HELP- New to Kenwood

[EMTMichalak]

Hello all, I am very new to Kenwood Radios. I received from what I believe is a TK-790 dual band mobile radio. I was wondering if you all could help me out by telling me what I need to have to install this in my car. I will post pictures of what I have. It came with the Low and High Band radio boxes, the channel head, mic, and a couple of wires. I just need help to figure out what each wire goes to and what I need to get to install it.

Thanks Lots!

 

[ramal121]

A new 790 comes with a butt load of parts. Little screws, plates, covers etc. Takes a half to a full hour to assemble a dual bander (unless you order it assembled from K). So what I'll tell you is minimal to get it up and running.

I assume this was a dual band setup in a prior life. If this is true then the ends of the radio boxes will say "KRK-7DB". One will be printed "TO CONTROL HEAD" and "TO RADIO 2". This is your radio 1. The other will say "TO RADIO 1" and this is your radio 2. There should be a black control cable about two feet long. This connects the two radios via the "TO RADIO 1" and "TO RADIO 2" ports. A second black control cable (usually 17 feet) connects radio 1 to the control head.

The power cable depends on the radio type. Mid power radios use a 2 prong plug (KCT-23M3) while a high power radio uses a 4 prong plug (KCT-23M4) You need one for each radio. If the radio is set up for it, you'll need a smaller yellow ignition sense power wire (KCT-18). How can you tell if you need the ignition sense? If both radios have 12 volts on the red/black power wires and you cannot turn the radio on, chances are you'll need a KCT-18.

You have the mic and head, OK

The only other thing is a speaker (KES-5) and a white 9 pin molex connector to connect the speaker to the head. You'll also need a white 12 pin molex connector with a white wire jumper in it to bring speaker audio out to the control head. This plugs into the back of radio 1.

That would get you going. The rest would be mounting hardware and such. Pictures would still be nice.

 

[mrweather]

Just to clarify, the 9-pin Molex is for connecting the speaker to the radio drawer. The 12-pin is for connecting it to the control head.

If you have the full-featured control head (KCH-11) you'll need the external speaker. If you have the basic control head (KCH-10) the speaker is built in, though there's nothing stopping you from using an external speaker.

In order to get audio from the control head (either using the KCH-10 or plugging in an external speaker) you'll need the 9-pin Molex "shorting" plug that attaches to the radio drawer.

And as mentioned above, pictures of what you have would be very helpful.

 

[ramal121]

Just to clarify, the 9-pin Molex is for connecting the speaker to the radio drawer. The 12-pin is for connecting it to the control head.

I used to be dyslexic, but now I'm KO! mrweather is correct, I got twisted around. Since I see very few, the KCH-10 (basic) head does have its own speaker, one less thing to worry about.

 

[Av8tor56]

For a dual band 790/890 combo to work there are solder on jumpers (0 ohm resistors) in the radio that will need to be changed. I don't have the manual in front of me but the radios will not program without the change being made. If you can get a manual for either the 790 or 890 it will give you the mod needed (page 18 or so). Also, the decks have to be connected together to be programmed. So, either take it to a shop and have them do it or get it installed and then get it programmed.
I don't know what kind of vehicle they're going into but a few general tips are to mount under the back seat or in the trunk. Lay all your cables under the floor covering from the decks to the step panels next to the doors (there are wire tracks there) and run them up front from there. If your antennas are going on the roof then make sure that you run your RF cables clear of the airbags. Run your power cables straight to the battery and fuse them at the battery. One last little tip: get a plastic clamp the same diameter as the mic cable and secure the cable with a small service loop at the mic connector. The KMC-27 will fray at the connector if it's pulled on too much.
Those are some general tips. Honestly, your best bet would be to get a radio shop to install your radios.