TK-380 FleetSync CallerID and Selcall questions

[SargeAF]

Greetings...new to the forum from the Atlanta area.

I recently acquired four type 1 (450-490MHz) TK-380 HTs (two Version 1.0 and two 2.0). I’ve programmed them for GMRS use and also monitor 70CM repeaters with transmit disabled (don’t have HAM ticket yet). I have flashed them with what I believe is the latest firmware for both versions. They’re very rugged radios, and I recently had a radio tech put them on his service monitor and check frequency deviation, and dialed in selectivity and transmit power...they work well and sound great.

I know that FleetSync was sort of a flop (commercially) but I’ve been playing around with it on a few channels to maybe use at events or while camping/hiking. I have set the fleet/radio numbers for each radio, and have them all programmed with the radio list with all radio IDs and Alph names, and have PTTID on and set to BOT, as well as having CallerID enabled. The CallerID works with the Version 2.0 radios (alpha name of transmitting radio shows on receiving radio while simplex), but it does not on the Version 1.0; does that only function on the V2 radios? The only way I can get a caller ID on the V1 radios is when you activate message mode and pick a radio name to alert and actuate the PTT, versus ID’ing on a normal simplex transmit/receive like the V2 does.

Also, I tried doing a Selective Call on both V1 and V2 radios, and the receiving radio is alerted and you hear the Selcall tones when you press the PTT, but my other two TK-380s on the same channel also hear the voice traffic. I was under the impression that SelCall would allow voice comms between the two radios selected (private conversation) and the other FleetSync radios on the same frequency would not break squelch...is this not the case, or am I missing something in my programming?

Thanks in advance.

Sarge

 

[DeoVindice]

The TK-x80 family is a bit of an odd duck with the V1/V2 distinction; I have a couple TK-980 V1s that appear to be DOS-only! The battery latches are also fragile...I have two working (and about four non-working) TK-x80s. Not a fan, but your mileage may vary.

I may be wrong, but I'm not sure that the V1 radios support Fleetsync caller ID.

I've never messed around with SelCall (just not necessary for my purposes). That said, you may be running into an Option Signalling issue. Try switching it from OR to AND if you haven't done so already.

Once you figure it out, Fleetsync is a neat tool. I use it on all of my business radios that support it. I have status messages set up for encode/decode as well, but haven't used that particular function other than to test it. Looks neat on paper, though.

 

[mmckenna]

Sarge,

Since you are new, I can't PM you and you can't likely PM me. But if you can share your e-mail address, I can send you the Kenwood document on FleetSync.

 

[SargeAF]

Having done more reading (I found a KPG-49D Fleetsync document online) it may very well be the Option Signaling issue you mention (my radios are set to “OR”) so I will program that change and verify this later today.

One of my two V2 radios is the DTMF version (K4) and it looks/feels like brand new, and my V1 radios are about an 8 out of 10 condition wise. One of my V1 radio batteries was worn where they key into the locating ears on the chassis and would not make good contact with the battery pins, but I replaced both the V1 batteries with 2100mah NiMH batteries and they fit nice and tight with no play.

I believe you’re right (from my further reading) as I found a list of Fleetsync feature comparisons between the V1 and V2 and it shows N/A for CallerID for the V1. The Status Messaging works on all radios. I’ll report back if I can get the Selcall working properly...thanks gents.

Sarge

 

[SargeAF]

Sarge,

Since you are new, I can't PM you and you can't likely PM me. But if you can share your e-mail address, I can send you the Kenwood document on FleetSync.

I found a document online...may or may not be the same as you have, but send away and I’ll have a look. Thanks for that.

sargeaf@icloud.com

Sarge

 

[SargeAF]

I've never messed around with SelCall (just not necessary for my purposes). That said, you may be running into an Option Signalling issue. Try switching it from OR to AND if you haven't done so already.

That worked! Thank you.

I changed all the radios Option Signaling from “Or” to “And” and now selective calling works. Calling an individual radio works (the other Fleetsync radios present that are not part of the Selcall mute the audio).

With it setup this way, the only way to communicate with all the Fleetsync radios (on a Fleetsync enabled channel) is to have an “All” broadcast set in the radio list to transmit via Selcall and be heard on all encoded radios. If you end message mode (get out of Selcall) and just try to transmit, the audio is muted on all radios (if using a Fleetsync enabled channel). If you switch all radios to a non-Fleetsync channel, radios all work as normal.

Thanks for your help. I now understand how the Selcall and status messaging work. I also did verify that V1 radios DO NOT have CallerID present.

Sarge