Note: On this page an "x" as in TKR-x50 or the TKR-x51s means either 750 or 850. On the NXR-x10 it means either the 710 or 810. On the NXR-1x00 it means either the NXR-1700 or the NXR1800.

Background:
This article covers the connections between an external device and the Kenwood TKR-x50, TKR-x51, NXR-x10 and NXR-1x00.

The TKR-x50, TKR-x51 and NXR-x10 repeaters have similar two-rack-unit-tall (2RU) packaging (3.5 inches vertical) and there are two "Accessory" connectors on the back of the chassis. Both are used for external device interfacing. One is a single DB-25 female connector and the second is a 15 pin "Molex" connector. Note that you won't have a front panel speaker unles you have a jumper between pins 9 and 12 in the Molex plug. And since the Molex plug is required you might as well add a pair of wires to feed 12 volt power to your external device (the red-black pair inside the yellow sleeving just loops through the DB-25 shell and feeds a pair in the grey cable to power the external controller).

Kenwood has a tech note (see page 12 here) that shows how to short out the power switch on the TKR-x50 and TKR-x51 units. Once this modification is done an accidentally bumped switch will not shut off a repeater. It's likely that the same tech note applies to the NXR-x10 units, however I have not needed to research if this is true. The shop where I help out a couple of days a week maintains about 50 TKR-x50s but only 4 NXR-x10s. Yes, I've bumped a switch, fortunately I caught the fact that the repeater was down before I left the site. No, I've not tried out the mod.

The NXR-1x00 are 1 RU (1.75 inches high) and only half-width! You can have two independent units in 1 rack unit of vertical space. This product line no longer has an internal speaker or the Molex connector.

Programming Software:
The older ("Pre-Version 2") Kenwood TKR-x50 units are programmed with KPG-66D. The later TKR-x50 ("Version 2.0") and the TKR-x51 units are programmed with KPG-91D. At the time this paragraph was created the current version for KPG-66D was 2.01, and for KPG-91D was 2.13. Neither enforce narrowband. Both are "out there" and findable on the internet.

The TKR-x51s were all produced after the Version 2 TKR-x50s were released, so there are no early version TKR-x51s.

The programming software for the NXR-x10 is KPG-129D. At the time this page was created the current version was 3.20 and didn't enforce narrowband. It is "out there" and findable on the internet.

The NXR-1x00 series are programmed through the front panel RJ-45 ethernet jack using a web browser for some functions or KPG-D7 software for the main functions. At the time this paragraph was added I did not have the version information or any programming information.

Programming Software Notes:
Look for a setting labeled "DUPLEX" or "REPEAT" in the KPG-66, KPG-91 or KPG-129D programming software. When set to Repeat mode the the internal repeater controller and repeat audio paths are enabled. "Duplex" mode completely separates the receiver and transmitter by disabling the internal controller and audio paths. Once the repeater is programmed for "Duplex" service the DB-25 connector can be used to connect to an external repeater controller.

The KPG-66D software for the older TKRs is limited to COM1 through COM4 where KPG-91D will access COM1 through COM20.

Any KPG software that has a "DN" suffix (i.e. KPG-91DN) cannot program a channel wideband. Unlike most Motorola software you can revert to a previous version (without the "N" suffix) and enable selection of wideband or narrowband.

The DB-25 connector and the basic signals:
The first four columns in the table are copied from the Kenwood data sheets.

Note: As far as the author can tell the only difference between the interfacing cable on a TKR and an NXR is that pins 14 and 18 are unused on a TKR and are diagnostic outputs on an NXR.

