I recently inherited an older TM-V7A. I hooked it up to my power supply and it seems to be dead. Checked the fuse and it looks good. Checked my power supply and that is working fine, so it appears to be something in the unit. I haven't started looking deeper into the insides to test where the power stops because I noticed the front face is for a TM-V7. Is it possible that the face on it will not work on the newer model? I'm really new at this, so I'm looking for direction. Thanks
Kenwood: Kenwood TM-V7A
- Thread starter rlsmith58
- Start date
- Status
- Joined
- Sep 28, 2008
- Messages
- 491
- Reaction score
- 83
Just a few ideas -
Did you check the fuse with a continuity checker? Sometimes they can "look good" but are not. Did you check the power supply with a volt meter?
Also, sometimes the removable head isn't seated correctly which could cause the unit to not power up. Try removing it and reseating it.
Lastly, make sure the DC connector is inserted correctly.
Did you check the fuse with a continuity checker? Sometimes they can "look good" but are not. Did you check the power supply with a volt meter?
Also, sometimes the removable head isn't seated correctly which could cause the unit to not power up. Try removing it and reseating it.
Lastly, make sure the DC connector is inserted correctly.
n5ims
Member
- Joined
- Jul 25, 2004
- Messages
- 3,993
- Reaction score
- 303
Mine says "TM-V7" on the head and "TM-V7A" on the base's sticker so it's probably not a mismatch issue. I bought mine new back long ago that I no longer remember when and the radio still works fine. I understand that the "A" doesn't indicate a later model but that it's the American version of the radio ("E" would be the European version). There's also a Japanese version but I don't remember the code for that.
One issue with the TM-V7 is that the blue display tends to fade with age, especially when used mobile where the heat and bright sunlight affects the LCD display. Due to the age of the radio, I don't believe that you can get a replacement display anymore.
One issue with the TM-V7 is that the blue display tends to fade with age, especially when used mobile where the heat and bright sunlight affects the LCD display. Due to the age of the radio, I don't believe that you can get a replacement display anymore.
Thanks, this answers a couple of my questions. I have 2 units, the TM-V7A and a TM-733. The TM-733 powers up fine using the power supply I have and the requirements are the same for the 2 units, so I believe the power supply is fine. Also, I swapped the fuses out with the same result. I have tried removing and reinserting the head many times, but the V7A still doesn't respond. I don't think it is just a faded display because I'm not hearing anything from the unit when I turn it on. Is there any way to test the head without having a separate base? I have been watching for another head online, but don't want to spend too much only to find out the base unit is bad. Any thoughts?
K7MEM
Member
I also have a TM-V7. Similar to you, the head is marked TM-V7 and the base unit is marked TM-V7A. Up until now, I never even noticed the difference. I got the TM-V7 about 3 years ago, from a friend who is now SK. However, I was never able to make it work. It's collecting dust on a shelf right now, so I may pull it out and give it another try. It seems like a nice radio, if it would only work. Then I could retire my old IC-255A.
Your vehicle's voltage will vary depending on the health of the battery and the regulation of the voltage supplied by the alternator.
The nominal voltage in a vehicle with a "12 volt system" is around 13.5 volts. Most 2-way radios, including your Kenwood, have a range of voltages, lets say +/- 10% of the stated voltage, over which they'll work.
The nominal voltage in a vehicle with a "12 volt system" is around 13.5 volts. Most 2-way radios, including your Kenwood, have a range of voltages, lets say +/- 10% of the stated voltage, over which they'll work.
Thanks, that makes a lot more sense now!
- Status
