I have a TK-390 all programmed up and have been using for a while now. Ive made sure the individual channels are set to wide and i have even cranked up the Deviation in the "TEST" menu. The only problem in on simplex its nice and loud but on the repeaters it sounds off frequency due to over deviation. Now im guessing the solution to this would be to increase the mic gain, but i cannot find a setting anywhere that shows me where this is. Even in the service manuals. I cannot decipher what would solve the issue. Please help!!
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mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
In what service are you using this radio? Amateur, GMRS, or Part 90?
Cranking up the deviation will certainly make it sound crappy. It may sound good on simplex if it's over deviating and it's still within the ability for the receiver to handle. The crappy sound on the repeater is a sign that you've cranked it too far.
I'd reset the deviation to where it was.
I have a TK-290, the VHF version, and I don't know of a mic gain setting that you can access with the normal KPG software. I'd certainly caution you against getting into the alignment stuff unless you know what you are doing and have a service monitor on hand to make sure you stay within specifications.
Cranking up the deviation will certainly make it sound crappy. It may sound good on simplex if it's over deviating and it's still within the ability for the receiver to handle. The crappy sound on the repeater is a sign that you've cranked it too far.
I'd reset the deviation to where it was.
I have a TK-290, the VHF version, and I don't know of a mic gain setting that you can access with the normal KPG software. I'd certainly caution you against getting into the alignment stuff unless you know what you are doing and have a service monitor on hand to make sure you stay within specifications.
I use it mainly for Ham bands, 440 and GMRS (licensed). My friend whom im seeing tonight has a service monitor on hand and we are going to set the deviation back to normal. I have in addition to this 390 a 290 and 280, neither of which have this problem. Could it be a firmware issue since this is a Type 1 , one of the earliest versions?
Thanks
Thanks
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
OK, I think I'm confused...
You turned up the deviation, now it's sounding over-deviating on a repeater? Seems like either I'm missing something or that your adjustment is causing this?
You turned up the deviation, now it's sounding over-deviating on a repeater? Seems like either I'm missing something or that your adjustment is causing this?
You are correct, the over deviation fixed the audio on simplex but not on a repeater, so I'm going to set the deviation back to normal. IE revert to being very quiet. I'm using the service monitor because I no longer remember the original setting. So I guess what im saying is; I still dont have a solution to fix my current low audio problem, BUT i do have a service monitor in the near future to use.
cabletech
Member
kb1wit, do you have a service manual for any of thes radios? In the first few pages there is a section that shows and tells you how to correctly set the deviation.
Now that you have a service monitor available, conect the radio and follow the information.
On a wide band frequency, the audio should be 4.5 to 4.7kz.
On a narrow band frequency, is should be 2.1 to 2.4kz
You do not wish to set the sudio at the max of 2.5kz or 5kz as it will increase with a users voice.
Now that you have a service monitor available, conect the radio and follow the information.
On a wide band frequency, the audio should be 4.5 to 4.7kz.
On a narrow band frequency, is should be 2.1 to 2.4kz
You do not wish to set the sudio at the max of 2.5kz or 5kz as it will increase with a users voice.
Ok thanks, I have the service manual here
http://cxema2000.narod.ru/radiostan/kenwood/tk-390.pdf
Once i set the deviation back to normal the audio will resume sounding "Narrow banded" is there a mic fix for this? Remove a resistor somewhere on the mic circuity to increase the gain?
http://cxema2000.narod.ru/radiostan/kenwood/tk-390.pdf
Once i set the deviation back to normal the audio will resume sounding "Narrow banded" is there a mic fix for this? Remove a resistor somewhere on the mic circuity to increase the gain?
ramal121
Lots and lots of watts
Cranking up the deviation is a poor choice to get more audio out. As you have found out, its hard to control what comes out of the radio and over-dev happens no matter how hard you try to keep it in check. Plus this puts the radio out of FCC specs.
Put the dev adjustment back to where it was. Some Kenwood radios have a mic gain pot but alas the 390 is without it. I would suspect the mic element has just crapped out. I replace one or two on a monthly basis. The 390 also uses a dual mic noise canceling scheme and this may have a problem although I've never run across it. You wouldn't have a speaker mic you could try just to see if there is a difference?
Put the dev adjustment back to where it was. Some Kenwood radios have a mic gain pot but alas the 390 is without it. I would suspect the mic element has just crapped out. I replace one or two on a monthly basis. The 390 also uses a dual mic noise canceling scheme and this may have a problem although I've never run across it. You wouldn't have a speaker mic you could try just to see if there is a difference?
cabletech
Member
kb1wit I see you are a new ham and that you are getting into radio. Welcome.
Also, you now see what a correctly aligned radio can do.
As a side point, you will also see that even thru spec's for audio say 5kz dev for wide band and 2.5kz for narrow band, if you set the dev for 4.8-4.9 for wide and 2.3-2.4 for narrow the radio will sound a lot better.
Good Luck
Also, you now see what a correctly aligned radio can do.
As a side point, you will also see that even thru spec's for audio say 5kz dev for wide band and 2.5kz for narrow band, if you set the dev for 4.8-4.9 for wide and 2.3-2.4 for narrow the radio will sound a lot better.
Good Luck
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