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Hello everyone
Question regarding a NXR810 repeater,
What cables & software are needed to reprogram the repeater, also dose Kenwood use an interface box like the older Motorola rib box?.
Thanks
Bob KD6GNB
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Hi Bob
It requires their KPG-129DK software and just a regular ol' serial
connection to its back panel DB25
Ken
At 02:15 PM 4/4/2025, you wrote:
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Hello everyone
Question regarding a NXR810 repeater,
What cables & software are needed to reprogram the repeater, also
dose Kenwood use an interface box like the older Motorola rib box?.
Thanks
Bob KD6GNB
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
President and CTO - Arcom Controllers
Makers of repeater controllers and accessories
Phone: (503) 678 6182
Authorized Dealers for Kenwood and Telewave.
We offer complete turn-key repeater packages!
"We don't just make 'em. We use 'em!"
![[]](http://www.arcomcontrollers.com/arcom.png)
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At 4/4/2025 03:19 PM, you wrote:
Hi Bob
It requires their KPG-129DK software and just a regular ol' serial
connection to its back panel DB25
Ken
I thought I used the same cable that I use to program my TK-880s &
TKR-850s on my club's NXR-810: 8 pin modular.
Bob NO6B
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That would work too but the only time that connection is absolutely
necessary is when uploading firmware to the repeater (same as the TKRs).
Otherwise, the DB25 on the back panel is fine (straight through, non null
modem connection)
Ken
At 04:03 PM 4/4/2025, you wrote:
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Show quoted text
At 4/4/2025 03:19 PM, you
wrote:
Hi Bob
It requires their KPG-129DK software and just a regular ol' serial
connection to its back panel DB25
Ken
I thought I used the same cable that I use to program my TK-880s &
TKR-850s on my club's NXR-810: 8 pin modular.
Bob NO6B
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
President and CTO - Arcom Controllers
Makers of repeater controllers and accessories
Phone: (503) 678 6182
Authorized Dealers for Kenwood and Telewave.
We offer complete turn-key repeater packages!
"We don't just make 'em. We use 'em!"
|
At 4/4/2025 04:09 PM, you wrote:
That would work too but the only
time that connection is absolutely necessary is when uploading firmware
to the repeater (same as the TKRs). Otherwise, the DB25 on the back panel
is fine (straight through, non null modem connection)
Ken
Ahh I see: Kenwood was smart & made the serial pins the same as the
standard DB-25 serial connection.? But since they stopped putting
DB-25s on PCs about 30 years ago I don't have DB-25 serial cables
anymore.? I do happen to have some DE-9 to DB-25 adapters that I
haven't thrown out yet; guess they're good for something now.
Bob NO6B
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Bob, ?I use a USB to DB9 adapter, then a standard modem cable (DB9 to DB25). Works great for both the Kenwood repeaters and the ARCOM controller.?
Tom
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On Apr 4, 2025, at 7:49?PM, Bob Dengler <no6b@...> wrote:
?
At 4/4/2025 04:09 PM, you wrote:
That would work too but the only
time that connection is absolutely necessary is when uploading firmware
to the repeater (same as the TKRs). Otherwise, the DB25 on the back panel
is fine (straight through, non null modem connection)
Ken
Ahh I see: Kenwood was smart & made the serial pins the same as the
standard DB-25 serial connection.? But since they stopped putting
DB-25s on PCs about 30 years ago I don't have DB-25 serial cables
anymore.? I do happen to have some DE-9 to DB-25 adapters that I
haven't thrown out yet; guess they're good for something now.
Bob NO6B
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I prefer to use the 8 pin modular cable.? That allows me to go to a site and make programming changes from the front panel of the repeater and not have to go in the back and possibly remove a db-25 that connects to something else like a controller.? The less time I spend in the back of the rack, the less time I have to accidentally disconnect something else.
