Constant PROG on screen Kenwood TK-3180 K

[RiverDriver]

Kenwood TK-3180 K
How to remove this on screen?

 

[kd4efm]

Well, did you upload a new or blank codeplug?
Did you do a firmware update?

2 things to check first, as that's kinda a fw corrupt flag on power up.

 

[RiverDriver]

Nope I have done nothing, I have acquired the radio this way.

 

[buddrousa]

Have you tried to Program the radio?

 

[n3obl]

Probably had the programming cleared from the radio hence why the display says that. You need to get the software and programming cable to reprogram the radio. You are not dealing with a baofeng type radio.

 

[hill]

Probably had the programming cleared from the radio hence why the display says that. You need to get the software and programming cable to reprogram the radio. You are not dealing with a baofeng type radio

If it isn't programmed it will say something UNPROGRAMMED on the display.

Going for forward maybe that is what it his radio displays rather than PROG that the OP discusses

 

[RiverDriver]

It’s a Kenwood TK-3180
Is it correct that the software needed is KPG 89 D?
I will also check if there are any similar threads.
Thanks.

 

[WB5UOM]

I dont have a manual close by,but I think remember you could change the programing baud rate on those and PROG was the function where that was changed
I think thats been a loong time ago

 

[buddrousa]

I do not remember ever being able to change the Baud Rate in Kenwood Radios for Programming you set the Baud Rate at the computer to match the Radio this was mostly 9 Pin Serial Ports.

 

[mmckenna]

I dont have a manual close by,but I think remember you could change the programing baud rate on those and PROG was the function where that was changed
I think thats been a loong time ago

That's when you put it into firmware programming mode via the S + Power on sequence. That would show on the screen as:
PROG 115200

With it only showing PROG, that seems to suggest the firmware is borked.

An unprogrammed/new radio would show as "UNPROGRAMMED" on the screen. Once programmed for the fist time, that's gone unless some reprogrammed it and set up a channel text name as "UNPROGRAMMED".

 

[mmckenna]

I do not remember ever being able to change the Baud Rate in Kenwood Radios for Programming you set the Baud Rate at the computer to match the Radio this was mostly 9 Pin Serial Ports.

On the TK-X180 portables, you put it in to firmware programming mode via the S + Power on sequence, then use the bottom side button to change the baud rate. Pressing the top side button will show the checksum.

 

[buddrousa]

If I remember correctly, my 2180 went straight into programming when I connected the cable and software.

 

[mmckenna]

If I remember correctly, my 2180 went straight into programming when I connected the cable and software.

For just programming, you'd connect the cable, power on the radio and either read or write to the radio. It would show "PROGRAMMING" on the screen.

Firmware programming is a different thing.

 

[mmckenna]

I think what I'd be tempted to do with this radio is try rewriting the firmware.

@RiverDriver

Here's what I'd suggest:
with your radio turned OFF:
Hold down the Side 1 button (top button above Push To Talk) and turn the radio on. That should show you the firmware version in the radio. If it does, that's a good sign. If it doesn't, then there's an issue.

You might want to try writing new firmware file to the radio.
You'd need programming cable and the FPRO.exe software that comes on the programming software CD. You'll need the firmware file for the radio. If you are using this radio for amateur radio use, you'll need an older firmware version. If not, the latest is 1.22.00

Open FPRO.exe
set the path to the firmware file.
Connect the cable from your PC to the radio.
Set the COM port to whatever your radio is connected to.
While holding the S key, turn the radio on.
It should show PROG 115200
Make sure the FPRO.exe program is set to 115200 also.
Try writing the new firmware file to the radio.
It'll take a few minutes.
When completed, the radio will show the checksum on the screen. That should match the checksum shown on the FPRO.exe program.

 

[buddrousa]

@mmckenna
Have you seen in the 2180 new battery charged not turned on for 7 days battery is dead?
Was there a FW update to fix this?

 

[mmckenna]

@mmckenna
Have you seen in the 2180 new battery charged not turned on for 7 days battery is dead?
Was there a FW update to fix this?

I don't know. I've got an old TK-3180 running 1.22.00, which is the most recent, I think. I just checked mine and the battery was dead. Not sure when I charged it last, though. I don't use it much anymore, so I haven't bothered to look into it.

 

[buddrousa]

I used the 2180 as a backup to my radio on the firetruck but have not looked at it after retiring in Oct 2023.
I just had to charge it weekly.

 

[RiverDriver]

I think what I'd be tempted to do with this radio is try rewriting the firmware.

@RiverDriver

Here's what I'd suggest:
with your radio turned OFF:
Hold down the Side 1 button (top button above Push To Talk) and turn the radio on. That should show you the firmware version in the radio. If it does, that's a good sign. If it doesn't, then there's an issue.

You might want to try writing new firmware file to the radio.
You'd need programming cable and the FPRO.exe software that comes on the programming software CD. You'll need the firmware file for the radio. If you are using this radio for amateur radio use, you'll need an older firmware version. If not, the latest is 1.22.00

Open FPRO.exe
set the path to the firmware file.
Connect the cable from your PC to the radio.
Set the COM port to whatever your radio is connected to.
While holding the S key, turn the radio on.
It should show PROG 115200
Make sure the FPRO.exe program is set to 115200 also.
Try writing the new firmware file to the radio.
It'll take a few minutes.
When completed, the radio will show the checksum on the screen. That should match the checksum shown on the FPRO.exe program.

I need to do more homework on baud rate and checksum.
While holding side button and power on, the screen says PROG 115200. When pushing top button while on NO SYSTEM is displayed (light on top is flashing green).. Pushing bottom button again screen shows PROG 38400 and light is flashing orange and red.

Thanks for the help but I still feel lost.

 

[mmckenna]

115200 is the baud rate that the radio is looking for from the fpro.exe software. You should be able to run it full speed no issues if you have a USB programming cable. I've updated firmware on a lot of these radios and never needed to set it to anything other than the default 115200

NO SYSTEM means it's programmed for an LTR system, and it can't find the repeater.

 

[RiverDriver]

Thank you, I will get a cable and program software.