144MHz FM Transciver

Roy & Dixie · Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2013 10:49 pm Post subject: 144MHz FM Transciver

A previous owner had installed a Kenwood TM-241A/241E 144MHz transciever on my recently purchased 22 CD cruiser. What is this radio used for? The manual describes how to use it but says nothing about who I would talk to or why. I have removed it as part of my cleaning up the rats nest of wiring from the shelf where the AM/FM/Disc player and new DSC VHF radios are mounted.

Alyssa Jean · Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2013 12:17 am Post subject:

I think this is a 2 meter ham radio. Very close to the VHF Marine frequencies, but you would need an FCC License to operate it. Technician Class license is fairly easy to obtain. License is good for 10 years. No code is required. Check it out. Maybe something that you might find fun to be involved with.

potter water · Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2013 8:13 am Post subject:

Whatever you do, don't transmit on it. Big fines associated with its use by unlicensed folks. If it's working well, and only way to know is to find a licensed amateur radio operator, you may want to consider getting your technician class license as ham radio is often up and working when normal civil communications have been knocked out.

It is a very old model of radio that was not high on the reliability list. They sell for anywhere from 20 bucks for a parts radio to about a hundred for one working really well. The weak spot is the internal battery backup for the memories. Doesn't last long and is very hard to replace unless you are experienced with electronics repair.

You can PM me if you have other questions.

KG7RC

Roy & Dixie · Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2013 8:28 am Post subject:

Whatever you do, don't transmit on it. Big fines associated with its use by unlicensed folks.

I was afraid this was my answer. I never tried to use it and suspected it had something to do with a ham radio. I have removed it, and since it had been left by a previous owner, I doubt if it has any value. Now it is just another item taking up shelf space in the garage.

BrentB · Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2013 9:18 am Post subject:

Here is the product manual
http://inform3.kenwoodusa.com/Manuals/TM-241A.pdf

potter water · Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2013 9:45 am Post subject:

If you'd like to donate it to the cause, I would clean it up and fix it up and go through it and donate it to a newly licensed teen in our radio club who is too poor to buy a radio. I will cover shipping costs.

Roy & Dixie · Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2013 11:46 am Post subject:

If you'd like to donate it to the cause, I would clean it up and fix it up and go through it and donate it to a newly licensed teen in our radio club who is too poor to buy a radio. I will cover shipping costs.

I'll be more than happy to do that. e-mail me the shipping address and the best way to handle shipping cost.

potter water · Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2013 11:50 am Post subject:

check your private message box for shipping.

BrentB · Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2013 1:38 pm Post subject:

What else does this young man need?

potter water · Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2013 2:07 pm Post subject:

The club here is always ready to accept any mobile or hand held radio donations. (Not just in the 2 meter band) Rubber ducky antennas are welcome too. We try to get them a radio as quickly as they get their tickets...if they can't afford to get on the air right away themselves. We've also got a University here of relatively poor college students who get ticketed but don't always have a radio. I try to keep 3 or 4 working ones on my shelf all the time that I can let out or give away. We aren't quite in as much need for HF rigs, but, if anyone has one of those they want to donate, we can use those for the occasional person who upgrades to general class. I guess I'm kind of a "food bank" for new hams.

thataway · Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2013 4:39 pm Post subject:

Sounds like a great program. Why not go for the General license to start with?

Can you describe a bit more about the program. (I am going to clean out the garage, and can send you several both handhelds and mobile 2 meter sets which still work, but are not the most modern.)

Wonderful to get young people into ham radio!

Thanks for the work!

potter water · Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2013 8:27 pm Post subject:

Oh, there is no program.

I just spend some time checking the donors out and replacing memory maintenance batteries and such. Clean them up, then let the club know that I have an older working radio for free or loan.

I had and older motorola modified commercial grey brick single frequency 2 meter radio that's been through about 6 hands in the last 15 years.

Unfortunately now, most of the repeaters use subaudible tone to open the repeaters, so really-old two meters have to have a tone card added and that does cost some time and bucks.

But, any garage droppings that I can get working will go to good hands. You might want to check with your local club as well. They may want to have some loaners or freebees for those who need the help. Thaks.

Captains Cat · Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2013 6:25 am Post subject:

potter water · Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2013 8:33 am Post subject:

PM Sent.