XG-25M KVL Cable Pinout

[Cortexian]

We've got a KVL5000 and a mostly Motorola fleet. I've got all the Motorola KVL cables we need for the radios we have, but nothing for the Harris units. I know that Harris offers an OEM KVL cable (14002-0143-10 / XMCJ3D), but it seems to go for about $350 MSRP. Kinda crazy for a DB44 adapter of any kind lol.

Also have a few XG-25M's kicking around that I'm trying to re-purpose and need some crypto on them for this. I've been going through the User and Installation manuals for the XG-25M, and while the Installation Manual has an excellent pinout for the DB44 connector and the 'OPTION CABLE 14002-0174-08' breakout (which I also have several of).

Does anyone know the pinout for the Harris KVL cable (XMCJ3D)? I have an abundance of time, access to a 3D printer, loads of soldering and electronics know-how, and enough experience in Fusion 360 to design my own KVL interface. If I can just get the required pinout from the KVL to DB44 I can likely fabricate my own cable for now. This project has zero budget, and is more of a personal learning experience.

I have a feeling that the DB44 Pin 26 'HKSW' is likely going to be required here, so unfortunately I won't be able to just use the DB9 and DB25 breakouts on the Option Cable...

 

[nikronzo]

I've ripped apart a mobile keyload box and tried to recreate it and ohm it out. It's way over complicated for both XG mobile and portable with the interface box having several transition modules. The DB44 output is only 4 pins but going to "multi-mode" pins like '38' and '39' which I cant narrow down their use.
Long story short is the investment to recreate it is high and a royal pain in the ass. Better off using KeyLoader and just the standard DB9 programming cable to make life easier.

 

[Cortexian]

That all sounds fair. I was really hoping it was just a project box with some splices or a basic PCB to make the connections.

Better off using KeyLoader and just the standard DB9 programming cable to make life easier.

You're talking about the software loader right? From my poking around you also need a Harris Key Admin license to generate the Distribution File first no? I tried having the KVL hooked up by DB9 to a COM port on the PC and using the Key Loader software to push through to the radio, but the KVL wasn't detected. I think that is only for system provisioning anyway if I'm reading the manual right.

 

[gatekeep]

That all sounds fair. I was really hoping it was just a project box with some splices or a basic PCB to make the connections.



You're talking about the software loader right? From my poking around you also need a Harris Key Admin license to generate the Distribution File first no? I tried having the KVL hooked up by DB9 to a COM port on the PC and using the Key Loader software to push through to the radio, but the KVL wasn't detected. I think that is only for system provisioning anyway if I'm reading the manual right.

KFDtool has a option now to export a KFDtool container directly to a DKF file. Then you can just use the Harris KeyLoader software tool to load radios.

 

[tweiss3]

KFDtool has a option now to export a KFDtool container directly to a DKF file. Then you can just use the Harris KeyLoader software tool to load radios.

This may solve a problem I've been trying to work through.

 

[prcguy]

KFDtool has a option now to export a KFDtool container directly to a DKF file. Then you can just use the Harris KeyLoader software tool to load radios.

If one has Harris Keyloader I would expect them to have the Harris Key Admin to generate keys to go along with it.

 

[gatekeep]

If one has Harris Keyloader I would expect them to have the Harris Key Admin to generate keys to go along with it.

Not entirely true -- you don't need a license to run KeyLoader while you do to run KeyAdmin.

 

[nikronzo]

If one has Harris Keyloader I would expect them to have the Harris Key Admin to generate keys to go along with it.

No? A system admin may only give out KeyLoader to a agency to do loading and not give out keyadmin per say. There's a reason they made them separate programs.

 

[prcguy]

No? A system admin may only give out KeyLoader to an agency to do loading and not give out keyadmin per se. There's a reason they made them separate programs.

I’ve only seen these programs used by hobbyists and they all have both programs.

 

[nikronzo]

KeyAdmin and Loader are used to load Symphony consoles and are highly convenient for fleet keying mobiles especially when there is only one or two KVLs available. In a complete Harris environment it has it uses.

 

[wa8pyr]

I’ve only seen these programs used by hobbyists and they all have both programs.

I used them all the time before I retired, created keys with Admin and loaded them with Loader. So much easier and faster to load keys into a Harris radio than using a KVL. This is especially so when you have an installed mobile; the keyloader cables go through the DB9 port on the rear, and if you can't get to it without removing the radio, KeyLoader is far better and faster.

 

[Cortexian]

Not sure what I'm getting wrong here. Radio just has Single Key AES, so I created the container in KFDTool, added a single key, added a single group (tried matching talkgroup ID and 0/1), exported to DKF, successfully loads into the radio using Harris KeyLoader.

Radio keeps giving me Invalid Enct Grp.

 

[Cortexian]

Got it! The help docs included in RPM1 are a little vague for me. I didn't realize that you needed to have BOTH "Systems/P25 Trunked System/Private Options/Encryption Type" set to AES as well as the "Group Set/Private Options".

The Private Options under the P25 Trunked System section threw me off because of the I-Call/P-Call/All Call stuff that I wouldn't normally encrypt.

Thanks for the KFDtool tip @gatekeep!

 

[Echo4Thirty]

KFDtool has a option now to export a KFDtool container directly to a DKF file. Then you can just use the Harris KeyLoader software tool to load radios.

How did you enable that? I have 1.8.1 and that option is not there. I also do not see 1.8.1 on the releases anymore, seems the official git only goes to 1.5.0

What am I missing?

EDIT: Nevermind, had to look at the AVR repo. 1.8.5 is current and it has that option.

Release Release 1.8.5 · omahacommsys/KFDtool

New in this release: #27 - KFDtool software support for new command that sends key signature and READY_REQ message together, providing more consistent latency - this improves performance on Kenwoo...

github.com