Kenwood TM-D700 - Appalachian Trail Golden Packet Configuration
Overview
While it is possible to use programming software such as Kenwood MCP-D700 or RT Systems TM-D700 Radio Programming Software (if you happen to own it - discontinued) to apply the configuration settings listed below, we encourage you to program the settings via the front-panel keypad. While the process is tedious, it is important to ensure you are able to configure your radio in the field without a computer at your disposal.
Once your radio is configured, the end result will allow you to operate as follows:
VFO A: 144.340 MHz - APRS enabled (AT Golden Packet APRS frequency*)
VFO B: 445.925 MHz - Voice communications with adjacent stations
- DO NOT USE THE STANDARD APRS frequency 144.390 MHz for AT Golden Packet!
Firmware Update
Hopefully you have the most current version of firmware loaded on your Kenwood TM-D700. It appears as though they removed it from the support site.
Programming Software
As mentioned earlier, we strongly encourage you to program your TM-D700A by hand as there are likely to be cases where you will need to adjust settings and do not have access to a computer.
That being said, you may want to use the Kenwood application to back up the configuration.
The official Kenwood MCP-D700 application is archived in the Files section of the ATGP group on Groups.io.
https://atgp.groups.io/g/main/files/Kenwood%20Support%20Site%20Files/TM-D700A
Instuction Manuals
The original insruction manuals can be found in the Files section of the ATGP group on Groups.io.
TM-D700A Instruction Manual - Specialized Communications
Configuration Backup and Factory Reset
Prior to configuring your radio, make a backup of the configuration and perform a factory reset. This will ensure that you start with the factory default configuration as your baseline.
Press MNU to enter Menu Mode, then select RADIO -> AUX -> RESET and select FULL RESET then press OK. The radio should reboot.
Functional Requirements
- Support HOPn-N paths (with 1 level of trace history)
- Support TEMPn-N paths with tracing
- Posit Beacon once every 10 minutes via HOP7-7,HOP7-7 (mainline stn)
- Posit Beacon once every 10 min via TEMP2-2 (alternate station)
- Do not support WIDEn-N
Auto PM Store - WARNING
Bob used to be emphatic about disabiling Auto PM Store however, if used properly, it can an will work to your advantage!
Spend some time learning how it works.
Takes a snapshot of the state of the currently selected PM when radio is powered OFF.
Start with Clean Slate at Power On ONCE you have the specific PM fully configured.
Auto PM Store Best Practices
The following is the recommended order of events to maximize the usefulness of Auto PM Store:
- Select the desired PM (Program Memory)
- Ensure Auto PM Store is ON
- Configure the transceiver EXACTLY as documented
- Turn the transceiver off
- Turn the transceiver on & confirm the settings
- Disable Auto PM Store
It will make a lot more sense once you've experimented with it a few times.
Front Panel Programming & Serial Port Programming
While some settings on the Kenwood TM-D700A can be configured from the front panel, other APRS settings are not. They can only be configured by using a terminal emulator on a Windows, Mac, or Linux computer.
Anyone that owns a Kenwood TM-D700A will likely already be aware of this requirement.
For anyone that owns a Kenwood TM-D710A or D710GA - you can rejoice in the fact that you don't need to worry about this! :-)
Station Functions - Front Panel Configuration
- Enter MYCALL for your site
- Enter LAT/LON POSITION for your site
- Set to beacon once every 10 minutes (this value may need to be adjusted during the event)
- Using the path of HOP7-7,HOP7-7 (mainline, TEMP2-2 alternate)
Station Functions - TNC Serial Port Configuration
- Set MYCALL for your site plus SSID
- Set BTEXT !DDMM.mmN/DDDMM.mmW;comments
- Set UNPROTO APGOLD VIA HOP7-7,HOP7-7
- Set BEACON EVERY 60 (that's 10 minutes)
- UIFLOOD HOP,ID
- UITRACE TEMP
- HID OFF
Appalachian Trail Golden Packet APRS Digipeater Settings
- Before the event, it's crucial to configure these TNC settings in PACKET mode using a dumb terminal.
Once set, these settings can remain permanently on the radio, and they can still be used normally on the normal APRS channel, or they can be used for Field Day, the Annual Appalachian Trail Golden Packet event, or any other emergency where HOPn-N or TEMPn-N paths are used.
Your understanding and execution of these settings will play a significant role in the radio's performance.
APRS Mode vs Packet Mode
If you intend to operate in APRS Mode (recommended), then perform all of the steps below while the radio is operating in APRS Mode.
Conversely, if you are going to operate in PACKET Mode, there are several additional settings that are required if they are not provided by any other APRS client software. The settings in question are:
- BTEXT
- UNPROTO
- BEACON TNC
Steps to Success
Step 1
Before the event, it's crucial to configure these TNC settings in PACKET mode using a dumb terminal. Once set, these settings can remain permanently on the radio, and they can still be used normally on the normal APRS channel, or they can be used for Field Day, the Annual Appalachian Trail Golden Packet event, or any other emergency where HOPn-N or TEMPn-N paths are used.
- UIFLOOD HOP,ID
- UITRACE TEMP
- HID OFF
If you operate the radio in APRS mode, then all the other settings you make in APRS Mode. But if you are going to operate in PACKET mode, you have also to set the BTEXT, UNPROTO, and BEACON TNC commands listed earlier if they are not provided by any client APRS software.
Step 2
Power cycle the radio and then test the digipeater with another radio using HOP7-7. It should digipeat, substitute its own call (MYDIGI), and decrement the N number. The digipeated path should look like this: W3XYZ>APRSAT,MYDIGI,HOP7-6:.......
Step 3
For the event, then set APRS mode and these MENU items:
| Function | Option | Setting | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| RADIO | DISPLAY | KEY FUNCTION MODE3 | TM-D700 only |
| RADIO | MEMORY | AUTO PM STORE OFF | TM-D700 only |
| AUX | AUTO PM STORE OFF | TM-D710 only | |
| APRS | MYCALL | Set to assigned station call SSID | |
| APRS | GPS | UNIT OFF | |
| APRS | MY POS | Set to assigned position | See webpage??? |
| APRS | STATION ICON | Digipeater Star | |
| APRS | STATUS TEXT | Set as required | Keep it short! |
| APRS | STATUS | TX RATE 1/1 | |
| APRS | PACKET PATH | HOP7-7,HOP7-7 | Maritime - TEMP2-2 (if alt) |
| APRS | PACKET TX | AUTO | |
| APRS | TX INTERVAL | 10 minutes |
Again, if operating in PACKET mode, you must also set up the TNC BTEXT, BEACON, and UNPROTO commands if the client software does not do so.
Step 4
Band A
Set to 144.340 MHz - Volume Up - DATA channel - Squelch tight
Step 5
Band B
Set to 444.925 MHz
Step 6
FUNCTION - PM-IN - PM# - Save this for rapid configuration
Step 7
Cycle F Function button (including holding 1 sec) until you get the TNC button on the lower left. Cycle it until you get the APRS TNC display in the upper left of the display.
Step 8
Cycle F button to find the "BCON" button, and cycle it until BCON displays on the top line of the display to enable beacons.
Testing
It's absoltuely critical that you test your configuration multiple times BEFORE going out the day of the event. We do not want you worrying about troubleshooting issues when you arrive the day of the event. Now is the time to ensure everything works as expected.
Questions
If you have ANY questions, do not hesitate to reach out to the ATGP group on Groups.io for futher assistance! It's imperative to ensure your radio is configured correctly and is consistent with how others have their radios configured.