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  Kenwood Land Mobile Radio Programming Information
Original compiler of this information is unknown
HTML'd and maintained by Mike Morris WA6ILQ
Formerly Maintained by Robert Meister WA1MIK
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Your author / page maintainer has very little personal knowledge of Kenwood radios beyond what he had to research as part of a project or projects.

Comments, corrections (especially corrections!), critiques, suggestions and updates
on new or missing models for this page (or any page) would be greatly appreciated.

The three tables below were received as two anonymous emails in December of 2008. WA6ILQ cleaned up the formatting and converted it into HTML for this web page. Since the repeater-builder staff are not Kenwood geeks we can't take responsibility for accuracy or completeness. There are probably a bunch of errors in the cable specifications, Corrections are welcome!. There are a lot of unknowns as well, indicated by "?" in the tables. The information we received was for models sold in the USA region, so there is almost no information here on models sold in other regions.

If you can donate any information (including PDFs of any radio brochures, like we linked to the TK-255 below, or photos of the programmers or the programming cables) please send an email to the page maintainer.

The programs marked as DOS require a real RS-232 port on the computer (usually called a COM port, with a male DB-25 or DE-9 connector). These programs will NOT work with a USB cable. Some of the earliest KPG DOS programs only support COM1 and COM2. Later on COM3 and COM4 were added. Many older laptops have a hardware COM1 connector, this was deleted in later laptops. Your page maintainer took advantage of the fact that most Panasonic CF-series Toughbooks have that COM1 connector. I have a Panasonic Toughbook CF‑30 dedicated to radio programming (opens in a new browser tab) that runs 32-bit Windows 7. 32 bits? Absolutely!! Many of the older radio programming software will NOT run on 64 bit Windows. If you chose to go that route please remember that 32 bit Windows (any version) can't access over 4 GB of RAM. So don't waste your money going any higher in RAM.

