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| Reviews Summary for Kenwood TH-K2AT |
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Reviews: 48
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Average rating: 4.1/5
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MSRP: $179.95
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Description: Even at first glance, it's obvious that Kenwood's stylish new TH-K2AT is in a class of its own. Though compact enough to fit snugly in either pocket or palm, it offers all the features necessary to make operation simple and sure. And despite its smart looks, this144MHz FM transceiver is tough enough to survive the rigors of outdoor use, while delivering superb performance. So roam freely while enjoying the clear, reliable communications for which Kenwood is renowned.
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More info: http://www.kenwood.com/i/products/info/amateur/th_k2at/
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W2DI
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 3, 2008 13:57
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Nice solid radio
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I find this to be a really nice radio.
The unit fits very nicely in your hand and the weight adds to a solid feel. I can hit a nearby repeater with 0.5W INSIDE my work building, a steel and concrete structure which I am about in the middle of. This is sort of an informal test I use for an HT.
And, that is using the stock duck, which I respectfully feel is very good - for its size. Compared to a much longer antenna or an outside antenna it would naturally be inferior. But switching with other similar size antennas it is as good or better. I just don't like carrying a 4-1/2 inch radio around connected to an 18 inch or longer antenna.
There is no intermod of any consequence (why I like monobanders as opposed to wide range multi-banders and no muffled transmit audio as found with many underwater radios. The audio is crisp and clear.
The receive audio is not HI-FI, but, again, clear and undistorted.
The display is large and sharp and the buttons, with their backlight, are easy for me to see and operate.
The battery seems to last long, although I'm not fond of the 12 Hr charge time - so I did order the quick charger. I also have the AA battery holder for back-up. Kenwood got the latch system right too; no loose battery pack.
I like the choice of 3 power levels, not just high and low. Sometimes a watt and a half or so is just right and it is good to have the choice.
I keep the TH-K2 in a 'Pouch' for protection and it is holding up just fine.
There are a few minor things I would change, but all in all I think the TH-K2 is a great monoband take-along anywhere - including the briefcase - radio.
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VA3HWA
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 23, 2008 18:11
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Excellent for the price !!
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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Replaces my IC-W32A that died. Does everything I need / want it to do - only single ham band, though. Came with Li-Ion battery, charger and hand spkr/mic.Picked up some accessories (AA battery holder, programming cable, SMA to BNC adaptor and SMA to SO239 adaptor) cheap at online auction - most from Hong Kong. Made a DC cable from parts I had on hand.Adding Mirage B34G for extra kick when needed on the highway or in isolated spots. Using a HB roll up 5/8 wave J-Pole at home sometimes, but the stock antenna usually hits my 3 favorite repeaters.Would probably be better with a better handheld antenna to replace the stock unit. Hope to try a groundplane and maybe a J-Pole that's not so beat up as the current one as well as a decent mag mount mobile antenna.
I've never been fussy for the SMA connectors - prefer BNC - but with the adaptor, I'm adjusting.
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WA2DII
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Rating: 3/5
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Sep 18, 2008 15:17
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I'm a Kenwood Man but don't like this radio
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I have had a lot of Kenwood HT's but this one is bad. first off the radio is a dark blue & the battery is black. What are they thinking about? The audio is really bad,maybe the speaker. The small rubber duck is a joke.The price,well, for $30. more you could get a Icom IC-t7h sport. I am on my 2nd one and its a great radio. So think about the Kenwood before you get it.I got rid of it and got the icom.I have been a ham since 1964 and this radio is not very good.
73's hope this helps.
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WX4O
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Rating: 4/5
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Jul 3, 2008 14:27
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Good not Great
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Had mine a couple of years and never experienced any problems except for easily scratchable display lens. I have replaced it with a VX-170 which has a
slightly recessed lens. It also has a very rugged feel and more easily readable display.
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KE7RJF
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Rating: 5/5
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May 26, 2008 14:31
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couldnt get any better
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I bought this radio as my first radio and set it up with a J-pole and its performance still surprizes me. Its a keeper. If you want to have a good first radio, then buy this one, theres nothing bad about it.
