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/catalog/index.php?main_page=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