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Reviews For: Kenwood TR 751A

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

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Review Summary For : Kenwood TR 751A
Reviews: 39MSRP: 225-350 used TU7 45+
Description:
2 Meter All Mode Transceiver. 25 Watts RF Output.
Product is not in production
More Info: http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/hammulti/tr751a.html
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00394.7
SP9HZX Rating: 2021-08-18
the best 2m rig Time Owned: more than 12 months.
The best 2m transceiver with great audio and RX
And always reliable.
SWLCHRIS Rating: 2020-11-11
Great radio for 2 meter SSB and FM Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have recently acquired this Kenwood TR751A from a local radio shop here in the area.
I had a chance to check it out at the shop and it all looked well cosmetically and electrically.
I read the reviews here on Eham and the majority were stating this was a very good radio for 2m SSB.
The price was comparable to what others had paid and the shop owner had this one on consignment. A microphone meter,and a power supply were provided for testing purposes.
I have used it now for a few short weeks and the radio is nothing short of amazing.
This has to be the most sensitive 2 meter rig I have ever used.
Using SSB for the first time has been a great learning experience. I didn't even realise there were frequencies for the digital modes and now I have my signalink hooked up to it.
On FM it works fine but on SSB , this rig is outstanding. I was shocked to see va3WW come up on the WSJTX screen.I wasn't able to work him but it was definitely surprising to see a station 320 miles away on 2 meters. So far my best distance for a digital mode contact is around 125 miles up to northern PA , if I look on PSKReporter, I see where I was heard 175 miles away in Connecticut the other day.I have not heard a SSB phone station outside of the locals I talk to as of yet but hopefully I will be hearing some soon.
The antenna will definitely help , even more so on 2 meters than HF. I was using a Comet GP1 but then I built a loop antenna with info from VK1AD and the signals just jumped out even more. I did notice at first when using the FT8 mode that my signal output was just over 10 watts. I tracked down the problem and it seems a switch was attenuating the signal. Once the antenna was fed directly to the rig output rose back up to the 25 watt level.I will have to check out the switch.
The number of memories isn't a big deal as I have other rigs with repeaters programmed.I like the RIT and the RF gain on the radio.The size of the radio is about the same as the TM2550 Big but not real bulky with a solid build to it.What I really like is the actual s meter using a needle and not a bar graph or led lights.
Overall I am impressed by this radio and I think I will be having lots of fun with it .
YU2SRB Rating: 2020-08-23
Cult level 2m SSB Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This is one incredible all mode 2m radio with amazing RX. Sensitivity on 2m is excellent, if not better than mine Icom IC-7400. If you are into the 2m SSB this is probably the best choice. Price is between 200-300 bucks depends of condition. Actually this radio is rare to found, if it is happened to get one, just buy it.
I will never sell mine.
This radio has charisma!
N4KZ Rating: 2020-04-22
Hot Rx Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I was very active on 2 meter SSB/CW for more than 25 years. I owned several 2 meter multimode rigs. This one had the hottest receiver of them all. I did my most serious 2 meter weak-signal work with this rig in the 1990s -- meteor scatter and EME on moonrise and moonset. I foolishly sold my 751A but found a used one locally a few years back and latched onto it. This one is staying put. 73--N4KZ
G4TRA Rating: 2017-08-21
Great performance for 2m DXers Time Owned: more than 12 months.
It seems odd to be reviewing what is essentially a 30 year old transceiver, but such is the loyal following of this remarkable 2m mobile multi mode that I will add my views too.

Having owned a TR9000 from new in 1980 and looking for a replacement for local FM monitoring duties, I was pleased to be offered just a year ago, a complete with box, all accessories and paperwork TR751E in stunning order for the price of a few pints down the pub.

The TR751E is an exceptional performer RF wise, on a par with the TS790E of the same era that I use for EME DXing . The radio runs 25w and low power variable, pending where you set an internal pot, so it is easy to match to any linear amplifier requirements. Using a collinear 6.2dB gain antenna I add a solid state 150w amplifier to balance the tremendous receive capability, that way I can work what I hear. Also it performs very well in the face of strong signal competition, both in and out of band.

Forget it if you want combined HF, band scopes, D star, the modern trappings of 2m and compromised mediocre performance, for this is a red hot performing 2m multi mode with a very sensitive, low noise GasFet front end. It offers great transmit audio and a rock stable VCO, with the design optimised for the one band. It is simple, and straight forward to operate with no hidden menus, multi push function buttons or displays to scan through. The LCD display is clear, easy to understand and the controls laid out in a logical and ergonomic manner. The conventional S meter is easy to read and the indented main tuning control easy to use with a variety of tuning speeds (VFO spacings) available.