Radio Model
Number
Software OS
Note 5
Prg. Cable
Note 3
Notes
Handhelds (TK-1nn to 4nn)
TK-190 KPG-59D DOS KPG-36  
TK-230 KPG-11D DOS KPG-10  
TK-240 KPG-11D DOS KPG-10  
TK-249 KPG-20D DOS KPG-8 Or KPG-22 cable
TK-250 KPG-23D DOS KPG-22 KPG-8 cable can also be used.
TK-255 KPG-31D DOS KPG-22 KPG-8 cable can also be used.
TK-259 KPG-32D DOS KPG-22 KPG-8 cable can also be used.
TK-260 KPG-27D or D1 DOS KPG-22 KPG-8 cable can also be used.
TK-260 KPG-77D DOS ? See note 4.
TK-260G KPG-56D Windows ?  
TK-261 KPG-34D ? ? See note 4.
TK-270 KPG-27D or D1 DOS KPG-22 Wideband only.
TK-270G KPG-56D Windows ? Narrowband-capable version of the TK-270
TK-272 KPG-27D or D1 DOS ?  
TK-272G KPG-56D Windows ?  
TK-278 KPG-27D or D1 DOS KPG-22 KPG-8 cable can also be used.
TK-278G KPG-56D Windows ?  
TK-280 KPG-49D See note KPG-36 The TK-280, TK-380, TK-480, TK-481, TK-780, TK-880, TK-980 and TK-981 all use the same software.
The KPG-49D Version 2.(any number) and 3.(any number) are DOS based, while version 4.(any number) are Windows based and much easier to use.
TK-285 KPG-62D DOS KPG-36  
TK-290 KPG-38D DOS ?  
TK-330 KPG-11D DOS KPG-10  
TK-340 KPG-11D DOS KPG-10  
TK-349 KPG-20D DOS KPG-8 Or KPG-22 cable
TK-350 KPG-23D DOS KPG-22 KPG-8 cable can also be used.
UHF version of the VHF TK-250
TK-353 KPG-26D DOS KPG-22 KPG-8 cable can also be used.
TK-355 KPG-31D DOS KPG-22 KPG-8 cable can also be used.
TK-359 KPG-32D DOS KPG-22 KPG-8 cable can also be used.
TK-360 KPG-27D or D1 DOS KPG-22 KPG-8 cable can also be used.
See note 4.
TK-360 KPG-77D DOS KPG-22 KPG-8 cable can also be used.
See note 4.
TK-360G KPG-56D Windows ?  
TK-361 KPG-34D ? ? See note 4.
TK-370 KPG-27D or D1 DOS KPG-22 KPG-8 cable can also be used.
TK-370G KPG-56D Windows ?  
TK-372 KPG-27D or D1 DOS KPG-22 KPG-8 cable can also be used.
TK-373G KPG-76D Windows ?  
TK-378 KPG-27D or D1 DOS KPG-22 KPG-8 cable can also be used.
TK-378G KPG-56D Windows ?  
TK-380 KPG-49D See note KPG-36 The TK-280, TK-380, TK-480, TK-481, TK-780, TK-880, TK-980 and TK-981 all use the same software.
The KPG-49D Version 2.(any number) and 3.(any number) are DOS based, while version 4.(any number) are Windows based and much easier to use.
TK-385 KPG-62D DOS KPG-36  
TK-388 KPG-27D DOS KPG-22 KPG-8 cable can also be used.
TK-390 KPG-38D DOS ?  
TK-430 KPG-16D DOS KPG-8 Or KPG-22 cable
TK-431 KPG-16D DOS KPG-8 Or KPG-22 cable
TK-480 (early) KPG-35D DOS KPG-36 The TK-280, TK-380, TK-480, TK-481, TK-780, TK-880, TK-980 and TK-981 all use the same software.
The 480 is a 800 MHz handheld, early version (serial numbers prior to 3010000)
There are also two different spec sheets - the early (narrow) and later (wide) ones.
TK-480 (late) KPG-49D See note KPG-36 KPG-49D Version 2.(any number) and 3.(any number) are DOS based, while version 4.(any number) are Windows based and much easier to use.
The TK-480 is an 800 MHz handheld, later version (serial numbers after 3010000, model plate marked "Ver 2.0, and with a red triangle above the "W" in the KENWOOD logo label at the top of the front panel).
There are also two different spec sheets - the early (narrow) and later (wide) ones.
TK-481 (early) KPG-35D DOS KPG-36 900 MHz handheld, early version (serial numbers prior to 3010000).
There are also two different spec sheets - the early (narrow) and later (wide) ones.
TK-481 (late) KPG-49D See note KPG-36 The TK-280, TK-380, TK-480, TK-481, TK-780, TK-880, TK-980 and TK-981 all use the same software.
KPG-49D Version 2.(any number) and 3.(any number) are DOS based, while version 4.(any number) are Windows based and much easier to use.
