TK-2180 Tactical Feature Set

[FiremedicJM]

Any way to upgrade a TK-3180 to Tactical Feature Set...I don't think it's possible outside the factory but I thought I would put it out there and see if anyone has been able to get it done.

Thanks

Jon

 

[SCPD]

I dont believe so i got mine last week from the dealer and in the seperate booklet for the tfs it said that it is not an upgradable option and mut be factory installed. I dont know if that mean that you can send it in or it must be new i do know that it says it is only compatable with serial numbers 805xxxxx or later. on another note the features are awsome its soooooo nice being able to field program with out a computer. this was one of kenwoods smartest upgrades to an already great radio.

 

[Alarmguy]

Yeah that's what I keep seeing. Maybe there is an internal mod that must be done to enable FPP. If they could make it so that the upgrade could be done by a dealer, that would get it a step closer to being one of the best Kenwood radios out there. The MDC-1200 firmware upgrade really made it an even better radio than it was.

 

[mpreece]

I checked with my dealer today and he contacted tech support for the info. Present units with the 805xxxx or later serials can be returned to the factory for the function to be enabled. It MUST also have the full key pad to work. I had a 3180 serial 9xxxxxx so it is on the way back for the retrofit. The 2180 was a 7xxxxxx serial, AND no full key pad, so two strikes right there. I decided to just go ahead and order a new one with the feature installed.

This upgrade is apparently independent of the firmware and programming software updates that allow the MDC-1200 usage, because that worked fine. Trying to enable the Tactical Feature set, though, yielded a message that said the feature was not "activated" on the radio.

I have a Motorola HT-1550XLS for VHF and was considering getting one for UHF although I prefer the Kenwoods. This made the decision MUCH easier. Of course, the fact that Motorola quit taking orders for new HT-1550s the day before yesterday, thus starting a 5-year end-of-support period, made the decision even easier.

Oddly, the two mobiles I have are the 7160 and 8160 which always have had the field programmability option in them!

 

[SCPD]

the comment about needing the full keypad to work is incorrect i have a tk 2180 if the tactical feature set and it is limited keypad....works like a dream

 

[FiremedicJM]

You must have the full keypad for the field programming capability. The Tactical feature set will still work with the exception of having the ability to change freq in the field. I purchased a TK-5210 instead. Got a great deal on it and since my 2180 is too old, I thought it was time for an upgrade.

 

[SCPD]

You must have the full keypad for the field programming capability. The Tactical feature set will still work with the exception of having the ability to change freq in the field. I purchased a TK-5210 instead. Got a great deal on it and since my 2180 is too old, I thought it was time for an upgrade.

That isnt the case i am able to field program with out it i did it about 2 hours ago.

 

[Colton25]

Why does my serial number in my 2180 read completely different? It says it is 00100484.

I checked with my dealer today and he contacted tech support for the info. Present units with the 805xxxx or later serials can be returned to the factory for the function to be enabled. It MUST also have the full key pad to work. I had a 3180 serial 9xxxxxx so it is on the way back for the retrofit. The 2180 was a 7xxxxxx serial, AND no full key pad, so two strikes right there. I decided to just go ahead and order a new one with the feature installed.

This upgrade is apparently independent of the firmware and programming software updates that allow the MDC-1200 usage, because that worked fine. Trying to enable the Tactical Feature set, though, yielded a message that said the feature was not "activated" on the radio.

I have a Motorola HT-1550XLS for VHF and was considering getting one for UHF although I prefer the Kenwoods. This made the decision MUCH easier. Of course, the fact that Motorola quit taking orders for new HT-1550s the day before yesterday, thus starting a 5-year end-of-support period, made the decision even easier.

Oddly, the two mobiles I have are the 7160 and 8160 which always have had the field programmability option in them!

 

[ajohansson]

the serial numbers are random. Im not sure how they coincide with anything. We bought our first 2180 in 2006 serial number 70900718. This was before the TFS was released. Sent it back in and it was upgraded no issues.

Other radios bought in 2008 have serial number 00102903

other 2008 radios are A8A02475

2011 radios start with B

no rhyme, no reason I can make. Im sure there is but to say units that are 804xxxx or later are the only ones that can be upgraded I dont think entirely true.