Kenwood TK-880V2 Programming

[@daveengstrom9250]

So... I bought a used Kenwood TK-880 which already had the GMRS channels programmed into it. The repeater channels do not have tones programmed in. I know how to use the buttons to put a tone on a particular channel, but they don't seem to stay there if I leave and come back to it later. How do I make it "stick"?

[@robertl.oswalt]

I have two TK 8180 and a TK 3180 been trying to figer out how to FS them all to gather have you mest whit any of them .

[@without_bounds]

great video. but i have a programing question. i have a 880ver.1 and using the kpg49d. how do i get the channel name to show up on the display. right now it shows the "group" name and the sub dispaly shows channel number. im trying to get the name to show as in the city not the groups name. thanks de wrdh803

[@Craigs-corner]

I’m away from the house, but I’ll do a quick video to show you how to setup the LCD to show channel name versus group name. If you have it set for channel name, it will show that and the group number. I’ll upload the video and send you the link on here…give me a little time.

[@without_bounds]

Thanks. I've looked at the code plug 10 times and I can't figure it out.

[@without_bounds]

@@Craigs-corner thank you. Ice went thru the code plug 10 times and everything looks right but my radio shows the group name not the channel name

[@Craigs-corner]

Here you go, Michael…let me know if this helps you. kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZCtomB4oteag5I

[@ronaldsmith7567]

i just picked up a 880 and need it Programmed for GMRS. i can not boot in program mode.

[@Craigs-corner]

Hello, Ron. Do you mean that you cannot power the radio on in program mode? If so, I recently found out that there is a diode on the faceplate circuit board that has to be removed to allow the radio to enter this mode. I enabled manual programming using the Kenwood PC software, but when I programmed that code plug in my radio, I still could not start the radio in manual programming mode. A little internet search and I found the information about having to remove the diode. I’m just going to stick with programming via the PC software.

[@ronaldsmith7567]

I am going to have a Kenwood rep program GMRS channels. can they unlock it so i can self program ?

[@Craigs-corner]

Honestly, you can do a lot more with the programming with a PC. Buy the Kenwood KPG-49D software and a programming cable, and follow my videos. It’s really easy to do, and you can name the channels so it show repeater names or locations versus just a channel number.

[@ronaldsmith7567]

@@Craigs-corner ok. i received it back and still could not self program. found the manual and cut the R614. i can now enter program mode. now i cant enter pl tones. it says tone off and will not change by pushing up and down keys..

[@n1kkri]

@@ronaldsmith7567 Would anyone know where I can find free programing software for the TK-880H ? What baud rate should the COM port be configured for. I found some software but I can't get it to communicate with the radio.

[@_the_senate3022]

Do you have a .dat file for download or tutorial on how you added all these settings like tone?

[@Craigs-corner]

Here you go. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jma9d3ismdaWe6s

[@Craigs-corner]

And, here is a video on how to flash the firmware. Look in the video description for a link where you can download the latest firmware for both V1 and V2 radios (TK380 and TK880).

[@Craigs-corner]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iWmpn5xqetCop5I

[@_the_senate3022]

@@Craigs-corner thank you

[@timtaylor8557]

Does it matter whether the radio has v1.x or v2.x firmware for GMRS simplex use?

[@Craigs-corner]

Hello. The differences between V1 and V2 radios are physical (internally) and those updates add additional Fleetsync functionality (mostly) and none of that affects GMRS simplex usage. What does is having the right type number: you need to make sure your TK-880 is a Type 1 (450-490MHz), which is totally unrelated to the version number. The Type 1 can obviously be programmed for GMRS (462 & 467MHz) but can also be programmed for 70cm HAM band successfully. The way you determine what Type radio you have is the FCC ID number on the plate on the back of the radio; the Type 1 FCC ID number is ALH24593110. If you have a Type 1 it can easily be programmed for both GMRS simplex and repeater usage. The low power on these is around 5 watts so you cannot transmit simplex on the interstitial channels shared with FRS (CH 8-15) as they are both (FRS and GMRS) limited to .5 watts transmit power, but you can still monitor. All other channels you’re fine with low and high power settings.

[@timtaylor8557]

@@Craigs-corner Thanks. Do you know of any other models that would make good GMRS units assuming I don't need anything higher than 25 watts.?

[@Craigs-corner]

For Mobile or HT? I use Kenwood TK-380 hand-helds…they put out 4 watts on high and use the same programming software as the TK-880 (different cable though). They can be found on eBay pretty cheap, and batteries and new cases are on Amazon. The Radioddity, Wouxan and BTech radios are inexpensive and work well…I’m just partial to the commercial grade radios.

[@timtaylor8557]

@@Craigs-corner I meant any other Kenwood commercial mobile radios that would make good gmrs units.

[@Craigs-corner]

The TK-8180 radios are excellent…Type 1 radios will do 450-520MHz.

[@n1kkri]

I have a TK880H. I tried holding the D button while powering up and it did not put me into the manual programming mode. I read about a resistor that has to be removed for manual programming. I tried some software I have for the TK880 but not having much luck communicating between the computer and radio. Any tips would be appreciated.

[@Radionut63]

Also need to have Dealer field programming enabled as well.

[@n1kkri]

@@Radionut63 I was able to find the programming software as well has resistor mod. All is good now. I can program from the front panel as well as with the programming software