Kenwood: Kenwood TM-281A Programming cable advice needed.

[graywoulf]

Greetings,

I just purchased a 281A and I am considering buying a programming cable for it. I am curious as to knowing if I need to be aware of cheap knock off cables and what I should look for while shopping for one. I also see that some 281A owners prefer to use the CHIRP software over the Kenwood software. Any advice on these subjects will be greatly appreciated.

 

[kayn1n32008]

Greetings,

I just purchased a 281A and I am considering buying a programming cable for it. I am curious as to knowing if I need to be aware of cheap knock off cables and what I should look for while shopping for one. I also see that some 281A owners prefer to use the CHIRP software over the Kenwood software. Any advice on these subjects will be greatly appreciated.

If using CHIRP(I recommend RTSystems over CHIRP) any USB Kenwood RJ-45 cable will work. You can get one off of eBay for $25-30 shipped to your door.

I have an almost complete set for LMR Kenwood gear that all use Prolific chipsets. I have had no issues with them at all.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[graywoulf]

Thanks for your advice on this. I like the RTSystems software for it's features but since I already have been using CHIRP, and already have a cable for my HT.

I found a Prolific cable on ebay from a seller named "bluemax49ers" for $24.95 so I probably will take the less expensive route for now. I think that the CHIRP software is sufficient for my simple needs as I am new to amateur radio at this point. Again, I appreciate your valuable advice and for bringing the RTSystems software to my attention.

 

[kayn1n32008]

Thanks for your advice on this. I like the RTSystems software for it's features but since I already have been using CHIRP, and already have a cable for my HT.

I found a Prolific cable on ebay from a seller named "bluemax49ers" for $24.95 so I probably will take the less expensive route for now. I think that the CHIRP software is sufficient for my simple needs as I am new to amateur radio at this point. Again, I appreciate your valuable advice and for bringing the RTSystems software to my attention.

While RTSystems is not free, you get what you pay for. IMHO it is far superior to CHIRP. $50/radio is pretty decent and that includes their required, proprietary cable.

I have their software for about 6 different amateur radios I have owned over the years and my next amateur radio I buy(when ever that is) will also include its RTSystems programming software and cable.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[wrath]

While RTSystems is not free, you get what you pay for. IMHO it is far superior to CHIRP. $50/radio is pretty decent and that includes their required, proprietary cable.

I have their software for about 6 different amateur radios I have owned over the years and my next amateur radio I buy(when ever that is) will also include its RTSystems programming software and cable.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That's the benefit of RT that comes with time in the hobby ,i have a fleet of Icoms Kenwoods ,and Yaesu's ,i maintain one database of frequencies and alpha tags ,that i can sort and upload identicly across all brands ,or can customize it for planned travel routing etc.
When you get a few more radios under your ticket chirp becomes a PIA and waste of your time ,time you could be chewing the rag or spent with family instead of dicking around with programming a radio , I can load every frequency ,for simplex ,active repeaters ,APRS ,police and fire as well as road maintenance from Manhattan to Pittsburgh Pa as well as all the required PL,DCS ,CTCSS ,and radio settings unique to each radio in 37 seconds ,you can't do that with chirp on its best day ,nor can you edit and maintain one database that all radios share .if you figure out what your free time is truly worth, RT pays you for using it.

Sent from my SM-T810 using Tapatalk

 

[kayn1n32008]

That's the benefit of RT that comes with time in the hobby ,i have a fleet of Icoms Kenwoods ,and Yaesu's ,i maintain one database of frequencies and alpha tags ,that i can sort and upload identicly across all brands ,or can customize it for planned travel routing etc.
When you get a few more radios under your ticket chirp becomes a PIA and waste of your time ,time you could be chewing the rag or spent with family instead of dicking around with programming a radio , I can load every frequency ,for simplex ,active repeaters ,APRS ,police and fire as well as road maintenance from Manhattan to Pittsburgh Pa as well as all the required PL,DCS ,CTCSS ,and radio settings unique to each radio in 37 seconds ,you can't do that with chirp on its best day ,nor can you edit and maintain one database that all radios share .if you figure out what your free time is truly worth, RT pays you for using it.

