Microphone cable for TK-790

[toastycookies]

Just picked up a TK-790. I have many kenwood mics, but no cables with the round plug the 790 uses.

I have been searching for a part number for just the round plug (radio side) to the rj45 (mic side) but cannot find it.

It states it is available as part # E30-3313-X8 in the instruction manual but I cannot find anywhere to buy it online using that number.

Any suggestions?

 

[N4GIX]

Is this the one you need? 8-pin Kenwood plug, RJ-45 at the other end:
8 Pin RJ45 Cable for Kenwood Microphones MC 60 MC 60A MC 80 MC 80A MC 85 MC 90 | eBay

 

[mmckenna]

No, it's not the 8 pin amateur mic connector, it's a 12 pin round connector specific to the commercial radios.


You -might- be able to find it from Kenwood, but you'd likely need to order directly from a dealer to get it. Usually if that part fails it's faster/cheaper for the dealer/shop to replace the entire microphone.
You could probably purchase an old mic of E-bay and salvage the connector. Usually it's the cable that goes on them.

 

[mmckenna]

Looks like this may be an option:
Kenwood P/N E30-7647-05 is a mic cable with the 12 pin round connector on one end and an RJ-45 on the other. The mobile mics usually have an RJ-45 in the base so just the cable can be swapped out. This might work with your existing mics, or you can just cut the RJ-45 off and attach to the new mic.
You are still looking at $45 or so for that cable. Might just be easier/faster/cheaper to purchase a new microphone.

 

[toastycookies]

Looks like this may be an option:
Kenwood P/N E30-7647-05 is a mic cable with the 12 pin round connector on one end and an RJ-45 on the other. The mobile mics usually have an RJ-45 in the base so just the cable can be swapped out. This might work with your existing mics, or you can just cut the RJ-45 off and attach to the new mic.
You are still looking at $45 or so for that cable. Might just be easier/faster/cheaper to purchase a new microphone.

Ya, about $60 on ebay for a mic + cable. Looks like that may be the best route to go at this point.

 

[HummerMike]

I run the Kenwood 790 & 890 in a dual radio set up with two control heads. I love the TK-*90 series of Radios. The Microphone cables are the weak link. Most all mics a few years old have cord issues. Hence Kenwood 90 series mics are high in price. I run the Kenwood Mics, but I have made my own adapter to be able to use a Motorola 8 pin modular Microphone. Works great and cost about $20 total plus what ever mic you want. Currently look on Ebay for a Motorola HKN6129A. This is a MCS2000 second Mic cord adapter. They are around ~$13 shipped. Next get a 25 pin male DB plug. ~$5. The cord will wire up to the DB 25 plug and there will be a resistor to move in the Radio. Then program the 25 pin accessory jack to work as a mic input. Now you will have a 15 foot cord that will accept a Microphone with the 8 pin RJ plugs.
(Just remember you will need to know the Microphone pin out so to wire the MCS2000 cord correctly into the 25 pin accessory plug on your TK-790. Let me know if you need more info.

Mike

 

[mmckenna]

That sounds like a really good solution.

Not sure what the cable jacket is on the Kenwood mics, but I've seen a lot of them for sale on e-Bay that looks like the jacket is just rotting off.
I've been running newer Kenwoods at work, TK-5710's and NX-900's and haven't seen this issue yet (4 years). I'm keeping an eye on them.

 

[toastycookies]

Thank you for the reply.

That is a really nice find on that cable which I will keep in mind for further projects however I wish to keep the data port open for a controller. Need something that attaches to front panel which will most likely be removed in the future.

I would like to do some testing in a few different locations and then use the rig as a digipeater/igate depending on the results.

I run the Kenwood 790 & 890 in a dual radio set up with two control heads. I love the TK-*90 series of Radios. The Microphone cables are the weak link. Most all mics a few years old have cord issues. Hence Kenwood 90 series mics are high in price. I run the Kenwood Mics, but I have made my own adapter to be able to use a Motorola 8 pin modular Microphone. Works great and cost about $20 total plus what ever mic you want. Currently look on Ebay for a Motorola HKN6129A. This is a MCS2000 second Mic cord adapter. They are around ~$13 shipped. Next get a 25 pin male DB plug. ~$5. The cord will wire up to the DB 25 plug and there will be a resistor to move in the Radio. Then program the 25 pin accessory jack to work as a mic input. Now you will have a 15 foot cord that will accept a Microphone with the 8 pin RJ plugs.
(Just remember you will need to know the Microphone pin out so to wire the MCS2000 cord correctly into the 25 pin accessory plug on your TK-790. Let me know if you need more info.

Mike

 

[bobsamuel1844]

Sorry to dig up an old thread.

Anyone have any ideas about how to reinforce these Kenwood mics? I was thinking heat shrink but I don't think I will be able to get it over the connectors... We just replaced a bunch of frayed cords where I work and I'd like them to last as long as possible.

 

[ramal121]

The failure point is at the round connector end, where the cord casing splits and frays back and exposes the inner wires. Mostly due to mechanical bending right at the connector.

You can try securing the cord farther up with a zip tie or a cable clamp, maybe to the control head bracket to take the strain off of the connector.

On cords that have already frayed I have used a crutch to keep them going longer. A tight wrap of fusion tape followed by a tight wrap of good electrical tape. Works for a while but the best bet is to replace the cord.

Good place for Kenwood part online is:
East Coast Transistor | The Source For Original Accessories And Parts