Using a Micro SD card to program a Kenwood TH-D75
with the RT Systems KRS-D75 Programmer
Getting the Initial Details from the Radio
Programming the Kenwood TH-D75 radio begins with getting data from the radio. This gives the KRS-D75 Programmer the details it needs to identify the radio (worldwide version, modification status, and other "behind the scenes" details). This information can be retrieved only from the radio. Memory channel details are not important in this process.
This may be your first experience working with the SD card and the data transfer process on a radio. These steps will help you through that process.
With the radio off, insert the SD card into the slot on the side of the radio market Micro SD.
- There is only one way the SD Card will fit
- Do NOT force it.
- Presuming you are right handed and working such that you are looking at the front of the radio, the teeth of the card will be facing you. Yes, this is upside-down from traditional convention.
- The gold "teeth" will be facing you and will go into the radio first.
- Gently press the card into the slot until it clicks and stays firmly in place.
- The card will not work if it is not seated properly in the slot.
An SD will appear at the top of the screen of the display when the card is installed properly and ready to use.
Note: Generally it is not necessary to format a new SD card in the radio. SD cards come formatted. Radios today respond well to that standard formatting that comes on the card.
With the radio on,
Press [MENU] on the face of the radio to access the radio's menu selections.
From that menu, turn the knob until MicroSD (bottom center) is highlighted.
Press the [ENT] button on the radio to access those options.
The SD Card menu will open with Export highlighted.
Export transfers information FROM the radio TO the SD card.
Press [ENT] to select Export.
The radio enters Export with the Config option selected. This is the one you want for programming.
Press [ENT] to select Config
Note: You have no chance to name this file. The radio creates a unique file each time this process is completed. The filename is a combination of date and time. It may be important to know which was the last created when you access the list from the programmer.
The radio will flash Saving during the process.
This will transfer the details of the radio to the SD card. Even in a new radio there are details that the Programmer uses to identify it.
Note: This part of the process is required only once unless you modify the radio with screwdriver and soldering iron, reinstall the programmer, you let someone program the radio for you and you want to capture that programming, or you make lots of changes to the options of the radio from its face that you want to capture in the programmer.
The radio will let you know when it is finished saving the data to the card.
This process takes only a matter of seconds to complete.
Remove the SD card from the slot for use in the computer.
It may not seem normal; but you press the SD card to release it from the slot.
The card will "eject" and be ready to remove.
At all times be sure you do NOT touch to gold contacts. This could damage the card to the point it cannot be used by the radio or the computer.
Load the SD card into a reader for your computer to use.
Start the KRS-D75 Programmer (Windows or Mac)
The program opens in a default file (TH-D75 Untitled1).
If you have been working in the Programmer, the last file you saved will open automatically. To prevent loss of this file, do File|New before proceeding to the next step. This will create a new TH-D75 file and protect the original file.
Do Communications | Read data from SD Card from the options in the menu.
The Programmer finds the SD card automatically and displays a Read from SD Card dialog box with the available files.
Note: This happens automatically as long as the SD card is recognized in the computer. If a Windows File Open box appears, you either did not do the Backup in the radio or the card is not being seen by the computer.
It may appear that "nothing happens" as a result of this process. This is a correct result if the radio is not programmed with memory channels.
The main screen of the Programmer displays memory channel details. It does not change since there are no memory channels programmed in the radio; but, the Programmer has retrieved the information it needs to identify your radio.
You have completed this part of the process and are ready to set up a file for your radio with memory channels, VFOs, Limit memories and customized menu settings.
You will need to repeat this part of the process only if you make changes on your radio that you want to save to the computer, you have someone else program your radio and want to capture that programming, you modify your radio to transmit outside the ham band, you do a firmware upgrade to the radio or you reinstall the Programmer. Else, you need only create a file or many files with details for your travels or activities.
For those of you doing DStar, save your callsign permanently in the programmer.
This is something that needs to be done in each new file that you create if you are using the information in this file for DStar activities.
Select DStar | Digital (DStar) Settings at the top of the screen.
Enter your call sign in the Call sign field.
If you want, enter a 4 character note and a message to be displayed with your voice transmission.
Click Close on this sreen and save the file now (File |Save)
Customize the rest of the file. Enter memory channels details including frequencies, names, tones, etc in the spread sheets. Set other options for the radio in Settings | Radio Menu settings.
Save the file as you work. Click File | Save. The Programmer will capture all the information.
Be aware, this is NOT the file that you will use to program the radio. Do not struggle to save this file to the SD card.
Click Communications | Write Data to SD Card to make the file ready for the radio.
This process translates the file to a format that the radio can use.
The Programmer will automatically find the SD card and offer a screen allowing you to name this file. You can use the same filename that you used when you saved the file to the computer.
The programmer lets you know the process is complete
Remove the SD Card from the computer and put it in the radio.
Load it into the slot on the radio just as you did in Step 1.
Access the SD Card Menu on the radio as described in the earlier steps.
Select Import from the options offered.
Select Config from the Import options
Select the file that you want the radio to use.
Remember: This is an over write process. You cannot load one and then another file into the radio and expect the information from both to be available for your use. The radio will be programmed with the data of the last file only.
Be sure when you build your file that you include EVERYTHING in one file that you want in the radio at one time.
When the process is complete, your radio will be programmed with the details from the file.
The SD card can remain in the radio without it interferring with normal operations.
Remember: The memory channels are seen only when the radio is in memory mode. After programming, you may be in VFO mode. To put the radio into memory mode, touch the [2/MR] button.
Enjoy your radio!!