Scanning VHF with Kenwood TM-281A

[@w.rustylane5650]

I love my (new to me) Kenwood TM-281a. My Yaesu FTM-3100 bit the dust (burnt out finals) as do all Yaseu 3000 series radios. I borrowed a TM-281a and fell in love with this radio. Paired with a 2 meter Ringo Ranger you'll have the best station around. So I got me a 281a sf love this radio. Programming is straightforward and easily done with the mic or/and the front panel. My HF rig is also a Kenwood, a TS-430S and I love Kenwood radios. Everyone comments on how clear the audio is. This is the very best 2 meter rig I've ever found. W Rusty Lane K9POW in eastern Tennessee

[@cnick6]

Rusty I have (3) professional LMR Kenwood mobiles. You can buy the analog TK-7180 for roughly $100 these days. The software is available for free just about everywhere. The professional rigs are a step up from the HAM rigs; however, the TM-281A is also quite good. I personally use the TK-5720 and TK-5820 at the moment for P25. All of the above radios use a really incredible hand mic that is very under-rated. Far better than Motorola microphones.

[@Smaug1]

Nice video, nice radio. It seems Kenwood knows what we want, and is not too greedy about it either. The audio from that front-firing speaker sounds great. I like the interface too, and the scan speed is GREAT.

[@samusaran115]

That sounds quality is pretty fantastic. Seems like a good Ham for under 200.

[@City_Lights]

Great little Radio! I have 2 of them now. One is Mobile with a NMO mount Larson antenna and one is under my computer desk. Only drawback is the 100 channel limit. 73

[@thebakerman1]

This is one of the very best VHF (2-meter) mobile radio's you can buy. Although the programming cable is very expensive, you can also just buy a Kenwood commercial mobile radio programming cable for only $20 on Ebay and it will also program this model. When I bought my TM-281 I happened to have a commercial radio cable and it programmed the TM-271 and 281 perfectly :)

[@thebakerman1]

The TM-281 is an *excellent* radio and the bild-quality is on-par with their commercial line. I used to own the prior model, the TM-271, and with a few internal differences, it was pretty much the same radio as the 281. I just wish I didn't have to sell it because it really loved that sucker :) If I were ever in need of another 2-meter mobile radio it would definitely be the TM-281. I only wish I were still able to speak so I could still use mine :( Highly recommend this model...

[@fratermus]

@CJ Green: p41 of the manual says that, assuming you are already on a memory channel: "Press [VFO] (1s) to start Program Scan."

[@ComputerLearning0]

I agree with *thebakerman1* below that the TM-271/ 281 have excellent build quality that is based on their commercial radio line. I have the TM-271 and I love it and if I ever need a replacement I would happily buy the TM-281. Some have said the 271/281 don't receive as well as the older 2-meter mobile's because the new models are just converted VHF commercial rigs but that's completely *UNTRUE*. The 271/281 receive every bit as good as older 2-meter radio's ever did, maybe better. The newer design is sure as hell better than the older Kenwood amateur radios with the entire bottom half of the chassis being a heat sink vs. the old way of putting thin heat fins on the back of the frame.

[@ComputerLearning0]

The other great thing about the TM-281 is that it is narrow-band compliant. That said, if you only use it for amateur radio VHF communications then this means nothing, but if you also use this radio for general VHF communications then it will mean a lot. And yeah, we all know you're not supposed to use ham radio's in the commercial bands but it's not as if people do this because we all know *THEY DO*.

[@Sunny441]

Looks good. Should have done a video review. Might help some of us make a decision - whether to spend money on this or not!

[@pixeluser175]

I often hear that the receiver on this TM-281A is really good. Do you think its receiver is substantially better than a standard Yaesu monobander? Or anyone any thoughts on this?

[@cnick6]

Yes it is very good -- mostly because it's a front-firing speaker. Mobile HAM transceivers usually have top or bottom speakers but MFG'ers will use higher audio volume to compensate for its location. To save cost the speaker can be of lower quality, and it simply cannot handle higher volumes. Audio output is then distorted. The TM-281 or V-71 have excellent audio.

[@dkh1997]

I own a 281 and I won't trade it for really anything. Give it A+ here!

[@Boxfan2008]

When in a memory channel scan, does anyone's 281 beep when stopping on a signal? Every time something breaks the squelch, "Beep"

[@cnick6]

Sounds like mine did this too. Turn off BEEP setting # 24 ... sorry I don't have this radio any longer. It's been a few years since this video was made. ;o)

[@Boxfan2008]

@@cnick6 Thanks Nick!

[@montanahunters]

did you just put a cigarette lighter adapter onto the other end to power it ?

[@cnick6]

No, you'll fry the fuse. It's connected directly to the battery.

[@Adamdaj]

I wonder why Kenwood made it difficult, you split ctcss, but you can't do the sane using dtcss. You can't even use dtcss on Tx and leave Rx open. That's how it's set up on the Kenwood TM-V71A. Of course that's a duel band mobile. I figure the TM-471 or 481 would be ideal for GMRS use, except the miner problem with DCS T TSQ

[@charlesgoede2809]

can you have an odd split with PL on the tx only, so that the receive is open? I'm having problems. Thanks

[@huntplotts]

My 281A has a lot of static on certain channels when the Fm/Am truck radio is turned on. Anyone seen that issue?

[@montanahunters]

so what did you connect it to ?

[@michael1871]

can this radio be programmed to 462.7125

[@cnick6]

Not this model... you'd have to buy the TM-481 from E-Bay... not for sale in the US...

[@Sunny441]

@cnick6 OK. Thanks. A Video review is so much better though :-) .

[@russellallen1]

mine is mounted there on my dodge durango also :P

[@tateshell]

can this radio be cap/mod

[@cnick6]

Yes.

[@City_Lights]

You can only talk to other people on this radio IF you have a valid Ham Radio License. Most retailers will verify if your really Licensed before selling you this radio. illegal transmitting can end in hefty fines and confiscation of equipment, disrupting licensed users can be a fine over $10,000, if you transmit you can be located! If you want to talk & swear on Air get a CB. If you want to chat in a civilized gentlemans way, study for a Ham Exam, write the test and get on the Air, 73