Programming of Kenwood TK-1301

tsbiker

tsbiker

Joined
Sep 9, 2006
Messages
17
Location
San Jose, CA
Hi ST Riders,

As part of preparation for the WeSTOC rally, I recently purchased 2 Kenwood TK-3101 units on the eBay. These are used units and the channels are not programmed to the GRMS/FRS frequencies. How can I program these units to the standard GRMS/FRS frequencies so I can talk to other ST bikers? These units didn't come with the user's manual either. If I can't get this unit installed in working condition for the rally in August, I will be in deep trouble from some of the ST riders.

Thanks for reading my issue of the day.
 
If you're trying to talk to other hybrid radios, the factory channel order on the 3101 is a bit different. You'll find a spreadsheet listing the common channel layouts here.

The software to program them is available for download if you know where to look, and cables are available for about $10 on eBay. You need a DOS PC with a serial port to run the software, and it can't be run in a DOS window under Windows. I probably have the standard programming in a data file laying around that would make the process easier. If you find that a little daunting, I have the software and cables, and I think a few others here do as well. PM for my address, send them to me with a return label, I'll program them and send them back.

--Mark
 
Hi Mark,

Thank you for these options for programming the TK-3101 radio. I am going to look for that special cable on the e-Bay to see if something I can do it my self or not. I may need your help if I get stuck with the programming process.

I noticed from other thread, that you have the AutoCom unit. Mine is in the same configuration as yours. How did you hooked up your FRS radio to Autocom? Did you buy all these expensive cables from Autocom ? Or did you make your own cables to the Aux socket and PPT switch on the handlebar ?
If you have a nice and clean solution to this issue, can you share it with me ?

Thank you again,
 
tsbiker said:
Thank you for these options for programming the TK-3101 radio. I am going to look for that special cable on the e-Bay to see if something I can do it my self or not. I may need your help if I get stuck with the programming process.
Click to expand...

The cable you'll need is a KPG-22. You want the plain serial version with a DB-9 connector, NOT the USB version. (For about the same price, you can get a two-in-one cable that has the two-pin plug for handhelds and an RJ-11 for programming some Kenwood mobile radios. Here's one on eBay from the same vendor where I bought mine.)

The software is KPG-48D, which you can find as a ZIP file on the Intarwebs using Google. (I'm not going to get myself or Joe in hot water by posting it or offering to send you a copy.) What I can offer you is the attached ZIP file, which contains a couple of data files with good default setups. The tk3101wide file is the default setup; tk3101narr is the same but with a narrow channel width that will make the radio more compatible with cheap GMRS/FRS radios. Neither has PL tones set up.

If your radios are the TK-3101E model (shouldn't be, they're a European model), you need other software, I think KPG-54.

I noticed from other thread, that you have the AutoCom unit. Mine is in the same configuration as yours. How did you hooked up your FRS radio to Autocom? Did you buy all these expensive cables from Autocom ?
Click to expand...

I find the newer TK radios a little bulky for where I want mine installed (under the seat), so I'm running a TK-350, which is an older, 160-channel radio with a display. It uses the same audio/PTT cable as the 3101 (Autocom 1429), and I've built a custom cable that takes DC from the Autocom and provides it to the radio. (See this thread.) The Autocom kit with the power lead that snaps in where the battery goes is probably worth the money -- it's a nice, finished solution.

--Mark
 

Attachments

  • tk3101.zip
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Taka,

As hinted to above by Louis, your radios might be programmed from the previous owner for the privacy bands. These should be able to be cleared by using a procedure in the manual without the use of cables and programming software. (It's a button sequence on the radio itself).

Check this first.

Then take the radio to frys or bestbuy or radio shack and ask to test them with some other FRS / GMRS radio....mine are programmed default to the same channels as the cheap Motorola (at least the first 7 are which are the ones that most people use and will probably get you through WeSTOC).

<D>
 
Hi Dan,

Thanks for pointing out another things to check. I realized now that I don't have knowledge of this complex programmable FRS raido. I thought it would be like old portable CB raido that I had once many years ago. Now, these new radio has much more features and options. Without the user's manual, I can not learn how to used it. I just ordered the user's manual from eBay.

I should read up on the manual before I purchase the "Programming Cable".
 
Sorry... I should have linked you to the manual Mark linked me to a few weeks ago.... you could also do a search of this forum on Kenwood and Manual and probably find it next time... :)

Anyway, good luck!

<D>
 
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