Kenwood TM-281E vs Yaesu FT-2980E
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Kenwood TM-281E or Yaesu FT-2980E? I put both radios side by side: data from the manufacturers’ data sheets and photos at the same scale. The Kenwood TM-281E comes out better: transmit current draw and weight; the Yaesu FT-2980E: power on 2 m and speaker.
Specs side by side
| KenwoodTM-281E▲ 2 | YaesuFT-2980E▲ 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Bands and modes | ||
| Transmit bands | 144–146 MHz | 144–146 MHz |
| Receive range | 136–174 MHz | 136–174 MHz |
| Airband AM | — | — |
| Modes | FM | FM |
| Transmit power | ||
| 144 MHz (2 m) | 65 W | 80 W ▲ |
| Power levels | 65 · 25 W | 80 · 30 · 10 · 5 W |
| Reception and operation | ||
| Dual receive | — | — |
| Detachable front panel | — | — |
| Display | monochrome LCD, amber | monochrome LCD, amber |
| Speaker | 2 W | 3 W ▲ |
| Features | ||
| GPS | — | — |
| APRS / D-PRS | — | — |
| Bluetooth | — | — |
| microSD card | — | — |
| Power and case | ||
| Transmit current draw | 14 A ▲ | 15 A |
| Antenna connector | N | SO-239 |
| Dimensions | 160 × 43 × 126 mmexcluding protrusions; including protrusions 161 × 43 × 170.5 mm | 160 × 50 × 185 mmwidth × height × depth |
| Weight | 1130 g ▲ | 1900 g |
| Other | ||
| Memory channels | 200 | 200 |
| Release | 2011discontinued | 2017discontinued |
Data: manufacturers’ spec sheets and manuals · as of 31.10.2026
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