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Reviews For: Kenwood TMV71A

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

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Review Summary For : Kenwood TMV71A
Reviews: 106MSRP: 399.00
Description:
The advanced Kenwood TM-V71A dual bander provides sophisticated, high-powered performance on 2 meters and 440 MHz. Power levels are 5/10/50 watts on both bands. The large radio display clearly conveys the status of the radio and can be set to green or amber.
Product is in production
More Info: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Kenwood_TMV-71A
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
001064.5
ND6C Rating: 2012-03-23
Great mobile radio Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This is a good all round mobile unit. I picked it primary because I also have D710a that I use as a base station and wanted something similar. In fact these two radios use the same "base" and simply have different front panels. The front panel can be interchanged between the two units if one so desired. So if I need the TNC in my car for some reason, or want to do APRS mobile, I can simply swap the heads.

I use the TMV71A in my car exclusively. It seems to have great reception and the audio reports are good. It's great to use at night as well as the unit fully lights up. Using the mic to control the unit is also really easy once you set or learn the buttons.

I only have one complaint about this radio so far. The audio output from the base is a little on the weak side. As I stated I use the D710a as a base unit and I hadn't noticed this before, but in the mobile environment it can be hard to make out the audio some times. I simply purchased a 16 dollar external "CB" speaker and it sounds great now.

The same programming software is used for the D710a and the TMV71a. However, one can not simply use the saved program for one and update the other. It causes some strange issues. The other thing is the display on the D710a support 8 characters whereas this unit only supports 6. The other major difference is this unit does not display the frequency and the channel name at the same time. Clicking the tuning knob on the left causes it to flip back and forth which is just fine.

The menu system is flat (like my old Yaesu 2800) as there are no sub menus. Be prepared to spin the knobs lots. Some of the options are not exactly clear from the name of them on the display so keep the manual handy for awhile.

I highly recommend purchasing either the programming cable or the entire "echo link" kit. It makes programming the radio a breeze.

It measured a perfect 50 watts on both bands with my SWR and the front end seems solid. Haven't experienced intermod or anything like that so far.

The UHF and VHF AIP (attenuate) is also very nice in a busy urban area. It cuts down on those stations that are just too far out for copy but still break squelch.

The unit is a good size, easy to mount, and the fan only comes on during xmit from what I have seen. In fact I hardly notice it all.

The unit also pulls 9amp on my meter during xmit if you are wondering.

In summary, I would buy it again in a heartbeat, and with a D710a it is a great match up with both units.
KF5NRU Rating: 2012-02-08
A very good radio!!!!! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
The only thing I can even think to say bad about this rig is that I have to work with it and I am really good at programming anything. But we do get alot of calls asking how to program these rigs. That being said me as a tech in the store, have no problem at all learning or programming the.
I like the cross band repeat. I like the fact that it is same power UHF and VHF. Also the scan is supper fast and I like that because I program every possible frequency into me radio to see what is going on in the town.
Also I will say I am a farm boy and I have this radio in my truck and I have to go off read alot and it has held up without flaw to bounceing around off road and even on my road wich is somtimes worse than off the road.
All in all i give this radio a 5 star rating..
KF5GDA Rating: 2011-08-13
Happy, but a heads up too! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Installed in my daily driven truck. Quality piece, 50w on 70cm and 2m, cross band repeats with ID, remote mount head let me put main body under seat. Only complaint is: After over a year I still have to dig out manual for rarely used functions. Not intuitive. MY HEADS UP: Power cables come out back of radio, run 2 feet and have a connector to connect to the rest of the power cable run. The metal "tabs" in the female connector SLOWLY got lose on me over the last year causing a gradual drop in available current. Display would dim during transmit at 50w, then after a few more months radio would shut off when trying to transmit at 50w. Finally found the problem to be that connector, just had to bend the female tabs tighter with a screwdriver and it fixed the problem. I hope this info helps someone some day as it drove me nuts running this down. I forgot that connector was even there!
WP4WR Rating: 2011-07-16
love the remote control Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I have purchase this radio 2 month ago, for my home shack ..no problems with the radio
I love the wireless remote control function, it's the first condition for I bougth it.
it function with any radio that have DTMF buttons, at 25 miles from my home
I can control the LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH settings of the radio including memories channells
and VFO input frecuencies from that distances
Soon I am going to make a Youtube video " Kenwood TMV71a wireless remote Control"
PU1-MLL Rating: 2011-07-04
Excellent performer Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Great transceiver. All I have to say is: TMV71A is the better dual bander I´ve ever had. A little bit different to program but you can learn. Go ahead, it worth.
N7TDC Rating: 2011-05-25
Outstanding Performer Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've purchased five of these rigs and each one is an outstanding performer. I initially purchased three of them, one for QTH, vehicle and go-kit. Then I sold two thinking to upgrade to the TM-D710A. Well, after selling them I realized I liked the TM-V71A so much that I bought two more to replaces ones I'd sold. My V71As have performed flawlessly for nearly three years in a variety of conditions, locations and uses. I highly recommend this rig to anyone, whether they are new or old to amateur radio. The V71A is very easy to program and operate. Two thumbs up! Thanks to my Elmer (W7WIN) for rig recommendation and to Kenwood for a rig that's well made, reliable, very able to do what's needed and much more. 73...

