TK X180 External Speaker

[nhfdcadet]

Sorry if this question has been asked already, I had looked at hooking an external speaker up to my TK-7180 and 8180 mobiles through the mono jack in the back of the radio, is there a way to connect this that does not mute the control head speaker? some setting in the program maybe? I'm not exactly pulling my hair out over it, but not having any luck.

 

[bruch]

No, sorry the internal control head speaker is wired to the jack and is disconnected when you plug in the external speaker.

 

[mmckenna]

You'd need to use the KAP-2 accessory cable to do that.

 

[03msc]

You'd need to use the KAP-2 accessory cable to do that.

Are the internals similar to the NX700? Remember that issue I had awhile back where the internal wouldn't turn off when connected to an external speaker and it turned out the previous owner had wired a single jumper in there...?

EDIT: For reference, here was that thread: NX-700 - External Speaker Only?

 

[mmckenna]

Yes, I believe so. But not recommending that OP open up the radio and start running jumpers.

 

[bigRoN18]

I have just ordered the KES-5 and the KAP-2 for my TK-7180. One of my main reasons for doing so is that I have a problem with my remote head control wire... the speaker to head unit is iffy. I took it to a Kenwood dealer who recognized that one pin in the cable on one end was not making good contact. He tried to fix it but it sometimes stops putting out audio. (It will be a HUGE pain in the rear to replace the cable and everything else works exactly how it should.) I have looked up the service manual and another "Modification Information" manual and still just slightly confused. It appears that KAP-2 is a relay unit and the part that stays inside the radio has a jumper block. It appears that the default jumper pins settings is jumping pins 1 and 2 together and 4 and 5 together. I have no plan on using the horn relay or a pUblic address (the modification manual has numerous errors in it and constantly calling PA "Pablic Address" instead of "Public Address"). I'm failing to comprehend whether I wish to leave the jumper between pins 4 and 5 or move it to be between pins 5 and 6 for the external speaker to properly function. The manual for KAP-2 also says to make changes in the programming software but I see nothing in the programming software for EITHER external speaker or public address... only a couple of options for horn alert.

Does anyone know for sure how I will want the jumper pins on the KAP-2 and if there is anything that I need to setup in the programming software to use the external speaker?

 

[mmckenna]

Does anyone know for sure how I will want the jumper pins on the KAP-2 and if there is anything that I need to setup in the programming software to use the external speaker?

Move the jumper to pins 5 and 6. That'll route audio to the KAP-2 output for the KES-5 speaker. It will also disconnect the internal speaker on the control head.

Too late now, but you could have just used the 1/8" external speaker jack on the back of the radio. The KES-3, or any suitable 8Ω external speaker would work. The KES-5 and the KAP-2 will give you louder audio, though.

No programming changes needed. The programming referred to in the manual has to do with using the Public Address function, which requires programming a button.

 

[bigRoN18]

Move the jumper to pins 5 and 6. That'll route audio to the KAP-2 output for the KES-5 speaker. It will also disconnect the internal speaker on the control head.

Too late now, but you could have just used the 1/8" external speaker jack on the back of the radio. The KES-3, or any suitable 8Ω external speaker would work. The KES-5 and the KAP-2 will give you louder audio, though.

No programming changes needed. The programming referred to in the manual has to do with using the Public Address function, which requires programming a button.

Thanks for clearing that up. I will be "hiding" my speaker under a seat, so the capability to have it louder may be a good thing.