Radio is very quiet to other riders

Droopy Dick

Droopy Dick

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I have a Kenwood TK3201 mounted vertically against the front face of my Givi topbox. I'm assuming that I get little attentuation of radio signal by the surrounding plastic.

Reception is very clear.

However, when I broadcast the sound level seems to be very low. I have definitely found the 'sweet spot' for the microphone. The speech is very clear, but very faint.

According to one of our boffin types, the carrier signal is clear and strong. He hears me begin a broadcast, but the speech modulation is very weak.

I'm using a PTT switch (not VOX) and an Autocom Pro Rider.

IS there some way to increase the strength of signal being passed to the radio? Or is it likely the radio is defective?
 
The Kenwood should be booming mate both ways due ot how reliable the TK's are. It could be the Kenwood or lead issue hard to say without actually seeing the set up or hearing it etc.

Rich
 
GSrich said:
The Kenwood should be booming mate both ways due ot how reliable the TK's are. It could be the Kenwood or lead issue hard to say without actually seeing the set up or hearing it etc.

Rich
Click to expand...

I called Autocom on Monday. Chap I spoke to suggested it might be a high resistance contact on the two-pin plug that goes into the radio, rather than any of the DIN connectors.

Bought some contact cleaner yesterday to give everything a rub down. I'll fin out on Friday if my trainee can hear me.
 
The kenwood has a mic volume level with 5 settings on. Yours might be set low. Don't ask me how to adjust it, I only know how to do it through software. I think it's in the instructions somewhere
 
terayon said:
The kenwood has a mic volume level with 5 settings on. Yours might be set low. Don't ask me how to adjust it, I only know how to do it through software. I think it's in the instructions somewhere
Click to expand...

Just found this.

Very interesting.

Having just found the manual, I'll now go and lie down to read it. I might just understand one word in ten.

Someone else has commented that the Part 1457 DIN plug doesn't fit fully into the socket coming from the Autocom unit .. it sits proud about 1/8" or so.

Went out today with a group and seemed to be having much the same issues .... perhaps I need to ride up to Warwick and let the experts have a look.
 
The gap on the din plug will not make any difference mate as it only the final seal not making a good connection, the din plugs will be pushed in as far as they will go. But if you do want to take a ride over to us via an appointment we can change the leads over for you to get the correct double water seal.

Rich
 
OK, although this is my first post in here I have some information on this subject that should be very helpfull and solve this problem. It is highly possible that the reason you are finding the audio is very low on your TK 3201 is that it is. What I mean is that there are two settings for the mic gain on this radio (low and High). These are settable only by a Kenwood dealer, or someone that has access to the progaramming software for this radio (me).

The reason all 3201's are set to 'low audio' is to halp avoid interferance between other radio's. You will find that if you looked at it's sister radio (the Kenwood TK 3207) the audio level is set much higher as standard as these units generaly operate on the BMR frequencys which are spaced further apart.

I have software to r'e programm' both 3201's and 3207 radio's and if you wish I can up the audio level for you free. It takes about 10 seconds to do and will mean that your 3201 is better matched to other lowder PMR radio's.

This low audio problem is a very common one and particularly effects you if you ride in a group where other people are using radio's with higher audio levels. I ride regularly with up to 8 radios of both 3201 and 3207 variaty so this problem is very familier to me.

Hope this helps

PM me if you want to do this
 
richardg said:
OK, although this is my first post in here I have some information on this subject that should be very helpfull and solve this problem. It is highly possible that the reason you are finding the audio is very low on your TK 3201 is that it is. What I mean is that there are two settings for the mic gain on this radio (low and High). These are settable only by a Kenwood dealer, or someone that has access to the progaramming software for this radio (me).

The reason all 3201's are set to 'low audio' is to halp avoid interferance between other radio's. You will find that if you looked at it's sister radio (the Kenwood TK 3207) the audio level is set much higher as standard as these units generaly operate on the BMR frequencys which are spaced further apart.

I have software to r'e programm' both 3201's and 3207 radio's and if you wish I can up the audio level for you free. It takes about 10 seconds to do and will mean that your 3201 is better matched to other lowder PMR radio's.

This low audio problem is a very common one and particularly effects you if you ride in a group where other people are using radio's with higher audio levels. I ride regularly with up to 8 radios of both 3201 and 3207 variaty so this problem is very familier to me.

Hope this helps

PM me if you want to do this
Click to expand...


Love to, but it's not possible to send you a PM 'cos you're not a paid-up member!!!

I take it this would mean posting the radio up to you?

Feel free to email me: gs1150rider AT gmail DOT com
 
DD

I am now paid up so feel free to PM me if you need any more help

Regards

R :bounce1
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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