INSTRUCTION MANUAL VHF FM TRANSCEIVER/ UHF FM TRANSCEIVER TK-280/ TK-380 800 MHz FM TRANSCEIVER/ 900 MHz FM TRANSCEIVER TK-480/ TK-481 © B62-1483-10 (K, K2, K3, K4) 09 08 07 06 05 04 03 02 01
THANK YOU We are grateful you chose KENWOOD for your land mobile radio applications. We believe this easy-to-use transceiver will provide dependable communications to keep personnel operating at peak efficiency. KENWOOD transceivers incorporate the latest in advanced technology. As a result, we feel strongly that you will be pleased with the quality and features of this product.
One or more of the following statements may be applicable: FCC WARNING This equipment generates or uses radio frequency energy. Changes or modifications to this equipment may cause harmful interference unless the modifications are expressly approved in the instruction manual. The user could lose the authority to operate this equipment if an unauthorized change or modification is made.
CONTENTS UNPACKING AND CHECKING EQUIPMENT ................... 1 Supplied Accessories ...................................... 1 PREPARATION .................................................. 2 Installing/ Removing the Battery Pack ..................... 2 Installing the Antenna ..................................... 3 Installing the Belt Clip ..................................... 3 Installing the Cover over the Universal Connector ..... 4 Installing the (Optional KMC-25) Speaker/ Microphone ...
Receiving .................................................. 15 SYSTEM SCAN (Trunking Format) ........................... 16 Scanning Trunked Systems .............................. 16 Scanning Conventional Systems ........................16 Scan Lockout ..............................................17 Scan Revert ................................................17 GROUP SCAN (Trunking Format) ............................18 CONVENTIONAL OPERATION (Conventional Format) ..... 19 Transmitting ...................
UNPACKING AND CHECKING EQUIPMENT Note: The following unpacking instructions are for use by your KENWOOD dealer, an authorized KENWOOD service facility, or the factory. Carefully unpack the transceiver. We recommend that you identify the items listed in the following table before discarding the packing material. If any items are missing or have been damaged during shipment, file a claim with the carrier immediately.
PREPARATION ■ Installing/ Removing the Battery Pack ◆ Do not recharge the battery pack if it is already fully charged. Doing so may cause the life of the battery pack to shorten or the battery pack may be damaged. ◆ After recharging the battery pack, disconnect it from the charger. If the charger power is reset (turned on after being turned off), recharging will start again and the battery pack will become overcharged. ◆ Do not short the battery terminals or dispose of the battery by fire.
■ Installing the Antenna Screw the antenna into the connector on the top of the transceiver by holding the antenna at its base and turning it clockwise until secure. ■ Installing the Belt Clip If necessary, attach the belt clip using the two supplied 3 x 6 mm screws. Note: If the belt clip is not installed, its mounting location may get hot during continuous transmission or when left sitting in a hot environment.
■ Installing the Cover over the Universal Connector If you are not using the optional KMC-25 speaker/ microphone, install the cover over the univeral connector using the supplied 4 x 6 mm screw. ■ Installing the (Optional KMC-25) Speaker/ Microphone 1 Insert the guide of the speaker/ microphone connector into the groove of the universal connector. 2 Secure the connector in place using the attached screw.
GETTING ACQUAINTED q w e t r Microphone Speaker o y !2 u i !0 !1 Note: The transceiver is also available without the DTMF keypad (!1). q Antenna connector Connect an antenna here. w Rotary encoder Rotate this encoder to activate its programmable function. (System or Group Up/ Down in Trunking Format, and Group or Channel Up/ Down in Conventional Format.) For further details, contact your dealer.
e POWER switch/ VOLUME control Turn clockwise to switch ON the transceiver. Rotate to adjust the volume. Turn counterclockwise fully to switch OFF the transceiver. r Auxiliary (orange) key Press to activate its auxiliary function {page 8}. t Battery pack release latch Pull back on this latch to release the battery pack. See “Installing/ Removing the Battery Pack” on page 2. y PF (Programmable Function) key Press to activate its auxiliary function {page 8}.
■ Display MON SVC SCN LO Indicator Description MON Displays the system, channel, and group numbers. Also displays various functions which have been programmed by your dealer. Appears when the selected channel is programmed as priority. Appears when the key programmed as Monitor is pressed. SVC This icon is not used on this transceiver. SCN LO Appears when you are using Scan mode. Appears when the key programmed as RF Power Lo is pressed.
PROGRAMMABLE AUXILIARY FUNCTIONS Keys r, y, i, and !0 {pages 5 and 6} can be programmed with the auxiliary functions listed in the following table. The programmable functions are dependant on the operation of the transceiver (Conventional or Trunking Format). Contact your dealer for further details on these functions. Note: ◆ If “Function” is programmed onto a key, the DTMF keypad (keypad models only) can also be used for additional programmable keys.
