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write your own review of the Kenwood TM 241.
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N3NDW
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 17, 2003 20:16
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A GREAT Radio
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I bought mine used about 6 years ago and had good service from it although I knew that the early models had display problems. Mine did not develop the display problem for a couple of years. When my display started to act up,I sent email back and forth with Kenwood about this being an ongoing problem with all of their TM-241's, and that they should fix this at no charge. I could get no help. I finally called them and got a real nice lady who said to send it back, that they were repairing this problem at no cost. I sent mine back with a note that I also had an intermittant Xmit problem. I got the radio back in about 10 days. The xmit problem was still there, but the display was corrected. I returned the radio to Kenwood with a note that they forgot to look at the xmit problem. They returned the radio with a new mike at no cost. Just Great people to deal with. I had a 261A, but found this radio eaiser to program on the road. I tried to sell it once for $100. and no one would buy it. I put it back in my truck. It is a comfortable radio to use on the road. Always good audio, good receive, and good output. If you find one laying around for under $100. buy it as a spare for when the high end radio your using crashed on you and you need to get back on the air. Its a very good investment.
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VE7NRM
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Rating: 4/5
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Jul 6, 2003 00:38
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Great Rig
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have had this radio now for 11 years and it was the first radio I bought after I got my licence. I have to say it has been the best radio I have owned. The display goes haywire once in a while but it is liveable. I have just encountered a new problem though, when I transmit all there is, is a bunch of noise. Still working on the trouble shooting.
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KC9CNI
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Rating: 4/5
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Jun 30, 2003 15:41
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Not Bad...
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I purchased my TM-241A back in October used off of Ebay. Its a great simple 2m single band rig. The recieve is good, the transmit is great, and the speaker is nice and loud (its in my car). I can't say exactly how old it is, but I haven't experienced any of the problems listed in other reviews. Granted, it does only have 20 memories and it doesn't have all the bells and whistles like the newer single bands have, but I like that. Its simple to program, use, and has a great display. I hope it serves me for many years to come.
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ON4MGY
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Rating: 2/5
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Jun 28, 2003 13:03
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Same problem as everyone
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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When I bought this transceiver in 1999, it worked great for me. After placing it in the car, problems began. From time to time the display is fooling , and most of the time that's when I just need the radio. The display really causes a lot of trouble. I'll guess me next mobile 2m transceiver will be a yaesu or an alinco.
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N9IUI
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Rating: 4/5
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Jul 11, 2002 13:39
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Restored!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I bought my TM-241A used at a Hamfest about 3 or 4 years ago. I really like this radio, especially the receive. It has the hottest receive of any 2M radio I have, and NO INTERMOD! Sure, it would be good to have more memory channels, but that's a minor problem.
Unfortunately, the display went haywire a couple of years ago and it has been on the shelf since then (after repeated unsuccessful tries to repair it). Then I ran across this website. After reading all the reviews on it, I found out that there was an issue with the display. After cleaning the display connector as described by Whitey, K1VV, I have my old friend back!
Thanks Whitey!
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G0DBI
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Rating: 3/5
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Apr 29, 2002 08:32
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A different problem
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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When I bought this radio new, in about 1994, it compared reasonably well with other 2m equipment at a similar price, and I think that is the way to see it - you can buy them new in 2002 and they are a good early '90s radio, which is why they are cheap.
I have not had the display problem that so many people have reported. I do have a problem with the tuning knob, which often skips badly. You think you are tuning in one direction but the radio is stuck, or tuning the other way. This only really happens when the radio is cold, so I suppose there must be some contact wear that is made worse when the metal contracts as the temperature drops, and the problem is solved when it warms up and expands again. If it ever stops working completely I could still tune with the up/down buttons on the microphone.
Audio is fine, and even in these days of 12.5Khz channel spacing for repeaters I don't get any over-deviation reports. The 241 tunes 12.5Khz steps, but I'm sure it wasn't designed with deviation appropriate to that. I get 40 watts out on high power.
I wouldn't buy a new one now, cheap as they are. You can get a lot more for the money, such as the Yaesu FT-1500M, which is around the same price in the UK.
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WD0CT
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Rating: 0/5
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Apr 2, 2002 23:40
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Almost useless
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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This is about the 241A. What can I say about a radio that only lets you know what is going on when it feels like it? Display works partime and has been "fixed" once already. What a toad!!
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N3OCQ
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Rating: 4/5
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Jan 4, 2002 20:09
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Good Workhorse
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I bought a TM-241A about 8 years ago when I first got my ticket. Thru all that time it's been a great workhorse. It's been in about 3 cars during that time, and on a shelf for a couple years when I got out of the hobby. I haven't had any display problems with it, but I don't know if the TM-241A is different from the 241. I rate it a 4 because I have had a problem with the microphone, the PF, MR, and VFO buttons went flakey on me. They often do each other's jobs (I.E. press MR get VFO.) but I don't find that a big deal because the only buttons I usually use while driving are the UP/DOWN buttons to surf my memory channels. I also give it a 4 because there's nothing exceptional or revolutionary about it, other than the fact that it's never broken on me it doens't have any super-neato-unique features.
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W6EZ
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Rating: 4/5
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Oct 28, 2001 11:00
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Fine except for the display
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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The TM241 was the very first ham rig I bought when I was first licensed.
It spent most of it's life in a stifly sprung Saleen Mustang but then the display started doing what all good 241 displays do. A friend of mine had just gone through the same thing with his 241 so I knew what the problem was. I tried cleaning but that didn't work. Upon examination ( with a 10X microscope ) it was apparent that the contacts in the connectors were worn beyond repair.
Replacement connectors? Everywhere I tried to order these parts I was met with laughing or a distainful answer. Finally, out of desperation, I removed the connectors and hard wired the two boards using a piece of ribbon cable and the trusty 10X microscope again.
Thus far ( after more than a year bouncing around under the dash of a VERY harshly sprung 3/4 ton truck on some of the worst roads in all of California, ) the thing still works perfectly. It is still a very good radio.
The fact that there is only 20 memories has never been a problem for me.
The radio is easy to operate on the fly so setting up a freq in the vfo is fast.
Audio is good, both ways.
All in all, it was and still is, one of the best buys for the money of all the radios I ever bought.
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KG4OFQ
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 28, 2001 01:34
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Quick Fix
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Hmmm Have you tried the British Re-alignment Technique. When My Kenwood TM 241's display starts going south for the winter, I use a well calibrated Wooden Shoe brush. One tap on the top, bottom and both sides, then shift from one channel to another and back It works just fine. Really that is what I do. It is in everyones best interest to either clean the contacts, or have someone do it for ya. Its worth the effort for this small but great unit. Mine was purchased at a Ham fest for $120 and my brother got one from the same vendor. We are both pleased with the performance.
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