Kenwood mobile and power supply

[STTScott]

Basic noob here.

 

I've got my eye on a Kenwood TM-281A to use either mobile or base, but mostly base. So I have a question not covered in the sales stuff: What kind of power plug does this thing come with out of the box? Cigarette lighter plug? Bare ends so you have to figger this stuff out on your own?

 

And when looking at mobile to base use power units (which I know I'd need to run household AC) but I haven't seen any outlet or anything to plug the mobile unit into.

 

If you think this is bad and laughable, you shoulda been there when I nearly chopped off my leg with a socket and ratchet..

 

[WRAK968]

Few things of note,

1) This is a ham radio and is not part 95 accepted for either MURS or GMRS.
2) This radio is only VHF and will not work for GMRS at all.

As for power supply options, many are screw terminal connections. If you plan to move the radio between your vehicle and the house you may wish to look into purchasing a quick disconnect, either in the form of power poles or an AMP connector. This just makes the move back and forth quicker and easier, and also reduces the chance of crossing the power wires.

[WRAK968]

The specs of this mobile can be found here,
https://www.kenwood.com/usa/com/amateur/tm-281a/spec.html

[STTScott]

Few things of note,

1) This is a ham radio and is not part 95 accepted for either MURS or GMRS.

2) This radio is only VHF and will not work for GMRS at all.

 

As for power supply options, many are screw terminal connections. If you plan to move the radio between your vehicle and the house you may wish to look into purchasing a quick disconnect, either in the form of power poles or an AMP connector. This just makes the move back and forth quicker and easier, and also reduces the chance of crossing the power wires.

Thank you so much for that forwarning. I would really like something that'll work both Ham and GMRS. Any ideas for something close to the $150-200 price pount?

[WRAK968]

Motorola XPR series. I've seen a few on ebay that cover 400-470 for about $175 and gives you DMR options for the ham side.

 

https://www.motorolasolutions.com/content/dam/msi/docs/business/product_lines/mototrbo/mobiles/_documents/mototrbo_xpr_4000_series_spec_sheet.pdf

 

The Kenwood 8180-2 (I believe that is the correct model number) also covers 400-470 giving you both ham UHF and GMRS, and is part 95 certified. however I don't know how difficult they are to locate or purchase. I've seen them on ebay as lost as $50 and as high as $300. All depends on the condition.

 

https://www.kenwood.com/usa/com/lmr/tk-7180h_8180h/spec.html

 

There are non part 90/95 radios meant for ham only that could operate on GMRS frequencies, many dual bands can be modded to TX into GMRS and such, though I typically do not recommend this for logical reasons.

[1URFE57]

Used-Radios.com I'm not affiltiated with them but been buying radios from them "erac1" is their Ebay Store another seller I can recommend is Bluemax49ers for your programming cable Mark is awesome all his cables just work and FTDi Chip so its plug and play and the last but not the least programming software are ready available online for free hamfiles.co.uk is one of them you need to sign to download the software and sign up is free and donation is optional, but if you donate the Admin gives you extra perks. Hope this help with you quest good luck!

[n4gix]

hamfiles.co.uk is one of them you need to sign to download the software and sign up is free and donation is optional, but if you donate the Admin gives you extra perks. Hope this help with you quest good luck!

I haven't visited there since 2019, but apparently all of the Motorola CPS files have been removed... 

[axorlov]

I do not think there any dual-band (VHF+UHF) Part 95 radios exist.

If talking about about Part 95 UHF radios, in addition to mentioned Kenwood 8180, there is also Kenwood TK-880-1 and TK-880H-1, that are Part 95 and also work in 70cm Ham band. I have 880 and I attest they work in Ham band fine, despite the warning the software throws when you program the radio.

 

There is a number of Part 90 radios that are VHF+UHF, for example Alinco DR-638T, Btech UV50x3, Anytone 778UV, Leixen VV-898. Quite many of them. Options are here, depending how much (il)legal you want to stay.  Also look up CCR (Cheap Chinese Radio) discussions here on this forum.

[1URFE57]

I haven't visited there since 2019, but apparently all of the Motorola CPS files have been removed... 

Moto CPS I think is in the VIP section now which I have no access but other than that iCOM, Kenwood software are available to everyone.

[n4gix]

Moto CPS I think is in the VIP section now which I have no access but other than that iCOM, Kenwood software are available to everyone.

I've read every pixel there and see no link to a "VIP" section. I've generated a ticket to see what's up.