BK KNG CMD P150 programming issue

[danpforsich]

Hello again RR, I am having an issue with programming of BK KNG CMD radios. I can get the radios to talk with the computer but not the programming software. All radios and the software are brand new. I think I've found out that this is kind of a two step process. Step one being to update the firmware on each radio to match that of the programming software. The radios came with firmware 5.3.0 (for whatever reason), and have to be updated to at least 5.5.0. I am able to successfully connect the radio and place in programming mode to accomplish this part (via the Lightning Light updater), which makes me think that my problem is not a driver issue. Once the firmware is updated however, I am unable to connect to the radio in the RES software. Any thoughts? I parsed this document in detail to try to work through the answer with no success: https://www.bktechnologies.com/wp-content/uploads/pdf/RES Training.pdf. Any help would be appreciated!

 

[rsmith7799]

Dan give me a call and I can run you through it. 805 714 8875

 

[rsmith7799]

That is an older document that BK needs to update.

 

[emtclimber]

I am having a similar problem. using neovision as well as RES. have a p150 and only the neovision 2.4 sees the radio. when i click on read radio the program freezes and wont do anything. i am using windows 10

 

[rsmith7799]

The P-150 and P150 S are the same programming file (KNG EDITOR FW 1.6.1/SW 1.2.0). When you get into the KNG Command and the KNG2 Command they use RES FW 5.5.0 r/SW 5.8.14. These are two COMPLETELY DIFFERENT Software and Firmware Programs.

 

[emtclimber]

got the radio to read and write. Next step is how do i update the firmware?

 

[k7ng]

Download the appropriate (latest) firmware and install it; it will be called 'Lightning Light vxx' where xx is the version. Start that app first and connect the programming cable. To put the radio in bootloader mode, press the PTT key while turning the radio ON. Lightning Light should recognize the radio and you can initiate the firmware update.

 

[emtclimber]

How do you boot in boot loader mode

 

[k7ng]

Read the above again. When the radio has the new firmware it will restart in normal mode.

 

[emtclimber]

Download the appropriate (latest) firmware and install it; it will be called 'Lightning Light vxx' where xx is the version. Start that app first and connect the programming cable. To put the radio in bootloader mode, press the PTT key while turning the radio ON. Lightning Light should recognize the radio and you can initiate the firmware update.

im using windows 10. Im trying to put in boot mode and it wont work. This is a KNG p150

 

[k7ng]

KNG P150 and KNG2 P150 are virtually the same radio with different displays.
You don't put the computer in boot mode, you put the RADIO in bootloader mode. Note also that the Lightning Light application will tell you what version of the RES editor you must use to program the radio after the firmware is upgraded. Trying to use a different version of RES won't likely work.

If the Lightning Light software has been installed properly (I have it installed on a Windows 10 laptop without issues) you start the application on the PC, preferably with the programming cable already connected between the radio and PC, and then place the radio in bootloader mode as earlier described.

If the Lightning Light application has been properly installed, the application will recognize the radio as soon as the radio enters bootloader mode by the radio type appearing by itself in the upper left window of the application display. You can tell if the RADIO is in bootloader mode because the T/R LED will be flashing blue.

If this doesn't work, I'd suggest contacting BK Radio, since I have a couple hundred KNG and KNG2 portables that I support and I know the above works. If it's a Windows 10 issue, I can't help you because I haven't bumped into any Windows 10 issues.

 

[k7ng]

If an application doesn't seem to be working, try opening it as admin and see what happens.

 

[emtclimber]

I’ve tried admin mode. Can’t get the radio in boot mode. I am using KNG EDITOR to read and program radio

 

[k7ng]

1. You should have the Lightning Light running and the programming cable & adaptor hooked to the radio. If that isn't done you might not see the radio go into bootloader mode.

2. Maybe you aren't holding the PTT button long enough. With the radio OFF, press the PTT button and turn the radio ON, do not release the PTT button until the T/R LED. If, even if you don't release the PTT button the radio comes up in normal mode, that is an indication the firmware application isn't operating properly.

3. The firmware update program shows up as Lightning Light. Is that what you see? The proper programming is called RES, and version is important. If you don't have those as I have explained, then you aren't using the right applications.

4. If the software says "KNG-S Editor" it is not the right application for a KNG-P150... The KNG-P150'S' and the KNG-P150 use completely different software and firmware applications. The codeplugs are somewhat portable between the two but the programming software is different. So is the firmware. You cannot turn a P150'S' into a P150 via firmware.

5. What version of firmware are you trying to load into the radio? It may be that you really don't need to upload new firmware. The 'big' changes in radio characteristics took place some years ago; the latest stuff is more or less specialized to make the radio compatible with some agencies' needs and normal users wouldn't get anything out of an upgrade. But you must use the proper version of the programming software for the firmware version in the radio.

6. If the radio is a very old production run (you can tell by the serial number) then there might be other concerns, as the internals of the radio were changed somewhere about 2011. I suggest if you bought the radio from a dealer then you get in touch with the dealer. If you bought it from a private party, maybe you could ask that party for a copy of the firmware and the programming application they used.

I've done all I can.