The TK-481 is a 900 MHz handheld, later version (serial numbers after 3010000, model plate marked "Ver 2.0, and with a red triangle above the "W" in the KENWOOD logo label at the top of the front panel).
There are also two different spec sheets - the early (narrow) and later (wide) ones.
Mobiles (TK-6nn-9nn)
TK-630 KPG-7D DOS KPG-4 Low band version of the High band TK-730 and UHF TK-830
TK-690 KPG-44D Windows KPG-43 Low band version of the High band TK-790 and UHF TK-890
TK-705 (VHF)
TK-805 (UHF)
KPG-3 DOS ?  
TK-705D KPG-6D DOS KPG-4 High band version of TK-805D
TK-706D KPG-6D DOS KPG-4 High band version of TK-806D
TK-709 KPG-20D DOS KPG-4 High band version of TK-809. European radio, not FCC Type Approved.
TK-715 KPG-41D DOS KPG-4  
TK-730 KPG-7D DOS KPG-4 High band version of the low band TK-630 and UHF TK-830
TK-740 KPG-47D DOS ? High band version of the UHF TK-840. Uses the KPG-46 cable.
TK-752 KPG-28D DOS KPG-4  
TK-759 KPG-28D DOS KPG-4  
TK-760 KPG-29D DOS KPG-46  
TK-760G KPG-56D Windows ?  
TK-762 KPG-29D DOS KPG-4  
TK-762G KPG-56D Windows ?  
TK-768 KPG-29D DOS KPG-4  
TK-768G KPG-56D Windows KPG-46  
TK-780 KPG-49D See note KPG-46 The TK-280, TK-380, TK-480, TK-481, TK-780, TK-880, TK-980 and TK-981 all use the same software.
KPG-49D Version 2.(any number) and 3.(any number) are DOS based, while version 4.(any number) are Windows based and much easier to use.
TK-780 KPG-60D DOS KPG-46 See note 4
TK-782 KPG-77D ? ?  
TK-785 KPG-62D DOS KPG-46  
TK-790 KPG-44D DOS KPG-43 High band version of the low band TK-690 and UHF TK-890
TK-805D KPG-6D DOS KPG-4  
TK-806D KPG-6D DOS KPG-4  
TK-809 KPG-20D DOS KPG-4 UHF version of TK-709. European radio, not FCC Type Approved. HT cousin is TK349.
TK-815 KPG-41D DOS KPG-4  
TK-830 KPG-7D DOS KPG-4 UHF version of the low band TK-630 and High band TK-730
TK-840 KPG-25D DOS KPG-4 UHF version of the VHF TK-740, the 800 MHz TK-940 and 900 MHz TK-941.
Supposedly the later units use KPG-25DM or KPG-25DM2 software (see note 4).
One person's experience is detailed at http://www.oregongmrs.org/tk840.html.
TK-840 KPG-47D DOS KPG-46 UHF version of the high band TK-740.
See note 4.
TK-852 KPG-28D DOS KPG-4  
TK-859 KPG-28D DOS KPG-4  
TK-860 KPG-29D DOS KPG-4  
TK-860G KPG-56D Windows ?  
TK-862 KPG-29D DOS KPG-4  
TK-862G KPG-56D Windows ?  
TK-863G KPG-76D Windows KPG-46  
TK-868 KPG-29D DOS KPG-4  
TK-868G KPG-56D Windows KPG-46  
TK-880 KPG-49D see note KPG-46 The TK-280, TK-380, TK-480, TK-481, TK-780, TK-880, TK-980 and TK-981 all use the same software.
The KPG-49D Version 2.(any number) and 3.(any number) are DOS based, while version 4.(any number) are Windows based and much easier to use.
Some web sites say that KPG-60D or KPG-62D or even KPG-63D is used. See note 4.
TK-880 KPG-60D DOS KPG-46 European version
TK-885 KPG-62D DOS KPG-46  
TK-890 KPG-44D DOS KPG-43 UHF version of the low band TK-690 and the high band TK-790
TK-930 KPG-5D DOS KPG-4  
TK-931 KPG-5D DOS KPG-4  
TK-940 KPG-25D DOS KPG-4 800 MHz version of the 400 MHz TK-840 and 900 MHz TK-941.
Later units use KPG-25DM or KPG-25DM2 software.
TK-941 KPG-25D DOS KPG-4 900 MHz version of the 400 MHz TK-840 and 800 MHz TK-940.
Later units use KPG-25DM or KPG-25DM2 software.
TK-980 KPG-49D See note KPG-46 The TK-980 is an 800 MHz mobile.
The TK-280, TK-380, TK-480, TK-481, TK-780, TK-880, TK-980 and TK-981 all use the same software.
KPG-49D Version 2.(any number) and 3.(any number) are DOS based, while version 4.(any number) are Windows based and much easier to use.
TK-981 KPG-49D See note KPG-46 The TK-981 is a 900 MHz mobile. There are articles elsewhere that describe how to put these on the amateur 900 MHz band.
The TK-280, TK-380, TK-480, TK-481, TK-780, TK-880, TK-980 and TK-981 all use the same software.
