• To anyone looking to acquire commercial radio programming software:

    Please do not make requests for copies of radio programming software which is sold (or was sold) by the manufacturer for any monetary value. All requests will be deleted and a forum infraction issued. Making a request such as this is attempting to engage in software piracy and this forum cannot be involved or associated with this activity. The same goes for any private transaction via Private Message. Even if you attempt to engage in this activity in PM's we will still enforce the forum rules. Your PM's are not private and the administration has the right to read them if there's a hint to criminal activity.

    If you are having trouble legally obtaining software please state so. We do not want any hurt feelings when your vague post is mistaken for a free request. It is YOUR responsibility to properly word your request.

    To obtain Motorola software see the Sticky in the Motorola forum.

    The various other vendors often permit their dealers to sell the software online (i.e., Kenwood). Please use Google or some other search engine to find a dealer that sells the software. Typically each series or individual radio requires its own software package. Often the Kenwood software is less than $100 so don't be a cheapskate; just purchase it.

    For M/A Com/Harris/GE, etc: there are two software packages that program all current and past radios. One package is for conventional programming and the other for trunked programming. The trunked package is in upwards of $2,500. The conventional package is more reasonable though is still several hundred dollars. The benefit is you do not need multiple versions for each radio (unlike Motorola).

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TK-880 for ham band

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KJ4YVN

Newbie
Joined
Sep 27, 2014
Messages
2
Location
Miami, Florida
can someone confirm if there is a special tool to adjust VCO or is it just a flat head screw driver. any direction will be greatly appriciated

Thanks
KJ4YVN
 

WX9EMS

Member
Joined
Jun 23, 2010
Messages
155
Location
Lake Geneva, WI
It is a very small one at that! You also need to exercise caution as well though. The trimmer caps are extremely delicate and can be damaged quite easily. Once damaged, the radio will be inoperative on either transmit or receive depending which trimmer cap was damaged. I am not so sure you need to adjust the VCO for Ham use, unless you are having VCO locking issues. You will also need to monitor the voltage of test point TP1 at your lowest frequency in both transmit and receive. I strongly advise getting a copy of the service manual before you begin on your adventure.
 

WX9EMS

Member
Joined
Jun 23, 2010
Messages
155
Location
Lake Geneva, WI
I have used a small jeweler's screwdriver with part of the tip shaved off to fit the trimmer cap. The reason I know this, I did damage a trimmer cap and I completely disassembled the VCO unit and modified my screwdriver tip to fit properly so it wouldn't happen again. I have since tuned about 15 units with this modified screwdriver and have had no issues since. I also put heat shrink on the shaft to insulate it while in the hole to prevent any short circuits that may arise.

This is what works for me, it may not work for you. Your mileage may vary.
 
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