Just got one of these radios as my 2 meter Yaseu 3100 finals gave up the ghost. I had borrowed one of these radios and fell in love with the radio. Now I've got one and programming is straightforward and easy to do. Love the Kenwood. W Rusty Lane K9POW in eastern Tennessee
I have several of these, and yes, AWESMOME radios! Question: The "older" TM-281a's (2020-2022) were EASY to "unlock," to be able to transmit above 144mhz. Was a SIMPLE matter to "lift the lid," remove one of the surface mount resistors, and close it back up again. Being a truck driver, I need access to the LADD channels, all of them above 144mhz I recently purchased 2 new radios and, lo and behold, a CHANGE UP to the main/motherboard! Interestingly, they are also now advertised as 136-174mhz - but in RECEIVE only. Any idea(s) on HOW to unlock those upper frequencies to be able to transmit? NO, not a licensed ham op, YES, our company IS licensed/registered and have our own dedicated frequency. THANKS for any help you may be able to provide!
Can u just program the radio so u can use it just for personal Purposes like if you’re out in the back woods and you’re just driving for wheel driving or do you want to hook it up so you can talk to the portable handheld radios would you still need a license for that
I’m sorry I don’t have that information...this video is an overview of the features of the radio not a review of it because I don’t have access to the radio unfortunately...
Unfortunately no I don’t. I wish that I could have access to try out all the radios that I do videos on, then I could actually do “review” videos rather than just an overview...but it is still good information about the radio in one place rather than reading the manual before you buy it to find out some of the information that is on the video
Telescope man recommends this radio as a beginner radio instead of a bafoeng HT from Amazon to use to do mostly everything, when I asked him a few years ago on TH-cam and now I am being more serious getting my ticket to get on the air and play with cw
This mobil Kenwood radio has all the features anybody would want except the five watts come on Kenwood why didn't you put the five watt in your radio, other than that its at a great price point
Just got one of these radios as my 2 meter Yaseu 3100 finals gave up the ghost. I had borrowed one of these radios and fell in love with the radio. Now I've got one and programming is straightforward and easy to do. Love the Kenwood. W Rusty Lane K9POW in eastern Tennessee
I have one of these and I love it. Super simple, easy to program and that 65 watts is just enough extra punch.
I have several of these, and yes, AWESMOME radios!
Question: The "older" TM-281a's (2020-2022) were EASY to "unlock," to be able to transmit above 144mhz.
Was a SIMPLE matter to "lift the lid," remove one of the surface mount resistors, and close it back up again. Being a truck driver, I need access to the LADD channels, all of them above 144mhz
I recently purchased 2 new radios and, lo and behold, a CHANGE UP to the main/motherboard! Interestingly, they are also now advertised as 136-174mhz - but in RECEIVE only. Any idea(s) on HOW to unlock those upper frequencies to be able to transmit? NO, not a licensed ham op, YES, our company IS licensed/registered and have our own dedicated frequency. THANKS for any help you may be able to provide!
I never liked auto squelch but this is a good little rig. I bought mine several years ago on sale for $109.99 and it's been very reliable.
Ok nice price! Yea I’m not a fan either I want to be able to control it myself
Can u just program the radio so u can use it just for personal Purposes like if you’re out in the back woods and you’re just driving for wheel driving or do you want to hook it up so you can talk to the portable handheld radios would you still need a license for that
Yes you have to have a license to use the radio no matter what you use it for
Great video Curtis, keep the coming!
Thanks
Does kenwood still make this model or can I get a used one ebay?
I’m not sure. Check with Hamradio.com. If they don’t have it then probably not and would have to buy off eBay or QRZ classifieds
what about the quality of the reception? how sensitive is on RX?? compared to other radios?
I’m sorry I don’t have that information...this video is an overview of the features of the radio not a review of it because I don’t have access to the radio unfortunately...
Could I use this for scan on a fire department?
As long as the fire frequency is between 136-174 MHz more than likely yes. It is it encrypted you won’t be able to either.
You didn’t have the TM-281A when you made this video, did you?
Unfortunately no I don’t. I wish that I could have access to try out all the radios that I do videos on, then I could actually do “review” videos rather than just an overview...but it is still good information about the radio in one place rather than reading the manual before you buy it to find out some of the information that is on the video
Telescope man recommends this radio as a beginner radio instead of a bafoeng HT from Amazon to use to do mostly everything, when I asked him a few years ago on TH-cam and now I am being more serious getting my ticket to get on the air and play with cw
Even with antenna
But where you’re not talking to other people just the people you were with or family members who have the portable radios handhelds
This mobil Kenwood radio has all the features anybody would want except the five watts come on Kenwood why didn't you put the five watt in your radio, other than that its at a great price point
Yea I thought that was very weird that it doesn't have anything lower than 25 watts.
So it can’t even reach a mile
Not sure I understand...you should be able to get 50+ miles with this radio