KPG-49D Version 2.(any number) and 3.(any number) are DOS based, while version 4.(any number) are Windows based and much easier to use.
Newer 4-digit model numbers
TK-2100 KPG-48D Windows ?  
TK-2101 KPG-48D Windows KPG-22  
TK-2107 KPG-55D Windows KPG-22  
TK-2118 KPG-69D ? ?  
TK-2160 KPG-82D Windows ?  
TK-2170 KPG-101D Windows ?  
TK-3160 KPG-82D Windows ?  
TK-3180 KPG-89D Windows ?  
TK-2100 KPG-48D DOS ?  
TK-2102 KPG-55D DOS ?  
TK-2107 KPG-55D DOS ?  
TK-2140 KPG-74D Windows ?  
TK-2160 KPG-82D ? ?  
TK-2170 KPG-101D ? ?  
TK-2180 KPG-89DK
See note
Windows ? Use KPG-92D software when programming the TK-2180/3180/7180/7189/8180/8189 in the UK (that is "E" variants).
Do not use KPG-92 on units with USA firmware! This is the voice of experience!
TK-3100 KPG-48D DOS ?  
TK-3101 KPG-48D Windows KPG-22  
TK-3102 KPG-55D DOS ?  
TK-3107 KPG-55D Windows KPG-22  
TK-3118 KPG-69D ? ?  
TK-3130 KPG-75D Windows ?  
TK-3131 KPG-75D Windows ?  
TK-3140 KPG-74D Windows ?  
TK-3160 KPG-82D ? ?  
TK-3170 KPG-101D ? ?  
TK-3173 KPG-101D ? ?  
TK-3180 KPG-89D
See note
Windows ? Use KPG-92D software when programming the TK-2180/3180/7180/7189/8180/8189 in the UK (that is "E" variants).
Do not use KPG-92 on units with USA firmware! This is the voice of experience!
TK-3200 KPG-88D Windows ?  
TK-6110 KPG-59D DOS ?  
TK-7102 KPG-70D ? ?  
TK-7108 KPG-70D ? ?  
TK-7150 KPG-79D Windows KPG-46  
TK-7160 KPG-99DK Windows KPG-46  
TK-7180 KPG-89DK
See note
Windows KPG-46 High band version of the TK-8180. Similar to TK7189 but has a faceplate speaker instead of the 12-button DTMF keypad. 25w, 128 groups, max 512 channels.
Use KPG-92D software when programming the TK-2180/3180/7180/7189/8180/8189 in the UK (that is "E" variants).
Do not use KPG-92 on units with USA firmware! This is the voice of experience!
TK-7189 KPG-89DK
See note
Windows KPG-46 High band version of the TK-8189. Similar to TK7180 but has a 12-button DTMF keypad instead of the faceplate speaker (requires external speaker). 25w, 128 groups, max 512 channels.
TK-8102 KPG-70D ? ?  
TK-8108 KPG-70D ? ?  
TK-8150 KPG-79D Windows KPG-46  
TK-8160 KPG-99DK Windows KPG-46  
TK-8180 KPG-89DK
See note
Windows KPG-46 UHF version of the TK-7180. Similar to TK8189 but has a faceplate speaker instead of the 12-button DTMF keypad. 25w, 128 groups, max 512 channels.
Use KPG-92D software when programming the TK-2180/3180/7180/7189/8180/8189 in the UK (that is "E" variants).
Do not use KPG-92 on units with USA firmware! This is the voice of experience!
TK-8189 KPG-89DK
See note
Windows KPG-46 UHF version of the TK-7189. Similar to TK8180 but has a 12-button DTMF keypad instead of the faceplate speaker (requires external speaker). 25w, 128 groups, max 512 channels.
Base Stations
TKB-620 (Low Band)
TKB-720 (VHF)
TKB-820 (UHF)
KPG-21D DOS KPT-50 The KPT-50 is a not-very-common hardware programing box which can operate standalone (with its own keyboard and screen), or using a PC with KPG-21D software (much easier).
There is an article on programing the TKR-x20 series here.
Repeaters
There are some repeater notes here.
TKR-720 (VHF)
TKR-820 (UHF)
KPG-21D DOS KPT-50  
TKR-730 (VHF)
TKR-830 (UHF)
KPG-47D ? KPG-46  
TKR-740 (VHF)
TKR-840 (UHF)
KPG-47D Windows KPG-46  
TKR-750 /751 (VHF)
TKR-850 / 851 (UHF)
See note Windows KPG-46 KPG-66D for TKR-850 Version 1.     KPG91D is used on TKR-850 Version 2.
There are reports that if you use KPG91 on version 1 units it locks the TX heat sink fan on... Using KPG66 fixes it.
NXR-710 (VHF)
NXR-810 (UHF)
KPG-129D Windows KPG-46 Current version is 3.20 as of the time this entry was added (September 2022)

