Kenwood TM-281A or Yaesu FT-2900R

[SMILEX2692002]

If you had to pick one to buy, which one would you get and why?
Just looking for a simple 2 meter FM radio for the house. Don't use 440 so no need for a dual band radio.

 

[binrat]

Icom ic2200H
sorry, just had too. I found that the 2900R to be not that simple to use while mobile.

 

[W5LZ]

Already have a '281, and wouldn't hesitate to get another one if I needed one. It really is about as simple as it gets both programming and use. Until I'd used it for awhile I worried about it getting hot (no fan). I don't worry about it now, haven't burned it up, doubt if I ever will.
What could be 'better' about it? Those @#$ RJ-45 mic connectors, I hate them. No problems with them, I just don't like'em.
- 'Doc

 

[SMILEX2692002]

Got the TM-281. It works great and would recommend it for anyone looking for a basic 2 meter radio.

 

[Turbo T]

I had the FT2800R which is very similar to the FT-2900R you are asking about. Let me say this...if you like your radios to be "robust", then you will like the FT-2900R. It's built inside of a heavy duty casing. It'll do 75 watts too. Also there's an easy way to mod the radio so it transmits outside of the 2 M band....aka you can set it up to run on MURS. If I needed another 2M only mobile, I'd definitely get another 2800/2900.

I can't speak on the Kenwood.

 

[st1ngr4y]

Icom ic-v8000 75watts w/ a fan

 

[N8FNR]

If you like to name memories the TM-281A only has 100 memories instead of the 200 if you just have it display the frequency. See Kenwood TM-281A Mobile Transceiver TM281. I remember reading the review of the rig in QST and found it weird that Kenwood would do this with a modern rig.

The FT-2900R has 200 memories no matter if they display alphanumeric or just numeric.

I like to program memory names in my rigs and the limitation with the TM-281A would be a showstopper for me.

Zack
N8FNR

 

[W5LZ]

Do you really have over 100 repeaters/frequencies programmed into your radio?
- 'Doc

 

[N8FNR]

I have about 400 memories programmmed in my TH-D72a and FT-8800. The first 100 are local repeaters. The rest are railroads, marine, ham satellites etc. And I find that it really helps a lot to name everything. That way I don't have to remember which memory is for anything. I use RT Systems software to manage both of the rigs as it lets you move memories from one rig to the other very easily.

Zack
N8FNR

 

[W5LZ]

I find that amazing, 2 meters has to be much more active 'there' than it is 'here'. I'm not sure there are 100 active repeaters in the state, and I've found that I never hear/use even close to that many. Even with all the simplex frequencies and those not on 2 meters, I have less than 100 memories filled. Oh well, if you have a use for that many memories then I would have to say that the '281 wouldn't be your best choice.
Once upon a time I tried to fill all the memories in another radio (1000 of them). Programmed in all the repeaters, call freqs. in a 500 mile radius. Almost filled all the memories, but never heard a peep out of 90% of them. Got so confused I just dumped the whole mess and started over.
- 'Doc

 

[N8FNR]

What I did was program all 2/440 repeaters for a 35 mile radius around my QTH (a northern suburb of Detroit) so that I can use any repeaters if I am driving around the area. Using the software is simple enough that it does not take long to do. And I can just let the rig scan to listen to anyone calling for a random QSO on any repeater in that 35 mile radius if I am at home or on the road.

Zack
N8FNR

 

[Fuzzybr]

ft-2900

Do you really have over 100 repeaters/frequencies programmed into your radio?
- 'Doc

I do. I have a ft-7800 in the car and use prob 800 of 1000 memories.
to guy for comparison--- the banks are nice. you set up any bank with any freq and not lose the total number of channels.
Fuzzybr