Category Archives: Radio

Ham Radio

April 9, 2026
20:29
by: Dan

Fixing a Kenwood TM-D700 display voltage regulator

I recently created a kit that lets you convert the D700 to a GPS-in-head design like the later TM-D710GA model. When I went to apply the kit to my oldest D700 sample I encountered a problem: the display would just … Continue reading →

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December 20, 2025
18:26
by: Dan

Creating a D700GA conversion kit

I have a couple of Kenwood TM-D700 radios that I like. They are really solid, and for the most part, very good for their integrated APRS capabilities. In the old days when you had to connect a GPS to the … Continue reading →

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April 3, 2024
15:30
by: Dan

Automating the Expert Linear ATU tuning process

Most people will recognize CHIRP as a desktop application, which it is. However, one of the early design points for the architecture was a clear separation between the UI and the driver model. That provides a mostly clean abstraction between … Continue reading →

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November 14, 2022
15:03
by: Dan

Adding a second mic to a Kenwood TK-8180

The Kenwood TK-8180 is my go-to preferred radio for GMRS stuff. It is a rugged radio with an excellent remote-head kit, and a nice display. It’s generally pretty easy to find them in good condition on eBay, and accessories are … Continue reading →

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October 23, 2022
20:57
by: Dan

Fixing a Kenwood TM-281 serial interface

I have a Kenwood TM-281 that I got second-hand from an unknown source, and have always programmed it by hand since it’s so simple. Recent efforts in the chirp py3 branch require a lot of re-testing of radios, so I … Continue reading →

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July 25, 2021
14:34
by: Dan

Resolving an Icom IC-7000 Power Meter Problem

Recently my Icom IC-7000 died during transmit. The result was a totally-dead appearance, which I resolved as detailed in this recent post. After repairing it with new parts, the radio powers on, but all is not well. The radio now … Continue reading →

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July 11, 2021
21:14
by: Dan

Fixing a dead Icom IC-7000

I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with my Icom IC-7000. I think that it’s a fantastic radio, with a ton of stuff packed into a very small size. My radio has suffered several failures over its life and … Continue reading →

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April 15, 2021
18:52
by: Dan

Adding Bluetooth to a Kenwood TM-D700

I have a couple of older Kenwood TM-D700 radios that I use for APRS stuff. They’re solid radios, and even have some features not present in the newer siblings, like the TM-D710. But, they don’t have integrated GPS devices, they … Continue reading →

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February 14, 2020
15:50
by: Dan

Fixing bad filters in a Kenwood TK-7160H

I recently got a good deal on a condition-unknown Kenwood TK-7160H radio. This is a nice 50W VHF high-band commercial transceiver, and I figured that even if it was a little sick, it could probably be used to add support … Continue reading →

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January 10, 2014
22:32
by: Dan

A Manual Tune Button for the LDG AT-7000

The LDG AT-7000 automatic tuner is very popular among Icom HF radio owners, especially those with IC-7000 and IC-706 radios. It’s small, simple, and works really well. The problem is, it’s so simple that it has no controls of its … Continue reading →

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