So the answer is no. OK I'm upset now. Obviously the seller didn't know what he was talking about and now I'm stuck with a radio that won't work for what I want. Grrrr
Josh, I just programmed my (new to me) TK-840(N) and have tested it thoroughly on both my repeater and another repeater in the northwest Indiana area.
Everyone I talked to said my audio was excellent, and I had no trouble at all hearing them. I also programmed in a couple of 70cm repeaters in this area and the signal reports were likewise excellent. Granted I am using a 2m/70cm dual-band antenna up about 42' AGL, but still it is nice for me. I actually plan on using it mostly as a "control station" for my GMRS repeater.
I found a source for the USB programming cable and the DOS programming software KPG-25D. I dusted off one of my "old" computers running WinXP, and with a bit of effort changed the USB com port 7 to use port 2 so the software would connect to the radio. The software will only work on com port 1 or 2.
While the KPG-25D software is available for "free download" several places, I just don't trust pirated software to not carry any "nasties" along with the download. It is an original Kenwood CD. Unfortunately, I believe I got the last one from that source. If you need the real software, let me know and I will pass it along for what I paid for it, $19...
This is where I got the cable:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MUHIT0E?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=od_aui_detailpages00
I'm so used to using a mouse now, that I caught myself many times reaching for it while using the primitive DOS software. At the resolution I have the monitor set, the DOS Window is relatively small and hard to read. Whenever I create my list of frequencies I want to program completed, I'll reset the resolution to pump up the display for easier reading!