With all of the different BK models, many have asked the question about programming cables. The LAA-0725 cable is still the only cable required to program any BK Radio land mobile radio ever made. This cable does require a hardware RS-232 serial port on the programming computer and WILL NOT operate from any USB serial port. The schematic of this cable is further down on this page. Windows XP can also cause some compatibility issues with the software if the "Classic" desktop theme is not selected. Older DOS software like LMR.EXE should be operated in Windows 95 or 98 because there can be timing irregularities in Windows 2000 and XP.

Rich Williamson, W7KI, reports:

To get part numbers, call Bendix-King tech support at 800-422-6281 (then press "2"). Give them the radio model number and a description of the parts you need. Next, call a distributor and give them the Bendix-King part numbers. I personally dealt with "10-4 Communications" at 800-487-9576. I needed a speaker and some fuses. It was only $15 including the shipping, so BK prices are certainly reasonable.

Descriptive tables on BK handhelds:   VHF (14kb)     UHF (7kb)     800mhz/AircraftMarine (4kb)
All three lists, as one file, useful for printing or loading into your Palm Pilot: Entire List (22kb)

Would anyone like to provide similar information for the mobile radios?

The EPH 5991 models are not on the above list. The EPH 5991A is a high band unit, 210 channels with numeric keypad.   The EPH 5991K is a special that was made for the Texas Railroad Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety - instead of multiple 14-channel banks it had one large 64 channel bank, and covered 154mhz-166mhz.

Here's an LPH series operation and programming guide.

Here's a DPH programming guide.   The DPH is a new (as of 2005) 240 channel (15 groups of 16 channels) portable radio capable of both P25 digital and analog operation. The DPHX is an updated version with extended frequency range covering 136-174 MHz. The DPH5102-CMD is another version with both extended frequency range, 300 channels and a larger LCD display that can display more more data.

Here's an generic BK Portable programming manual.

As of January 2007, the standard GPH analog only radio is obsolete and is to be replaced by the GPH+ although a full set of specifications for this radio have not been released on the RELM website. Here's the GPH-CMD manual.

The stock LPH, EPH, GPH and DPH high band portables do not cover the 144-148MHz amateur spectrum out of the box. They need to be "downbanded" where you sacrifice a little off the top end to gain a little on the bottom end (i.e. move the 148 Mhz end to 144Mhz). The LPH series need a change in the EEPROM contents. There is a software program pair called "Ham" and "Eggs" that is for the EPH models where "Ham.exe" would downband the radio and "Eggs.exe" would restore it. Look around for "ham and eggs.zip" The ham and eggs program set was modified for the GPH series and is called, believe it or not, "Green eggs and ham". It was modified again for the early DPH series and is called "Deviled eggs and ham". Please note that nearly all downbanded radios will need a receiver realignment in order to achieve specification sensitivity in the downbanded region. A carefully realignment can also mean that very little (if any) performance is lost on the high end of the operating range. DPHX and DPH5102X-CMD radios have an extended frequency range and do not need to be downbanded.

The BK portable radio knobs are held on by a 0.048" or 0.05 mm bristol spline setscrew.   McMaster-Carr, an industrial supplies distributor, has it in their catalog, part number 7048A12 (four-flute) or 7048A13 (six-flute), either for less than $1.00.   Or just order out an Excelite part number #99-61 from your favorite tool supplier.

The PRC-127 is the military version of an LPI series high band BK radio first delivered in 1996. It has 14 channels with a channel spacing of 25khz, 3 watts of RF power, with a frequency range of 136 - 160 MHz. The PRC-127(A) is the military version of the EPI3101A radio with a spacing of 12.5khz (some documentation states that the (A) model has 28 channels, up to 162mhz, and can do 12.5khz, 15khz, 25khz or 30khz spacing). The 28 channels on the PRC-127(A) are organized into two 14 channel banks, Bank One being preconfigured narrowband and Bank Two being preconfigured as wideband. The current model is the PRC-127(B) with has channel spacing options of 5khz, 12.5khz, 15khz, 25khz or 30khz spacing. All parameters can be programmed from the front panel keyboard. Battery, charger, and other accessories can be interchanged with other BK models.

PRC-127 radios can be "widened" to a frequency range of 148-170 with slightly reduced power and sensitivity at the extremes. See: this web page.

Craig Coley of "The Communications Repair Depot" comments that:

"The BK LPH and PRC-127's can be used as tactical repeaters. The radios really work quite well as tactical repeaters because they have tuned, tracking front ends in the receiver as well as a wide dynamic range passive ring mixer. I have used these radios as 2 watt repeaters using flexible antennas and separated by only about 5 feet on the top of a Suburban with good results. There is minor desensitisation of the receiver and the use of PL tones is definitely recommended but the overall results were good. This setup requires only minor modification of existing circuitry within the radios and an interconnecting cable. It can also as a bi-diectional repeater linking two simplex frequencies."

In answer to questions about the upgradeability of various handhelds, Craig also comments that:

"All of the portable radio models except the 'L' series will require a factory only upgrade to increase the number of channels. For 'E' and 'G' series, a 28 channel upgrade costs $50.00 and a 210 channel upgrade costs $150.00. The 'D' series portable radios come standard with at least 240 channels."

"The 'L' series radios require the addition of an accessory board to add an additional 14 channels but this board is obsolete and no longer available from RELM. The LPX is an early 800 MHz analog trunking radio that is obsolete and completely unsupported."

Schematics:

• A cloning cable
• A discrete-component based interface cable equivalent to the LAA-0725 cable
• An integrated circuit based interface cable equivalent to the LAA-0725 cable
• PDF schematic of BK's LAA0305 drop-in charger

Offsite links:

The Communications Repair Depot is a RELM authorized Bendix King dealer that has an execelent web site on BK radios. Craig Cooley, the owner, has been a BIG help in keeping this page up to date.

The Relm web site has some downloadable Bendix King software utilities and service bulletins.

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Hand-coded HTML by Mike Morris WA6ILQ
This page originally posted in October 2004