Manager


Manager - NA4M
Manager Notes

Reviews For: Kenwood TM-G707A

Category: Transceivers: VHF/UHF+ Amateur Base/Mobile (non hand-held)

eMail Subscription

Registered users are allowed to subscribe to specific review topics and receive eMail notifications when new reviews are posted.
Review Summary For : Kenwood TM-G707A
Reviews: 114MSRP: 350
Description:
Dual-band 2-meter and 450 mHz FM mobile transceiver
Product is not in production
More Info: http://www.kenwood.net/indexKenwood.cfm?do=ProductDetails&ProdID=5012&Group=5
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
001144.5
N9TRZ Rating: 2006-06-10
Nice easy rig to use Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've got 3 of 'em. I got my first one after my TM732 was stolen out of my company truck back in 2003. Since it's so easy to use and understand I got my wife one for her Durango, she loves the Alpha tagging and when they announced they were going to quit manufacturing it I got another one for the home. I'll take the TMV-7 out of the house and put it in my personal truck to replace my good ole TM733 (don't worry I'm not gonna retire it) because it's got more channel space and program it simular to the wife's 707 to make it easy on her when she steals my truck.
KI4EYM Rating: 2006-04-24
Good basic dual bander. Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I have owned the unit for almost one year. Previously, I had installed it as a base station until I began to get RF noise on TX when using my Diamond Power Supply. I moved the power supply, checked all connections, had the power supply examined, used other radios on the power supply and the final diagnosis was............apparently the Kenwood just is not compatabile with the power supply. I moved it back to my truck as a back-up mobile with no problem. I even wired it directly to a Marine battery before moving it from the base with no problem.

Other than this unusual experience which no one has figured out, this is a good little radio. It does not for some reason tx a full 35 watts on UHF (only about 30 watts verified with two different meters), but the VHF side will do a full 50 watts. The scan is a little slow, but not a big deal.
VK3JED Rating: 2006-04-05
Excellent mobile radio Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've been running my TM-G707A in the car for almost 2 years. As a mobile rig, it's easy to use, easy to program and has performed flawlessly. The menu and memory system is easy to navigate without having to constantly reference the manual, and the common functions are easy to access while driving.

One issue in the major cities in Australia is pager interference. Over here, the pagers run up to 1 kW EIRP and occupy 148 - 150 MHz (lowest frequency is 148.0125). This often makes 2m operation impossible in the city centre. However, the TM-G707A has shown surprising resistance to pager interference for a modern ham rig. With the AIP turned off, the radio works well in most inner suburbs, with only occasional pager breakthrough. With AIP on, I am able to operate right in the heart of the city, where most 2m operators are unable to hear anyone.

If you're looking for a basic radio that performs well, this one is hard to beat.
INCOGNITO Rating: 2006-03-08
Good Quality Mobile Rig! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've had this radio now for over three years. It has operated flawlessly even with the head mounted on the dashboard and the radio in the back of the SUV. I have used it in several ARES events and in three field day events. I haven’t seen any of the complaints of VFO drift that has been described. I intend to purchase a second unit for the shack later this year.
N0MUD Rating: 2005-11-25
Very easy to use. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've owned two of these radios and sold one and replaced it with a Yaesu FT-8800r. I will keep the Kenwood because it stays in my pickup truck and goes fishing and hunting and camping with me in all types of weather. It has never ever failed me at all and I've never had a problem with the radio. The only thing I wish it did was dual receive but I have Yaesu FT-8800r's for that method.

I've no negatives to discuss with this radio so if your looking for one of these go ahead and buy one, it's easy to program and just as easy to use.

73's Mike N0mud

----------------------
Earlier 5-star review posted by N0MUD on 2004-07-16

I bought one and like it so much that I found another new one at a swap meet and the price was right, $240.00 and bought a second one. I have one in my radio room and the second one next to my recliner in my living room. When I go hunting I take one with me in my truck. I like the ease and operation of the radio. I also have a Yaesu FT-8800 because of the dual band, dual receive.
----------------------
Earlier 5-star review posted by N0MUD on 2004-03-22

I own two of them, I have one in my radio room and one next to my recliner in the living room. Being disabled I just can't jump up and run to the radio room to answer a call so that's why one in the living room. It's nice to have the ability of 2 meters and/or 440 meters at the click on the mic with up/down button. Plus I can put one in my Truck when I go camping and/or hunting. I always have the ability to call on emergency freqs, (yes I have the mods done on both) and I wouldn't leave home with out my Kenwood G707A. This radio is really easy to program and the manual is easy to read. The price listed above is not true anymore as you can get new ones at about $249.00 I paid $220.00 for my second one at a swap fest here in Colorado Springs last June. Just as a small note I also own the Yaesu FT-8800R as I like to monitor two freqs at one time something the G707A can't do.