Function Message Mode Monitor A (Monitor Unmute (Momentary)) Monitor B (Monitor Unmute (Toggle)) Monitor C (Carrier Squelch (Momentary)) Monitor D (Carrier Squelch (Toggle)) Operator Sel Tone Redial RF Power Lo Scan Scan Del/Add Scan Temporary Delete Send GPS 3 SP Attenuation 4 System Down System Up Scrambler 5 Talk Around TEL Disconnect 1 2 3 4 5 Conventional Format Yes Trunking Format Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes No No Yes Yes No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
OPERATION OVERVIEW Your dealer can program your transceiver for either Trunking Format or Conventional Format. ■ Trunking Format This format can handle up to 32 systems with up to 250 groups in each system. The transceiver can be used in both trunked mode and conventional mode. Systems, groups, and their functions are programmed by your dealer. ■ Conventional Format (TK-280/ TK-380 Only) This format can handle up to 250 groups with 250 channels in each group.
OPERATING BASICS ■ Switching Power ON/ OFF Turn the Power switch/ Volume control clockwise to switch the transceiver ON. Turn the Power switch/ Volume control counterclockwise to switch the transceiver OFF. If the Radio Password function is programmed, “PASSWORD” will appear on the display when the power is turned ON. To unlock the transceiver, enter the password, then press the S key. If you enter the wrong password, an error tone sounds and the transceiver remains locked.
■ Time-out Timer (TOT) The purpose of the Time-out Timer is to prevent any caller from using a channel for an extended period of time. If you continuously transmit for a period of time that exceeds the programmed time, the transceiver will stop transmitting and an alert tone will sound. To stop the tone, release the PTT switch. Your dealer can program the TOT time in the range of 15 seconds to 10 minutes.
TRUNKED OPERATION (Trunking Format) ■ Placing a Dispatch Call 1 Select the desired system and group using the encoder and the System or Group keys. 2 Press the PTT switch. 3 If a tone does not sound, communication is possible; start speaking into the microphone. Release the PTT switch to receive. • For best sound quality at the receiving station, hold the microphone approximately 1.5 inches (3 ~ 4 cm) from your mouth.
■ Placing a Telephone Call (Keypad Models Only) 1 Select the desired system and group using the encoder and the System or Group keys. 2 Press and hold the PTT switch for approximately 1 second to ensure a connection. • Confirm that there is a dial tone after you release the PTT switch. 3 Press and hold the PTT switch, then dial using the front panel keypad. • After dialing, release the PTT switch and wait for a response from the called party.
CONVENTIONAL OPERATION (Trunking Format) ■ Transmitting 1 Select the desired system and group using the encoder and the System or Group keys. 2 Press the key programmed as Monitor to check whether or not the channel is free. • If the channel is busy, wait until it becomes free. 3 Press the PTT switch and speak into the microphone. Release the PTT switch to receive. • For best sound quality at the receiving station, hold the microphone approximately 1.5 inches (3 ~ 4 cm) from your mouth.
SYSTEM SCAN (Trunking Format) If the Scan function is programmed, systems can be scanned by pressing the key programmed as Scan. When the Scan key is pressed, the SCN indicator and “-SCAN-” or the revert system/ group number, appear on the display and scanning starts. The systems not locked out of the scanning sequence are scanned. When a call is received, scanning stops and the system and group digits appear. Press the PTT switch and speak into the microphone to respond to the call.
■ Scan Lockout If a programmable auxiliary key is programmed with Scan Del/Add, each system can be locked out of the scan sequence manually. The delete indicator ( s ) will appear on the display when the selected system is locked out. ■ Scan Revert You can select revert systems and groups using the encoder and the System or Group keys.
GROUP SCAN (Trunking Format) Group Scan is available for both trunked and conventional systems. This feature is useful when more than one group is programmed in a system. Group Scan is set by your dealer on request. It scans the revert groups as well as groups that are allowed to be scanned. When a call is received, the group indicator shows the group number, and that group becomes the revert group. Simply press the PTT switch to respond to the call.
CONVENTIONAL OPERATION (Conventional Format) ■ Transmitting 1 Select the desired group and channel using the encoder and the Group or Channel keys. 2 Press the key programmed as Monitor to check whether or not the channel is free. • If the channel is busy, wait until it becomes free. 3 Press the PTT switch and speak into the microphone. Release the PTT switch to receive. • For best sound quality at the receiving station, hold the microphone approximately 1.5 inches (3 ~ 4 cm) from your mouth.
SCAN (Conventional Format) If the Scan function is programmed, groups or channels can be scanned by pressing the key programmed as Scan. Scan can be used as either Single Scan or Multi Scan. Single Scan monitors only the channels of a single group. Multi Scan monitors all channels of every group. When the Scan key is pressed, the SCN indicator and “-SCAN-” or the revert group/ channel number, appear on the display and scanning starts.
