TK 7180 Questions

vascanner · #1 (**permalink**) 12-10-2012, 10:07 AM

I am looking to purchase a Kenwood 7180 to monitor VHF comms and maybe put in a couple of ham repeaters that I like to listen to from time to time. Some of the VHF frequencies have gone narrowband and I am concerned about hidden issues with the TK-7180 being able to get programmed correctly.

I had bought a Motorola MCS 2000 that was listed as "narrowband" compliant, but had to spend more money to install new firmware.

Will I run into any similar issues with the TK-7180? What questions should I be asking the seller to make sure that I am getting what I need?

I am just trying to gather as much information as possible before I decide to bite the bullet.

thanks for all your help!

J

cabletech · #2 (**permalink**) 12-10-2012, 10:31 AM

The TK 7180 is wide band, narrow band and will to do trunking. With the correct software you can program each channel in either wide or narrow but the trunking goes in a seperarte bank.

phillydjdan · #3 (**permalink**) 12-10-2012, 2:09 PM

I have experience with these models. You can for sure do narrowband without any firmware upgrades. If you want MDC-1200 signalling, however, you would need to upgrade the firmware (provided it isn't already upgraded, that is).

nick223 · #4 (**permalink**) 12-10-2012, 3:16 PM

All the programing and latest firmware is on eBay.

phillydjdan · #5 (**permalink**) 12-10-2012, 4:43 PM

Or for free if you Google hard enough...

vascanner · #6 (**permalink**) 12-11-2012, 7:30 PM

Thanks to everyone for their replies to my questions. What is the latest version of software that I should look for? I am mainly interested in listening to railroad comms, and with the added VHf narrowband frequencies my older Motorola won't hold all of the frequencies that I want to have programmed. I also want to add some 2m repeaters that I monitor from time to time especially during severe weather.

mmckenna · #7 (**permalink**) 12-11-2012, 7:36 PM

The latest software version for the TK-7180 is KPG-89DN v1.61, which was released in November.

vascanner · #8 (**permalink**) 12-11-2012, 7:40 PM

Is that software going to be obtainable, or is there a prior version which should be acceptable? Sorry for all of the questions, but I am really interested in moving forward with some acquisitions soon!!

nick223 · #9 (**permalink**) 12-11-2012, 7:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vascanner

Is that software going to be obtainable, or is there a prior version which should be acceptable? Sorry for all of the questions, but I am really interested in moving forward with some acquisitions soon!!

just sent you a private message