Kenwood TK 7160 Bypass

[btritch]

I have a Kenwood TK 7160 mobile in the truck, I've had it for quite sometime, I wanted to add some more to it but the one who programmed it has forgotten the needed password to get into it to program...or so he says.. So my question is this: Is there a way to reset it or something to be able to program or get into it bypassing or deleting the password without having to have it? Is there a master reset or something, Someway to get rid or or around the password prompt? If I don't figure out something I'm just gonna be out of luck I guess. Any one have any ideas?

[pddispatcher]

Might be able to put everything back into the software included the added stuff and see if it will write to the radio without the password.

I know you can't read it with the password but am not sure about writing to it.

[n7maq-1]

Originally Posted by btritch

I have a Kenwood TK 7160 mobile in the truck, I've had it for quite sometime, I wanted to add some more to it but the one who programmed it has forgotten the needed password to get into it to program...or so he says.. So my question is this: Is there a way to reset it or something to be able to program or get into it bypassing or deleting the password without having to have it? Is there a master reset or something, Someway to get rid or or around the password prompt? If I don't figure out something I'm just gonna be out of luck I guess. Any one have any ideas?

If it has write protect password you will need to know what it is, or have it sent to the factory for a reset (it will have to have proof of purchase from a KW dealer). You could also replace the EEPROM, but the radio will need new firmware and a complete alignment after that.

If your good with a hex editor you can dump your page memory after trying a write and if you know where to look you can find it that way. It's not that hard.

If it's your radio there should be no need to put a password on it, and the dealer should remove it. If it's not your radio the password is there for a reason.

Jim

[ramal121]

Originally Posted by n7maq-1

If it has write protect password you will need to know what it is

Jim

There is no write protect password. If a password is programmed into the radio it will only prevent the ability to read it (if password is unknown).

You could reconstruct the information in FPU and write it (with a known password or blank it out) without a problem.

[n7maq-1]

Originally Posted by ramal121

There is no write protect password. If a password is programmed into the radio it will only prevent the ability to read it (if password is unknown).

You could reconstruct the information in FPU and write it (with a known password or blank it out) without a problem.

Sorry ramal121, you are wrong.

I'm a tech for a Kenwood Authorized warranty shop, and we can't even get the FPU to bypass a write protect password.

Here is a copy of the help file, I can also post a screen shot if needed.

Data Password "Data Password protection prevents unauthorized reading/overwriting of the transceiver's configuration data.
For instance, if the transceiver is stolen, this function will prevent the frequency data used in the transceiver from being read. This function can also prevent the transceiver's frequency data from being overwritten accidentally.
Click "Data Password", and then a dialog box appears to configure the Data Password.
You can confiure the Data Password using numbers 0 to 9.
Read Authorization Password:

This prevents unauthorized reading of the transceiver's configuration data.

1. Click "Data Password".
2. Enter the desired password in the Read Authorization Password edit box.
3. Click "OK". The Read Authorization Password is configured.

Overwrite Password:

This prevents the transceiver's frequency data from from being overwritten accidentally.

1. Click "Data Password".
2. Enter the desired password in the Overwrite Password edit box.
3. Enter the password, configured as Overwrite password, in the Confirmation edit box.
4. Click "OK". The Overwrite Password is configured.
   If the configured Overwrite Password does not match the password entered in the Confirmation edit box, an error message appears, and Overwrite Password cannot be configured"

[ramal121]

Tnx for response n7ma-1.
I checked and you are correct. Guess I never bothered with that little button to see what it did.
We don't password too many of our radios.I guess all newer FPU does this although I checked 880 and 8150 which does not.
Just gotta love these forums. Thanks again.

[n7maq-1]

Originally Posted by ramal121

Tnx for response n7ma-1.
I checked and you are correct. Guess I never bothered with that little button to see what it did.
We don't password too many of our radios.I guess all newer FPU does this although I checked 880 and 8150 which does not.
Just gotta love these forums. Thanks again.

I have very mixed feelings about the write protect password. Most of the new Kenwood models have them. They are a great surprise for someone who ends up with a hot radio , but how many legit users/purchasers will end up with paperweights when they buy one on the used market.

I purchased a small fleet of TK8180's from a cab company that went out of businesses, and there radio shop/vendor would not give me their password. The use the same for read/write, and I understand not allowing your read password to get out. I just swapped out the EEPROMS, it was quicker and easier than sending them to the factory service center.

Jim