Kenwood Tk 3140 Software Download Zip
Asela Buchheit
I will be looking for a better HT in the next few months and hope to keep it's cost in the $ 100 to $ 180 range. It needs to have a removeable antenna so I can put what I want on it for performance, needs to come close or match the 5 watt output ( my uv-5x's are hitting 4.9 ) and not be a all on one chip design.
The one I've been carrying around for a while now is the TK-3170. I just like how it works, it's small enough to fit in a shirt pocket, light with the Lithium Ion battery packs, and uses all the same programming cables, speaker microphones, antennas and other accessories the cheap Chinese radios use, which is the Kenwood dual prong "K type" connector. The TK-3173 is the same radio but includes trunking, which you don't need for GMRS anyway.
You can find these for sale on eBay frequently. You'll also probably need a new battery pack, antenna and charger base. If you already have the two prong programming cable you're all set on a few of the above. The TK-3140, TK-3180 use a different type of programming cable.
I believe all of the above are Part 95 certified for legal use on GMRS. The software isn't hard to find on line with a bit of searching. Be careful of the exact model "Type" you buy used. These UHF radios come in several different frequency ranges. The Part 95 certified ones are the 450 MHz lower end to 490 MHz to 520 MHz upper end. I have one or more of these specific radios and they all will be great on GMRS. Just one caveat about any commercial radio, they are not front panel programmable. You can set some of the function keys to select things like tones etc. but in general you need to software to do a proper job setting them up.
Oh, these radios can be "pushed" down below the official lower frequency limit, down to at least 440 MHz or lower, so they are usable on the repeater section of the Ham 70cm band for dual licensed people. Now you can legally have one radio to use on GMRS and Ham with zero modifications or special software hacks required.
I will be looking for a better HT in the next few months and hope to keep it's cost in the $ 100 to $ 180 range. It needs to have a removeable antenna so I can put what I want on it for performance, needs to come close or match the 5 watt output ( my uv-5x's are hitting 4.9 ) and not be a all on one chip design. So give me your suggestions on what to consider. This will be my SHF grab and go if the time comes.
I started out with a bunch of waterproof FRS radios that I use when I take groups of people out on the river. Needing something with a bit more range as groups spread out a bit I bought 2 Retevis RB26 radios. I just got a Baofeng UV9G.
My first GMRS radio was some version of Motorola TalkAbout, I think it was some 62xx series, and I still have them buried somewhere. Getting back into it again recently, I dug out a Motorola CDM1550LS+and mounted it to a power supply, and connected a Laird NMO antenna. (The one in my icon picture). Then, I programmed an older Motorola XPR6550 radio for GMRS use.
It was only recently that I added a Radiodity GM-30 handheld (which I put away somewhere and need to firmware upgrade) and a mobile VHF/UHF DB20-G which works great mobile. However, I now wish I had room in my current car for a Motorola mobile.....may have to search for a good HHCH (Hand Held Control Head) mobile to save space up front. They just work better.
My first radio (other than walkie talkies circadian 1966) was a 2001 Bell South FRS/GMRS radio that also had the NOAA Weather channels and a thermometer why? No idea) on it. For years I carefully avoided the GMRS channels on it out of fear of the FCC cops. I still have it, and use it. It gets handed out when we have kids hiking with us.
Like many others, I got into radio comms with uv5r. After some thorough research I got two btech 50x1. One as base unit and one for the car. Few weeks ago I got kg935g. Its such a nice product that I ordered second unit right away.
This radio goes back to the days when a GMRS license was for just TWO of the Eight primary frequencies (well, frequency pairs when you include the repeater inputs), which had to be selected when one applied. Most radios were based on part 90 land mobile/business which typically had a toggle switch between the two channels.
The 7 low-power (relative to the 50W max for primaries) GMRS interstitial frequencies had become available just a bit before. Also, one of the 8 primaries was a designated emergency/traveller assist channel -- common practice was to make that one of the two channels one was licensed for, although FCC rules made it available FOR EMERGENCY USE even if not shown on the license. So that explains the 210+3 nomenclature: two programmable (technically by a shop!, though the programming manual was included with the radio -- open it up, press a button, up/down to find frequency, enter, press button for second channel, repeat) primary channels as #9 and #10. #8 was permanently on the emergency channel. #1-#7 were the interstitial channels. Two power levels. Battery compatibility with the Icom 02AT -radio.com/catalog/ht/02at.html (and the RatShack HT-202 which was a Maxon built look-alike for the 02AT) [Didn't expect the link to display in-line] This was my backup Amateur HT, while my Kenwood D7? was in the shop for some reason.
I have a pair of Midland GXT 1050, a pair of Motorola (one seems to be acting up -- pressing the High power PTT is causing a reset -- battery gauge shows 2/3 and the Low power PTT is okay, other showing full battery is okay with both PTTs [yes, it selects power by which part of the PTT is pressed])
Current radios... BTech GMRS-V1, and a GMRS-V2 with hi-cap battery (the latter is supposed to be 5W/0.5W hence the alternate battery vs the 2W/0.5W of the V1 -- yet with a 771G antenna it is putting out LESS power than the V1. The V1 showed something like 1.8W to the V2 1.6W, and similar values for the 0.5W setting -- 0.8 vs 0.6). Setting up an MFJ analyzer in frequency counter/(relative) field strength mode, using the original BTech V2 dual-band antenna for pickup, and positioning the radios so the antenna was in line with the end of my keyboard (so a repeatable distance from analyzer) gave:
First was a pair of Cobra MicroTalk purchased around 2010. Used it for vehicle to vehicle comms during trips. Still have them and they still work great. Last week I purchased a Wouxun KG-935G. BIG upgrade. Complements my KG-1000G in the truck.
b1e95dc632