Notes:
1) The KPG-36 started life as a KPG-4 and the radio end replaced with a one-piece speaker mic plug instead of a RJ-connector. You can use a KPG-4 with a home-made adapter that consists of a RJ-jack, some wire, and a speaker-mic connector. See these photos of a KPG-36 connector front and rear.

2) The KPG-22 is similar to the KPG-4 but with a dual connector (1/8" mini and a 1/16" sub-mini headphone-style connectors) for the later handhelds. See this photo and this schematic of a KPG-22 cable. You can make an adapter cable that will let you use your KPG-4 on the handhelds that use a KPG-22 very easily using two separate plugs - just use the plug connection info from the schematic.

3) Note that Kenwood numbers the mobile radio microphone jack pins backward from Ethernet. The KPG-4 and the KPG-46 cables are identical except for the RJ connector crimped on the radio end of the cable. The KPG-4 has a 6-pin (RJ-11 / RJ-12-style) connector. The KPG-46 has an 8-pin connector (RJ-45 style) and the center 6 pins are wired the same and the outer 2 pins are not used. If you are careful the 6-pin KPG-4 will work perfectly in the center of the 8-pin mic jack (until the plastic tab breaks off) since pins 1 and 8 on the 8-pin jack aren't used for programming purposes. If you are going to build your own programming adapter you could copy one trick I saw - the person used a dual jack snap-in housing, mounted the perf-board inside, had a DE-9 pigtail coming out of one side, a connector for a 12vDC wall wart on the same side, and both 6-pin and 8-pin jacks mounted into the housing. The two jacks were wired so he could use a common 6-pin phone cable to connect to to the 6-pin radios, and a common ethernet patch cord for the 8-pin radios. See this schematic for a KPG-4 and KPG-46 cable. Or look here: Here's another one. If you are going to build your own programming adapter you will want to print both and study them.
Your page maintainer finally resolved the homebrew cable and KPG-4 versus KPG-46 issue by purchasing a DE-9 KPG-4 and a USB FTDI KPG-46 cable from Mark Dunkle at https://bluemax49ers.com. He has a direct sales web page so that you can avoid the eBay markup. His FTDI cables just plain work and DON'T need any funny drivers.

4) Yes, conflicting information.   It's what we received.   We'd love to have any info that will resolve the conflicts.

5) You will find that a LOT of the DOS KPG-software only supports COM1 or COM2. Later it supported COM1-4.
One way to run it on a later PC is to get a USB memory stick and make it bootable with Rufus and FreeDos. Load the DOS programming software (i.e. KPF-25D for a TK-840) onto the memory stick. Boot your PC using the USB stick, run the appropriate KPG- program.
Another way is to run it under DOSbox-X (a free program) under Windows XP, 7, 8 or 10. You will have to manually re-assign the USB COM port from whatever windows automatically assigned them to using the SERIAL command inside DOXbox-X... they need to be either COM1 or COM2 for the DOS KPG- software to see them. If either port is labled as already in use, ignore that and do the assignment anyway.

