Kenwood NX700 firmware vs kpg111d version

[cpotter1112]

I picked up an NX700 in a lot of radios at auction. The radio functions, however I can't read it. The error I get basically says to check the connections. I can read/write other NX700s with the cable and software I have, but not this one. Would anyone be able to tell me how to determine what firmware version I have, and what firmware versions to with which versions of kpg111D? Thanks

 

[mmckenna]

It should read it, and give you a pop up that says something about functions not working due to firmware etc…...

To check the firmware in the radio:
Turn the radio OFF
Hold the Red Triangle button while simultaneously turning the radio on.
It'll show the firmware revision.

KPG-111D is likely old software as the narrow band version released in 2013 would be KPG-111DN
But you should be able to check up in the "help" button for software version.
Generally you want firmware and software to generally match. If there's a big difference, the software will complain slightly when you read the radio.

If you cannot read it, it might be a fault with the radio. Does the radio power up and show anything on the screen?


Also, these radios can be set up with a read password, a write password or a read/write password. If that was set up, it would pop up a window when you tried to read the radio asking for the password. Sounds like you didn't get that far, so might be an issue with the radio.

 

[cpotter1112]

It should read it, and give you a pop up that says something about functions not working due to firmware etc…...

To check the firmware in the radio:
Turn the radio OFF
Hold the Red Triangle button while simultaneously turning the radio on.
It'll show the firmware revision.

KPG-111D is likely old software as the narrow band version released in 2013 would be KPG-111DN
But you should be able to check up in the "help" button for software version.
Generally you want firmware and software to generally match. If there's a big difference, the software will complain slightly when you read the radio.

If you cannot read it, it might be a fault with the radio. Does the radio power up and show anything on the screen?


Also, these radios can be set up with a read password, a write password or a read/write password. If that was set up, it would pop up a window when you tried to read the radio asking for the password. Sounds like you didn't get that far, so might be an issue with the radio.

The radio functions as normal otherwise. I was expecting a pop-up regarding firmware versions if it were incorrect. I've got three cables all of which read older NX700s, just not this one which I believe to be quite a bit newer. I'll pull the firmware version later and and report back.

 

[mmckenna]

The radio functions as normal otherwise. I was expecting a pop-up regarding firmware versions if it were incorrect. I've got three cables all of which read older NX700s, just not this one which I believe to be quite a bit newer. I'll pull the firmware version later and and report back.

Should still read it, or at least indicate it is trying. Might be a messed up ribbon cable, or if it's a remote head, something jacked up in the cable.

 

[cpotter1112]

Should still read it, or at least indicate it is trying. Might be a messed up ribbon cable, or if it's a remote head, something jacked up in the cable.

It's not a remote head, I will pull it apart tonight and make sure the rubbon cable is not damaged and is seated properly.

 

[cpotter1112]

Should still read it, or at least indicate it is trying. Might be a messed up ribbon cable, or if it's a remote head, something jacked up in the cable.

So, I repeated everything inside the radio. I'm working with KPG-111D Version 5.21, radio firmware "K 5.23.00". See attached photos.

 

[mmckenna]

Pretty confident firmware wouldn't cause this.

So, I'm going to ask a few questions that you probably answered earlier, but to get them all in one place (helps me and others), I'm going to ask them here:

- I think you said you had multiple NX-700's and they all read fine except this one, is that correct?

- Is the firmware the same on the other radios that can be read as this one?

- While it shouldn't change, are you checking to make sure the Com port is the right one when trying to talk to this radio?

- No gunk in the mic port?

 

[cpotter1112]

I have access to two other NX700s, both firmware K 2.84.00 which read/write from the same computer with the same cable. Yes I'm sure on the com port, there is only the one. Mic port is clear.

 

[mmckenna]

2.84 firmware is from around 2011 or so. The 5.xx software is from the last year or three.

This is kind of going off into some places that would be difficult to troubleshoot over the internet like this.
There's a number of things that would need to be looked at, checked, etc. A number of places where things can fail that would cause this.
It would take a long time to do that via messages like this.

It sounds like you've covered all the basics.
You can try programming these through the rear DB25, but you'd need to construct an adapter to go between the RJ-45 and the DB-25 with the right pins connected. That might work if it's an issue in the control head.
Internally, there's a lithium back up batter that could tank that might cause issues, but not sure that's the cause here.

At this point, you have to decide how badly you want this radio to work. It sounds like it needs a trip to a shop to get someone with the right tools, test equipment and experience to look at it. In other words, you've checked the easy stuff, and it gets hard from here.

 

[cpotter1112]

2.84 firmware is from around 2011 or so. The 5.xx software is from the last year or three.

This is kind of going off into some places that would be difficult to troubleshoot over the internet like this.
There's a number of things that would need to be looked at, checked, etc. A number of places where things can fail that would cause this.
It would take a long time to do that via messages like this.

