KAS-20 Trial

[AndGorew]

Good morning!

We have a Kenwood analog-linked repeater system and are currently in the process of switching over to DMR or NXDN (haven't made a final decision yet).

We are looking for a solution that will record calls, and eventually be able to track our vehicles when they are in-range.

Are there any Kenwood dealers that offer a trial version of KAS-20? We would like to see if this is a good fit for our system.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[kd4efm]

Your local dealer would be the one to contact, your out of my area, but there is a way to try it for 30 calendar days from activation in the LMC.

 

[DeoVindice]

Give Code 3 Service a call, they have offices in Albuquerque and Taos. I've purchased a lot of equipment through them and they're easy to get along with. When I lived in Sandoval County we dealt with Specialty Communications as well and had good experiences; their website is currently down but wouldn't hurt to call.

 

[AndGorew]

I was able to get a 30-day trial version of KAS-20! Thanks for the recommendations.

I'm having trouble getting my NX-3820 to work with the software. It is connected with a KPG-46z from bluemax49ers. Firmware is K 2.10.00. It shows up as a USB Serial Device (COM6), which is what I selected in the software. I've tried all the drivers I can find and changed the baud rate, but I keep getting the same error. See screenshots. Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[ramal121]

And you're setting up your serial port in the radio?

 

[DeoVindice]

All serial data I've done with Kenwood mobiles has been through the rear D-sub connector. I haven't dealt with 3820s though.

 

[ramal121]

All serial data I've done with Kenwood mobiles has been through the rear D-sub connector.

Same here.

 

[Giddyuptd]

Out of curiosity why nxdn or dmr? I know some are using it in NM but many are either going to the state system or using p25 conventional or headed that way on simulcast systems. Cost I'm sure plays part. Code 3 is definitely a go to in NM.

 

[AndGorew]

And you're setting up your serial port in the radio?

This worked somewhat. I am able to initiate a call with the PTT button on the client software, but it seems to stick and times-out the radio after 60 seconds. I have tried the "Toggle" and "Push and Hold" PTT options in settings, and they both do the same thing. In the call log, the call result is "Timeout".

 

[AndGorew]

Out of curiosity why nxdn or dmr? I know some are using it in NM but many are either going to the state system or using p25 conventional or headed that way on simulcast systems. Cost I'm sure plays part. Code 3 is definitely a go to in NM.

We have a bunch of portables and mobiles that are NXDN or DMR capable, and I have experience with a few Trbo systems, so I figured we'd try one or the other. We're also a private organization, with our own repeater sites, so I don't know if the statewide system would be an option for us.

 

[Giddyuptd]

We have a bunch of portables and mobiles that are NXDN or DMR capable, and I have experience with a few Trbo systems, so I figured we'd try one or the other. We're also a private organization, with our own repeater sites, so I don't know if the statewide system would be an option for us.

Gotcha was thinking you were municipal or county entity

 

[AndGorew]

Does anyone have experience using an NX-3820 with this software? I've read a few things that lead me to believe that I need a custom connector for the back and might need to make some modifications inside the radio for serial data via that connector? I don't have a repeater to connect via IP because we are just doing a proof of concept to see if this software will work for us. Any recommendations? Yall have been awesome so far!

 

[n7maq-1]

Does anyone have experience using an NX-3820 with this software? I've read a few things that lead me to believe that I need a custom connector for the back and might need to make some modifications inside the radio for serial data via that connector? I don't have a repeater to connect via IP because we are just doing a proof of concept to see if this software will work for us. Any recommendations? Yall have been awesome so far!

It covers it in the service manual, there are some chip resistors that need to be moved. If I get spare time on lunch I'll try to post the steps.

Jim

 

[n7maq-1]

Change FNC1 (TXD), FNC2 (RXD), FNC3 (RTS) and FNC4 (CTS) of D-SUB 15-pin connector from TTL level to RS-232C level

FNC1 (TXD /6pin ), FNC2 (RXD /7pin ), FNC3 (RTS /8pin ) and FNC4 (CTS /9pin ) of D-SUB 15-pin connector are configured at
the TTL level as the default value. But you can change these serial port level to RS-232C level through the RS-232C level
converter IC (IC605) by configuring the port.

