Total new, need some help

[Speg80]

Hi, first time owning a radio, my jeep came with a Kenwood tm-281. My buddies all have basic 40 channel radios, how do I connect to specific channels? My radio only shows frequencies. Thanks!

 

[mmckenna]

Hi, first time owning a radio, my jeep came with a Kenwood tm-281. My buddies all have basic 40 channel radios, how do I connect to specific channels? My radio only shows frequencies. Thanks!

It won't.

The Kenwood TM-281 is a 2 meter band amateur radio only. It will -only- transmit on the 144-148MHz 2 meter amateur band. CB is around 26-27MHz, and there is no way to make your radio work there.

Transmitting with an amateur radio requires a valid FCC issued amateur radio license, so unless you have one, not much you can do with it.

Your best option is to remove the radio, microphone, wiring, antenna, etc. and sell them on E-bay. An amateur radio will pay top dollar for a radio like that.

Take the proceeds from that sale and buy yourself a new CB radio and antenna, then you'll be able to talk to your buddies.

 

[Speg80]

Sounds good, thanks for the quick and detailed response!

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

Hi, first time owning a radio, my jeep came with a Kenwood tm-281. My buddies all have basic 40 channel radios, how do I connect to specific channels? My radio only shows frequencies. Thanks!

The Kenwood TM-281 is a 2 meter amateur transceiver. Totally different class radio than a "basic 40 channel radio". As noted above you'll need to be a licensed amateur operator to operate on 2 meters. The 40 channel radio operates on citizens band which does NOT require a license for use & lacks the radio "etiquette" found on the amateur bands. We have a devoted citizens band forum if you have further questions about CB. Welcome to the forums!

 

[wtp]

look around to see how much they sell for first and ask a reasonable price. try ebay or maybe the classifieds here.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

There's one brand new on FleaBay asking price $179.00

 

[N4KVE]

LOL. Sell it & buy 5 CB’s.

 

[Speg80]

Thanks

 

[KC5AKB]

Or look into ham radio and some local clubs
Www.w5yi.org
Www.hamstudy.org
Www.ARRL.org
Shoot me a email at kc5akb@arrl.net
Also the antenna will not work for cb.

 

[Speg80]

Will the antenna wiring work?

 

[N4GIX]

Will the antenna wiring work?

Probably not since the mount on the antenna end may well not be compatible.

 

[trentbob]

Will the antenna wiring work?

This is all Sage advice. Sell the Kenwood. Best to sell Lock Stock & Barrel. Antenna and coaxial cable with the radio. As was said the antenna for the ham radio that covers 2 meters will not work with CB which is 11 meters.

Money you make selling the Kenwood wll buy you a good CB radio and a new CB antenna that will include new coaxial cable... Your wiring to the radio and antenna is very important and you're going to want new. You then can talk with your buddies.

See how you do with CB radio as you always have the option as has been described above to go to the Major Leagues and become a licensed ham operator.

You're in a good spot and lucky that the Jeep came with this radio.

Welcome to the world of radio LOL... Bob.

 

[mmckenna]

Will the antenna wiring work?

It would depend on the type of mount. There are a few different kinds, and it might be possible to make it work, but we'd need to know exactly what type of mount it was to make a recommendation. If you supplied a photo, we could tell you for sure.

The connector on the end of the cable for the Kenwood radio is the same one used by CB radios, so that end would be fine.

And it's not as easy as just swapping out the antenna. The mount type and exactly where it's mounted will dictate which type of antenna you need. Not everything that fits the mount will work best.

 

[KC5AKB]

Will the antenna wiring work?

Let’s talk shoot me a email with some pictures please . Also I will give you my number if you like. Lots depends on the mount ( plenty of help on the form folks really care and are willing to share knowledge) the radio will also pick up noaa weather radio All hazard a nationwide network of weather information
Frequencies 162.400,162.425, 162.450, 162.475 ‘162.500 162.525 and 162.550 depending on which one is in your area.

Kc5akb@arrl.net
Ric

 

[jazzboypro]

Another option is to keep your actual radio and setup and get your licence this way your good to go on 2 meter. Then buy a CD radio/antenna/wirering and install in in the jeep and you can do both

 

[trentbob]

That's great advice, especially for a seasoned cb enthusiast... this guy came on the forum, knowing nothing, because he wanted to talk to......... His buddies on CB.

 

[Firekite]

Probably not since the mount on the antenna end may well not be compatible.

Compatible with what? We don’t know what’s there now. There are great 11m NMO antennas, for example. If the previous owner knew what he was doing and executed the install well, he’d probably be better off keeping that intact and swapping in only a replacement radio on one end and antenna on the other.

Of course, it could be a crap install with an oddball mount incompatible with anything else. We don’t know yet.

Starting from scratch very well may not be his best option. There are lots of very poorly done CB installs by people who have no clue what they’re doing (most people).

Let’s talk shoot me a email with some pictures please . Also I will give you my number if you like.

Why are trying to keep this discussion out of the public eye? Why not let him post up pics and such and continue to let the whole community help and as a result help others in the future with similar situations?

 

[KC5AKB]

We are not easy to talk on the phone

 

[AK9R]

I think the OP has received several good answers.