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Reviews For: Kenwood TM 241

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

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Review Summary For : Kenwood TM 241
Reviews: 42MSRP:
Description:
2m FM Transceiver
Product is not in production
More Info: http://www.universal-radio.com/CATALOG/fm_txvrs/tm241a.html
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00423.5
K9MAP Rating: 2003-06-30
Not Bad... Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
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.
ON4MGY Rating: 2003-06-28
Same problem as everyone Time Owned: more than 12 months.
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.
N9IUI Rating: 2002-07-11
Restored! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
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!
G0DBI Rating: 2002-04-29
A different problem Time Owned: more than 12 months.
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.
WD0CT Rating: 2002-04-02
Almost useless Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
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!!
N3OCQ Rating: 2002-01-04
Good Workhorse Time Owned: more than 12 months.
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.
W6EZ Rating: 2001-10-28
Fine except for the display Time Owned: more than 12 months.
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.
KG4OFQ Rating: 2001-10-28
Quick Fix Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
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.
KB5TBB Rating: 2001-10-18
Nice shack rig. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Other than the display problem almost every 241 owner has experienced, I've enjoyed owning the radio for more than 7 years. My father owns two others and seems to enjoy them, too. My only observation other than the display being an issue is that power doesn't seem to be as strong as it was when purchased. I only see about 40w on high power on various antennae. I'd recommend this rig to friends looking for used gear but will always mention the display issue.
W7TFS Rating: 2001-10-18
Solid Radio Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had this radio since 1994 when I baught it new. I to had the display problem, but it was my own fault! After modding' the radio (i.e. cutting the green jumper wire), I "tucked" the wire where I though it would be out of the way... behind the front end board. After a while it started with the disply freaking out. After inspection I realized that the green wire was causing just enough pressure to be put onto the front-end board, that it was being pushed out of the connector just a bit, thus causing the display trouble. I moved the wire and it has worked perfict since! A word on the heat sink getting hot... People have worried about it for no reason. IT's SUPPOSE TO GET HOT DO DISSAPATE HEAT! If it worries you (which it shouldn't), then tie-wrap a small CPU fan to the bottom and hook it to 12vdc. That will make it run cool for you worry-warts ou there :-)

de W7TFS
Brad, Springfield Missouri