2-TONE SIGNALLING (Conventional Format) 2-Tone Signalling is either activated or deactivated by your dealer. 2-Tone Signalling only opens the squelch when the transceiver receives two tones corresponding to those set up in the transceiver. When the squelch opens, you will be able to hear the caller without any further action. After a correct 2-Tone signal is received and the squelch opens, pressing the key programmed as Monitor will cancel the connection.
FleetSync™: ALPHANUMERIC 2-WAY PAGING FUNCTION FleetSync™ is an Alphanumeric 2-way Paging Function, and is a protocol owned by KENWOOD Corporation. FleetSync™ enables a variety of paging functions on your transceiver, some of which depend on dealer programming. ■ Key Functions Key Function Press to change the transceiver mode as shown in the diagram below. (The # key is available on keypad models only). Press while in Stack Mode to toggle between the received message and the caller’s ID.
■ Selcall (Selective Calling) A Selcall is a voice call to a particular station or to a group of stations. To Transmit: 1 Select your desired system and group (or group and channel). 2 Press the A key to enter Selcall Mode. 3 Press the tB or Cs key to select the ID of the station you want to call. • You can also enter digits by using the DTMF keypad if Manual Dial is enabled. (Press to erase an incorrect digit.) 4 Press the PTT switch and begin your conversation.
To View the Caller IDs in the Stack Memory: The mail icon ( ) will flash when a Selcall call is received and stacked. 1 Press and hold the A key for more than 1 second to enter Stack Mode. • The last received Caller ID is displayed with the Caller ID number. “I” (ID) appears with the number. 2 Press the tB or Cs key to select the ID you want to view (if more than one ID is stored in the stack memory). 3 To erase the ID, press and hold the S key for more than 1 second.
■ Status Message You can send and receive 2-digit Status messages (10 ~ 79) which may be decided in your talk group. Messages can contain up to 16 alphanumeric characters. A maximum of 9 received messages can be stored in the stack memory of your transceiver. These saved messages can be reviewed after reception. If the stack memory is full, the oldest message will be erased when a new message is received. The mail icon ( ) lights when a message is stored in the stack memory.
To Receive: The mail icon ( ) will flash and a calling ID or text message will appear when a Status call is received. • The display alternates between the caller ID and the message. Press any key to return to Normal Operation Mode. To Review the Messages in the Stack Memory: 1 Press and hold the A key for more than 1 second to enter Stack Mode. • The last received message is displayed with the message number. “S” (Status) appears with the number.
■ Optional Short Messages Feature Received short messages (maximum of 48 characters) are displayed the same as Status messages {page 24}, however only 4 short messages can be stored in the stack memory. “M” (Message) and the message number appear with the message.
DTMF (DUAL TONE MULTI FREQUENCY) CALLS ■ Making a DTMF Call (Keypad Models Only) There are two methods of making a DTMF call: • • Manual dialing Store and sending To make a call by dialing manually: 1 Press and hold the PTT switch. 2 Enter the desired digits using the front panel keypad. • • • The corresponding DTMF tones sound each time you press a key. If you release the PTT switch, transmit mode will end even if the complete number has not been sent.
To make a call by storing and sending: 1 Enter the desired digits using the front panel keypad. • The digits appear on the display as you enter them. 2 After entering the complete number, press the PTT switch. • • • If you are using the transceiver in a Conventional system, the DTMF code is transmitted after pressing the PTT switch. If you are using the transceiver in a Trunking system, the DTMF code is transmitted after a connection is established.
■ DTMF Signalling Your dealer can program a group with a DTMF signalling code. When you receive a call with a code that matches yours, the signalling indicator will flash and a tone will sound. Squelch opens and you will hear the call. Squelch will close when you receive a call with a code that matches your signalling reset code. When making a call on a group programmed with a DTMF signalling code, the signalling indicator will light and the squelch will open.
AUDIBLE USER FEEDBACK TONES The transceiver emits various tones to indicate the transceiver’s operating status. Contact your dealer for further information on these tones.
Tone Ringing Roll Over System Search System Search End Transpond 32 Conventional Format Trunking Format No Yes No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
TK-481 Terminal Descriptions Universal connector It is possible to use a resin-based cover for the Universal connector. NO. Name Description Impedance I/O 1 SSW Ext/Int Speaker Switch Input High Impedance I 2 SP+ BTL Output + for External Speaker 8 Ω O 3 SPBTL Output - for External Speaker 16 Ω O 4 MSW Ext/Int MIC Switch Input High Impedance I 5 EMC External MIC Input 1.
Radio Frequency Energy Safety Information This Kenwood transceiver has been tested and complies with the standards listed below, in regards to Radio Frequency (RF) energy and electromagnetic energy (EME) generated by the transceiver. • FCC RF exposure limits for Occupational Use Only . RF Exposure limits adopted by the FCC are generally • • • based on recommendations from the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements, & the American National Standards Institute.