73,
KE7RJF
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VU2CDP
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Rating: 5/5
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May 11, 2008 09:14
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Excellent for the price
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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My first rig and there's always an emotional attachment to the first purchase. Been 4 years since i got it and has served me faithfully all these years. Its not 'the' radio for 2mts as there might be better performers out there but i haven't come across them. The ones i have seen though pale in its comparison. It has its good points and bad but overall it gets an A+. Read why:
The positives-
1. Clean audio.
A general observation that multi-band rigs do sound different than ones made to operate on a specific band. The K2's audio is ample proof of this fact.
2. Good display.
The display is adequate to be read by even those with vision problems. You don't need to squint to see the readout as the characters are large enough and can be easily read in daylight conditions as well. The backlight too is bright enough.
3. Easy navigation.
Once you know how to get 'into' the menu, using the various features is a breeze. You dont need to be a genius to understand or even remember how to program this one. In fact, i haven't referred to that manual in the last couple of years at least.
4. Rugged built.
This is one radio that is solidly built. Two falls off the operating table but except for a very minor scratch at the edge, everything worked a OK.
5. Volume control.
The volume control knob has a nice feel to it and seems like a close cousin of some Motorola's meant for industrial environments.
6. Overall aesthetics.
The overall design was the factor in deciding to go for this model. As an amateur i not only consider the return on my investment but also take into consideration what sort of impression my shack, equipments etc. make on those who are non-hams. Unsolicited remarks from hams and non-hams alike include "thats one good looking radio you got !" :)
7. Price
The price is under $150 and its a real good bargain considering the quality of the radio. One of the few good amateur gears out there which can be easily afforded by anyone. Gives me a tremendous sense of satisfaction that it has provided the ROI and more than what was expected out of a sub-$150 radio.
The negatives-
1. The squelch control and backlight buttons.
Would have preferred a knob instead of a button on the side which needs to be accessed through the menu if you have to set the squelch to a particular level.
The quality of the switches seems to be poor since in my case, both switches have quit working. I also know another OT who bought it from the USA after reviewing other 2mt HTs. And the 80 yr old has some experience of radios and he too has complained about these 2 switches not functioning anymore. Don't know how many others have experienced this before.
2. Stock rubber duck antenna
Most reviewers have reported the same performance issues with the stock rubber duck that i have experienced. Though i dont have the test equipment to give you the exact numbers on its performance, but on-air performance was dramatically improved when the rig was connected to an external antenna. In fact, the quality of the audio from the local repeater was better than even the mobile rig i use of a very popular manufacturer in the US.
3. Mic-earphone jack
The position of the mic-headphone jacks on the side of the radio is a bit of a bother. The rubber flap that covers the jacks also covers the DC input jack and when the mic and DC cord are connected together, i fear that the rubber covering may break off any time. Perhaps the jacks would have been better on the top of the radio next to the antenna just like some other HTs. This again is purely from an operational convenience point of view.
Considering all the above, i still rate it a full 5 / 5 because this lovely little radio has outperformed itself. Besides providing me countless hours of joy on the 2mt band rag-chewing with hams, it also proved useful in some fox-hunts. For the price and overall usefulness of this rig, i would say this is definitely a keeper.
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W0WTC
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 20, 2008 13:05
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Very Good HT
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I really like this radio and I have no problems with it at all. I like the features of the radio.
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N0DMC
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 30, 2008 01:21
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Great Radio
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I too wondered about that light being on. After getting around to read OTHER parts of the manual, there on page 88 of the manual it says:
Lamp on continuously: [F], [LAMP]
To turn lamp off REPEAT ABOVE
I like the feel, sound and ease of use.
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WX4O
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Rating: 4/5
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Mar 27, 2008 11:01
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Good HT
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Does everything I ask it. Don't like the easily scratched display.
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KC9KSL
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 27, 2008 10:11
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Best HT I have owned
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I boght the radio for $89 (had the AA battery pack) and I have taken it many places droped it in snow mud it has been in some of the worst conditions and it works great with AA Li batteries. Only thing about it is that the light stays on for some reason but it doesn't drain my batteries so I don't mind it.
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