• To anyone looking to acquire commercial radio programming software:

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    For M/A Com/Harris/GE, etc: there are two software packages that program all current and past radios. One package is for conventional programming and the other for trunked programming. The trunked package is in upwards of $2,500. The conventional package is more reasonable though is still several hundred dollars. The benefit is you do not need multiple versions for each radio (unlike Motorola).

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Chip Programming Software

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DTilman

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Hey guys I was just wondering if anybody used or even heard about the chip programming software that is available as a free download online. Just curious on your thoughts about it and if anybody has tried to use it. I was trying to just look at the programming of a TK-372g with it but it would not let me look at it. Maybe someone could help me out on why it is not working if you guys have played around with it. Thanks in advance.

DTilman
 

sfd119

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I guess I wouldn't use Chirp for anything other than Baofengs and the like. It's not a...steady program.

Use the real deal with the Kenwood.
 

mikewazowski

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I can't imagine the look of horror on a dealer's face when you bring him a bricked radio and tell him you used a freeware program instead of the recommended software from the manufacturer.
 

clbsquared

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There's a reason why it's free and only works on cheap radios. If you screw up a $30.00 radio, you throw it in the garbage and start over. You won't get that software to work on the major manufacturers radios. And if by some small chance you were able to get it to communicate with one, I highly doubt it would leave the radio capable of doing anything but holding down a balloon.

Sent from my HTC One A9 using Tapatalk
 

mmckenna

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The TK-372 was discontinued quite some time back, Kenwood no longer has the software on their "dealer tools" page, although they may still sell it if you call them and ask.
The correct software, KPG-56, is out there if you look.
I'd echo the others, use the correct software unless you are willing to risk the radio.
 

Gruaaa

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Did you verify your COM port setup and connectivity to the radio? Don't mind the brand snobs ("take it to the dealer") and appliance operators ("keep throwing $100s at it till it works"), CHIRP works fine with my wide variety of Kenwoods, and the TK-372g is on the supported models list. Sometimes need to use KPG for features, but populating straight from RR/repeaterbook/etc and actual modern import/export is handy. I'm sure if it started bricking radios we'd hear about it on the bugtracker pretty quick, beauty of open source and all that.
 

sfd119

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Why use Chirp when there is the legit software? If I brick a Baofeng I'm out $30. If I brick a Kenwood, I'm out a lot more. It's not a brand snob thing...I like using the tried and true software versus some open source stuff. Why reinvent the wheel?
 

Gruaaa

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As explained in my post above, the "legit" proprietary antique lacks modern functionality. CHIRP supports a wide variety of radios including ICOM and Yaesu, and has yet to brick any of them. This entire internet thing you're using runs on "some open source stuff" like infrastructure, protocols and services. Vendor lock-in isn't pretty. Why live in the past?
 

AD0JA

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Did you verify your COM port setup and connectivity to the radio? Don't mind the brand snobs ("take it to the dealer") and appliance operators ("keep throwing $100s at it till it works"), CHIRP works fine with my wide variety of Kenwoods, and the TK-372g is on the supported models list. Sometimes need to use KPG for features, but populating straight from RR/repeaterbook/etc and actual modern import/export is handy. I'm sure if it started bricking radios we'd hear about it on the bugtracker pretty quick, beauty of open source and all that.

I've used CHIRP on a TK-270 before with 100% success. Never had it brick any older Kenwood radios. Besides, it should be easy to unbrick an older radio, just make a new codeplug in RSS and stuff it in. At least that's how I unbricked a TK250 once. Re-aligned it after that but worked fine.

Geez, why you all whining about using RSS for a these old radios when CHIRP works fine?? If someone bricks their radio, these old Kenwood's are cheaper than Buttfongs, just buy a new one.
 
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