Kenwood TK 890H Help

[SteveD]

The company I work for stopped using UHF for comms. So I scarfed one out of the garbage. What I'm wondering now is it worth trying to figure out how to reprogram the thing with local repeaters?

[crypto]

sure, anything is worth it if you want a project. You'll need the programming cable and software.

It will always be a mediocre 70cm rig, because you have to pre-program all the repeaters and frequencies in it.

You should consider turning it into a bad-ass GMRS mobile rig. It would really shine for that.

[gary in ohio]

The kenwood tk line is a pretty good line and is ham friendly for many models. You can find programming cables on ebay and you can purchase software from kenwood.

The big thing with the commercial radio is the lack of adjustable squelch that are typical of ham bands and sometimes the lack of channels.

You will need to pre-plan your freq and program all you will need. This isnt that hard if your generally dont travel thousands of miles from home.

[SteveD]

My idea for it is to use it as a base unit. Due to terrain issues from my AO I can only hit repeaters to the East of me. (Star Trek option must be turned off in my area ) If I can get that going, maby hooking it to the computer and adding echolink could be the next step.

[zommoz10]

I've never taken one of those out of band before but usually there's not much more to it than forcing the software to do something it doesn't want to do.
And in some cases doing some tuning or alignment.

That is a hell of a find. Is it the 110 watt model that you found?

Not only is it worth it, I might even use that as my primary mobile radio.

[Boyscoutdreams]

SteveD, to bad you didn't scarf a bunch out of the trash. When I googled the radio seems great,,, made to Mil Specs also. Plenty of channels and depending on which version possibly dual band. Great find.

[nacho]

Congrats on the find! looks like a solid radio hopefully It's not a 450-508 radio.