Have fun. Take care Mike Dassero, N0MUD
KC0QEV Rating: 2005-07-13
Awsome Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Awsome radio, got mine as a hamfest grandprize and glad I did. I have used as a portable, mobile, base, and field day radio. Worked the space station, satilites, 2m Tropo, APRS, Packet, Other digital Modes and MARS, mine has excellent RX from 118 to 174, 300 to 999 Mhz. and 50 watts in the 2m ham band and on MARS Freq. Right now its in the truck with the DFK-4C Seperation Kit and is a charm to operate while mobile. easy to operate, easy to install and configure. The s-meter squelch is nice too. All i need is more memories. even 200 would be better then 180. (where did they come up with that number?) well off my soapbox tnx and hope you all enjoy the radio. matt kc0qev
AD5GX Rating: 2005-04-27
Three Years and Love It! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This is an update to an earlier review. I've had it around three years now. Easy to use, flawless operation.

The quick disconnect mount for the display is truly quick. I take several small trips each day and it's easy enough that I don't leave the display out when I'm not in the car.

I'd recommend this radio over any other (unless you need dual receive or true crossband operation although the pseudo crossband operation suits my needs perfectly--you just don't get duplex operation.)
KD5KSM Rating: 2005-04-27
LOVE IT Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have had this rig for two month and just love it. It was easy to set up. I have good reports of others in my area as well. I would buy another.
K8WTR Rating: 2005-04-06
Good Rig Overall Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I had this rig a month and have sold it due to zero 440 activity in the area. Ran cool on high and showed what is was supposed to on the wattmeter on all settings. Very good receive audio and transmit audio reports received. I noticed the scan speed is slow. Also,do not try to use a repeater 15 kcs. from another close in one as you will get splattered. The 271A does not have that problem. Other than that, a fine rig and appears well-built.
Excellent big display! Good airband receive as well.
KB1FPM Rating: 2005-03-24
Easy to Operate, Runs Like a Timex! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have been running the TM-G707A in my Jeep for 3 1/2 years now. I had originally intended to install a Yaesu FT-1500M (since discontinued). I selected the -G707A instead because of its remote mounting option and because I thought it had a fabulous display. It has been a great purchase.

Good points:
- Large, clear LCD
- Alphanumeric memory tags (7 characters)
- Display brightness adjusts easily, without getting into menus - the button is right up front on the faceplate
- 180 memories
- Kenwood memory-management software is free
- Build quality appears to be very solid - no problems after years of mobil operation
- Cooling fan is very quiet

Bad points:
I really have no complaints. Well, I guess the illumination in the buttons of the mic could be brighter. I have also filled all the memories, so if there were more, that'd be useful. I should add that many of the memory channels are being used for rx-only stations like various public services, commercial services and WX which are possible because of the -G707's generous extended rx. Those two points are about it for things I'd change.

I live in metrowest Boston, where pages and other RF sources a numerous. I've never had an intermod problem with this rig, which is more than I can say for others I've owned.

At current prices, this radio is a great value -- a no-brainer, in my opinion.

73
John

----------------------
Earlier 5-star review posted by KB1FPM on 2002-04-14

Bought this as my first dedicated mobil to install in a new-to-me Cherokee that had some real space problems. The highlights:

The display is BIG and the amber color is a lot easier on the eyes than the blue displays (and, to a lesser extent, the green displays) and has seven characters for alpha tags, which is better than most rigs.

The remote head is truly compact and the mounting bracket pretty ingenious, which made finding a suitable install location for the head pretty easy. You can avoid the "oh, gosh, I guess I'll just stick it on the top of the dash" syndrome.

The ergonomics and RF performance are very good, as usual, though some of that may be that I am used to Kenwood rigs.

One nice aspect is that the format of the files for the (free) memory programming software is essentially identical to our Kenwood HTs, so with almost no work I was able to have this rig fully programmed, and the memories mostly match those in the HTs.

Overall, a great mobil rig.