if you disconnect or turn off the radio while writing it'll say UNPROGRAMMED afterwards and be factory reset. Also think that if you don't have any channels it'll say that as well, at least on the first gen NX radios.
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Constant PROG on screen Kenwood TK-3180 K
- Thread starter RiverDriver
- Start date
@buddrousa as far as battery drain, my TK-3180 sits on my desk for a week or two between uses without battery drain (Power Products BP5633LI). It has either 1.21 or 1.22 FW (possibly custom for some kind of LTR/scan issue). What kind of battery have you? There are some fake KNB-33 out there in the world that I think I remember won't hold a charge. Old NiMH could do that too. Could be a VHF-only prob, too.
My TK3180 stays charged for a very long time without use on Firmware 1.21
- Joined
- Feb 6, 2025
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- 8
I received my program cable, now where can I find the software needed?
Either a Kenwood dealer or find on the net. A Google search will provide you results.
It's KPG-89
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- Feb 6, 2025
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- 8
Thank you
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
KPG-89 is the programming software.
For updating firmware, you need FPRO.exe That would be included on the KPG-89 software disk.
If you download the KPG-89 from some dark corner of the internet, it often doesn't include the FPRO.exe, so make sure you get that.
As for the firmware, you'll need that, also. Latest version is K1.22.00, if I recall correctly.
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- Feb 6, 2025
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- 8
Thanks, I will search for the disc. I understand this is an older radio. Would a older disk and version have the FPRO. exe ? I can search on eBay.
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
Older radio, yes, but they only stopped selling them a while back.
Software version being compatible with newer firmware version is a thing. If you've got newer firmware in the radio and trying to use older programming software, you can run into issues. Newer programming software would be compatible with older firmware.
Also, you do need to understand the challenges of newer software/firmware and how that plays into the narrowband requirements. If you need wide band capability for amateur radio or GMRS, you need to pay close attention to making sure you have pre-2013 versions.
My TK3180 has K 1.21.00 firmware on it and works great for my uses and I see really no reason to upgrade to K1.22.00.
No issues using wideband. Don't remember which version of KPG89 I am using and will have look next fire up that laptop.
No issues using wideband. Don't remember which version of KPG89 I am using and will have look next fire up that laptop.
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
Yeah, not sure what 1.22 fixed and if it's necessary. I bought mine used from a shop a few years back and they updated it to the latest/last version. Firmware won't impact wide/narrow, but the programming software will. Some versions of firmware won't always talk with older software.
Good solid little radio. It lives at home now that I've got more appropriate radios at work.
Good solid little radio. It lives at home now that I've got more appropriate radios at work.
FW K 1.22 and KPG-89D v1.60 are the last versions I have here. I've got K 1.21.00 in a radio that I use, and program it with KPG-89D v1.30 and v1.60. Note that the default bandwidth when adding a channel as of KPG-89D v1.60 is still, annoyingly, wide (it was dated 2009).
There is a KPG-89DN v1.61, released November 2012, that is likely narrow-band only (thus the "N" suffix).
If you load a radio up with a lot of zones/talkgroups/systems/freqs, near the memory and channel count limits, audit your changes carefully – there may be a bug that will lose or corrupt channels.
There is a KPG-89DN v1.61, released November 2012, that is likely narrow-band only (thus the "N" suffix).
If you load a radio up with a lot of zones/talkgroups/systems/freqs, near the memory and channel count limits, audit your changes carefully – there may be a bug that will lose or corrupt channels.
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