Remove the R623, R625, R630, R631, R633 and R634 chip jumpers and solder the chip jumpers to R604, R605, R608, R609, R610 and R611

 

[AndGorew]

Thanks for the instructions. Sounds like /after/ I move these tiny resistors around, I would then need to make a custom DB15 RS-232 to USB cable. It might just be easier for us to purchase an NXR-1700 with the IP license to interface with this software. What do most use as the radio interface to KAS-20?

 

[DeoVindice]

Thanks for the instructions. Sounds like /after/ I move these tiny resistors around, I would then need to make a custom DB15 RS-232 to USB cable. It might just be easier for us to purchase an NXR-1700 with the IP license to interface with this software. What do most use as the radio interface to KAS-20?

I'd inquire as to whether an NX-5000 mobile will work. If so, it's a matter of a DB9-DB25 adapter and USB-serial converter. I have used StarTech adapters with Keyspan converters for OTA data on VM-5000 mobiles which are physically identical to the NX version.

 

[AM909]

... custom DB15 RS-232 ...

Just to pick a small nit if you're shopping for cables/conectors, the connector that is often referred to as a DB-15 is usually actually a DE-15, as it is in this case. There is no standard 15-pin B-size D-sub connector, so people usually mean the (high density) DE-15 that is commonly used for VGA video, not the rarely seen (normal-density) DA-15 that is rarely used except for Motorola RIB boxes and old joystick ports IIRC.

Similarly, the connector used for serial ports that is often referred to as a DB-9 is actually a DE-9. There is no other standard 9-pin D-sub.

 

[AndGorew]

Quick update and a question: I've made the modifications to the 0 ohm resistors inside the radio per the service manual, and made a custom cable to convert the RS232 pins from the rear DE-15 connector to a standard DE-9 serial connector, and connected this to a KeySpan RS232 to USB converter.

My question is - what is the difference between COM port 0 and COM port 1 in the programming? Do I need to enable COM port 1 to make the rear serial port work? Any other settings I need to check to interface with KAS-20? Again, this is on a NX-3820.

 

[kd4efm]

com 0 is mic jack, com 1 is the rear port.

Function (Radio Configuration > Global Options > External Device > General > Serial Interface)

• Radio Configuration > Global Options > External Device > General > Serial Interface

Function​

Function allows you to allocate functions to the communication ports and Bluetooth communication port of the transceiver.

Portable:

NX-3200/ NX-3300/ NX-3400:

COM port 0 is allocated to the 14-pin universal connector. (TXD: Pin No.12/ RXD: Pin No.13)

NX-3220/ NX-3320/ NX-3420:

COM port 0 is allocated to the 2-pin connector. (RXD: Pin No.1/ TXD: Pin No.7)

Mobile:

There are 2 communication ports in a mobile transceiver.

COM port 0:

COM port 0 is allocated to the microphone jack at the front panel. (TXD: Pin No.4/ RXD: Pin No.7)

COM port 1:

COM port 1 is allocated to the 15-pin connector at the rear panel. (TXD: Pin No.6/ RXD: Pin No.7)

Range:​

None:

Disables the COM port for data transfer with the transceiver.

Data:

Enables the COM port for data transfer with the transceiver.

GPS:

Enables the COM port for data transfer with the transceiver and a GPS Receiver.

Data + GPS Data Output:

GPS Positioning Data, in addition to the configuration data, can be transferred to a PC. "STX" is added at the beginning of the GPS Positioning Data, and "ETX" is added at the end.

Transparent:

Activates the COM port for data transfer with the transceiver and for transparent data transfer.

"Transparent" can be used in the FleetSync format for an analog channel.

Transparent (Digital)

Enables Transparent data communications in the NXDN/ DMR format using the optimized communications method.

By using "Transparent (Digital)", data can be sent more efficiently than using "Transparent".

Default:​

None