Kenwood TK 280 help

[goalie]

I need help with my TK-280. I am a Chicago Firefighter who carries his own radio at work because they don't provide each of us a radio. My TK just doesn't seem to be working right. It doesn't pick up all transmissions. I am guessing I just don't have it programmed correctly but I really don't know what I am doing. Is there any one in the Chicago area that can take a look at this thing and tweak it?
Thanks

 

[Grog]

It seems we went through this already :roll:

http://www.radioreference.com/forums/showthread.php?t=70740

If you really are with CFD, let the radio shop program it the right way. Can't see that anyone there would allow someone to just do whatever they want when it comes to important gear :roll: :roll:



Jees, I used almost as many :roll: as N_Jay does


In case anyone noticed.....
http://www.radioreference.com/forums/showthread.php?t=78318

So anyway, why were you selling it if it does not work right? Why would you sell your radio you need for work?



Yeah, ok, whatever.....

 

[Astro25]

Chicago FD uses Analog Saber II's and XTS3000 model 1's (with a migration towards XTS5000's. )

Don't use cheap Kenwood crap in the fire service. Please - I've seen bad outcomes. If they need to issue you a portable, they will. You might not hear stuff if the PL tone is not right. They use TPL 156.7Hz


Also, CFD's Main/South (Englewood) channels require MDC to even pass audio on the repeaters- something a kenwood can not do.

 

[smokeybehr]

Don't use cheap Kenwood crap in the fire service.

Then you'd better not tell the largest fire department in the nation about that, since CalFire uses Kenwood equipment exclusively in all of their fire and command apparatus. Most of the rest of California's emergency response agencies are also switching over to Kenwood from Motorola and GE/Ericsson.

I've used a TK280 on a daily basis in the fire service, and had no problems whatsoever with it.

 

[KSJ745]

There is a General Order for all City Employees (Fire, Police, etc) prohibiting the use of non-issued department radio's. I'm not saying that it's not done but IMO it's not worth it.

 

[Astro25]

I've used a TK280 on a daily basis in the fire service, .

I'm sorry to hear that. Most of kenwood's newer P25 are pretty nice - but the older TK series just feel cheap and flimsy.

 

[Thayne]

They seem no more "Flimsy" than Motorola. They ALL are made in China, the Phillipines, or Malaysia anyway, even MOTO.
The best thing about Kenwood is that there is no need to kiss Mother M to get parts or software. :razz:

 

[Astro25]

They do to me, at least. The volume/channel pots on the older Kenwood radios are some of the worst I've came across, and the antenna connector's washer always seems to wiggle it's way loose. The battery clip on the TK3100/3101 and equivelant build series will usually break without fail if you drop it.

I think I'll stick to using the radios that don't come in our shop every day becuase they're broke or need service.

 

[goalie]

Grog,
I have both a Motorola HT1250 and a Kenwood TK 280.
The motorola works well but the Kenwood has some features that I like...namely I can change the channel from the speaker mic unlike the HT in which I have to dig in my gear. The radio shops won't touch it...they do only Motorola and they don't like us having radios that are not authorized but what would you rather...have an unauthorized radio and be able to hear and ask for help as needed or need a radio to ask for help and not have one. My wife and kids are important to me so I chose to have a radio with me when I work. Chicago is not noted for being up with the times. Many if not most fire departments issue each position on an apparatus a radio to be carried by each member when on shift.
Thanks for your help.

 

[goalie]

Tk

Astro,
I can talk with Main and Englewood fine. The problem is I sometimes can't hear them.
The Kenwood seems like a good radio otherwise. If I could fix this one problem I would keep it and sell my HT.
Thanks

Chicago FD uses Analog Saber II's and XTS3000 model 1's (with a migration towards XTS5000's. )

Don't use cheap Kenwood crap in the fire service. Please - I've seen bad outcomes. If they need to issue you a portable, they will. You might not hear stuff if the PL tone is not right. They use TPL 156.7Hz


Also, CFD's Main/South (Englewood) channels require MDC to even pass audio on the repeaters- something a kenwood can not do.

 

[goalie]

worth it.

There is no general order forbidding the use of non issued radios....there was a memo at one time but a memo is not an order. Is your life worth it?
Thanks

There is a General Order for all City Employees (Fire, Police, etc) prohibiting the use of non-issued department radio's. I'm not saying that it's not done but IMO it's not worth it.

 

[goalie]

Tk

In response to why was I selling it....I don't need both radios so I was going to get rid of the TK but I like some of the features of the Kenwood. If I could get it to work like I feel it should I would keep it and get rid of the HT. I was hoping by putting out an inquiry that someone who actually works on the TK could help me out since I really don't know what I am doing when I program this thing.
Thus far I haven't received much help. I thank all of you for your input though.

QUOTE=Grog]It seems we went through this already :roll:

http://www.radioreference.com/forums/showthread.php?t=70740

If you really are with CFD, let the radio shop program it the right way. Can't see that anyone there would allow someone to just do whatever they want when it comes to important gear :roll: :roll:



Jees, I used almost as many :roll: as N_Jay does


In case anyone noticed.....
http://www.radioreference.com/forums/showthread.php?t=78318

So anyway, why were you selling it if it does not work right? Why would you sell your radio you need for work?



Yeah, ok, whatever.....[/QUOTE]

 

[Astro25]

Hmm...well if you have communications with Main and Englewood, I can't see why you wouldn't hear them. You could try setting the RX Personalities to CSQ (I doubt anyone else is licensed to those 2 frequencies in Chicago - at least downtown)

 

[goalie]

Astro thanks for the constructive feedback. This is part of the problem I am having. I don't even know what RX personalities are and I don't know what CSQ means. This is why I reached out for help. I have never programmed a radio. In fact this is the first radio I have owned since I was a child. I don't know what I am doing and I have it working like it does....everyone hears me but the stuff I receive breaks up. I feel someone who actually knows what they are doing can get this thing working properly. Any referals?