Kenwood: Kenwood TM281a repairs

[iceman977th]

Does anyone know of a shop, preferably US based that repairs Kenwood amateur radio equipment? I have two TM281a’s that were used on a radio feed at a tower, the tower took a lightning strike and damaged both radios, I believe the audio IC’s.

I’d rather see if somewhere can repair them instead of buying new radios since the price on them has skyrocketed.

 

[AK9R]

Are you looking for something other than the ones listed on Kenwood USA's website: National Service Centers | KENWOOD USA

 

[MTS2000des]

Can vouch for United Radio. They did IF filter replacements on two TM-271As I owned. Both were also covered under warranty despite being 8 years old. Had both back within less than 10 days.

 

[iceman977th]

Are you looking for something other than the ones listed on Kenwood USA's website: National Service Centers | KENWOOD USA

Honestly haven't looked anywhere yet, so I'm open to anything. Neither of these radios would be in warranty, and I'm okay with paying for a repair if it's not too expensive. I'm also looking at SDR based solutions to replace all of mine but I feel like my SDR's at tower sites are failing very easily so I need to figure out what's going on. Appreciate the suggestions.

 

[mmckenna]

Appreciate the suggestions.

Have you opened up the radios and looked at them?
A lightning strike could do a lot of damage to the internals, and repair may not be possible.

If all you need is a basic analog VHF receiver, trawl e-Bay for some Motorola CDM-750's, or some older Kenwood LMR VHF mobiles. Easy to program and may be cheaper than trying to get a lightning struck radio fixed.

 

[mrweather]

I had a TM-281a and while I was happy with it, it's at best a $100-150 on the used market and I don't see the economics in trying to repair a broken one.