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Earlier 5-star review posted by N7TDC on 2010-07-14

Well, as planned, I purchased my 3rd TM-V71A and have been very pleased with how well all three rigs perform. They've all operated trouble free. One of these rigs has been in service for nearly two years without one moment of concern. Amateur friends also own them and have had similar positive performance results.

A couple of months ago I sold two of the three TM-V71As; anticipating that I would replace them with the TM-710A, for the APRS capability. After thinking about it some more I realized the TM-V71A was the rig for me and repurchased two more of them.

Thanks Kenwood for a superb mobile rig...
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Earlier 5-star review posted by N7TDC on 2009-08-08

I purchased my first Kenwood TM-V71A last year (08) for use in my home QTH. I found it to be very easy to set up and operate; especially for a new ham like myself. I've been so impressed with its performance that I purchased a second one for use in my mobile QTH. And, I'll purchase a third one before months end, while $30 rebate is still in effect, to place in a go kit. No problems whatsoever. This rig rocks!
WC3O Rating: 2011-05-23
Great Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Bought the TM-V71A about 2 months ago for our club. It was purchased to replace an ICOM that was having intermod issues. The new Kenwood is quiet as a church mouse, no intermod at all. Got it hooked up to a signal link and works perfectly in digital modes. If I have any complaints with it, I wish it had the bigger display like the older TM-V708 so that you can have both alpha tagging and frequency display at the same time. This is no big deal, just something I would prefer. Great audio RX/TX. Love the radio.
KB4OIF Rating: 2011-05-23
Outstanding radio Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I now own 2 of them. One in the Truck and one in the house as the base. What can I say that all the other folks have not said. Nothing is left to say. It's a great radio with GOBS of features some of which I still have not discoverd. It's typical of the Kenwood brand. I own a 480HX and a TS 440S. You will not be disappointed if you get one of these.
W8STU Rating: 2011-03-15
GREAT MOBILE/BASE RIG Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Greetings,

I purchased mine approx., two years ago. I still am finding new things to do with it. I am currently getting ready to hook up a Signalink USB to it with the FLDIGI program for digital use. I love the fact it is very easy to program. I did not buy the programing cable for it yet. I did not need it at first, but recently found out you can do more things to the radio then without the program. So I am going to invest the $34.99 to buy one. The program is free from the Kenwood website. I like the fact it has 50 watts on both bands and I use the crossband repeat feature every day. I would highly recommend this radio to new and old hams. It is a great radio for the money. Thanks in advance. 73, Stu W8STU
KK9H Rating: 2011-02-14
Excellent performer Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I bought this dual band radio to replace an aging Kenwood rig. Being very familiar with the operation of Kenwood VHF/UHF rigs is one of the reasons that I had this one high on my list. Since purchase, I have been very pleased with its performance. It has been used in the field for various volunteer events, including the Chicago Marathon in downtown Chicago surrounded by other ham rigs and numerous police, fire and ambulance company radios. I experienced no bleedover or intermod issues in that environment, eventhough I expected them. It was very helpful to be able to monitor two important nets at the same time, my logistical net and the citywide medical net. The receiver is very sensitive and the selectivity seems quite good. The transmitted audio is typical Kenwood high quality. With my voice I had to drop back the mic gain a bit, but it is a simple menu item change. The ability to monitor VHF/VHF and UHF/UHF as well as VHF/UHF is extremely valuable when using it for volunteer events. There was plenty of receive audio for the noisy environment and I really like the large hand mike that comes with this rig. My experience has been very positive and I do recommend this radio.