Lscott Posted November 30, 2020 Report Share Posted November 30, 2020 I'm picking up a used Kenwood TK-D340U Type-1 analog/DMR radio on ebay for a good price and I'm looking for a PDF of a good programming guide specifically for this radio. I have plenty of general DMR guides already. I also have the software too, but could use a more detailed guide on the feature set this radio has. The included help file is very brief and light on details. I have programmed a D878UV so a number of the DMR features I do have an idea what they are but Kenwood likes to relabel them using different terminology it seems. I want to make sure I know what the settings do before trying to put the radio on the air using a "from scratch built" code plug. The radio is interesting since it does both analog and DMR, 32 channels total in two zones of 16 each, and wide or narrow band analog. Each memory can can be programmed as a mix mode, DMR in and analog out, analog in and DMR out, or strictly analog or DMR. It also supports the Dual Slot Direct Mode as well. Another point of interest. I can enter out of band frequencies, with a warning popup window, but seems to take the entry. I'll have to wait and see how far I can push the out of band operation limits. I have read with many Kenwood radios it's around 5 percent so that would cover the upper end of the Ham 70cm band, which is all I'm interested in. https://comms.kenwood.com/common/pdf/download/DMR_TK-D240V_D340U_K_letter_1124.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gman1971 Posted November 30, 2020 Report Share Posted November 30, 2020 I think based on receiver specs the Vertex Standard EVX-531 could be a better radio, IMO... which also supports DCDM and most advanced DMR features as well. G. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lscott Posted December 1, 2020 Author Report Share Posted December 1, 2020 I think based on receiver specs the Vertex Standard EVX-531 could be a better radio, IMO... which also supports DCDM and most advanced DMR features as well. G.The Kenwood is only costing me $46 including shipping. I located the programing software on line as a free download with the SN required for installation. I’m not against Motorola gear, but I have a collection of Kenwood accessories that works with all the various models, except for the TK-2140/3140’s that need the “Motorola” multi spring pin type connection. The same accessories, including the programming cable, also work for the few CCR’s in the collection. Having to deal with 5 to 6 or more battery pack types and charges the various radios use is a pain already. I have a pile of used battery packs that I don’t have a good measurement of the remaking usable capacity. I’m looking at buying a good new programmable electronic load with a battery capacity test mode. Also can use it for running tests on solar panels. The typical end of life, EOF, for a battery is when the pack reaches 80 percent of the as new rated capacity under standard discharge conditions for the battery chemistry. Any at the point or less I’ll have to decide if it’s worth keeping for short term operation and testing or goes in the trash bin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gman1971 Posted December 1, 2020 Report Share Posted December 1, 2020 EVX radios are not really made by Motorola, even though Vertex owns Motorola. The EVX line were the last true Vertex (designed in Japan) radios before Vertex became fully absorbed into Motorola. CPS, firmware, etc, is all free, it was free even when in service. Cable can be found for cheap on eBay as well. I understand about the kenwood cable, and CCRs, I have all kinds of CCRs, so I used to know the pain of having to deal with different chargers, batteries, CPS, cables... etc... G. The Kenwood is only costing me $46 including shipping. I located the programing software on line as a free download with the SN required for installation. I’m not against Motorola gear, but I have a collection of Kenwood accessories that works with all the various models, except for the TK-2140/3140’s that need the “Motorola” multi spring pin type connection. The same accessories, including the programming cable, also work for the few CCR’s in the collection. Having to deal with 5 to 6 or more battery pack types and charges the various radios use is a pain already. I have a pile of used battery packs that I don’t have a good measurement of the remaking usable capacity. I’m looking at buying a good new programmable electronic load with a battery capacity test mode. Also can use it for running tests on solar panels. The typical end of life, EOF, for a battery is when the pack reaches 80 percent of the as new rated capacity under standard discharge conditions for the battery chemistry. Any at the point or less I’ll have to decide if it’s worth keeping for short term operation and testing or goes in the trash bin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lscott Posted December 1, 2020 Author Report Share Posted December 1, 2020 EVX radios are not really made by Motorola, even though Vertex owns Motorola. The EVX line were the last true Vertex (designed in Japan) radios before Vertex became fully absorbed into Motorola. CPS, firmware, etc, is all free, it was free even when in service. Cable can be found for cheap on eBay as well. I understand about the kenwood cable, and CCRs, I have all kinds of CCRs, so I used to know the pain of having to deal with different chargers, batteries, CPS, cables... etc... G.I went and downloaded the brochure for the EVX-531. It looks like a dead ringer for the Kenwood I have coming, about the same feature set but with a bit more output power, 5 watts verses 4 watts, which likely isn't that noticeable in real use. For anybody that is interested the brochures are located here. Both seem like nice radios. EVX-531: https://www.buytwowayradios.com/downloads/dl/file/id/747/product/3688/vertex_evx_530_series_product_sheet.pdf TK-D340U: http://comms.kenwood.com/common/pdf/download/DMR_TK-D240V_D340U_K_letter_1124.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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