Kenwood TM-281A 144MHz FM Transceiver
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Brand | Kenwood |
Color | Black |
Number of Channels | 200 |
Special Feature | LCD Screen |
Tuner Technology | VHF |
Water Resistance Level | Water Resistant |
Product Dimensions | 6.34"D x 6.71"W x 1.69"H |
Item Weight | 2.5 Pounds |
International Protection Rating | IP66 |
About this item
- Rugged compact contruction, High Power= 65 Wts, Alphanumeric LCD
- 200 Memory Channel, 6 alphanumeric characters offers 100 memory channels
- CTCSS/DTCS Enconder/Decoder, Weather Alert/RX
- Meets MIL-STD 810 C, D, E, F and G environmental standards for vibration and shock
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This Item Kenwood TM-281A 144MHz FM Transceiver | Recommendations | dummy | dummy | dummy | dummy | |
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Price | Currently unavailable. | $17.50$17.50 | $62.89$62.89 | -24% $219.89$219.89 List: $289.89 | -13% $779.95$779.95 List: $900.00 | $240.00$240.00 |
Delivery | — | Get it as soon as Friday, May 17 | Get it as soon as Friday, May 17 | Get it as soon as Friday, May 17 | Get it May 16 - 20 | — |
Customer Ratings | ||||||
Value for money | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.7 | 4.1 | 4.6 | 4.2 |
Easy to use | 4.4 | 3.9 | 4.1 | 3.9 | 4.7 | 4.3 |
Sound quality | — | 4.3 | 4.5 | 4.2 | — | 4.2 |
Battery life | — | 4.4 | 4.6 | 5.0 | — | — |
Sold By | — | Expressdelivery1512 | BaoFeng Tech | BaoFeng Tech | GigaParts | LUCKY PRODUCT |
talk range maximum | — | 5 kilometer | 50 mile | 100 mile | — | 16 kilometer |
number of channels | 200 | 128 | 1000 | 200 | 8 | 785 |
frequency range | — | VHF/UHF 144-148 mhz / 420-450mhz | VHF | FM, VHF, UHF | — | 136 - 174 MHz |
power source | DC | Corded Electric, Battery Powered | Battery Powered | DC | DC | Corded Electric |
tuner technology | VHF | VHF/UHF 144-148 mhz / 420-450mhz | UHF, VHF | FM, VHF, UHF | — | UHF, VHF |
water resistance | water resistant | not water resistant | waterproof | not water resistant | — | not water resistant |
voltage | — | 4 volts | 7.4 volts, 110.0 volts | 13.8 volts of direct current | 12 volts | 13.8 volts of direct current |
Product Description
On or off the road, Kenwood's TM-281A is a mobile radio you can always count on. As tough as nails, this MIL-STD-compliant transceiver delivers powerful performance, excellent audio clarity, and a host of advanced features. It offers superb operating ease day or night thanks to the large backlit LCD and illuminated keys. So the next time you take off, take the TM-281A.
Product information
Product Dimensions | 6.34 x 6.71 x 1.69 inches |
---|---|
Item Weight | 2.5 pounds |
ASIN | B007470C0A |
Item model number | TM-281A |
Customer Reviews |
4.5 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #2,160 in Portable FRS Two-Way Radios |
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
Special features | LCD Screen |
Other display features | Wireless |
Color | Black |
Manufacturer | KENWOOD |
Date First Available | February 1, 2012 |
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Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the quality, ease of programming, value, sound quality, and clarity of the two-way radio. They mention that it's built like a tank, easy to operate, and good value for the money. Some appreciate the front-facing speaker, which provides plenty of volume. They also appreciate the menu and received signals being clear.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers are satisfied with the quality of the two-way radio. They mention that it is an excellent radio built like a tank, a solid choice for any Amateur Radio license holder, and well constructed. Some say that it works as expected and is a nice unit for limited use.
"...Build quality is excellent, it's a solidly-built radio (Kenwood makes a commercial model which looks almost identical)...." Read more
"...This is a product built to last, as are most Kenwood radios - the radio this replaced was also a Kenwood and was 20 years old...." Read more
"...has been available for quite a few years which indicates that it is popular and reliable.Yes, I would recommend this radio to others." Read more
"This transceiver works very well. It exhibits good selectivity and sensitivity...." Read more
Customers find the programming of the two way radio easy with a programming cable. They also say the set up is a breeze and the box isn't super bulky.
"...Programming is easy with a programming cable ( about $22.00) on Amazon and eBay..." Read more
"Easy to program and works very well...." Read more
"...It is very simple to operate and program without a computer, but obviously it's quicker with a computer...." Read more
"...Its on the shelf in the shack because the documentation is terrible, the quality is substandard, and the alleged features don't all appear to..." Read more
Customers appreciate the value of the two-way radio. They say it's an inexpensive 2-meter rig that is well worth the money.