Sent from my SM-T810 using Tapatalk

Exactly. I have the same opinion.

CHIRP is not really good for having more than one or two radios. RTSystems makes programming across brands and models a snap. Especially with the ability to import *.CSV files.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[wrath]

Exactly. I have the same opinion.

CHIRP is not really good for having more than one or two radios. RTSystems makes programming across brands and models a snap. Especially with the ability to import *.CSV files.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I am a freak once I buy a radio I rarely let it go ,tommorow makes 30 years since I got my ticket ,I didn't plan on owning so many radios , but like LEDS & Potato chips you can't eat just one ,although the recent decisions by companies to cheap out on radios in say the last 4 years has kept me from buying much the Kenwood 710 GA and 74 A are my newest radios oh wait there was FT1XDR in there, anyway I haven't thought cheap displays and single RF deck mobiles were an improvement nor was shipping radios with everything you need to actualy use it an expensive option ,yes Icom I am talking to you . So far i haven't bought a new radio in at least 2 years . We are having a drought !

Sent from my SM-T810 using Tapatalk

 

[graywoulf]

You guys make some very valid points about the RT software. So I am reconsidering my earlier statement and stand in this matter. If I buy the RT software for my 281A, is that software good for only that radio? Or will I be able to use it for any other radios I buy in the future?

 

[kayn1n32008]

You guys make some very valid points about the RT software. So I am reconsidering my earlier statement and stand in this matter. If I buy the RT software for my 281A, is that software good for only that radio? Or will I be able to use it for any other radios I buy in the future?

Only good for that radio.

Each model needs its own software.

However, you can drag and drop between software packages. If you buy radios that use the same cable, you only need to buy one cable.

Each software package with cable is around $50, less if you don’t need the cable.

As far as software goes, it’s pretty inexpensive. Plus RTSystems has amazing customer support.

When I bought the software for my TM-V71A, the cable they sent did not work, after contacting them, they sent me a new cable, at their cost, and included a prepaid return label to send the defective one back to them.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[graywoulf]

Thanks for that information. I thought that was the case. I have two Kenwood radios. The TM-281A and a TK-8180 that was part of a bundle deal that included a Kenwood power supply. Would I only need one cable for both Kenwood radios?

 

[W5lz]

Kenwood's program works very well with the '281.

 

[kayn1n32008]

Thanks for that information. I thought that was the case. I have two Kenwood radios. The TM-281A and a TK-8180 that was part of a bundle deal that included a Kenwood power supply. Would I only need one cable for both Kenwood radios?

The TK-8180 will use the same USB cable. It however, will require the proper LMR software. RTSystems does not sell software to program that particular radio.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[graywoulf]

Thanks to all of you for the information and recommendations.

 

[ShawnInPaso]

Kenwood's program works very well with the '281.

Exactly my experience. I've used all the others mentioned and found the Kenwood software actually better in some ways. It's free, the OP should at least try it before paying for something that makes "easy" into "complex".

 

[graywoulf]

Exactly my experience. I've used all the others mentioned and found the Kenwood software actually better in some ways. It's free, the OP should at least try it before paying for something that makes "easy" into "complex".

I have wondered about the Kenwood software. I will take a closer look at it. I'm not opposed to manually programming the 281 but I would like to have the programming backed up somehow just in case I needed it.

 

[JohnnyGent]

Greetings,

I just purchased a 281A and I am considering buying a programming cable for it. I am curious as to knowing if I need to be aware of cheap knock off cables and what I should look for while shopping for one. I also see that some 281A owners prefer to use the CHIRP software over the Kenwood software. Any advice on these subjects will be greatly appreciated.

Kenwood TM-281A 144 MHz Mobile 65 Watt
Excellent radio, bought 3 from MTC. The software they sell if great, and even less expensive than Kenwood's cable alone. I have a personal opinion, and I WILL buy from them again, Hope that helps.
Scan On. 73's

 

[ShawnInPaso]

Kenwoods free programming software.
Memory Control Program MCP-1A

 

[cmdrwill]

And the programming cable is available at Kawamall.

 

[graywoulf]

Kenwoods free programming software.
Memory Control Program MCP-1A

Thank you for the link.