Accessory 25 pin Female D-sub Connector, TKR-x50 / TKR-x51 / NXR-x10 / NXR-1x00
DB-25 Pin	Signal Name	In or Out	Description / Function	Interfacing Notes
1	NC RSSI	– O	No connection RSSI	The TKR-750 / 751 or TKR-850 / 851 can be modified to bring out the analog Receiver Signal Sstrength Iindicator (RSSI) DC voltage on this pin. See page 13 here. The RSSI voltage is zero to 3.3. volts. The NXR-x10 and NXR-1x00 both have a solder blob option to bring RSSI out on this pin.
2	RXD2	I	Serial data to radio	You can program the NXR-x10 and the TKR-x50 / x51 with RS-232 signals on 2, 3 and 7. Since the NXR-1x00 is programmed via ethernet these two pins are NC (no connection).
3	TXD2	O	Serial data from radio
4	AI1	I	Programmable function input 1	(Users Choice)
5	AI2	I	Programmable function input 2	(Users Choice)
6	AI3	I	Programmable function input 3	(Users Choice)
7	DG	–	Control line ground	The TKR-x50 and NXR-x10 info says "GND". The NXR-1x00 info says "Digital GND".
8	TD	I	TX data input (data or signaling) Input impedance: 600Ω Coupling: AC coupling Level: 0.5 Volt p-p input 100Hz Deviation: ±0.75kHz (wide) / ±0.35kHz (Narrow)	This is the input that you should use for external PL or DPL encoders, or digital modulation. This input is not pre-emphasized.
9	TA	I	TX audio input (voice) Input impedance: 600Ω Coupling: AC coupling Frequency response: Pre-emphasis curve Deviation: 60% deviation (1kHz 280mVrms ±25 mV input)	This input is pre-emphasized and is where you would connect the repeat audio.
10	RD	O	RX data output (voice & data) Output impedance: 1kΩ or less Coupling: AC coupling Non-squelched Frequency response: ±2.5dB at 10~3000Hz Output level: 70~90 mVrms (standard modulation)	This output feeds external PL, DPL or digital modulation decoders, it is not de-emphasized. Think of this pin as raw receiver audio. Note that the audio level of the RD output (raw discriminator) is very low. As shipped by Kenwood it is about 1/5 of the level of the RA (de-emphasized) output. You will have to go into Test Mode in the KPG-91D software and crank it up. Just make it match the RA output and call it done.
11	RA	O	RX audio output (voice) Output impedance: 1kΩ or less Coupling: AC coupling Squelched Frequency response: De-emphasis curve Output level: 360~440 mVrms (standard modulation)	This output is the repeat audio output and it to one to use to feed an external repeater controller. This output is de-emphasized.
12	RXG	–	RX signal ground (for RA and RD)	Receiver Audio Ground
13	SPM	I	Speaker mute signal. Muted when this input is low or grounded.	In most cases this pin can be ignored.
14	NC	–	No connection (see note)	No connection on the TKR units. The NXRs use this as "BER_CLK, Output, for Bit Error Rate Clock"
15	EMON	I	External monitor switch Input “low”= Monitor on, “high”= Monitor off.	In most cases this pin can be ignored.
16	EPTT	I	External press-to-talk switch input	Active Low
17	SC	O	Squelch control output “L”: Busy, “H”: Not busy	This is a Receiver Unsquelched logic level output.
18	NC	–	No connection (see note)	No connection on TKR, on the NXR this is "BER_DAT Output for Bit Error Rate Data"
19	TXG	–	TX signal ground (for TA,TD)	Transmitter Audio Ground
20	AIO1	I/O	Programmable function input or output #1	(Users Choice)
21	AIO2	I/O	Programmable function input or output #2	(Users Choice)
22	AIO3	I/O	Programmable function input or output #3	(Users Choice)
23	AIO4	I/O	Programmable function input or output #4	(Users Choice) On Version 2 TKRs and NXR-710s and NXR-810s this can be used for QT/DQT (CTCSS/DCS) encoder control. Kenwood removed the encoder control option in the NXR-1x00 product line. As the 1x00 design is full SDR they could add it back in if they wanted to.
24	AIO5	I/O	Programmable function input or output #5	(Users Choice) Can be used for receiver TOR (CTCSS/DCS).
25	AIO6	I/O	Programmable function input or output #6	(Users Choice) Can be used for receiver COR (COS).

The 15-pin "Molex" connector:
The 15 pin Molex connector is not required to make the TKR-x50 / x51 or NXR-x10 units operational but it is a good thing to have a plug in the connector with a jumper between pins 9 and 12 as that jumper enables the front panel speaker. If you wish the connector can also provide +12 volts DC to power the external controller. If your controller has an extra A-to-D input you can feed the Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) analog DC voltage on pin 8 (zero to 3.3 volts) that varies with signal strength. If your external repeater controller has an extra analog DC voltage measurement input you might want to connect the RSSI voltage to is so that you can let your system announce it when triggered by a DTMF command.

