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Bk Technologies Updates
- Thread starter Colton25
- Start date
- Status
gtaman
Member
I think Q3 or Q4 of this year.
Id be happy with firmware updates on my KNG 2..
rsmith7799
Member
Good and morning, so for Software/Firmware questions, first, the KNG Model 1 and the KNG S, are no longer being manufactured. BK will still support them until 2025.
The KNG/KNG2 are working in the Firmware of 5.5.0m and Editor 5.5.0. CalFIRE has tested up until Firmware 5.5.0f and Software 5.5.3. If you are a contractor with CalFIRE DO NOT go higher than what CalFIRE has approved with firmware/software.
The next update that is on their site is 5.5.9. THIS IS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT SOFTWARE. This was created when BK released 5.5.6 and there were bugs in this version. This will not delete your 5.5.3, it actually adds another icon to your screen. But it will delete 5.5.6 if you uploaded it.
Ok, the long awaited BKR Series of radios. BK Technologies is still in the final stages of development of the single band (VHF) BKR 5000. They are working on the Dual and ALL BAND (BKR 9000) radios along with a mobile unit.
I can't give you a date for release as they are still working on final testing and Options that will go with this series.
The KNG/KNG2 are working in the Firmware of 5.5.0m and Editor 5.5.0. CalFIRE has tested up until Firmware 5.5.0f and Software 5.5.3. If you are a contractor with CalFIRE DO NOT go higher than what CalFIRE has approved with firmware/software.
The next update that is on their site is 5.5.9. THIS IS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT SOFTWARE. This was created when BK released 5.5.6 and there were bugs in this version. This will not delete your 5.5.3, it actually adds another icon to your screen. But it will delete 5.5.6 if you uploaded it.
Ok, the long awaited BKR Series of radios. BK Technologies is still in the final stages of development of the single band (VHF) BKR 5000. They are working on the Dual and ALL BAND (BKR 9000) radios along with a mobile unit.
I can't give you a date for release as they are still working on final testing and Options that will go with this series.
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Has anybody tested the 5.5.0m firmware on their KNG or KNG2 portable?
I currently use firmware 5.5.0h with RES 5.5.4
If time permits while at work today (Fridays are busy) I will possibly, maybe, take the plunge and try
firmware 5.5.0m and RES 5.5.9
If anybody has done this and has had issues please let us know.
Thank You.
I currently use firmware 5.5.0h with RES 5.5.4
If time permits while at work today (Fridays are busy) I will possibly, maybe, take the plunge and try
firmware 5.5.0m and RES 5.5.9
If anybody has done this and has had issues please let us know.
Thank You.
Last edited:
gtaman
Member
I have not yet. I do need to submit a bug for the slow radio ID decoding. Takes a good 3 seconds before I see a radio ID on the display.
rsmith7799
Member
I have used the firmware with no issues. Read the RELEASE NOTES as to why there is an update.
So far so good on firmware 5.5.0m and RES 5.5.9 I did have to call BK as my license key didnt work on their website and i still have about 6 months left on my license. Apparently it didnt transfer over during their last update. But its fixed.
I feel like im getting a tad bit better battery life but that could be a placebo effect. I am glad to see the new update.
I feel like im getting a tad bit better battery life but that could be a placebo effect. I am glad to see the new update.
gtaman
Member
I’ll update mine tonight and see if I notice improvement.
gtaman
Member
Updated firmware. I see the DSP was updated. Not sure if I’m going crazy but the audio does sound better.
Your not going crazy. Phase 2 sounds about the same but Phase 1 sounds better.
Also i do feel like i am getting better battery life.
ON my KNG2 unit in the area around the LCD screen and slightly above it would be a bit warm. Not hot, but warmer than the rest of the radio.
That is now gone with this update.
Also i do feel like i am getting better battery life.
ON my KNG2 unit in the area around the LCD screen and slightly above it would be a bit warm. Not hot, but warmer than the rest of the radio.
That is now gone with this update.
Onelick
Member
Now that the BKR 5000 has been out for a couple months, has anyone used one? Reviews?
Thanks,
Onelick
Thanks,
Onelick
gtaman
Member
I would say possibly. The KNG can be ordered with one I’m sure the BKR would have the same option as it’s a big thing for CAL Fire
I really hope so.
KNG2-P800 i am reverting back to firmware 5.5.0h and RES 5.5.4
I was using 5.5.0p with RES 5.8.8 but 3 times in 2 weeks my radio had issues.
One was not finding the site for a system. I went to this city twice in one day. First time picked up a friend all worked well. 5 hours later dropped her off and it would not find the site. It found 2-1, 1-1, 1-2, 1-6 and 1-8 (all of these sites were also further away distance wise and my APX and G4 all worked both times i was there) but the site the city uses is 1-7 which worked just fine earlier was not working on my 2nd trip.
Week later (this week) twice i would turn it on, change zones and it would not pass audio on the channels i was parked on or in the scan list. SDS100, G4 and APX all worked like they were supposed to so logic tells me its a KNG issue. Especially when i know its worked before.
In both instances powering off radio, and powering back on allowed it to work however i feel that is a failure and one that has not happened on previous versions of firmware.
So not sure if this has happened to anyone else..
I also took these steps to try to reduce the risk of corruption.
installed old firmware, then launched RES5.5.4 and opened up an old codeplug from 6 months ago from the same version of firmware.
I programmed that to the radio.
Then just to be sure did the firmware for 5.5.0h again.
Then read the radio in RES 5.5.4 and made changes that were needed since that codeplug was used.
I was using 5.5.0p with RES 5.8.8 but 3 times in 2 weeks my radio had issues.
One was not finding the site for a system. I went to this city twice in one day. First time picked up a friend all worked well. 5 hours later dropped her off and it would not find the site. It found 2-1, 1-1, 1-2, 1-6 and 1-8 (all of these sites were also further away distance wise and my APX and G4 all worked both times i was there) but the site the city uses is 1-7 which worked just fine earlier was not working on my 2nd trip.
Week later (this week) twice i would turn it on, change zones and it would not pass audio on the channels i was parked on or in the scan list. SDS100, G4 and APX all worked like they were supposed to so logic tells me its a KNG issue. Especially when i know its worked before.
In both instances powering off radio, and powering back on allowed it to work however i feel that is a failure and one that has not happened on previous versions of firmware.
So not sure if this has happened to anyone else..
I also took these steps to try to reduce the risk of corruption.
installed old firmware, then launched RES5.5.4 and opened up an old codeplug from 6 months ago from the same version of firmware.
I programmed that to the radio.
Then just to be sure did the firmware for 5.5.0h again.
Then read the radio in RES 5.5.4 and made changes that were needed since that codeplug was used.
I just got a BKR-5000 demo last week. Need to find time to start playing with it. Big radio, and the battery looks like a rough copycat of the APX6/7/8 line. Not a fan of those batteries. Has anyone gone hands on with this series yet? Pros/cons?
rsmith7799
Member
I'm still waiting for mine....
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