Rt systems makes commercial programming kits which include both software and a radiospecific cable. The two i have had reccomended to me ar the yaesu ft2900 and the kenwood tm281a. I have the tmv71a as my base station so i was already familiar with the menu system. My heart was with the yaesu ft2900, but numbers dont lie. Kenwood tm281a semi quick overview on manual programming and some features youtube. One thing i didnt mention above is the tm281s wellknown reputation for being highly dependable and delivering reliable signals for. I got it home, took some 12 gauge wire to the battery and hooked everything up.
Fantastic large and flexlible lcd display incredibly flexible dual band display. This is a collection of programming helps also known as cheat sheets for many common amateur radios. 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. 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. You get 200 multiparameter memory channels or 100 when used with names. Yaesu ft2900r ft 2900 r ft2900r service manual and specs. I have the tm v71a as my base station so i was already familiar with the menu system. Kenwood s programming software is free and 3rd party usb cables using ftdi. Working on my tech licence and already have a baofeng uv5r. This is an rt systems programmer with all the editing ease and file interaction that you have come to love. You can easily set your own individual preference for dual receive and fullduplex operation. The large informative lcd may be set to green, yellow or amber. Two of the big names in radio programming are chirp and rt systems. Kenwood tm281a transceivers mobile 2 meters, tm281a.
The krs271281 software allows you to program memory channels and menu settings of the radio. Thanks to all who have contributed to this listing. And for such a simple radio, theres just not too much to program, and. Analog devices adalmpluto sdr software defined radio active learning module. Thats why it weighs nearly twice as much as the kenwood. The ft2900r packs 3w big watts of loud audio with its own internal speaker for those noisy environments. 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. The yaesu appears to have a much larger heat sink, so it may be harder to mount in my pic up truck.
Planning on using in the house as a base station to hit the local repeaters and as a vehiclebase camp radio in the desert. Like its competition namely, the kenwood tm281 and yaesu 2900r. Yaesu ftm400xdr vs kenwood d710g overland bound community. The kenwood tm281 may not be the prettiest mobile on the block, but its. 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.
I installed the tm281a a few weeks ago and have been very happy with it. Naturally, milstd compliant toughness ensures rugged reliability. The ft2900r has 200 memories no matter if they display alphanumeric or just numeric. Our updates include the most accurate and uptodate software enhancements to ensure you make the most of all your kenwood radios. Its solid, brawnish features combine with a hefty 75 watts to provide a powerful rf punch. Kenwood tm281 is as simple bare basic a 2 meter only radio as it comes.
Yaesu ft2900r ft2980r minimanual by nifty accessories. 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. Its great for icom to throw in the software with the radio, but id really. Discussion in mobile radio systems started by w1gvt, oct 12, 2014. Ft2980 radio programming software yaesu radio software. Considering it puts out 65 watts, i thought the tm281a would be similarly heavy as the yaesu ft2900. The adms2900 software helps you program memory channels and menu settings of the yaesu ft2900 radio. I wish i would have bought the kenwood tm 281a for less money. I wanted to be able to do winlink with mine locally so that was a plus for me.
Kenwood tm281a tm 281a tm281a service manual and specs. Its super easy to program with the software and easy to adjust the radio settings too. A semi quick video of the kenwood tm281a 2 meter vhf fm radio, manual programming and a couple of features. The kenwood tm281a is a 2 meter fm mobile transceiver providing a big 65 watts of power. 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 have ft2900s and kenwood tm v71a units, like em both. Go to ham radio outlet 43rd av at dunlap in phoenix and see which one you prefer the feel of. 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. Does as advertised but it is not easy to program wo the programming software. Which of these do you like and which would you advise to get. Rt systems original adms2900 usb programming software version 5.
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. Kenwood tm281a semi quick overview on manual programming. The yaesu brand is well known among ham radio aficionados and is synonymous with premium quality ham radios. Unfortunately, there were two 12 diameter inline fuse holders on one end and a connector that goes. Yaesu ft2980r 2 meter vhf heavy duty 80 watt mobile transceiver. 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. Ft2900 radio programming software yaesu radio software. Yaesu ft2900r fm mobile transceiver 2 meter ham radio amateur w noaa weather. The icom ic2300h 2 meter fm mobile features a rugged design and an easytoread alphanumeric display. I know its petty but the yaesu mics felt like cheap toys compared to the kenwoods. Discussion in ham radio discussions started by kc1ddh, oct 1, 2015. Krs271281 works with authentic versions of this radio worldwide including the tm271a, tm271e, tm281a and tm281e. Whatever the mission, wherever you go, kenwood s tm281a is a radio you can count on.
Yaesu ft2980r 2 meter vhf heavy duty 80 watt mobile. I can use either kenwood s own program, chirp, or aftermarket software to program it. 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. We work hard to ensure the lowest everyday prices possible, and sometimes even better deals. Any comments on which radio you would take, and why. Introducing the ftm100dr vhfuhf dual band transceiver, an exciting new way to enter into yaesu s revolutionary world of system fusion c4fm digital communications. Kenwood tm241a 144mhz fm transceiver two way radio used. I like to program memory names in my rigs and the limitation with the tm281a would be a showstopper. Telescopeman gives his recommendation for your first mobile amateur radio. The radio sounds great and my reports on transmits have all been fantastic.
The more money you save, the more gear you can get, right. I installed the tm 281a a few weeks ago and have been very happy with it. The ft2980r is similar to the ft2900r, but provides 5 watts more. Overall, the kenwood tm281 is a perfectly capable singleband mobile that could fit the bill for a number of applications. When i travel, i set up memory banks for each of the regions im going to visit. The mcp1a pc memory control software is available as a free download at.
No more function key frustration as the radio times out and the menu disappears. This compact transceiver delivers powerful mobile performance and such advanced features as multiple scan functions and memory names. Ft2980 radio programming software the rt systems programmer helps you program memory channels and settings of the yaesu ft2980 radio. I looking for a 2meter radio to use as a base station. This radio is capable of displaying up to 6 large alphanumeric characters. Kenwood tm281a 65w 2m 144mhz fm mobile amateur radio. The yaesu ft2980 is a great radio, this is my second one. Kenwood tm281a or yaesu ft2900r worldwidedx radio forum.