[K4RY] Kenwood mobile transceiver

[wb4lnm at aol.com]

When at the Huntsville Hamfest this Saturday, I saw a 'new' TM-281A two meter mobile transceiver and discussed it with the Kenwood rep.  The TM-281A replaces the TM-271A transceiver, which was a very popular, inexpensive and rugged high power mobile transceiver.  From online comments and pictures, it appears that the new Kenwood transceiver is a mainland China-built radio with a Kenwood name plate on it.   The BJ-271 from Bajoe of China appears nearly identical:  http://cn27250.chinaw3.com/E_Products_d.asp?31
  
It appears that the -281 will be about the same price as the -271, and I can't see much different functionality from the -271, except that it is 'narrow band ready'.  That is pretty useless function in the amateur radio service. With the other 'direct' sources of Chinese radios now appearing, it is questionable just what the extra markup from Kenwood is giving you.  The same radio may be available soon 'direct' at a lower price.


One big change, and a someone negative one, is that the TM-281A *removes* the pads / contacts inside to connect to a hardware TNC for packet operations.  For whatever reason, the European version of the TM-271A had a connector on the back, yet the USA version did not (exactly the opposite of what it probably should have been).  The PCB pads were still there on the USA version, so a modification could be made.  The TM-281A does not allow that, and perhaps that is because more folks are using sound cards and PC's as TNC's, and because the Chinese -281A is basically a re-purposed land mobile service radio.  


Kenwood says the TM-271A is still in stock at retailers.  Given the -281A is coming out in September, one might find or negotiate a new -271A for a good price.


73


John...
WB4LNM










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