Kenwood tk-8160 won't transmit but will receive. When push the PTT the radio displays Kenwood and resets to the channel display.

[pigheadedxl]

Kenwood tk-8160H-K,  450-490Mhz, programmed to the GMRS frequencies. It won't transmit but will receive. When push the PTT the radio displays Kenwood and resets to the channel display.  I have it powered directly to the battery (fused) and I still cannot transmit.  When I push the PTT the radio briefly displays Kenwood and resets to the channel display.  Suggestions are welcomed, thank you.

[WSGK834]

This sure looks like a power problem. Set output power to low and see if this helps.

What power supply you are using?

Anton

[Hoppyjr]

Could be an internal issue, but I’ll ask the obvious questions:

- are you trying to transmit on simplex or into a repeater?

- do you have the correct offset for Tx & Rx?

- if into a repeater, do you have correct tones?

[gortex2]

Power issue. Yo udont have enough current for the radio to stay on. What kind of battey are you using and is it a good battery ? 

[tweiss3]

I'll add a +1 to a power issue.

[nokones]

Check the ground. Check the line voltage, and the power draw in amps, when you key the radio. Your radio will probably draw somewhere near 6-8 amps keyed and a little over an amp receiving and about a half of an amp on standby. If the voltage and power level doesn't change when keyed, the radio is not transmitting. If the voltage drops  below 12 volts, the cause maybe the power source or connection. The power should never drop below 12 volts at a minimum and is looking for 13.6 volts.

Also, check the codeplug and make sure there is something entered in the transmit section and correctly. Do you have in-line RF watt meter connected to verify that the radio is keying or not if the voltage/amp level does not drop.

After you check the above mentioned test check points, let us know what you find out.