Yes, this is the same Molex connector as is used on the back of the TKR-x20 repeaters, and the speaker enable jumper is the same (pins 9 to 12)...
However the pinout for the other signals on those units is VERY different.

The 15 pin "Accessory" connector is one that was originally designed and made by "Molex" back in the 1970s. That connector is a 5-row-by-3-column female body with 0.093 inch male pins. Today the parts are multiple-sourced, another manufacturer is TE Connectivity / AMP Connectors and they call it a "Mini-Universal MATE-N-LOK Rectangular Power Connector #172171-1, 15 Position, 4.2 mm (0.165 inch) Centerline, UL 94V-0". AMP's data sheet (opens in a new window).

15-Pin Accessory Connector Info and Part Numbers
	Molex Part Numbers		Distributor Part Numbers
	Old	Current	TE-AMP	Kenwood	Digikey	Mouser
Housing:	03-06-2152 (photo) (drawing)	39033154  (PDF data sheet)	172171-1	See Note	900-0039033155-ND	538-39-03-3155
Pins:	02-06-2103 (photo) (drawing)	02062103  (PDF data sheet)	?	See Note	WM1000-ND	538-02-06-2103
Pin Crimp Tool:		0638111000	?		WM9999-ND	538-63811-1000
Pin Extractor:		0011030002	?		WM9929-ND
Pin Inserter:		0011020001	?		WM5515-ND

Note: PacParts.com is a Kenwood authorized parts distributor and sells the Molex 15 pin plug with the speaker enable jumper in place as Part Number "881H04-8058-72".

Mouser calls it a "Molex 1625 Series Pin & Socket Connector". The Mouser part numbers used to be linked but after they changed the web site data base (which broke the links) for the third time I gave up.

An alternate source of a complete connector kit (opens in a new window) is available from Kurt Meltzer KC4NX who sells as Meltzer Radio Engineering or as MRE1032 on eBay. Yes, he says it's for the TKR-x20 and TKR-x50 but it will fit the TKR-x51 and the NXR-x10s as well.

The easiest way to figure out which is pin 1 on the back of the TKR or NXR is to look for the triangular notches on one end, that's pins 1-2-3. Then connect the black lead of your voltmeter to the chassis... the corner pin with +12 on it is pin 1 (note that the repeater power will need to be on).

The table below lists all 15 pins and what each one does. The first four columns in the table are copied from the Kenwood TKR data sheet. NXR differences are noted.

Accessory "Molex"15-pin Connector Plug For Kenwood TKR740 / TKR840, TKR750 / TKR850 and NXR710 / NXR810
Pin #	Signal Name	In or Out	Description / Function	Notes
1	SB	O	Power supply output after power switch; 1 amp maximum	Either pin or both could power your external repeater controller (pair with pins 4 or 5 or both).
2	SB	O	Power supply output after power switch; 1 amp maximum
3	NC	–	No connection
4	GND	–	Ground	On the TKR pins 4 and 5 are "Ground", on the NXR they are "Digital Ground". See the note on pin 1.
5	GND	–	Ground
6	SPG	–	Speaker ground
7	RD	O	RX data output	Same as DB-25 connector pin 10.
8	RSSI	O	RSSI output (Analog DC voltage output from zero to +3.3 volts)	Connect to controller analog input for signal strength readout.
9	SPI	I	Internal speaker input	Jumper to pin 12 to enable front panel speaker
10	AO1	O	Auxiliary output 1 Open collector. Low : 150 mA max.
11	AO2	O	Auxiliary output 2 Open collector. Low : 150 mA max.
12	SPO	O	External speaker output	Jumper to pin 9 to enable front panel speaker
13	AO3	O	Auxiliary output 3
14	AO4	O	Auxiliary output 4
15	AO5	O	Auxiliary output 5

The most common configuration of the cabling from this connector is to jumper pins 9 and 12, then use pins 2 and 4 to feed +12vDC to the external controller, and use pins 8 and 5 to feed the RSSI DC voltage to the controller measurement input.

Acknowledgements and Credits:

Thanks go to Ken Arck AH6LE at Arcom as he provided some of the info on this page.
Thanks go to Tracy Hooker KA5ECS as he verified that the TKR-x50 / x51 can be programmed via the RS-232 signals on pins 2, 3 and 7.

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This page originally posted on 2023-Oct-10

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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.