Programming M-RK

[KG5HHS]

Hello All,
I just recently filed and was approved for a GMRS license and am now looking for radio's to get. I purchased 3 GE Ericsson M-RK's (Model Number: PK1UGC) with the antenna's, batteries, and chargers for $140 on ebay. I was told they were 16 channel but are really 2 channel. All in all I guess I got a good deal on the radio's so I can't complain to much.
I have Programmer 18 and am successfully able to read the radio, the problem is when I go to program it. All I did was read the personality and change the two frequencies. There was no need in changing the names or anything because there is no display on the radio. When I go to write the personality It loads and goes to the first screen where I click okay, then gets to about 23-25% and says "Error. 12 volt not present, protocall error or radio application". Am I doing something wrong here?

 

[Thunderknight]

I was told they were 16 channel but are really 2 channel. All in all I guess I got a good deal on the radio's so I can't complain to much.

Will the knob only turn two positions, but is marked for 16 channels? If so, pop it up off and see if it has a stop ring under it.

 

[KG5HHS]

Will the knob only turn two positions, but is marked for 16 channels? If so, pop it up off and see if it has a stop ring under it.

Yes, the knob will only turn 2 positions but is marked for 16. I took it off but have no idea what I'm looking at.

 

[kb4cvn]

Yes, the knob will only turn 2 positions but is marked for 16. I took it off but have no idea what I'm looking at.

John,
Carefully (!) remove the rubber top cap on the channel knob. Then, using a 0.050" Hex Key (or a T6 Torx if you don't have the correct sized hex key), removed the channel knob plastic piece. Underneath that will be a black plastic round ring with indexing marks on it. This is the "CHANNEL KNOB STOP". Simply remove this stop and reinstall the knob and rubber top cap.


Also, keep in mind, M-RK1's are unique as they can have conventional channels, trunked talkgroups, (pre-programmed) phone calls and (pre-programmed) I-Calls all on the knob! Pay attention to your programming. I recommend that unless you absolutely have to, change the Default on the knob from SYS/GRP to simply GRP. Then, go into OPTIONS ---> M-RK KNOB OPTIONS, and hit CLEAR to zero out any incorrect programming of the SYS/GRP knob function.

 

[kb4cvn]

BTW: Every radio since the M-PA has had this simple knob-stop device.

 

[KG5HHS]

John,
Carefully (!) remove the rubber top cap on the channel knob. Then, using a 0.050" Hex Key (or a T6 Torx if you don't have the correct sized hex key), removed the channel knob plastic piece. Underneath that will be a black plastic round ring with indexing marks on it. This is the "CHANNEL KNOB STOP". Simply remove this stop and reinstall the knob and rubber top cap.


Also, keep in mind, M-RK1's are unique as they can have conventional channels, trunked talkgroups, (pre-programmed) phone calls and (pre-programmed) I-Calls all on the knob! Pay attention to your programming. I recommend that unless you absolutely have to, change the Default on the knob from SYS/GRP to simply GRP. Then, go into OPTIONS ---> M-RK KNOB OPTIONS, and hit CLEAR to zero out any incorrect programming of the SYS/GRP knob function.

I think I will try that once I figure out how to get these radio's programmed. having 16 channels wont do me a bit of good if I can't get them programmed. It would be nice to have 16 channels though

 

[kb4cvn]

I think I will try that once I figure out how to get these radio's programmed. having 16 channels wont do me a bit of good if I can't get them programmed. It would be nice to have 16 channels though

BTW:

I ran a M-RK1 in my F150 for years, using it with a Enhanced Vehicular Charger with an Orion head. I had several hundred channels programmed into it, which I could access with the remote head. When removed, I simply accessed the sixteen on the knob, which was more than sufficient.

The reason I picked the M-RK1 was it is submersible.
I still carry this 20 year old portable to this day for that reason on my farm.
Slim, rugged as hell, and waterproof.

 

[WNZT398]

Hello All,
I just recently filed and was approved for a GMRS license and am now looking for radio's to get. I purchased 3 GE Ericsson M-RK's (Model Number: PK1UGC) with the antenna's, batteries, and chargers for $140 on ebay. I was told they were 16 channel but are really 2 channel. All in all I guess I got a good deal on the radio's so I can't complain to much.
I have Programmer 18 and am successfully able to read the radio, the problem is when I go to program it. All I did was read the personality and change the two frequencies. There was no need in changing the names or anything because there is no display on the radio. When I go to write the personality It loads and goes to the first screen where I click okay, then gets to about 23-25% and says "Error. 12 volt not present, protocall error or radio application". Am I doing something wrong here?

I have programmed MRK radios for years and this is a common problem resulting from bad UDC contacts. Take a look and clean the radio contacts with an electrical contact cleaner that does not damage the plastic on the cover. I normally clean this as I am ready to program and connect the programming cable to the radio with wet contacts. Works 99% of the time. If the contacts are very bad from not having a speaker mic or UDC cover in place for extended time, I have had to replace the cover. When we upgraded our radios and pulled MRK's from service, I had many new MRK-I, MRK-II Scan & MRK-II Sys covers in stock.