Used Kenwood TK-880 v1 worth it?

[krvw]

So, I posted my question about the BTECH vs. Midland mobile radios out to a Facebook GMRS group. I quickly got an offer to buy a used version 1 Kenwood TK-880.

 

Is this still a reasonably current device? Should I bother, or pay more for a brand new BTECH or Midland?

 

If I went with it, can/should I upgrade the firmware to version 2? Can that be done via a Mac? (I'm 100% Mac here, but could easily enough get a windows VM running if I needed to.)

 

Thoughts, please? Pros and cons?

 

Cheers,

 

Ken

 

 

[berkinet]

I am not a Kenwood user, so I can't comment on the differences between v1 and v2 radios. However, as a Mac user I can say I have never found any radio programming task (Motorola, Vertex and a zillion CCRs with native apps) I could do on a real Windows box that I could not do in a Windows VM on a Mac. Since I rarely use Windows, I stick with VirtualBox from Oracle. It works fine and is free. What's not to like.  Well, it is a bit less user friendly to setup than the commercial VMs and maybe a bit slower, but not enough to worry about, especially since radio programming is mostly reading and writing to the radio which is essentially the same speed in a VM as on a real machine. In fact, an iMac running Windows XP or 7 is actually faster than the same OS running on machines that were available when those OSs were current.  The only real issue is finding a set of Windows CDs. But, that is an issue with any VM software. I'd suggest sticking with XP, it is pretty easy to find, and loads and runs quite well.

[axorlov]

I understand that you can't flash v2 firmware into v1 radio. Same KPG-49D should work for both v1 and v2 radios. v1 may have an advantage of not requiring hardware mod (removal of resistor) to enable front panel programming, everything is done via the software. Although, I can't confirm, I do not have v1.

 

Usually, virtualized USB is a bag of hurt, but all these radios actually have a serial interface, and the USB cables are, in fact, USB to serial adapters, so the speeds and latencies we are dealing with are fine for VMs.

[WRAK968]

V1 and V2 firmware ARE NOT INTERCHANGEABLE. This is because of minor hardware differences inside of the radio as well as some features the V2 radio has that the V1 radio doesn't. Overall these features aren't really used in GMRS and are more towards commercial radio For example enhanced fleetsync functionality and the available use of some MDT hardware.

I have several TK880's both V1 and V2. V1 radios I used to build a small portable repeater that I can set up anywhere, even in a campground. The V2 radios are installed in our vehicles and while we use fleetsync for radio ID and text messaging on my local repeater, there isnt much use for it when I go onto another system. This is because the Fleetsync codes we use may be different to other users.

Anyways, If the offer is right, $20-30 for just a radio, or maybe $50 for radio and mic in fair condition, go for it, Anything more and you could likely do better on Ebay.

[DeoVindice]

They're far, far better radios than anything Midland or BTECH sell, sold, or will sell for the foreseeable future. WRAK968 is about right as far as pricing...880s are a commodity, nothing more.

[goflight001]

I have a Kenwood TK8180k and it is an amazing radio. It works great and the audio is clear and the speaker is great. I highly recommend getting one, I use mine as a base station.

[jsmalone]

Not sure if this is the correct place to ask this question.

I have a Kenwood TK-840 I bought new.  It is not programmed.  I am trying to find out how to program it with reliable information.  I did buy a cable that I think will work to program it.  I need the software etc and don't know where to turn to do that and any tricks etc that would be helpful to program it.

 

Any help would be appreciated.

 

Idajoe33222

WRJZ278

[Radioguy7268]

I sent you a PM with software info

[axorlov]

Not sure if this is the correct place to ask this question.

I have a Kenwood TK-840 I bought new.  It is not programmed.  I am trying to find out how to program it with reliable information.  I did buy a cable that I think will work to program it.  I need the software etc and don't know where to turn to do that and any tricks etc that would be helpful to program it.

 

Any help would be appreciated.

 

Idajoe33222

WRJZ278

It looks like KPG-25D is the software needed. It's DOS software, so you may need DOS install native or in VirtualBox. Kenwood software is usually can be found on the Internet laying around sad in the rain, waiting for being picked up. Unlike Motorola software.

Chirp does not seem to support it, looks like support starts with 860/360 series. Always worth a try.

 

And are you sure it's new? The radio was discontinued in the past century or shortly after. If new old stock, however, you maybe have a unit that will continue to work into the next century, for the amusement of your grand-grand kids. Research this MS-DOS or FreeDOS install.

[Extreme]

Is the 8180 considerably better/more desirable than the TK880?

[Radioguy7268]

It's "better" in that it would use Windows based software, it's capable of either Narrowband or Wideband per channel for programming, and it's a newer design. Beyond that, if you're a Wideband GMRS user - it doesn't matter much. They both work well, and the 880 is usually a bit cheaper in the used radio market.

[axorlov]

8180 has front-mounted speaker while 880 has side-mounted speaker, thus 8180 is easier to fit into car dashboard. 880 has to be located with speaker not blocked, or remote speaker is needed. 8180 has removable head, making it even more flexible for in-car installation.

[Extreme]

My 880 has top mount speaker but I get your point.

 

Sent from my Pixel 4a using Tapatalk

[axorlov]

Yeah, top, bottom, side, other side... Not front. Btw, on TK-880 it's reversible, you can have it on the top or the bottom.

[Extreme]

8180 has front-mounted speaker while 880 has side-mounted speaker, thus 8180 is easier to fit into car dashboard. 880 has to be located with speaker not blocked, or remote speaker is needed. 8180 has removable head, making it even more flexible for in-car installation.

 

I finally found a photo of the KRK-10 remote mount for my TK-8180.  Ordered it up.  Should work A1 on the existing bracket on top of my '18 F350 dash.  And with a 1/4 wave 6" antenna in the middle of the CC roof, I expect good performance.

[ad5ez]

I have a very old Motorola HT-1000 Handheld 2 channel I use and I program using XP using Dosbox and Motorola M1225 20 channel that you can program using any version windows provided it's 32 bit only!

[Penneraz]

On 2/14/2021 at 4:34 PM, axorlov said:

Yeah, top, bottom, side, other side... Not front. Btw, on TK-880 it's reversible, you can have it on the top or the bottom.

How can the speaker on the TK-880 I just purchased on ebay be relocated from top to bottom?

[Radioguy7268]

10 hours ago, Penneraz said:

How can the speaker on the TK-880 I just purchased on ebay be relocated from top to bottom?

Turn the radio over (smirk).

But seriously, yes. That's what you do - but then you unscrew the front control head - turn the display right side up, and screw it back on. It was designed to do that. Alternatively, you can hook up an external speaker & put that anywhere that's convenient.

[axorlov]

Yep, what Radioguy said. Page 26 in Service Manual. https://www.manualslib.com/manual/779398/Kenwood-Tk-880.html Or send me PM with your email, I can send you manual pdf.