A dedicated squelch knob, easytoread display, and infinitely practical microphone interface make this radio the allaround king of 2meter singlebanders, and while slightly pricer than its competition, it wont break the bank. Im troubled that the kenwood tm281a doesnt have a true low power setting, but i have read that the yaesu ft2900r has problems with overheating so i am completely confused as to which is better for me. The icom ic2300h 2 meter fm mobile features a rugged design and an easytoread alphanumeric display. I got it home, took some 12 gauge wire to the battery and hooked everything up. Telescopeman gives his recommendation for your first mobile amateur radio. My heart was with the yaesu ft2900, but numbers dont lie. I have the tmv71a as my base station so i was already familiar with the menu system. One thing i didnt mention above is the tm281s wellknown reputation for being highly dependable and delivering reliable signals for. The krs271281 software allows you to program memory channels and menu settings of the radio. Discussion in ham radio discussions started by kc1ddh, oct 1, 2015. You can easily set your own individual preference for dual receive and fullduplex operation. I wanted to be able to do winlink with mine locally so that was a plus for me. I like to program memory names in my rigs and the limitation with the tm281a would be a showstopper.
The kenwood tm281 may not be the prettiest mobile on the block, but its. Overall, the kenwood tm281 is a perfectly capable singleband mobile that could fit the bill for a number of applications. Kenwood s programming software is free and 3rd party usb cables using ftdi. Excellent receiver performance the ft2900rs receiver front end features yaesu s renowned advanced track tuning rf input filtering, which affords outstanding protection from intermodulation distortion. Yaesu ft2900r fm mobile transceiver 2 meter ham radio amateur w noaa weather. Our updates include the most accurate and uptodate software enhancements to ensure you make the most of all your kenwood radios. Kenwood tm281a transceivers mobile 2 meters, tm281a. Yaesu ft2900r ft 2900 r ft2900r service manual and specs. The yaesu appears to have a much larger heat sink, so it may be harder to mount in my pic up truck. Kenwood tm281a 65w 2m 144mhz fm mobile amateur radio. Rt systems makes commercial programming kits which include both software and a radiospecific cable. This service is nonrefundable once completed to make an amateur radio capable of transmitting just outside of the amateur radio bands, this service usually involves the removal of a surface mount component inside of an amateur radio along with some additional steps. Analog devices adalmpluto sdr software defined radio active learning module.
Discussion in mobile radio systems started by w1gvt, oct 12, 2014. I installed the tm 281a a few weeks ago and have been very happy with it. I installed the tm281a a few weeks ago and have been very happy with it. Its super easy to program with the software and easy to adjust the radio settings too. Yaesu ft2980r 2 meter vhf heavy duty 80 watt mobile. Naturally, milstd compliant toughness ensures rugged reliability. The ft2900r has 200 memories no matter if they display alphanumeric or just numeric. The ft2900r packs 3w big watts of loud audio with its own internal speaker for those noisy environments. Rt systems original adms2900 usb programming software version 5. I ordered the yaesu but wound up swapping to the kenwood because of the back order. Fantastic large and flexlible lcd display incredibly flexible dual band display. Does as advertised but it is not easy to program wo the programming software. I have the tm v71a as my base station so i was already familiar with the menu system.
The adms2900 software helps you program memory channels and menu settings of the yaesu ft2900 radio. I looking for a 2meter radio to use as a base station. I wish i would have bought the kenwood tm 281a for less money. Ft2900 radio programming software yaesu radio software. The two i have had reccomended to me ar the yaesu ft2900 and the kenwood tm281a. Unfortunately, there were two 12 diameter inline fuse holders on one end and a connector that goes.
