building that cross over cable. I have a lot of DIY skills, but the one thing i dont have a lot of is time. (family of three young kids, work, etc.) That Com-Spec ID-8 looks pretty cool. I will double check the rules, I'm not sure if i need to ID if the repeater is only temporary, like for a few hours during a hunting trip, or camping, but if it requires an id, then i might as well build the 3.1 controller, spend the time on the wires, cables, and all that, and do it once. I do have to get a nice USB to RS-232. I MIGHT have an old WinXP laptop with serial out. I'll have to look for that, see if it still works. The whole "enable front panel programming via the software" is a crazy "chicken and egg" problem.... i would hope that the firmware defaults to "enabled" and allows the deployment tech to turn it off, and have it default back on when the unit is reset. Otherwise, the barrier to get in is always going to be the stupid programming cable and software. Now about that link you sent.... the page by "Preston Moore, N5YIZ" Thats exactly what i'm trying to build! I'm going to look around and see what Ideas i can use from that page, and maybe purchase that "double hight" radio holder. It say it has battery backup connectors, maybe I can put that into a large carry box with everything i need. I am going to have to be careful that it can get enough air circulation. I've seen too many portable rigs in an ammo can with no air flow. That's def bad. I also noticed the fan in the back, with the NHRC3.1 i can connect the fan to the "fan controller" and have it kick on after every broadcast for x seconds then shut down. so at this point, its a multi step project, each step of the way, i learn a bit more and adjust. At this point, my unknowns are: 1. it seems (i'll have to double check the pin outs) that the cross over cable will have to reach inside the radio and connect to points inside, i can't do a RJ45 to RJ45. Hmmm. If i could, then i would sell the Kenwood kct-19 wire harness. 2. can holding down the "D" while power up enable front panel programming? If not, i'll have to open it up and find that 0 ohm and/or enable it in software which will open a new seet of challenges mentioned above. Thanks for all your advice. If anyone else has anything to add, that would be great.

The way i see it, i was going to get an older 800 series, like 805D or 840 but I found a dealer that was getting rid of older radios and told me they bench tested them, and gave me 30 days to return. For the price ($65 for radio only and $85 for radio, new mic, mounting kit) I went for the 880 from them becuase i felt it was fair and at least tested. They tossed in the wire harness for $17 and no extra shipping. I'm looking into making the other cable myself after i see how the first one connects. I got three radios in total. The two for repeater will second as a bsae station at home, and the third will be for my car. Having the tk-880 not only give mes all the extra features, (keeping me busy playing with it) but this is a portable and temperary rig (for now). And i figured maybe if i found a good location, i would make it perminante with the NHRC 3.1 controler. I'll get that controler and wire it up after a few weeks of playing with the tk radios. Related info here: http://www.qsl.net/k0kn/projects.html#KWTK I also did some research and found that version 2 also has (besides your windows based programming) extra caller ID features where you can program a name and PTT ID so it will display the name on the screen. Also other features like that. Here's a link to versoin 2 features in a PDF broshure: http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CB4QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.yankeecommunications.com%2FTK-780H_880H.pdf&ei=HahlVK-KOYOqNoCVgdAB&usg=AFQjCNFZ5C_oG-3U_RwH2g0lKlK1aIfzjg&sig2=WS_-QN5sErijLR7OLzclJw&bvm=bv.79142246,d.cWc You're right, only the H is 40 watt... the version 2 is just a firmware update. its still 25 watts. that's plenty for what i need it for. I might run it at 10 watts at fist just as i get my feet wet. lastly... it CAN be programmed through the face plate, you hold down "D" while power up, and keep holding it for a few seconds, it goes into serivice mode. I'll try it out when i get the radios next week. I might not need the USB cable. talk about a rip off, the OEM USB cable is over $100... and i can't find any confirmed reports of people using $10 cheap RJ11 to USB (with usb controler chip embedded into the plug) cable and have it work. I dont see how i'm wasting the radio. The cheaper i go, the older and harder to prgram the thing will be. The only otehr way to go cheaper is to get a pair of Baofeng 888s ($15 each) and program THEM and just tie them together with a hard line for now, then use the 3.1 controler later between them. I'm not sure i can get all the pinouts i need, but it would be a step up from the "poor man's repeater" using the simplex repeater system. If i put this repeater up and leave it up (add to this mygmrs.com database) it will have the 3.1 controler, announcing itsself, etc. But step one is getting the gear together, tested, range test, etc. It will only be in operation a few hours over the weekends until i feel i have tested and played enough with it. I will either sell the parts, or take it to the next level and get the controler for it, and keep wirting it up, maybe some backup batteries, etc. Now to look for a bigger power supply... my 6 AMP at home wont cut it. It draws 8 amp to talk.... so I'm thnking a 12 amp power supply would be enough. If i run off batteries, 12 volt marine batteries, or golf cart batteries, i'm wondering about the operating voltage range.... how low can it go (how far down on the batteries will it go and still be able to run). The service manual only says input voltage is 13.4 and nothing about a "operational range" such 11.5v - 15.5v or something like that. at least if i knew i could go from 12.3 v to 11.2 v, that would allow me to use some of the batter, but i could use more of the battery if the operating voltage was closer to 10 or 10.5 volts. (and depending on the battery) Steve

