Help with unbricking a TK-290

[76X1]

My County's Search & Rescue Team has a TK-290 that is permanently stuck in PROGRAM mode. I'm assuming someone tried to update the firmware, but it got hung up and is now bricked. The serial number is B1CXXXXX, which should make it a December 2011 build. The SAR team provided me with the KPG-38D programming software and the FPRO firmware loader, (and the programming cable), but I can't find any .hex firmware files on the CD-ROM and I can't read anything off the radio via FPRO or KPG-38D.

I tried reaching out to our County Radio Shop and our department's Kenwood vendor, but neither of them have any legacy firmware for the TK-290.
Any ideas on how to unbrick this thing?

Thanks in advance for any help or ideas.

 

[mmckenna]

I've got a couple of older TK-290 firmware packages that I'd be happy to send you. With your low post count, it won't let you send PM's, so you'd have to post an e-mail address here in the open. There are different hardware versions, so not sure which firmware goes with which one.

FPRO is for the newer radios. For the TK-290, you use the KPG-38D and select "Firmware Program" in the Programming tab. Not sure if the newer Windows software did it a different way.

If not, those radios are dirt cheap online and they can pick up a new one fairly inexpensively.

Before you do this, try the following procedure:
Turn the radio off.
Hold Side 2 and PTT and turn the radio on. (Side 2 is the very bottom button under the PTT) Once powered on, release the Side 2 button first. Display should show "Program", which I know is what it shows now, but make sure it comes up.

 

[76X1]

Thanks for the reply, mmckenna. Yes, the radio still shows PROGRAM when doing the Side 2 button release upon powering up.
You can email me here: radio@det.33mail.com (I'm using 33mail because I know this will result in getting spam for eternity. LOL)

Thank you!

 

[mmckenna]

(I'm using 33mail because I know this will result in getting spam for eternity. LOL)

Good idea. Let me dropbox the files to you.

 

[mmckenna]

OK, link sent. There's a couple of firmware files in there (zipped), but I'm not sure which one is for which version hardware.

 

[76X1]

Thank you! I just got them and sent you a reply from my work email.

 

[n7maq-1]

IIRC there were three or four different hardware variations and you needed the correct firmware for the build of the radio. Since yours is newer I assume you will want the newer files. If the ones MM sent you let us know and I can send you what we have here.

Jim

 

[76X1]

IIRC there were three or four different hardware variations and you needed the correct firmware for the build of the radio. Since yours is newer I assume you will want the newer files. If the ones MM sent you let us know and I can send you what we have here.

Jim

Thank you! I'll let you guys know how it goes.

Adam

 

[n7maq-1]

OK, I found the service bulletin, it is from 2001 so you are safe with any firmware since 10/25/01. The latest firmware is rev25 v225 D4F5.

Jim

 

[mmckenna]

OK, I found the service bulletin, it is from 2001 so you are safe with any firmware since 10/25/01. The latest firmware is rev25 v225 D4F5.

Jim

Excellent, I did send him D4F5.

Which service bulletin was that? I've got most of them up until about 2 years ago, but my Mac doesn't search them very well.

 

[n7maq-1]

LSB-0260