• To anyone looking to acquire commercial radio programming software:

    Please do not make requests for copies of radio programming software which is sold (or was sold) by the manufacturer for any monetary value. All requests will be deleted and a forum infraction issued. Making a request such as this is attempting to engage in software piracy and this forum cannot be involved or associated with this activity. The same goes for any private transaction via Private Message. Even if you attempt to engage in this activity in PM's we will still enforce the forum rules. Your PM's are not private and the administration has the right to read them if there's a hint to criminal activity.

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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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Kenwood nx-5000 with ftdi cable

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kd4efm

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you can run the gamble on Ebay items. this cable may work, but the issue is if you brick the radio on a firmware update, it is not covered under warranty.
Ask anyone whos been down the road, and chances are, they will say getting OEM was a wiser choice.

The OEM lists 162.00, and there are dealers out there where you may find it from 10% to 40% over cost.
Yes, as a radio tech even I go OEM, because I have to service and warranty these radios.

HAM or hobbyist, I see people drop loads of money on a QRP HF rig, but play with a beoufang, why? Get OEM, save the headaches.
 

Jolokey

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you can run the gamble on Ebay items. this cable may work, but the issue is if you brick the radio on a firmware update, it is not covered under warranty.
Ask anyone whos been down the road, and chances are, they will say getting OEM was a wiser choice.

The OEM lists 162.00, and there are dealers out there where you may find it from 10% to 40% over cost.
Yes, as a radio tech even I go OEM, because I have to service and warranty these radios.

HAM or hobbyist, I see people drop loads of money on a QRP HF rig, but play with a beoufang, why? Get OEM, save the headaches.

Thank you. So, on a side note, If I had a radio such as the nx-300 (which I just so happen to in a box somewhere) and the cable works fine on the 300, it would more than likely work on the 5000 series?
 

kd4efm

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Thank you. So, on a side note, If I had a radio such as the nx-300 (which I just so happen to in a box somewhere) and the cable works fine on the 300, it would more than likely work on the 5000 series?
Yes, the KPG-36UM or XM cable will work fine. The XM uses a FTDI chip (afaik) and writes faster (like 115200) the usb plain jane 36UM is a slower speed cable, and is the multi-pin portable programming cable for most Kenwood portables in the x00 or xx00 series. The KPG-22UM, still in production is a two pin cable for the 20 and 40 series two pin spkr mic radios.

EFM
 

KK6ZTE

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The KPG-36XM has a switch allowing direct usb (for NX5000, at speeds much greater than 115200) and for the TTL converter (for earlier radios).

The newer are direct usb devices like Motorola, it's just a simple USB cable (internally) for the full speed. When you install a driver for the XM, technically it's the radio that the driver is for.

The KPG-36UM is maxxed out at 115200 due to the TTL level change.
 

bryanhendrix

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Buy an OEM cable and do so from kd4efm.

Signed,

TK2312 owner.
---- great recommendation ---- great advice

so, if one or two of us out here we don't want to fuss with a cable - - - - we could probably work out where to send the non computer item at the end of a programming cable

just a thought; and, perhaps an invitation to use the conversation feature, a 'message' some other person feature, or - check a R R premium subscriber profile for a contact email
 
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