I found a wire harness cable for the TK-880 among other TK models... Kenwood kct-19 http://www.kenwoodusa.com/Communications/Land_Mobile_Radio/Accessories/KCT-19 This should work. I'm going to order the pair of TK-880 and a pair of these cables. I'll have to build the other end of the custom cable to interface with the KCT-19 and the NHRC-3.1 controler. I'll use a compatable connector end and make it so it all plugs in.

Hello everyone! i'm looking to integrate a Kenwood TK-880-1 ver2 with a repeater controller.... I'm about to pull the trigger on a pair or 880s and just wanted to do a bit more research before i do. On some other models like TK-805D, there is a way to open it up and solder some connections for the rx tx, ptt, tone, gnd, etc. (see link below) I can't seem to find anything on interfacing those.... wondering if the front RJ-11 would allow a custom cable? I'm going to most likely order a NHRC-3.1 controller so I'll have to make a custom cable anyway. Parts include: Kenwood TK-880-1 ver2 40 watt (or Kenwood TK-840-1 25watt) - both inside the GMRS band. NHRC-3.1 repeater controller NHRC-Squelch controller to be figured out later: antenna tuned for GMRS duplexer tuned for my channel cables I could also go with TK-840 - because i can also get a good deal on a pair of those. or maybe an older TK-805D because i found detailed plans on how to build the interface cable here: http://www.repeater-builder.com/kenwood/pdfs/tk-805-wiring.pdf I was looking to stay away from the 805 and 840 because the volume and ch knobs wear out, and become noisy. The 880 has a digital volume control and more features, so i think it would last longer, and i'd get more life out of it. plus, its a bit higher powered, not that i need that high of power anytime soon. any experience connecting the 880's or 840s to a controller? I'm leaning more towards the 880s, for a few $ more, the version 2 gives me 40 watts. but i'm not sure i need all that power, so i hope there is a lower 10 watt option for normal use. the 880 is hard to find details on, but i'll keep looking! Steve yes, i'm GMRS licensed.

Ray, why did you switch? i'm looking for a mobile that will do dual band, 2m and 70mm but it has to also do GMRS. what's the beifit to Motorola that made you switch?

thanks for sharing. i dont have a shack yet. just getting started.

thanks for the map maker link. it has come in handy as I look aroud for my home coverage area with GMRS and antenna height. from 1 m on the ground to 10 meters on my roof, it looks like i get twice the distance "in green" on that map. height is king!

I see it! Thanks!

462.6750 seems to be sending out the DTMF "054" tone every 30 seconds all day long, spanning all accross north jersey. it seems very strong as i go east towards newark. anyone know whats going on with that frequency over here... not sure if its a repeater, but its very strong, covering a span of about 30 miles.

first of all, i'm new here, just got my ham a few weeks ago and that's working out great... But i'm also interested in GMRS for keeping in touch with my kids at home and maybe set up a portable repeater for when we go camping in PA. So i'm interested in building a GMRS repeter for at home, and for portable use.... I can set up a new thread about that, but for now, i'm just introducing myself and saying a little bit about me. I also noticed that there is a DTMF tone of "054" getting broadcast every 30 seconds on GMRS-6 462.6750 all accross north jeresy. from my home all the way to newark and it seems stronger the more i travel east on rt 80. Its causing that ch to become totally usless. does anyone konw why this is happening? Its been doing this for weeks. also, are there any clubs or GMRS repeaters near Ledgewood / Stanhope area? I'm having fun with HAM repetaers, but i'm looking for the GMRS people in my area, and I have not heard anything in weeks. I'm up in the north west area of NJ. -Steve