i just did the mod to my new yeseu 2900 and went very easily using a basic soldering iron. as soon as i touched the solder it split back to each side, no needing to manipulate the solder "puddle". i have done the mod and the radio doesn't turn off like it used to when i would try to transmit above 147 mhz, but no one locally has a vhf radio, is there another way i can double check to see if im transmitting on those channels?
New Kenwood TM-271A radio
- Thread starter scottm
- Start date
If the radio is reading error its not modified yet. Im not faniliar with modding that model radio, but it sounds like like you just un-solder a solder joint. If so, I usually use a magnifing glass cause most radios today are all surface mounted stuff and its hard to see what you are doing. I would check the joint you un-soldered with a magnifing glass to make sure you got it all, or evan the right one. I only say that because about a month ago i just modded a FTM 10r and clipped the right diod...and the one right next to it on accident. DUHH! Good news is Yeasu only charges $65 to fix most radios that take less than an hour of labor.
I just picked one of these (Kenwood TM-271a) up to use as a "base" radio in the RV and need help with the mod- I opened the radio up and found the R119 resistor. However, all of the instructions I have found say to "remove" it. I tried to pull it out with a pair of tweezers and the top of it just kind of broke apart. I have tried prying it up/out with some jewelers screwdrivers and no go. Has anyone else who has done the mod had this issue? Maybe breaking the resistor will work, but it would be nice to get confirmation of that. I have searched all over the www but couldn't find anything other than the standard instructions posted earlier in this thread- thanks!
A year later I finally went looking to buy this Kenwood for a base radio for parker. Newsflash: They are now called the TM-281A, and have 65 watts output. $180 at antenna farm:
http://www.theantennafarm.com/catal...=product_info&cPath=66_67_70&products_id=5169
For the same amount you can also get a yaesu ft2900r:
http://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=3134
They seem very similar. Both are easily converted to full range. The yaesu has more rf output and 3w audio. I am thinking about going with the yeasu because I have yeasu handhelds and I almost understand how they work... Would either one work better than the other with an extended antenna?
http://www.theantennafarm.com/catal...=product_info&cPath=66_67_70&products_id=5169
For the same amount you can also get a yaesu ft2900r:
http://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=3134
They seem very similar. Both are easily converted to full range. The yaesu has more rf output and 3w audio. I am thinking about going with the yeasu because I have yeasu handhelds and I almost understand how they work... Would either one work better than the other with an extended antenna?
Scott,
I have both radios, the 271A and the 2900R. I read that the Kenwood 281 is very similar as far as "modding" goes. I can get you more information about that if you want since I belong to a group dedicated to that radio.
Honestly, I like my Kenwood over the Yaseu. I like the front firing speaker, so you can pretty much mount it anywhere. With the Yaseu, you have to have the bbottom of the unit unobstructed so that you can hear the speaker, because the speaker fires from the bottom. If you're wiring an external speaker or are mounting the radio on your headliner, then I guess that doesn't matter.
There are things about the Yaseu that makes it feel "cheap" to me when compared to the Kenwood such as the knobs, mic, and power leads (there's no inline fuse) unlike the Kenwood.
It's up to you which one to get, but I figured I'd give you my review on the 2900R. I hope this helps with your decision. As far as an extended antenna goes, I figure it would be pretty much the same. The Yaseu has a bit more advertised wattage, but I think the difference is not even noticeable.
Joey