TK-730 Programming

[ATF1224]

I just finished upgrading two Kenwood TK730's with the full alpha head from 32 channels to 160 via chip replacements. I'm unable to get the radio to take a 160ch codeplug though, but it will take a 32ch codeplug. What do I have to do to make the radio take the 160ch codeplug?

Thanks!

[n5tbu]

In the model dropdown menu,choose the new model ,then write to radio,it will say model mismatch,ignore that and program anyway.
Then read the radio and it will show what it is now.
If you still have problems,verify that you did the upgrade properly.
mod

[ka7wnf]

If you didn't remove the little SMD resistors you can't program the radio above 32 channels.

[ATF1224]

What are SMD resistors? The only thing the instructions with the replacement chip said to do was to replace the chips...

[n5tbu]

Sounds like an EBAY special! you need to remove r-156 on the control unit and r-33 on the alpha display.

Then do the previous instructions!
mod

[ATF1224]

Aha! That did the trick! Thanks for the help!

[ka7wnf]

Glad to be of assistance. Let us know if you need anything else.

[Ranger Rick 302]

I have a KCH-5 upgrade issue as well, if you all are willing to help me. I have a 32 channel TK-830 in which I installed the 160 channel KCH-5 upgrade. The instructions that came with the chips told me to swap out the chips (simple enough) and remove the R156 thing from the radio and remove the R33 thing from the control head, which I did. However, the instructions didn't tell me how to remove those things. What I did was pulled on them with needle-nose pliers. Now, I know I'll get a bunch of people telling me I shouldn't grunt and beat on the inside of my radio like a cave man but I had no other ideas and didn't think about desoldering as a possibility until now (even though I've never done it before so I don't know how). But like I said, I had no other ideas and it's just a cheap, aged, used radio I got off eBay.

Anyway, since I performed my hack job operation on my radio, when I power it up it gives me a constant, steady beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep and flashes nonsense on the display screen.

Any help or advice is greatly appreciated. I love this radio and want to continue to enjoy it. Does anybody know if desoldering the connections on the R156 and R33 will resolve this problem?

[k2hz]

You probably damaged something else on the circuit board when you pulled the resistors off.

Since you don't have the skill and equipment to properly work on SMD circuit boards, I suggest you take the radio to a service shop before you do more damage.

If you get in there with an ordinary soldering iron and no experience in working on SMD I can almost guarantee you will wreck the boards beyond repair.

[Ranger Rick 302]

Meh, I'll probably just get a different one off eBay. I don't even think there are any radio shops around here.

[rwo978]

Before "File 13ing" the whole works, make sure the upgrade chips are installed in the correct direction. The small half moon on the chip most match the circle w/ the line thru it on the board. If inserted backwards, the radio doesn't like it and shows gibberish on the screen, along with beeping I think.

[Ranger Rick 302]

Well, I was pretty sure I had the chips in the right direction and I took notice of the markings you mentioned, but I'll look again this evening.

[Ranger Rick 302]

Well, on my lunch break I double-checked the positioning of the chips. They were correct, but I had an idea, so I put the original chips back in and the radio functions perfectly! That was when I realized I forgot to reprogram the sucker. So I'll probably buy a cheaper, new laptop so I can program my radios inside my car, instead of uninstalling the radio, dragging the whole system--plus my jump box--into my basement to my old DOS-capable computer I use to program TK-250's/350's.