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write your own review of the Kenwood TM-V7A.
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VE3XNB
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Rating: 0/5
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Apr 3, 2008 06:23
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JUNK
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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The first time I reviewed this radio I thought it was great. However we all learn as we grow. This radio has turned out to be junk. The screen is now all but unreadable and Kenwood (says it) can do nothing about it. The intermod problem has gotten progressively worse. I believe this is the radio and NOT local conditions. My other radios do not experience these problems.
This is not the first Kenwood problem I have had. I also have a Kenwood R-5000. I have had this receiver into the shop several times and the problem keeps coming back. I also have had a TH-75A that was nothing but trouble.
Also have had a TM-241A that has had an ongoing MIC problem. BTW I have had to replace the MIC on the V7A twice.
I now have Yaesu equipment. AN FT-817 (Excellent), an FT-840 (also Excellent) and a VX-7A Superbe. My XYL has a VX-5A which she is very happy with.
In MY shack Kenwood is HISTORY! Looking at the HAM catalogs it looks like they are more interested in car stereos and that kind of thing.
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W4RIG
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 29, 2008 17:20
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Good Mobile Workhorse
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I use the Kenwood TM-V7A as my principal mobile rig. It has worked superbly for many years and is still going strong. Mine was purchased in 1999 so it is an older model but very dependable.
I did not run the power directly from the battery, but use the cigarette lighter as the power outlet - since I have the rig in my 1988 Toyota Cressida (yes it is a workhorse too) the cigarette lighter was still defined as such rather than an auxiliary power outlet.
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KI4GST
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 16, 2008 23:16
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great radio
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I got this radio used from a ham in Texas. It is my main radio that I use in my apartment. I had the voice chip put in it since I can't see the display that good at all. Do to my very bad eyesight (20/800) can you say blind as a bat. The only problem I had with the radio was the cooling fan went out but that was no biggie was able to find a place that got me a replacement and had a friend help put it in since I couldn't see to plug the cable back in. Other than that it has given me no problems and I use it almost every day.
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N4FDG
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Rating: 2/5
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Dec 4, 2007 19:52
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Barely SO-SO
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I've got two of these rigs, one mobile and one in the shack.
For such a good sounding and feature packed rig, this thing has the poorest display of any radio I have seen or used. As a mobile it is dangerous to use in a vehicle. Don't do anything to it but listen and talk unless you are at a dead stop. The display is useless most of the time.
Fix the display and Kenwood gets 5 out of 5. Otherwise, 2 for 5 is a stretch!
On the plus side, the FREE Kenwood software for programing is great to use and in the dark at home in the shack it's number 1.
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AC0Y
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 4, 2007 18:14
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Best mobile that I have ever owned
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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After reading these reviews and owning a 7A for about 8 years I would like to address a few things. First the display. I have heard that people "cant read the display in the sun" I have my display "reversed" see menu that is blue letters on a white back ground and after setting the contrast that is also in the menu I have never had a problem seeing the display day or night, hot, or cold. Yes It has a serious problem with the design defect that causes the lines and I had to pay 168 bucks plus shipping to get a new display. I love the Blue and White display and I HATE amber displays that are on other radios!
The RF PAs are seperate Modules My VHF module went out and I repaired it...no problem but this kind of thing can happen and it might have been caused by a bad antenna connector.
I have replaced the PTT switch on the mic twice but it only taked about 20 minutes and I bought 10 for about 35 cents a piece.
For the features pack into this radio, this is one of the greatest mobiles that I have ever owned and I wish I could afford to but another one broken or other wise. I hope this helps.
73
AC0Y
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KC0TNH
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Rating: 3/5
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Jun 30, 2007 02:38
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Can't be seen in sunlight
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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Had one until about 1 year ago, had to go I just couldn't see the display if the sun was up (mobile) otherwise a very good radio with good features for a mobile.
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N0POM
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Rating: 2/5
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Mar 25, 2007 19:06
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Not transmiting
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Greetings to the forum. I bought V7A new. Other than the infamous vertical lines on the display it has worked satisfactorily until now. All of a sudden it will display garbage like aaaaaaaa underscored by dots on the display where the freq should be and it does not transmit. I have checked the obvious. Different antenna, mic, and detaching cable (mounted head back on radio) it may transmit ok once and then resorts back to the garbage. Has anyone else seen this on theirs? If so what was the problem and what did it cost to fix? I wish Morotola made a dual band radio!!
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W0ACE
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Rating: 3/5
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Feb 12, 2007 18:49
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Better than some, but not the best....
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have had this rig since they came out new. Its always worked fine as far as Tx/Rx, but the mic switch has broke twice. Now part of the display has quit. Other than these things, its always worked perfect. I like it, and have used it ALOT over the years, including X-band repeating.
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KC7RIY
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 22, 2006 22:00
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Still going strong!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I originally wrote a review on this radio back in July of 2004. I've had the radio now for two and a half years and it has preformed well. Most of it's life it's been in the house though, since the display IS very hard to read in the sunlight.
Crossband and remote control functions give the radio alot of flexability in it's operation. A very good radio.
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KB3KAI
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Rating: 4/5
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Nov 14, 2006 17:29
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Overall good performer
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Receive, transmit and audio quality is excellent. Communication range is exceptional on my base antenna. After several months I had to send it to Kenwood for replacement of the driver transistor; it would no longer transmit on low or medium power. A year after repair and it's still transmitting fine.
Functionality and programming requires a learning curve; details such as CTCSS programming are not intuitive. Cross-band repeat works but is a bit tricky. Keep a cheat-sheet handy! Programming frequencies with PC software and the additional cost data cable is very simple.
The only drawback is the white-on-blue display screen. It never was a problem in the house but it is often barely readable in my car during the daytime, even with brightness and contrast adjusted. Night time use requires an entirely different setting or it is too bright and distracting. If a high-contrast amber display was available I would give the radio a 5/5 rating.
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