Joe, K1ike
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On 4/4/2025 7:09 PM, Ken Arck AH6LE via groups.io wrote: That would work too but the only time that connection is absolutely necessary is when uploading firmware to the repeater (same as the TKRs). Otherwise, the DB25 on the back panel is fine (straight through, non null modem connection)
Ken
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At 4/6/2025 06:19 AM, you wrote:
I prefer to use the 8 pin
modular cable.?? That allows me to go to a site
and make programming changes from the front panel of the repeater and
not have to go in the back and possibly remove a db-25 that connects to
something else like a controller.?? The less time I spend in the
back of
the rack, the less time I have to accidentally disconnect something
else.
Joe, K1ike
Same here.? But my programming cable is 6 pin (6P6C) yet it plugs
into the 8P8C socket on the TKR-850 & communicates just fine.? I
think I used the same cable on the NXRs.
Bob NO6B
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The only thing you have to be careful of with the six-pin versus the eight pin is make sure that the repeater is off when you plug in. That's because there is plus 12 volts at the 8-pin jack that powers the cable.? Weird I know but it is.. Kenwood TAC told me this years ago.. When using the six pin plug on the TKRs and other radios that have it, you do run the risk of shorting 12 volts to ground and opening a zero ohm resistor inside behind the front panel. Then you can't program! I know of one TKR 750 that I ran across that had that done. Had to use the DB25 in the back. Once you're plugged in, you can turn the repeater on and program away.?
At 4/6/2025 06:19 AM, you wrote:
I prefer to use the 8 pin
modular cable.?? That allows me to go to a site
and make programming changes from the front panel of the repeater and
not have to go in the back and possibly remove a db-25 that connects to
something else like a controller.?? The less time I spend in the
back of
the rack, the less time I have to accidentally disconnect something
else.
Joe, K1ike
Same here.? But my programming cable is 6 pin (6P6C) yet it plugs
into the 8P8C socket on the TKR-850 & communicates just fine.? I
think I used the same cable on the NXRs.
Bob NO6B
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At 4/6/2025 12:37 PM, you wrote:
The only thing you have to be
careful of with the six-pin versus the eight pin is make sure that the
repeater is off when you plug in. That's because there is plus 12 volts
at the 8-pin jack that powers the cable.?? Weird I know but it is..
Kenwood TAC told me this years ago.. When using the six pin plug on the
TKRs and other radios that have it, you do run the risk of shorting 12
volts to ground and opening a zero ohm resistor inside behind the front
panel. Then you can't program! I know of one TKR 750 that I ran across
that had that done. Had to use the DB25 in the back. Once you're plugged
in, you can turn the repeater on and program away.?
Thanks Chris.? I tried intentionally misaligning my 6 pin cable
while plugging into an unpowered TK-880 & I don't think it's possible
to make contact because the latch in the plug forces center alignment
before pin contact is made.? But perhaps a plug with a different
shape or the latch broken off could be misaligned; will keep an eye out
for that.
Bob NO6B
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On Sunday, April 6, 2025 at 09:21:18 AM EDT, Joe <k1ike_mail@...> wrote:
When my old club bought there TKR-850 the dealer provided the 8 pin RJ-45 plug cable and the software to us.
Les Keegan? N4LPK?
I prefer to use the 8 pin modular cable.? That allows me to go to a site
and make programming changes from the front panel of the repeater and
not have to go in the back and possibly remove a db-25 that connects to
something else like a controller.? The less time I spend in the back of
the rack, the less time I have to accidentally disconnect something else.
Joe, K1ike
On 4/4/2025 7:09 PM, Ken Arck AH6LE via groups.io wrote:
> That would work too but the only time that connection is absolutely
> necessary is when uploading firmware to the repeater (same as the
> TKRs). Otherwise, the DB25 on the back panel is fine (straight
> through, non null modem connection)
>
> Ken
>
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The 8 pin is used by the mic...but the programming pin outs remain?the same so either RJ45 8 pin or RJ14 6pin works.. And actually only 4 wires are used...TX data, RX data, GND and power for the interface IC ...using the DB25 on the back doesn't use power iirc as it's a straight RS232 connection to the PC?
