Bendix King model MPH?

[ai8o]

I was given a Bendix King radio in Raleigh , North Carolina.
It probably sat in a warehouse for years.
It looks like it has been used and abused badly.
Big chips of Paint on the rear panel are missing, etc.

The little door over the keypad is intact, and the keyboard seems to be in good shape.

Most of the model number and s/n numbers have been rubbed off on the rear nameplate.

Most of the programmed channels are Marine channels, and two NOAA weather channels.
Etched on the back is NPS STEA 11992.
I am guessing this means that the radio was placed in service on November 9, 1992.
The battery says "rebuilt 12/17/03 2000Mah".

I think it is a VHF Hi band Model MPH.
I found a paper tag inside the battery connector that says 908283.
I am guessing that this is the S/N.

1) can anyone tell me how to positively identify the radio model?
2) how can I downband this radio to 2M?
3) I know I can manually enter channels, But can anyone point me to a source of programming software?
I cannot find the software on BK's website.

Dan
AI8O

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

The radio was used at:
NPS Steamtown National Historic Site (STEA)

 

[ai8o]

I was given a Bendix King radio in Raleigh , North Carolina.
It probably sat in a warehouse for years.
It looks like it has been used and abused badly.
Big chips of Paint on the rear panel are missing, etc.

The little door over the keypad is intact, and the keyboard seems to be in good shape.

Most of the model number and s/n numbers have been rubbed off on the rear nameplate.

Most of the programmed channels are Marine channels, and two NOAA weather channels.
Etched on the back is NPS STEA 11992.
I am guessing this means that the radio was placed in service on November 9, 1992.
The battery says "rebuilt 12/17/03 2000Mah".

I think it is a VHF Hi band Model MPH.
I found a paper tag inside the battery connector that says 908283.
I am guessing that this is the S/N.

1) can anyone tell me how to positively identify the radio model?
2) how can I downband this radio to 2M?
3) I know I can manually enter channels, But can anyone point me to a source of programming software?
I cannot find the software on BK's website.

Dan
AI8O

On further investigation I found that there are two Marine frequencies. two North Carolina Forest Service channels,
and 4 DOT/MURS frequencies.

What the NCFS was doing with this radio, I have no idea.

I assume that this radio was given to the state of NC, used for a while and then sent to surplus.

Any way on to my quest:

1)Can I downband this radio to 2m?
2)Where can I buy programming software?

Page two of the manual that came with the radio, Shows a "programming plug" with a "master switch" that is placed in the microphone connector, and that after pressing it for three seconds, places the radio in "keyboard programming mode". From the picture in the manual the programming plug looks like a microphone jack without the mike cord.

3) where can I get one of these programming plugs?

I have emailed BK, but due to the holidays and EOL considerations I don't expect a reply soon or if ever.

Dan
AI8O

 

[petnrdx]

MPH would be a mobile.
Sounds like you are talking about a portable.
If it has a keypad, then you can program it from that keypad by shorting two pins on the side "mic" plug while holding
down the function button.
Look on the Repeater-Builder website for more programming info.
Large, but great radios.
Nearly all of them would go to two meters with Ham&Eggs or GreenEggs&ham software.
You will need to figure out what model you have.

 

[petnrdx]

Lets hope nobody put in a password.

 

[petnrdx]

BTW you can make the programming plug from an old mic connector for the radio, but most of us just used the tip
of a key or a dime to short the two pins while pushing the FCN button.

 

[gtaman]

The USFS is a large user of BK radios.

 

[petnrdx]

Man my brain is not working.
An MPH is basically an LPH in a metal case.
You need to know the the four digits after the MPH to know if it is narrowband capable and alphanumeric.
Basic 14 ch model.

 

[ai8o]

Man my brain is not working.
An MPH is basically an LPH in a metal case.
You need to know the the four digits after the MPH to know if it is narrowband capable and alphanumeric.
Basic 14 ch model.

Don't need narrowband. I just want to put it on 2m.

Yes you are right.
Metal case =MPH .
Buffing up the nameplate brought out MPH5142'

I went to the comm shop of my old employer, that I retired from, looking for a programming plug.

One of the young guys said "WHAT? BK?? like Burger-King???".

Finally on of the shop guys who has been there since Sarnoff was around, said yeah I got one in one of those boxes in the back room.

20 minutes of digging and AH HAA!

Now on to figuring out the Programming password!

 

[petnrdx]

5142 is the better one.
NB capable and alphanumeric.
I think the default password was all zeros.
By now you have probably tried that.
Also saw the serial number used and a lot of the usual things.
I had one of the very first LPH's issued to me and carried it for most of my career.
Big, but a great radio.
I still have a few of those in a box in the garage somewhere.
Someday I may build a small repeater out of a pair.

 

[ai8o]

BTW you can make the programming plug from an old mic connector for the radio, but most of us just used the tip
of a key or a dime to short the two pins while pushing the FCN button.

The Master switch I got doesn"'t do the job>

Which two pins should I short?

 

[petnrdx]

Can't tell from your drawing and be certain...
With radio front FACING TO THE RIGHT.
Rear of the radio to the LEFT.
Top UP.
The two pins closest to the rear side of the radio, so they are one above the other.
That is pins 6 and 3 by Bendix-King's numbering.
3 is ground and 6 is PROGRAM.
Momentarily short those while pressing and holding FCN.
Should beep and go into the programming mode.
Remove the short and step thru the programming stages.
In YOUR photo, it looks like your pin number 1 and the pin above it.
Pretty much everything you might wanna' know about those radios is on the Repeater-Builder website in the
Bendix-King section.

 

[Onelick]

Make sure you short the correct ones. If not, you'll brick your radio.

 

[petnrdx]

BTW what is a Master Switch?

 

[Onelick]

I wonder if they mean the programming plug.

 

[ai8o]

BTW what is a Master Switch?

In the BK manual that came with the radio (manual #09-94), on page two; there is a diagram showing a litle box which looks like a microphone cord connector without the cord.

A small push button is mounted in the top of the microphone connector.

BK labeled the little box "Master Switch" in the diagram.

 

[prcguy]

Most of the VHF BK handhelds I've downbanded needed the receiver retuned due to poor sensitivity in the amateur band. You will have to give up a little sensitivity above 160MHz to get the amateur band acceptable. You will also need a signal generator and a service manual to point out the tuning adjustments.

 

[weathermedic]

In the BK manual that came with the radio (manual #09-94), on page two; there is a diagram showing a litle box which looks like a microphone cord connector without the cord.

A small push button is mounted in the top of the microphone connector.

BK labeled the little box "Master Switch" in the diagram.

Programming box. Puts the radio into program mode.