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Reviews For: TK-785

Category: Transceivers: VHF/UHF+ Amateur Base/Mobile (non hand-held)

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Review Summary For : TK-785
Reviews: 3MSRP: Unknown
Description:
220 Mobile
Product is in production
More Info: http://Kenwood.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0034.3
KE8ADK Rating: 2022-09-05
One of the better 220 FM options out there. Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I've really enjoyed the TK-785 that I bought used. This one was modified by another ham in WA. TK-780 firmware was loaded which allows the radio to operate very similar to a TK-780.

Normally the 785 only can store 32 channels and is FM narrow only, but with the 780 firmware, you can store up to 250 channels.

Also, thanks to parts interchangeability, the 785 uses the same, or similar, PCB layout to either the 780 (or possibly the fabled 782). This means that there is a space on the board for the filters needed for wide channel spacing. Once the TK-780 firmware is loaded, the radio can be programmed to use the factory narrow filters, or the wide filters (if you add them to the board).

If you're familiar with programming a TK-780 or TK-880, the TK-785 programs exactly the same. The only caveat is that you must subtract 89.7MHz from the receive frequency (TX frequencies remain the same).

To make things easy, I made a spreadsheet with all the TX & RX frequencies I planned to use, then added a column that subtracted 89.7 from each RX frequency. When programming the radio, just enter values from the TX column and adjusted RX column into the software.

Decent 220 radios are hard to come by, especially since Alinco stopped selling the DR235. If you want a solid 220 mobile radio from a reputable manufacturer, that isn't over 30 years old, the TK-785 is a great choice.
W7KI Rating: 2008-07-19
Works on 220 Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have one working on 220. Prior owner flashed TK-780 firmware on it, as I believe the OEM firmware is trunking only. Programs up fine on 220 though you need to offset the TX freq by 89.5mhz due to the firmware change. I've had no problem with local simplex/repeaters. CTCSS tones work just fine.
N5YEO Rating: 2008-04-12
Does Anyone Know About This Mobile? Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have someone who is trying to sell me one of these mobiles. Does anyone have any info on them? Any thoughts are welcome. Thanks. I don't own one yet but I am curious about it. It looks good! Steven , N5YEO