Kenwood TK-5210-K3 Beginner Questions (Michigan)

[87GN]

I have a Kenwood TK-5210-K3 radio that I found recently, I forgot I was given it over 10 years ago. I just bought a new battery for it and have no idea how to get started with it. I've researched all over and understand I need a programming cable and software. I see plenty of cables on amazon and around the web, some include a CD with software, some with a flash drive and some dont include any software (I don't have a CD ROM drive in my PC, so the CD would be useless). I have seen KPG-95DG seems to be the preferred version over KPG-95DGN, but have no idea what the narrow band change does or if it would matter for what I'm looking to do. I am looking to just get local emergency channels to hear what's going on. I'm in South East Michigan. I've looked around for places that can do programming and I don't seem to see anywhere locally that I can take it to, but maybe someone can point me in the right direction. I'm also not opposed to getting the programming cable and buying the software to do it myself, but would like a good reliable source/link and would probably need direction on how to program it once I have those.


Currently the radio will turn on, it'll initialize and then says "HI" in the top right, a "1" on the left in the middle and below that "PER 1". When I change from channel 1 to any other channel it has a constant beep with X's across the screen. So I don't know if it just needs to be programmed or if its garbage.

Any input or direction would be much appreciated.

Thank you!

 

[mmckenna]

I have a Kenwood TK-5210-K3 radio that I found recently, I forgot I was given it over 10 years ago. I just bought a new battery for it and have no idea how to get started with it. I've researched all over and understand I need a programming cable and software. I see plenty of cables on amazon and around the web, some include a CD with software, some with a flash drive and some dont include any software (I don't have a CD ROM drive in my PC, so the CD would be useless). I have seen KPG-95DG seems to be the preferred version over KPG-95DGN, but have no idea what the narrow band change does or if it would matter for what I'm looking to do.

The KPG-95D is the older version of software. KPG-95DGN is the newer version. The version required will depend on the firmware in the radio.

Be careful with aftermarket cables and Chinese cables that come with "free" software.

I am looking to just get local emergency channels to hear what's going on. I'm in South East Michigan. I've looked around for places that can do programming and I don't seem to see anywhere locally that I can take it to, but maybe someone can point me in the right direction. I'm also not opposed to getting the programming cable and buying the software to do it myself, but would like a good reliable source/link and would probably need direction on how to program it once I have those.

If all you are going to do is listen, then it's not super difficult to set up. But it isn't like a scanner, and it will have a steep learning curve.

As for the DGN vs. DG software, if you are using this to listen to public safety users, the N version software will do what you need. Any public safety agency you'd be listening to on VHF will be running narrowband.

Not sure who would be local to you, but programming the radio, even for receive only, isn't going to be cheap if you use a radio shop. Bench time is usually something in the $80/hour and up range.

Currently the radio will turn on, it'll initialize and then says "HI" in the top right, a "1" on the left in the middle and below that "PER 1". When I change from channel 1 to any other channel it has a constant beep with X's across the screen. So I don't know if it just needs to be programmed or if its garbage.

Sounds like it had its memory wiped.

 

[kd4efm]

BLANKED RADIO BASICALLY.

 

[87GN]

The KPG-95D is the older version of software. KPG-95DGN is the newer version. The version required will depend on the firmware in the radio.

Be careful with aftermarket cables and Chinese cables that come with "free" software.




If all you are going to do is listen, then it's not super difficult to set up. But it isn't like a scanner, and it will have a steep learning curve.

As for the DGN vs. DG software, if you are using this to listen to public safety users, the N version software will do what you need. Any public safety agency you'd be listening to on VHF will be running narrowband.

Not sure who would be local to you, but programming the radio, even for receive only, isn't going to be cheap if you use a radio shop. Bench time is usually something in the $80/hour and up range.




Sounds like it had its memory wiped.

Some great info, thank you! Yes the idea is to use it as a scanner.

Since there's some garbage cables and software out there, is there a good link/source you recommend that I purchase those items from?

Thanks again!

 

[mmckenna]

Some great info, thank you! Yes the idea is to use it as a scanner.

Since there's some garbage cables and software out there, is there a good link/source you recommend that I purchase those items from?

Thanks again!

Legally, the software needs to come from Kenwood. It's copyrighted. You can find it elsewhere, but that's not something we usually discuss here. You do need to know what you are doing with software, versions, firmware, activation serial numbers, etc. Not impossible to do, but it's not always easy.

Since I do this stuff for work, I use the Kenwood cables. It's not worth it for me to mess around with aftermarket stuff.
But, there is a seller on e-Bay called Kawamall that usually has respectable stuff that is quite a bit less expensive than the Kenwood branded cables.

 

[kd4efm]

Bluemax49 is another spot to get cables from.

 

[dryfb]

I have a Kenwood TK-5210-K3 radio that I found recently, I forgot I was given it over 10 years ago. I just bought a new battery for it and have no idea how to get started with it. I've researched all over and understand I need a programming cable and software. I see plenty of cables on amazon and around the web, some include a CD with software, some with a flash drive and some dont include any software (I don't have a CD ROM drive in my PC, so the CD would be useless). I have seen KPG-95DG seems to be the preferred version over KPG-95DGN, but have no idea what the narrow band change does or if it would matter for what I'm looking to do. I am looking to just get local emergency channels to hear what's going on. I'm in South East Michigan. I've looked around for places that can do programming and I don't seem to see anywhere locally that I can take it to, but maybe someone can point me in the right direction. I'm also not opposed to getting the programming cable and buying the software to do it myself, but would like a good reliable source/link and would probably need direction on how to program it once I have those.


Currently the radio will turn on, it'll initialize and then says "HI" in the top right, a "1" on the left in the middle and below that "PER 1". When I change from channel 1 to any other channel it has a constant beep with X's across the screen. So I don't know if it just needs to be programmed or if its garbage.

Any input or direction would be much appreciated.

Thank you!

View attachment 149796View attachment 149797

SE Michigan, at least monroe and adjacent counties are 100% 7/800 trunked, and this radio won't work for it. It will work for railroads, weather, and marine radio