Go to ham radio outlet 43rd av at dunlap in phoenix and see which one you prefer the feel of. And for such a simple radio, theres just not too much to program, and. Yaesu ft2900r ft2980r minimanual by nifty accessories. Kenwood tm241a 144mhz fm transceiver two way radio used. No more function key frustration as the radio times out and the menu disappears. Kenwood tm281a semi quick overview on manual programming. Each time i went to enter a repeater setting, it got lost. Two of the big names in radio programming are chirp and rt systems. From stationary multifeature communications equipment to portable devices, yaesu has consistently represented the best in communications equipment to the worlds top dxers for over half a century. Thanks to all who have contributed to this listing. Introducing the ftm100dr vhfuhf dual band transceiver, an exciting new way to enter into yaesu s revolutionary world of system fusion c4fm digital communications. I have ft2900s and kenwood tm v71a units, like em both. Kenwood tm281a or yaesu ft2900r worldwidedx radio forum.
You get 200 multiparameter memory channels or 100 when used with names. Its great for icom to throw in the software with the radio, but id really. The kenwood will also do regular packet with just a cord to a laptop where youll have to have a separate tnc to use that with the yaesu. Its solid, brawnish features combine with a hefty 75 watts to provide a powerful rf punch. The ftm100drs single receiver design provides 50 solid watts of rf power on both the 144 and 430 mhz amateur radio bands, while still being host to a feature packed suite of both c4fm digital and fm. Thats why it weighs nearly twice as much as the kenwood. Buy yaesu ftm3100r 2m radio programming software cable comet m24m mag mount antenna yaesu mls100 mobile speaker and ham guides pocket reference card bundle fixedmount cb radios free delivery possible on eligible purchases. Working on my tech licence and already have a baofeng uv5r. The mcp1a pc memory control software is available as a free download at. We work hard to ensure the lowest everyday prices possible, and sometimes even better deals. Planning on using in the house as a base station to hit the local repeaters and as a vehiclebase camp radio in the desert. Whatever the mission, wherever you go, kenwood s tm281a is a radio you can count on. Although small and lightweight, the icom ic2300h is milspec rated and is ready for action in the field.
Chirp is free, open source software thats used with a thirdparty programming cable. Which of these do you like and which would you advise to get. There are also a few non rigrelated references, see left below. Kenwood tm281 is as simple bare basic a 2 meter only radio as it comes. Kenwood tm281a tm 281a tm281a service manual and specs. Youve got to believe that yaesu knew that their radio was inefficient and instead of redesigning the transceiver, they slapped a bigger heat sink on it. A semi quick video of the kenwood tm281a 2 meter vhf fm radio, manual programming and a couple of features. The radio sounds great and my reports on transmits have all been fantastic. I can use either kenwood s own program, chirp, or aftermarket software to program it. Yaesu ftm400xdr vs kenwood d710g overland bound community. This compact transceiver delivers powerful mobile performance and such advanced features as multiple scan functions and memory names. When i travel, i set up memory banks for each of the regions im going to visit. Ft2980 radio programming software yaesu radio software. Also if you want to do the marscap mod youd better have great eyes, a magnifying glass and very steady hands.
Considering it puts out 65 watts, i thought the tm281a would be similarly heavy as the yaesu ft2900. Dx engineering has both of the 2 meter fm radios on sale for 9. I know its petty but the yaesu mics felt like cheap toys compared to the kenwoods. The more money you save, the more gear you can get, right. This is a collection of programming helps also known as cheat sheets for many common amateur radios.
Like its competition namely, the kenwood tm281 and yaesu 2900r. Krs271281 works with authentic versions of this radio worldwide including the tm271a, tm271e, tm281a and tm281e. This is an rt systems programmer with all the editing ease and file interaction that you have come to love. The kenwood tm281a is a 2 meter fm mobile transceiver providing a big 65 watts of power.
Kenwood tm281a semi quick overview on manual programming and some features youtube. Ft2980 radio programming software the rt systems programmer helps you program memory channels and settings of the yaesu ft2980 radio. This radio is capable of displaying up to 6 large alphanumeric characters. It turned on and i began a nightmare 45 minutes to an hour trying to program what should have been easy repeater settings in the channels. Yaesu ft2980r 2 meter vhf heavy duty 80 watt mobile transceiver. Any comments on which radio you would take, and why. The large informative lcd may be set to green, yellow or amber. The ft2980r is similar to the ft2900r, but provides 5 watts more.