Kenwood tm-281a vs yaesu ft-2900r software

I wish i would have bought the kenwood tm 281a for less money. The radio sounds great and my reports on transmits have all been fantastic. Kenwood tm281a semi quick overview on manual programming and some features youtube. Analog devices adalmpluto sdr software defined radio active learning module. I have ft2900s and kenwood tm v71a units, like em both. Two of the big names in radio programming are chirp and rt systems.

Kenwood tm281a tm 281a tm281a service manual and specs. I know its petty but the yaesu mics felt like cheap toys compared to the kenwoods. You get 200 multiparameter memory channels or 100 when used with names. This is a collection of programming helps also known as cheat sheets for many common amateur radios. I wanted to be able to do winlink with mine locally so that was a plus for me. One thing i didnt mention above is the tm281s wellknown reputation for being highly dependable and delivering reliable signals for. You can easily set your own individual preference for dual receive and fullduplex operation. 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. 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 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. Rt systems original adms2900 usb programming software version 5. I looking for a 2meter radio to use as a base station.

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. Which of these do you like and which would you advise to get. I installed the tm 281a a few weeks ago and have been very happy with it. Our updates include the most accurate and uptodate software enhancements to ensure you make the most of all your kenwood radios. 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. Yaesu ft2900r ft 2900 r ft2900r service manual and specs. Rt systems makes commercial programming kits which include both software and a radiospecific cable. Kenwood tm281a or yaesu ft2900r worldwidedx radio forum.

Yaesu ft2900r fm mobile transceiver 2 meter ham radio amateur w noaa weather. Also if you want to do the marscap mod youd better have great eyes, a magnifying glass and very steady hands. Its solid, brawnish features combine with a hefty 75 watts to provide a powerful rf punch. Thanks to all who have contributed to this listing. Whatever the mission, wherever you go, kenwood s tm281a is a radio you can count on. The ft2900r packs 3w big watts of loud audio with its own internal speaker for those noisy environments. The icom ic2300h 2 meter fm mobile features a rugged design and an easytoread alphanumeric display. Its super easy to program with the software and easy to adjust the radio settings too. Overall, the kenwood tm281 is a perfectly capable singleband mobile that could fit the bill for a number of applications. Yaesu ft2980r 2 meter vhf heavy duty 80 watt mobile.

Kenwood tm281a 65w 2m 144mhz fm mobile amateur radio. There are also a few non rigrelated references, see left below. I have the tmv71a as my base station so i was already familiar with the menu system. Like its competition namely, the kenwood tm281 and yaesu 2900r. Fantastic large and flexlible lcd display incredibly flexible dual band display.

I like to program memory names in my rigs and the limitation with the tm281a would be a showstopper. Dx engineering has both of the 2 meter fm radios on sale for 9. This compact transceiver delivers powerful mobile performance and such advanced features as multiple scan functions and memory names. Discussion in mobile radio systems started by w1gvt, oct 12, 2014. Does as advertised but it is not easy to program wo the programming software. Working on my tech licence and already have a baofeng uv5r.

The more money you save, the more gear you can get, right. This is an rt systems programmer with all the editing ease and file interaction that you have come to love. 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. 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. Kenwood s programming software is free and 3rd party usb cables using ftdi. Chirp is free, open source software thats used with a thirdparty programming cable. Planning on using in the house as a base station to hit the local repeaters and as a vehiclebase camp radio in the desert. We work hard to ensure the lowest everyday prices possible, and sometimes even better deals. Although small and lightweight, the icom ic2300h is milspec rated and is ready for action in the field. I ordered the yaesu but wound up swapping to the kenwood because of the back order. No more function key frustration as the radio times out and the menu disappears. Yaesu ft2980r 2 meter vhf heavy duty 80 watt mobile transceiver. Kenwood tm281a semi quick overview on manual programming. The yaesu ft2980 is a great radio, this is my second one.

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. Krs271281 works with authentic versions of this radio worldwide including the tm271a, tm271e, tm281a and tm281e. Kenwood tm281a transceivers mobile 2 meters, tm281a. The kenwood tm281a is a 2 meter fm mobile transceiver providing a big 65 watts of power. The krs271281 software allows you to program memory channels and menu settings of the radio. Kenwood tm281 is as simple bare basic a 2 meter only radio as it comes. The yaesu appears to have a much larger heat sink, so it may be harder to mount in my pic up truck. I can use either kenwood s own program, chirp, or aftermarket software to program it.

The two i have had reccomended to me ar the yaesu ft2900 and the kenwood tm281a. Ft2980 radio programming software the rt systems programmer helps you program memory channels and settings of the yaesu ft2980 radio. Yaesu ftm400xdr vs kenwood d710g overland bound community. The adms2900 software helps you program memory channels and menu settings of the yaesu ft2900 radio. I installed the tm281a a few weeks ago and have been very happy with it. Considering it puts out 65 watts, i thought the tm281a would be similarly heavy as the yaesu ft2900. Telescopeman gives his recommendation for your first mobile amateur radio. Thats why it weighs nearly twice as much as the kenwood. 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. I got it home, took some 12 gauge wire to the battery and hooked everything up. The kenwood tm281 may not be the prettiest mobile on the block, but its. A semi quick video of the kenwood tm281a 2 meter vhf fm radio, manual programming and a couple of features. Ft2980 radio programming software yaesu radio software. The yaesu brand is well known among ham radio aficionados and is synonymous with premium quality ham radios.

I have the tm v71a as my base station so i was already familiar with the menu system. This radio is capable of displaying up to 6 large alphanumeric characters. Its great for icom to throw in the software with the radio, but id really. Go to ham radio outlet 43rd av at dunlap in phoenix and see which one you prefer the feel of. Yaesu ft2900r ft2980r minimanual by nifty accessories. Introducing the ftm100dr vhfuhf dual band transceiver, an exciting new way to enter into yaesu s revolutionary world of system fusion c4fm digital communications.

Naturally, milstd compliant toughness ensures rugged reliability. The ft2980r is similar to the ft2900r, but provides 5 watts more. Any comments on which radio you would take, and why. Ft2900 radio programming software yaesu radio software. Discussion in ham radio discussions started by kc1ddh, oct 1, 2015. The mcp1a pc memory control software is available as a free download at. My heart was with the yaesu ft2900, but numbers dont lie. The ft2900r has 200 memories no matter if they display alphanumeric or just numeric. The large informative lcd may be set to green, yellow or amber. Kenwood tm241a 144mhz fm transceiver two way radio used. And for such a simple radio, theres just not too much to program, and. When i travel, i set up memory banks for each of the regions im going to visit.