Invert Display TK 880

[RZRMilkman]

Working on a mobile radio setup for my offroad vehicle. Got a Kenwood TK 880 mounted to the roof to keep it up out of the dust and water. The speaker is pointed up towards the roof. Now I know I can flip the radio over and have the speaker pointing down toward my head but then the display will be upside down. Is there a way to invert the display back right side up if I mount it this way?

 

[kayn1n32008]

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I belive you have to physically rotate the face of the radio by opening it up and pulling the faceplate off and rotating the head 180 degrees.

 

[mmckenna]

Much easier to install an external speaker, and you'll get much better results.

Judging by your screen name, I'm going to guess this is installed in a Polaris RZR? We've got two of those in the family, and all our rides are running VHF radios. We mounted ours up under the dash and have external speakers attached to them. Not sure if you wear a helmet while riding, but we do and found that an external speaker was the only way to get loud and intelligible audio while on the trail. The external speakers really make a difference, the internal speakers just were not enough.

An external speaker can be sacrificed, so mounting it where convenient, even though it may get wet/dusty is OK. We are using primarily the Motorola external speakers. They've stood up well to water, so far. I've got a couple extra just in case one does get destroyed, but so far we haven't had any issues.

 

[RZRMilkman]

If I have to open it up to flip it that isnt a problem. I just cant seem to find even the slightest instructions on how to do it. There are some notches along the faceplate on both the top and bottom and one on each side. Along with screws toward the back of the radio. Just didnt want to open it up not knowing if what I was trying to accomplish was even possible.

The radio is mounted in my RZR, yes sir. I dont have power to the unit yet so I dont know how loud it will be mounted up or down. However I figured it would be better mounted down towards myself and passenger for ease of hearing. Just dont wanna sacrafice the display being upside down to do so. An external speaker has crossed my mind and is probably gonna be my best bet. I could mount it on roll bar above of behind our heads.

 

[mmckenna]

Behind you on the engine cover might work well.
Ours are mounted on the left side of the drivers footwell, and it works well.

I actually have a Ranger 800XP, so mine is under the dash and the speaker is also down to the left side of the drivers footwell.

What we learned:
Either unplug the radio or put a dedicated switch on the power lead to the radio to completely disconnect it when you are not using it. When in storage, the radio can drain the battery down to the point where it will damage the battery.
External speakers make it possible to hear when running fast. Internal radio speakers were not enough.
Secure everything extra well, as you know things get shook pretty hard out there.

I started pulling my radio out since I store the Ranger covered, but on a flat bed trailer in a secure storage yard. That eliminated the battery drain issue. I make sure I clean it well after each trip. I keep a plastic bag in the glove compartment as well as a big rubber band I can put over the radio head in the event of rain or heavy mud. No issues so far.

We have a really good time out on our trail runs. The radios have made it safer and a bit more fun. Not sure what the trails are like out where you are, but for us it's a lot of dense pine forest on logging roads. The dust makes it necessary to stay spread out on the trail, but that makes it easy to miss a turn. We used to use hand held radios on our ATV's with speaker/microphones installed in the headsets, they work well, but when we switched to SxS, it made it easier to install better radios. I still usually carry a hand held with me, just in case.
So, when we are out, we usually have two RZR's, my dad has one and my brother has one. I'm in my Ranger and my brother in law is in his Yamaha Rhino. We've got a few others that tag along, but they are on traditional ATV's. All have their ham tickets and carry a radio. The base camp usually have a radio in one of the trailers for anyone who stays at camp.
Always a good time. I just got back a week ago and am already to go again!

 

[RZRMilkman]

Thanks for the tips mmc. We ride the mountains of West Virginia. Lotta creeks and shaded areas where water ponds up so some rides end up being real muddy and it covers the entire machine, Usually in inside portion of the roof and the seats where we were sitting are the only things that stay clean.

I found a service manual online last night and it contained instructions on how to invert the display. Anyone interested its pretty simple. There are four screws on the exterior panels of the radio ( 2 on each side). Remove those 4 screws and pop the panels off. Then the face plate (display) has 4 tabs it clips over that secures it to the radio body. Pry those up and the face plate will detach from the radio. There are 2 screws that hold the digital display control panel to the radio. Remove those 2 screws and rotate the display 180 degrees. The is a flat cable that connects the display to the radio. Fold the cable in the opposite direction of the factory folds in both spots. Reattach display panel and re assemble reverse of how you took it apart.