It sounds like you've covered all the basics.
You can try programming these through the rear DB25, but you'd need to construct an adapter to go between the RJ-45 and the DB-25 with the right pins connected. That might work if it's an issue in the control head.
Internally, there's a lithium back up batter that could tank that might cause issues, but not sure that's the cause here.

At this point, you have to decide how badly you want this radio to work. It sounds like it needs a trip to a shop to get someone with the right tools, test equipment and experience to look at it. In other words, you've checked the easy stuff, and it gets hard from here.

If the lithium battery inside were to be totally dead, what would the symptoms of that be?

 

[mmckenna]

If the lithium battery inside were to be totally dead, what would the symptoms of that be?

Backs up Real Time Clock and the SRAM. The 12 volts DC runs everything when the radio is on, so I don't think that's the issue. If you set up the radio and then it forgot how to radio, then that might be.

 

[AM909]

Is the serial number of the problem unit somewhat close to that of the ones that work? (Trying to find out if firmware may have been upgraded to cause a problem with a different hardware build level, though I don't have any experience with that particular radio to know if that's an issue).

Are we sure the mic port is good? Note that RXD is on the hookswitch pin (7), so you could have something like water damage or cold solder that affects only that pin but you could still have working PTT and mic audio. I'd look closely for damage, removing the connector from the board as needed. It might be easier to build a cable to use the rear DB-25 (nice @mmckenna – I didn't know you could do that ).

 

[mmckenna]

Is the serial number of the problem unit somewhat close to that of the ones that work? (Trying to find out if firmware may have been upgraded to cause a problem with a different hardware build level, though I don't have any experience with that particular radio to know if that's an issue).

Wouldn't/Shouldn't be a problem. Many of my NX-x00 radios are from 2010/2011 timeframe and I've had no issues with latest firmware. I have't seen anything from Kenwood that suggests a hardware limitation on these radios. But, good thinking….

 

[Cognomen]

If you have another working NX-700, try swapping the heads. I've seen a few with defective display boards that prevent programming.

 

[cpotter1112]

If you have another working NX-700, try swapping the heads. I've seen a few with defective display boards that prevent programming.

I will give that a try, thanks.

 

[cpotter1112]

Is the serial number of the problem unit somewhat close to that of the ones that work? (Trying to find out if firmware may have been upgraded to cause a problem with a different hardware build level, though I don't have any experience with that particular radio to know if that's an issue).

Are we sure the mic port is good? Note that RXD is on the hookswitch pin (7), so you could have something like water damage or cold solder that affects only that pin but you could still have working PTT and mic audio. I'd look closely for damage, removing the connector from the board as needed. It might be easier to build a cable to use the rear DB-25 (nice @mmckenna – I didn't know you could do that ).

Found my problem. I'll make an adapter to program through the rear accessory, and move on with life. Now if someone can provide me a pinout for both so I can make a simple adapter, I'll he a happy man.

 

[mmckenna]

Here's the Mic jack pinout:

Pin No.	Name	Function
J901 (MIC jack)
1	DM	MIC data detection.
2	HOOK/RXD	HOOK:Hook detection, RXD:Serial data input.
3	MIC	MIC signal input.
4	ME	MIC ground.
5	PTT/TXD	PTT input, TXD:Serial data output.
6	E	Ground.
7	SB	Power output of switched power supply. DC13.6V 15%, 200mA typ.
8	BLC	MIC key backlight control.

 

[mmckenna]

Pin No.	Name	Description
J901 (ACC. D-Sub 25pin)
1	NC	Refer to "D-sub 25-pin connector specification".
2	RXD1
3	TXD1
4	AUXIO9
5	DI
6	MI2
7	GND
8	AUXIO8
9	TXD2
10	RXD2
11	GND
12	AUXIO7
13	AUXIO6
14	SB
15	AUXO2
16	AUXO1
17	AFO
18	GND
19	DEO
20	AUXIO5
21	AUXIO4
22	AUXIO3
23	AUXIO2
24	AUXIO1
25	ME

 

[mmckenna]

So, you need an adapter that looks something like this:

Programming plug	to	DB25
Pin 2 RXD Serial Data Input	to	Pin 2 RXD1
Pin 5 TXD Serial Data Output	to	Pin 3 TXD1
Pin 6 Ground	to	Pin 7 Ground

That should work unless someone messed with the data setup in the radio. If that did get changed, only way to change it is via software. That would put you back to using the front RJ-45.

 

[mmckenna]

Found my problem. I'll make an adapter to program through the rear accessory, and move on with life. Now if someone can provide me a pinout for both so I can make a simple adapter, I'll he a happy man.

According to the manual, there's a zener diode and a varistor for "surge and over DC supply protection"
Might not be hard to replace, but I'd worry what has happened to the radio and if there is other damage hiding.

Have you tried plugging in the mic and seeing if it'll work?