KENWOOD Radios TM-281A & TM-271A Frequency Programming software

[@FRANK-ci2up]

Great video. Thanks

[@vilmatan7582]

Hi excellent video.It really helped me alot.I do however have some questions about the TM-281a.I would appreciate your insight. I have a nice 2m Larson base station set up grounded 5/8 over 5/8 with a lower and upper radiator.Both adjustable. I adjusted the lengths for 144MHz The swr was perfect through the RG213. 1:1 / 1:2 but when I hit the power switch on the swr meter it only showed 25 to 30w...when I go up to say 160MHz the power went up to 50+w but the swr is like 4 or more.Is this the nature of things on 2m? When the TM-28A is a 65w rig...is that only on some frequencies??? I have searched for a power test video showing 65w ...but there are non??? I have the same problem with my truck set up. I have tried various set ups using my 1/4 wave Laird as well as a 1/2 wave Larson.Swr down to 1.2 on the nmo Laird at 144/145MHz but at the High power setting it only shows 25w on the meter. at 156Mhz I got 1: 3 swr and 60w...on the meter.. A bit confusing for my limited knowledge ! I am a novice for sure ..but a well read novice with many years of 2m/70cm HT and 11m band use...especially during my youth...swr for a cb antenna/ rig setup was easy as pie and the 4w on a uk rig was an accepted fact😆 This is quite a challenge for me. I'm a UK expat working in the middle east and trying to set up 2-way communication with 50°c and 95% humidity in summer is a nightmare lol. These tests were done in cooler weather though with no humidity. The only other additions were 5 ferrite beads added 6 inches from the antenna for CMC. The cable length to the roof is about 9m. I hope I don't sound too wet under the collar😀 I would appreciate your imput.I really like these rigs..especialy their rugged simplicity.

[@mciver47]

Sorry, it looks like you are trying to operate outside the amateur 2meter band. Suggest use J-Pole antenna, new cables and connectors and maybe an MFJ model MFJ-921 VHF dual band tuner 144-220 MHz. I suggest you find an "Elmer" (old radio operator that knows their way around a your type of radio) to help you. Good luck.

[@vilmatan7582]

Hi Thanks for your reply.No just 144 -145MHz I was just using the other frequencies as a comparison.. My only question was ..that a rig sold as a 65w radio matched well with a 2m antenna only shows 25-30 w....not the promised 65w.

[@mciver47]

If radio is new there may be a chance of returning it for another one. As described your radio does not seem right, there may be a problem with that radio that would require servicing. Sounds like you did everything correctly in testing. Best of luck.

[@robertkeller9828]

All these Kenwoods with problems YET the Fudds keep badmouthing the Chinese radios that never gave me these kind of problems!