"...If you need a good, inexpensive 2-meter rig, you can't go wrong with this one...." Read more
"This is a good radio, well worth the price, carefully and well documented and has plenty of power...." Read more
"...I feel this is a good radio for the price and I hope to get many hours of enjoyment from it...." Read more
"I got mine used like new. from Amazon warehouse and the price was so low I practically stole it...." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the sound quality of the two way radio. They mention that it has great audio coming from the front fired speaker, and the audio seems to be contoured for best possible vocal quality. The front facing speaker has plenty of volume, making listening easier. The radio has great frequencies and the microphone gets good reports.
"...I get nothing but good signal reports on transmit, and receive sounds even better thanks to that legendary Kenwood audio...." Read more
"...There's a lot of aluminum and the front facing speaker is perfect...." Read more
"...is quite good when used in a relatively quiet area and the audio seems to be contoured for best possible vocal quality from a speaker of that size...." Read more
"...above the ground and received signals are clear with good clean audio. Transmission strength is very good, hitting repeaters out to 50 miles." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the clarity of the radio. They mention that the facing speaker makes it very clear and audible even mounted down by. The front firing speaker is clear and readable, and the menu is clear.
"...above the ground and received signals are clear with good clean audio. Transmission strength is very good, hitting repeaters out to 50 miles." Read more
"...the front facing speaker makes it very clear and audible even mounted down by my left knee below the dash line. easy to read face and backlight...." Read more
"This is solid radio - easy to program - the menu is clear. With 65 watts on high power, it is really effective...." Read more
"...The front firing speaker is clear and readable. I cannot think of anything negative about this radio...." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the reception of the two-way radio. They mention that it has great reception and picks up frequencies very well. The transmit/receive capabilities are fine, and the transmission strength is very good.
"...I get nothing but good signal reports on transmit, and receive sounds even better thanks to that legendary Kenwood audio...." Read more
"...Transmission strength is very good, hitting repeaters out to 50 miles." Read more
"Low price, high performance 2M FM ham radio. Rugged chassis, great front-facing speaker with plenty of volume...." Read more
"...Transmit/Receive capabilities are fine, no complaints...." Read more
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I am using this radio with a Diamond x200 dual band gain antenna that has been on my roof for about 30 years, with 50 ft of 9913 cable. The SWR was a bit higher than I felt comfortable with at 2 to 1 and the radio folded back to about 18 watts on the 25 watt output setting. I knew either the cable or the antenna or both had to be replaced. I replaced the cable with new RG8X and that brought the SWR to a more respectable level of 1.4 to 1 at the band edges and 1to 1.1 at 146 Mhz. This enabled the radio to output 25 to 28 watts at the low power setting.
The build quality seems quite good and I would expect nothing less from Kenwood after owning other Kenwood products for many years. The front panel layout is nice, the illumination for the digital display is adjustable. The front facing speaker is quite good when used in a relatively quiet area and the audio seems to be contoured for best possible vocal quality from a speaker of that size. Provision for an external speaker is available from an 1/8th inch phone jack on the back of the radio.
Two items that make me give this radio 4 stars instead of 5 is the amount of heat radiated from the near wrap around heat sink on the back and bottom of this radio. Even with transmissions of 1 minute or less, after being in a qso for a while the heat sink is extremely hot. I installed the mobile mounting bracket to act as a bit of additional heat sink and even that gets quite warm, and this is only at the 25 watt setting. I dont think you would ever get a 100% duty cycle from this radio. The instruction manual does mention that when using the 65 watt output to keep transmissions shorter. I am going to have to use this radio with some kind of fan or other form of forced air cooling. To me, solid state and extreme heat are not a good match.
The other item that causes me to give this 4 stars and not 5 is that the minimum ( Lo power ) setting is 25 watts. I think, considering the heat situation when running at this power lever, a 10 watt setting would be more appropriate. There is no internal adjustment to lower the power below 25 watts. I would have much more preferred power levels of 10 w low and 25 high which I really feel would be better for this radio considering the heat situation at 25 watts. I have not even attempted to try it at 65 watts even though I have a 35 amp power supply that I could use it with.
I feel this is a good radio for the price and I hope to get many hours of enjoyment from it. I did buy an extended warrantee with it and I am glad I did in case it fails from the high heat it generates. It appears that this model has been available for quite a few years which indicates that it is popular and reliable.
Yes, I would recommend this radio to others.
Reviewed in the United States on March 7, 2020