Kenwood: Programming software for multiple radios

[K7DDQ]

Is there software besides MCP-2A 3.21 that would allow me to essentially clone a V71 and D710? I have one of each in two vehicles and I'm essentially trying to have them programmed the same. Not every single menu item, of course I understand there are differences between the two radios, I use them daily. What I would like to do is be able to read the memory channel config from one and copy it to the other. Right now what I have to do is read both then sit at the computer moving frequencies and tags from one config to the other, then write from the newly updated config to the radio. It's a royal PITA. I am considering selling both and getting two D710GAs just so I don't have to fuss with copy and paste.

Actually if there was a program that could read both radios memories, merge changes from both radios into one memory config (asking how to handle conflicts) then go back and write that to both, that would be excellent but I suspect I'm really dreaming now.

So what else is out there for Kenwood programming?

 

[kayn1n32008]

Get the RT Systems software for those two radios. You can copy and paste between each radio. It's good software, I use it for all my ham gear.

 

[JStemann]

you can program both with mcp2a version 3.20. I haven't downloaded v3.21, yet.

Assume you start with the 710, select 710 for the radio type when opening mcp2a. Open your memory file or read the 710 radio. Now, from the "file" menu, select the export (hmk) function.

Now, you can either open another instance of the mcp2a software or you can close the one you have open and reopen it. Either way, when you open it you'll want to select the tmv71a for the radio type this time. Once the software is open, go to the "file" pull-down menu, select import (hmk) file.

This should load all your memories the same as they are in the other radio. It doesn't look like it carries over all of the settings, but it should take care of the memories without cutting & pasting.

Jeff.

 

[ka3jjz]

Looks like CHIRP might also work...

Home - CHIRP

Mike

 

[kayn1n32008]

I know the kenwood software when programming the v71 does everything 'live'. All changes are written to the radio as you make them. Having used that and the RT, go with the RT... Much easier to use, and a nicer user interface.

 

[K7DDQ]

I experimented with CHIRP last night on the D710 and that is the first time I've worked in live mode programming a radio. It was a bit intimidating at first but I thought it was pretty cool once I was done. I have not used live mode with the Kenwood software on any of my radios before. With MCP I've always read the radio, made changes and written back to the radio.

I have not yet tried moving data between radios to have a common memory profile between all my Kenwoods but that is coming soon I hope. Well I'll try it with CHIRP. I can already see I'd rather do it that way than with export and import functions in the Kenwood MCP software. It seems from using CHIRP to download RadioReference and Repeater Book data and copying that into my memory config, that I'd like this better for moving data between radios. Well I'm assuming it will work similarly having tabs for each radio and moving data between them although I haven't tried it yet.

I'm not knocking RT, I've never used it and don't know what I'm missing. I'm just concerned about paying for each radio I have, especially since I'm looking at replacing the V71 with a D710GA so buying software for the entire fleet of radios and then buying more software again, that could be 5 RT purchases. Maybe I don't know what I'm missing but if CHIRP will do what I want I can afford the D710GA sooner and that is a good thing.

I'll report back after I have my final memory config ready and copied to other radios to let everyone know how it went.

I'm trying to have a common memory config in the following:
V71A
D710A
F6A
Maybe a FT60R
After the V71 is upgraded, add a D710GA to the list.