How do I unlock my radio?

July 10, 2008 5:45 PM

Does anybody know how to "unlock" a Kenwood TK-372G radio?

My employer uses Kenwood Tk-372G portable radios. A couple of the units, when trying to change channels (or actually doing anthing other than turn the thing on/off), displays "-LOCKED-". This is bad because I need to use the other channels.

I can't find the manuals for these things anywhere in our office, and can't find anything on the internet.

posted by C17H19NO3 to technology (7 comments total)

Searching for the 272 seems to have more results; it looks like the 272 is simply the VHF version, which is exactly the same except it covers different frequencies.

The ability to "lock" out a channel seems strange on this type of radio. (Really, on any radio.) There is such a thing as a "Keypad Lock," which is more meant to keep you from bumping buttons. Isn't channel change accomplished by turning the knob? To me, that would indicate that the channel has been 'programmed' that way; e.g. it doesn't exist.

However, I'm Googling around to see if I can find you something better.
posted by fogster at 6:29 PM on July 10, 2008

From what I'm seeing, it only has a 4-character keypad, correct?
posted by fogster at 6:33 PM on July 10, 2008

(Sorry for all the posts.)

I'm not finding a manual for these... You can leave the "G" off when searching, and you can do 272 or 372, but I'm still not seeing anything. They have manual downloads at http://www.kenwoodusa.com/Support/LMR_Manuals/#_, but the 272/372 aren't listed. (Grr!)

I have a hunch that those channels are simply not programmed / programmed blank. On higher-tier Motorola radios, if you select an unprogrammed channel, it will beep loudly at you. I haven't worked with Kenwood gear, but I'm inclined to think they were simply programmed that way. (Programming on these, BTW, is done via PC, and you'll need a special cable and software.)

Some higher-end Kenwood radios (e.g., the TK-8180, a mobile radio) seem to have a "Radio Lock" feature, which is basically a power-on password. I've never heard of a radio that allows certain channels to require a password. If you press buttons (either on the front panel (try the arrows?) or the two buttons lower on the side under the PTT button), does the display change?

Because I've never worked with commercial Kenwood gear, I can't say with certainty, but I really don't think that "-LOCKED-" in this case means "Enter Password," as much as, "This channel is not programmed."
posted by fogster at 6:47 PM on July 10, 2008

These radios have a whole bunch of frequencies programmed in it.

The "-LOCKED-" message on the display shows up when I turn the knob and when I push any of the four buttons.
posted by C17H19NO3 at 6:50 PM on July 10, 2008

Do they work on one channel but nothing else, or do they not work on any channels?
posted by fogster at 6:52 PM on July 10, 2008

Actually, the right arrow (the button on the extreme right) doesn't do anything when I press it. One of the buttons on the side below the PTT is just a backlight for the display, and the one below it squawks the radio.
posted by C17H19NO3 at 6:52 PM on July 10, 2008

Never mind...I figured it out.

I needed to press the right arrow and the open circle button (the extreme right and extreme left).

Seems to be a "Keypad lock" like you suggested. Thanks anyway! :)
posted by C17H19NO3 at 6:55 PM on July 10, 2008