TK-880 Programming Problem...DOA?

ncarpenter · #1 (**permalink**) 07-19-2009, 01:23 AM

A fellow fire-fighter brought me a TK-880-1 today to program. Software v. 1.5. I've tried to read this thing on three separate computers, used KPG49D latest version and DOS versions. Radio won't even budge when I try to read it, like it's not even seeing the request from the PC to program.

My software and cable has worked on my 780 with no problem, so the cable and software are working okay.

The 880 does have an accessory cable on the back (KCT-19). Does that have anything to do with it? Additionally, the LEDs are out on the display. I'm wondering if he bought a lemon.

Thanks!

scanfan03 · #2 (**permalink**) 07-21-2009, 12:16 AM

No, should be able to program it from the mic input. The radio doesn't do anything? Is your com port set right?

ncarpenter · #3 (**permalink**) 07-21-2009, 01:07 AM

Com port settings are right, and I'm able to read a 780 from the same computer. Weird huh?

ambdrvr · #4 (**permalink**) 07-21-2009, 07:59 AM

Depending on how skilled you are, you could try to pop off the front face and make sure all of your connections are good between the face and the chassis. I've seen units that the cables have been jarred and come loose. This sounds like the case since you can't program it and the screen doesn't work. Just a suggestion.

ambdrvr

uniden278 · #5 (**permalink**) 07-21-2009, 10:31 AM

Im having a similar problem with my tk840. I havent had a chance to try reprograming it again, but the first time I did I was using the wrong software through XP... a big double negative. During the process I hit a few keys that supposedly would put the radio into programming mode based on some bad info I found on the net. I think I wiped the codeplug, if this is possible, because the only thing that happens is the display backlighting comes on. Nothing else displays on the radio and nothing happens when I hit the other keys. The info that was previously progammed in is either gone or the display wont show it. Is this what you are experiencing?

I pulled the radio apart and checked all the connections... everything looks OK so far.

I need to get my DOS/programming laptop back from my friend. Its been almost 2 weeks since I first tried to get the radio programmed.

If I can't get it to work, I think I'm bringing the radio into work and let the radio technician here give it a spin. He's a Vertex guy mostly, but there are a handful of Moto radios around the company and he handles the 7 Zetron consoles here in dispatch. He's been in the buisness for like 25 years anyway.

ncarpenter · #6 (**permalink**) 07-21-2009, 11:40 AM

Thanks for the helpful suggestion, ambdrvr!

Uniden278, doesn't quite sound like my same problem. The display works, actually shows the alphatag for the channel it's currently on, it will scan, but I can't change channels using the up/down buttons or the left/right buttons (it does give me a beep, however, so it's getting the message). So what it's scanning I don't know.

Everything else seems to be working okay, I haven't put a scope or a meter on it yet to check if it's putting anything out, but the transmit light works okay.

I'm going to pull the front cover and see what I can see...perhaps something has come loose or that accessory cable wasn't installed correctly. Any other ideas greatly appreciated!