Cable Radio (updates to this section are very welcome!)
KPG-4
See Note 3
above.
This is the standard 6-pin mobile programming cable (RJ-11 / RJ-12 style connector).
KPT-50, TK-630, TK-630, TK-705, TK-705, TK-705D, TK-706, TK-706D, TK-709, TK-715, TK-730, TK-730, TK-740, TK-750, TK-752, TK-759, TK-760, TK-760, TK-760G, TK-762, TK-762, TK-762G, TK-763, TK-763G, TK-768, TK-768G, TK-780, TK-780, TK-780G, TK-785, TK-805, TK-805D, TK-806, TK-806D, TK-809, TK-815, TK-830, TK-830, TK-840, TK-840, TK-841, TK-850, TK-852, TK-859, TK-860, TK-860, TK-860G, TK-862, TK-862, TK-862G, TK-863, TK-863G, TK-868, TK-868G, TK-880, TK-880, TK-880G, TK-885, TK-930, TK-930, TK-940, TK-941, TK-980, TK-980, TK-981, TK-981, TK-6110K, TK-6110K2, TK-7102, TK-7108, TK-7150, TK-7150, TK-7160, TK-7180, TK-8102, TK-8108, TK-8150, TK-8150, TK-8160, TK-8180, TKB-720, TKR-730, TKR-740, TKR-750, TKR-820, TKR-830, TKR-830, TKR-850, TM-261A, TM-271A, TM-461A, TM-471A
KPG-8 The KPG-8 is the predecessor to the KPG-22, and requires an external power source where the KPG-22 is powered from the COM port. Anyplace you see KPG-8 you can substitute a KPG-22. The real Kenwood KPG-22 cable has a 25-pin connector.
KPG-10 The kpg-10 programming cable is for the TK-230 / TK-240 / TK-330 / TK340 radios. It is obsolete and no longer available as a new product from Kenwood. It is hard to find on the used market. The folks at www.rfguys.com have a replacement available for it on their page (US$60 in June 2011). Thanks to Dan Hebron N8VPZ for the information and pointer to rfguys.com.
KPG-14 KDS-10, KCT-24S, KVT-10, VH-C1
KPG-22 TH-F6, TH-F7, TH-G71, TH-K2, TH-K4, TK-240, TK-249, TK-250, TK-253, TK-255, TK-260, TK-260G, TK-270, TK-270G, TK-272, TK-272G, TK-273, TK-278, TK-278G, TK-340, TK-349, TK-350, TK-353, TK-355, TK-360, TK-360G, TK-370, TK-370G, TK-372, TK-373, TK-373G, TK-378, TK-378G, TK-430, TK-431, TK-715
TK-2100, TK-2100, TK-2101, TK-2102, TK-2107, TK-2118, TK-2160, TK-2160, TK-2201, TK-2202, TK-2206, TK-2207, TK-3100, TK-3100, TK-3101, TK-3102, TK-3107, TK-3118, TK-3160, TK-3160, TK-3201, TK-3202, TK-3206, TK-3207
KPG-36
front   rear
TK-180, TK-190, TK-280, TK-285, TK-290, TK-380, TK-385, TK-390, TK-480, TK-481, TK-490, TK-491, TK-981
TK-2140, TK-2180, TK-3140, TK-3180
KPG-43 TK-690, TK-790, TK-890
KPG-46
See Note 3
above.
This is the standard 8-pin mobile programming cable (RJ-45 style connector).
TK-760/TK860, TK-760G/TK-860G, TK-762/TK-862, TK-762G/TK-862G, TK-763/TK-863, TK-763G/TK863G, TK-768/TK-868, TK-768G/TK-868G, TK-780/TK-880/TK-980, TK-780G/TK-880G, TK-785/TK-885, TK-980/TK-981, TK-7150/TK-8150, TK-7160/TK-8160, TK-7180/TK-8180, TK-7189/TK-8189
TKR-720/TKR-820, TKR-730/TKR-830, TKR-740/TKR-830, TKR-750/TKR-850
TM-271A/TM471A, TM-261A/TM-461A

The KPT-series are stand alone programmers, unless noted they do not require a computer.
Programmer Radio (updates to this section are very welcome!)
KPT-10 TK-601S, TK-701S, TK-801S, TK-901S, TK-702R, TK-902R
KPT-20 TK-210, TK-310, TK-220, TK-320, TK-330, TK-710, TK-810, TK-620, TK-720, TK-820, TK-622R, TK-722R, TK-822R, TK-TKB-620, TKB-720, TKR-720, TKR-820
KPT-40 TK-705, TK-805, TK-706, TK-806
KPT-50 TKR-720, TK-820, TKB-620, TKB-720
Can work stand alone or can work with KPG-21D software.

Contact Information:

The author can be contacted at: his-callsign // at // repeater-builder // dot // com.

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This web page, this web site, the information presented in and on its pages and in these modifications and conversions is © Copyrighted 1995 and (date of last update) by Kevin Custer W3KKC and multiple originating authors. All Rights Reserved, including that of paper and web publication elsewhere.