OT, Kenwood programming

elkbow · Post by **elkbow** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 6:55 am

Searched all over the internet, couldn't find any information there, so needed to put in front of the Pro's here, as I can always get the answer...

Anyways, I picked up a Kenwood TK-3170 UHF radio. Nice little unit. Then I bought the KPG-101D software to program it, factory new and sealed.

The computer requiresments say that you can use, 98, 2000, XP, etc. and that it requires a minimum of 200Mhz and 32 Meg of Ram.

Its a windows based program, looks nice and easy to use and the KPG-101D is the newest Kenwood software released.

I try to read the radio, it say 'PROGRAM' on the display, then I get a COM port error. Its says to check all port connections, etc. But I have the COM port set correctly.

So I figured it was a computer issue, as I was programming from my Dell 700M laptop with 1.8GHz Centrino and 2G of Ram. So I put it on my desktop computer, same problem.

Now I'm wondering if my cable is bad. Its an aftermarket cable, couldn't find the factory KPG-22 cable. I got in a brand new TK-3170 radio, never programmed, and it does the same thing.

Any idea's for you Kenwood guru's out there?

Thanks...

n7maq · Post by **n7maq** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 8:36 am

I have found that MOST (NOT ALL) of the aftermarket cables do not work with the new kenwood models like yours, TK-x160's and the TK-x200's.

I may have one that will work. I'll check on Monday. We can always get you an OEM.

Jim

elkbow · Post by **elkbow** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 8:46 am

Thanks Jim, I'm definitely interested in the OEM cable, I'll be doing some more searching today for a good price.

I hooked up and older computer today and installed the sw there, same problem. Could be the cable...

elkbow · Post by **elkbow** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 8:17 pm

Jim, got them to read/write, picked up another cable like you said....thanks...

dave

n7maq · Post by **n7maq** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 8:19 pm

I'm glad to hear that. The one I tested today would not work with a 2160, but it did with a TK272, and 360.

Jim.

elkbow · Post by **elkbow** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 8:30 pm

i think thats what i found, most of the newer ones will only work with a few cables, but the older ones seem to work with any of the cables...thanks again...

Hightower · Post by **Hightower** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 4:18 am

Newer kenwoods use 3.3V logic level, while others use 5V logic. 2170/3180 and 2180/3180 all use 3.3V logic. The TH-F6A uses 3.3V too