CTSS modules are available if you wish to work through your local repeater from Piexx in the US at $64 for the TU7. The VS1 voice module is harder to find, but operators manuals are available for download and hard copy versions are easily found too.

Many have mentioned the one weak point which is the Kenwood unique Volume/Squelch control which can go noisy or intermittent. This is not a problem, as a replacement for a range of Galaxy CB transceivers: Pt No RV50303522 will suffice. With a little ingenuity it can be made to fit and works very well. It's available from Barkett Electronics (amongst others) in the USA will cost about $26 to ship it over to you in 7 days. Easy.

This is a iconic radio, the last of the 2m mobile multi modes and the best in the TR9000,TR9130, TR751E series, plus at the current prices a superb entry level radio for trying successful 2m weak signal DXing whether it be FM, CW or SSB. You'll not be disappointed.
W6PMR Rating: 2015-01-26
Very good radio. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
One of Kenwoods better rigs. Wonderful, easy to use and good performance.
Getting a little old now, (2015) but if you
want to get into all mode 2 meter operation and
one of these comes your way, grab it.
GW8JLY Rating: 2013-04-08
A truly great 2m multimode radio Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
There are just 2 words that can properly describe the Kenwood TR-751 (e) or (a) - "Absolutely Brilliant".
I made the mistake a few years ago of selling the one I had and regetted it ever since. A week or so ago I thought "I must buy another" and started a search on Ebay for one in good condition that was free of the dreaded twin pots issue. Fortunately I found one in very good cosmetic condtion and perfect electrically. I intend to use it for my portable expeditions to the Welsh mountains, matching the radio with a Microset SR2000 SSPA. I can't wait for some good weather and some good band conditions to coincide.
The TR751e has a very sensitive receiver (with a GaAsfet front end device) and a very clean transmitter too. It produces just over 25w on the high power setting and has been set to 10w on the low power setting - just right for driving the SSPA in a portable enviroment. I really can't find any fault in the TR751e except perhaps that setting the correct tuning step is just a little cumbersome. I have compared its performance to a Kenwood TS790e, A Kenwood TS2000e and a Yaesu FT897d and found that it performs as well or better on 2m than all these other three radios.
If you decide to buy one too, check carefully that the 2, twin core pots, Vol/Squelch and RF gain/RIT are OK. If these are fine you probably won't find another better 2m radio anywhere for the price these units sell at.
OE5BFM Rating: 2012-01-05
Simply Great! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
During 30 years of Ham Radio I used a lot of VHF / UHF Transceivers. Most of them worked fine, but often had some unpleasing faults, e.g. getting too hot, not very reliable especially in the car, not very sensitive and so on.

I bought this rig used because I read quite often that this TRX should be one of the best 2m Allmodes. Usually I use it in FM Mode, but during contests and fielddays also in SSB, with fine DX-success.

So I can say, if best receiving performance is important this is really the best rig I have owned so far, surprisingly even a bit better than the compared IC-275 which I had before!
If you want a broadband receiver with quick scanner and 1000 memories, this isn´t the right TRX for you.
The TR 751 is simply to operate, it get´s only hand warm at 25 watts and no noisy fan, some important settings (Modulation, S-Meter, Power Output for driving an amp) are easy to adjust which is well described in the servicemanual.
The modulation is fine still with the stocked mike, the S-Meter shows a bit too much in FM, but this happens other rigs too and is adjustable inside.

So I agree that this rig is one of the best 2m Allmodes ever made.

73!
Herb
K7LA Rating: 2010-12-21
Great Used Rig Time Owned: more than 12 months.
In summary, a terrific receiver and clear transmit audio. Match it up with a small amplifier and good directional antennas and you've got a winner. Got mine at a ham club raffle drawing, and I grin everytime I use it.
VE6CPP Rating: 2010-12-21
Great Rigs !! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Great Lil Rig although lacking a few of the 'Bells and Whistles' of the larger ones. I picked one up on E-Bay a couple years ago, intended for /P use..but it now does SSB/MS and EME in the shack using a 300W Mirage. The only rigs I have seen that can beat the .12uv Rx are .11uv for 10x the cost of these ! I started a User Group if anyone is interested.. http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/TR-751_851/
73
Jerry VE6CPP
DN39or