donniefitz2

After checking the firmware, it's working now. Not sure what that did but all of a sudden, it changes the power level. Sweet. Pushing buttons on this command is so exciting FUN -> POW!

Firmware is 2.33 and I run mine in 2m/70cm mode (which I love). When I push the fun button (A on the mic) "func" does appear in the top left, but once I push the 0 (pow) button, the "func" just goes away. Also, I'm in channel mode, not VFO (I'll try it in VF0). The frequency is authorized, just a GMRS repeater. What firmware is yours on?

Hmm. When I do that, it just does nothing. Weird. I'll have to dig around and see if something is up with my settings.

Here's something I haven't been able to figure out about the DB20G. I can't change the power setting per channel via the mic. If I hit the "fun" then 0 button, nothing happens. Anyone else have this issue? @MichaelLAX, I consider you the resident expert on this little thing . Any ideas?

If anyone else is interested in commenting about the new fees, you can publicly comment here: https://www.regulations.gov/commenton/FS-2022-0001-0001

Thanks for the info, @JeepCrawler98 and @gortex2. I keep hearing bits and pieces of the story, so it's nice to get all of it. Also, thanks for the link. I knew about the Hesperus repeater, but didn't know about those other ones. Much appreciated. I'll be sure to add my piece on that public comment apposing the new fees.

Does anyone know the story of the repeaters in Durango? I know there was at least one, but I heard something like the forest service or the property owner imposed some heavy fees to use the site and because of that, the repeater was taken offline. Not sure, it's all second-hand info. I also overheard someone on the Southwest network today saying there was some type of notice put out for public comment related to that site, but I can't find anything. There is a Hesperus repeater nearby, but nothing in Durango. Hoping to get some info because I have property there and would like to have some kind of repeater access.

Yes, you're right. You can only copy and paste in the document you have opened. You can't copy and paste between programs of any kind. So, you have to first add everything manually but you can at least move things around in the CPS. For instance, you can cut and past to move a bunch of channels up or down. It's very primitive. But, it's less primitive than the KENWOOD TK-840 software (another radio I own), which is DOS...so I'm not going to complain too much.

I agree that the software is bad. I'm a software developer and it kills me to see the kinds of very simple to fix bugs that remain from version to version. You can copy and paste between rows of the same document, you just have to use the key commands. You can also delete rows by using ctrl delete. But, there are many things that would be so easy to improve if one could get their hands on the source code for that CPS, which all of the CCR's tend to use. Scanning tones would be nice, but it's not a deal breaker for me. I too have a GM-30 that I use to do that if I need to. A DB50-G would be great, but I'm realizing that form my location, wattage is overrated. I'm sure it would be an advantage for mobile use though. I think I will write a review eventually.

I started out with the DB20G in my Land Rover for off-roading. Once I got deeper into GMRS and got ready to setup a base station in my home office, I decided I needed a better radio for my desk. You know, a "real" radio. I ran the gamut of CCRs and a few commercial Kenwood mobiles. All fine radios. Had fun messing around with them. After spending a few hundred dollars, making a few Amazon returns and fiddling with connectors to power sources, I ended up with another DB20G on my desk and I couldn't be happier. This little radio is truly a powerhouse for the money. It's got the right amount of info on the display, good usability, receives better than anything else I've used and I can hit every repeater I want to (including one 108 miles away, owing more to my antenna than the radio). Once you enable the UHF mode, more options become available too. Both of them put out decent power. The first one I bought maxes out at 17.2 watts on the 467 channels and this latest one hits 18.1 watts on those channels. Pretty decent. Anyway, I now this thread is a bit old, but I thought I'd throw my 2 cents in. Maybe I should write a review.

The new website is really nice IMHO. As a software developer, I know that it took a lot of effort to build the new site and it's definitely better. From what I can see, it's a custom web app making Api calls to their backend.

Now that would be nice.

That's a solid idea. Never thought of doing that. Thanks for the tip.

@PACNWCommsI would love to hear if you manage to get a different mic working with the DB20-G. I have one and love it, but would really like to use an old Kenwood mic instead if possible.

I'm hitting several different repeaters so I'm not sure. I was able to take the mic apart and clean it up, which seems to have improved it's performance. I have a new one coming soon so I'll be able to compare them and see if it is the mic or the radio. As for a mic gain control on the radio, I have found there isn't one.

As far as I know it is. The TK 840 is wide band only. There's a TK 840 (N) that's narrow band, but the normal one, this one, is wide band.

I bought a TK 840 on eBay and got it all programmed for my local repeaters. I tested the radio with my SWR/watt meter and I'm at 1.01 SWR pushing 26 watts. It's so nice to see a radio produce power above its stated range. All good and well, but everyone I have talked to says my audio is really low. Like, they can barely hear me. Sure enough, testing with a HT revealed very low volume during transmission. It could be a bad mic and I've already ordered a new one, but, does anyone know if there's a microphone gain setting on the TK 840? I don't see anything in the software.

Well, it is mentioned in the help file, which I was able to load inside the DOS application. But, the help file just says that it's a good idea to give the system a name without saying how it's done. I guess this is all part of the fun of tinkering.

Minutes later, I figured it out. For anyone else who runs into this, the solution is not obvious at all. To name the system and change the scan list (yes/no), you have to hit enter on the System, which takes you to main channel editing screen and then hit F9 to edit the name and scan list for the system. Sigh.

Okay, I have spent hours trying to find the magic key command to edit the system name and scan list to no avail. I know it can be edited because there are screenshots in this post by @pnwlabrat showing it. Hoping maybe he can chime in before I loose my mind trying to figure this out.

I purchased a Kenwood TK 840 on eBay and I have all of the necessary hardware (cables) and software to program it. While in the DOS KPG25D software, when I'm on the system info screen. Just viewing the system, I can't add a name to a system, nor can I change whether or not it's added to a scan list. If I hit space bar on a given system, the only thing I can do is select between trunking, conventional or not used. That's the only options I have. I know I should be able to name a system and select Yes/No for the scan group, but I see no way to do that. I have been able to add my frequencies to groups, etc with no issue. I just can't figure out how to add a system name and Yes/No for the scan list. Has anyone else run into this problem?