Chris WB5ITT?
On Sunday, April 6, 2025 at 09:21:18 AM EDT, Joe < k1ike_mail@...> wrote:
When my old club bought there TKR-850 the dealer provided the 8 pin RJ-45 plug cable and the software to us.
Les Keegan? N4LPK?
I prefer to use the 8 pin modular cable.? That allows me to go to a site
and make programming changes from the front panel of the repeater and
not have to go in the back and possibly remove a db-25 that connects to
something else like a controller.? The less time I spend in the back of
the rack, the less time I have to accidentally disconnect something else.
Joe, K1ike
On 4/4/2025 7:09 PM, Ken Arck AH6LE via wrote:
> That would work too but the only time that connection is absolutely
> necessary is when uploading firmware to the repeater (same as the
> TKRs). Otherwise, the DB25 on the back panel is fine (straight
> through, non null modem connection)
>
> Ken
>
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Another caution
Be sure the DB25 on the back has not had some of the rs232 pins reprogrammed to another function.
If I am programming a repeater that has been programed by someone else I never use anything except the 8 pin on the front until I have checked the pinout on the DB25,
many people dont know to leave certain pins at the default.
Roger
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Show quoted text
On 4/6/2025 8:19 AM, Joe wrote: I prefer to use the 8 pin modular cable.? That allows me to go to a site and make programming changes from the front panel of the repeater and not have to go in the back and possibly remove a db-25 that connects to something else like a controller.? The less time I spend in the back of the rack, the less time I have to accidentally disconnect something else.
Joe, K1ike
On 4/4/2025 7:09 PM, Ken Arck AH6LE via groups.io wrote:
That would work too but the only time that connection is absolutely necessary is when uploading firmware to the repeater (same as the TKRs). Otherwise, the DB25 on the back panel is fine (straight through, non null modem connection)
Ken
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You cannot move the RS232 pins....only the aux I/Os are programmable...
Another caution
Be sure the DB25 on the back has not had some of the rs232 pins
reprogrammed to another function.
If I am programming a repeater that has been programed by someone else I
never use anything except the 8 pin on the front until I have checked
the pinout on the DB25,
many people dont know to leave certain pins at the default.
Roger
On 4/6/2025 8:19 AM, Joe wrote:
> I prefer to use the 8 pin modular cable.? That allows me to go to a
> site and make programming changes from the front panel of the repeater
> and not have to go in the back and possibly remove a db-25 that
> connects to something else like a controller.? The less time I spend
> in the back of the rack, the less time I have to accidentally
> disconnect something else.
>
> Joe, K1ike
>
> On 4/4/2025 7:09 PM, Ken Arck AH6LE via wrote:
>> That would work too but the only time that connection is absolutely
>> necessary is when uploading firmware to the repeater (same as the
>> TKRs). Otherwise, the DB25 on the back panel is fine (straight
>> through, non null modem connection)
>>
>> Ken
>>
>
>
>
>
>
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Very good point. I use pins on the db-25 of one of my TRK repeaters for channel steering. With the db-25 off and no steering pins grounded the repeater will fault and not key up.
Joe, K1ike
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Show quoted text
On 4/6/2025 5:33 PM, n5qs via groups.io wrote: Another caution
Be sure the DB25 on the back has not had some of the rs232 pins reprogrammed to another function.
If I am programming a repeater that has been programed by someone else I never use anything except the 8 pin on the front until I have checked the pinout on the DB25,
many people dont know to leave certain pins at the default.
Roger
On 4/6/2025 8:19 AM, Joe wrote:
I prefer to use the 8 pin modular cable.? That allows me to go to a site and make programming changes from the front panel of the repeater and not have to go in the back and possibly remove a db-25 that connects to something else like a controller.? The less time I spend in the back of the rack, the less time I have to accidentally disconnect something else.
Joe, K1ike
On 4/4/2025 7:09 PM, Ken Arck AH6LE via groups.io wrote:
That would work too but the only time that connection is absolutely necessary is when uploading firmware to the repeater (same as the TKRs). Otherwise, the DB25 on the back panel is fine (straight through, non null modem connection)
Ken
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Not really. The RS232 pins can't be reassigned. Ken At 05:23 PM 4/6/2025, you wrote: Very good point. I use pins on the db-25 of one of my TRK repeaters for channel steering. With the db-25 off and no steering pins grounded the repeater will fault and not key up.
Joe, K1ike
On 4/6/2025 5:33 PM, n5qs via groups.io wrote:
Another caution
Be sure the DB25 on the back has not had some of the rs232 pins reprogrammed to another function.
If I am programming a repeater that has been programed by someone else I never use anything except the 8 pin on the front until I have checked the pinout on the DB25,
many people dont know to leave certain pins at the default.
Roger
On 4/6/2025 8:19 AM, Joe wrote:
I prefer to use the 8 pin modular cable.? That allows me to go to a site and make programming changes from the front panel of the repeater and not have to go in the back and possibly remove a db-25 that connects to something else like a controller.? The less time I spend in the back of the rack, the less time I have to accidentally disconnect something else.
Joe, K1ike
On 4/4/2025 7:09 PM, Ken Arck AH6LE via groups.io wrote:
That would work too but the only time that connection is absolutely necessary is when uploading firmware to the repeater (same as the TKRs). Otherwise, the DB25 on the back panel is fine (straight through, non null modem connection)
Ken
------------------------------------------------------------------------------ President and CTO - Arcom Controllers Makers of repeater controllers and accessories Phone: (503) 678 6182 Authorized Dealers for Kenwood and Telewave. We offer complete turn-key repeater packages! "We don't just make 'em. We use 'em!" []
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I'm not reassigning the RS232 pins 2&3. Channel select uses AUXIO1 to AUXIO4, pins 20 to 23.
Joe
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On 4/6/2025 8:37 PM, Ken Arck AH6LE via groups.io wrote: Not really. The RS232 pins can't be reassigned.
Ken
At 05:23 PM 4/6/2025, you wrote:
Very good point.? I use pins on the db-25 of one of my TRK repeaters for channel steering.? With the db-25 off and no steering pins grounded the repeater will fault and not key up.
Joe, K1ike
On 4/6/2025 5:33 PM, n5qs via groups.io wrote:
Another caution
Be sure the DB25 on the back has not had some of the rs232 pins reprogrammed to another function.
If I am programming a repeater that has been programed by someone else I never use anything except the 8 pin on the front until I have checked the pinout on the DB25,
many people dont know to leave certain pins at the default.
Roger
On 4/6/2025 8:19 AM, Joe wrote:
I prefer to use the 8 pin modular cable.?? That allows me to go to a site and make programming changes from the front panel of the repeater and not have to go in the back and possibly remove a db-25 that connects to something else like a controller.?? The less time I spend in the back of the rack, the less time I have to accidentally disconnect something else.
Joe, K1ike
On 4/4/2025 7:09 PM, Ken Arck AH6LE via groups.io wrote:
That would work too but the only time that connection is absolutely necessary is when uploading firmware to the repeater (same as the TKRs). Otherwise, the DB25 on the back panel is fine (straight through, non null modem connection)
Ken
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
President and CTO - Arcom Controllers
Makers of repeater controllers and accessories
Phone: (503) 678 6182
Authorized Dealers for Kenwood and Telewave.
We offer complete turn-key repeater packages!
"We don't just make 'em. We use 'em!"
[]
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Ken Arck AH6LE
Chris Boone WB5ITT