mountainmanjoe

Yes it would be perfect for that.

chem_man

You mentioned that it was a Qwest service truck - you are likely correct about the illuminated switch being for the now removed amber warning light(s).

Nice Kenwood installation (I'm more of a Yaesu/Icom mobile radio guy but I do own a few Kenwood HF rigs). Is that a Larsen antenna on the front fender mount I spy?

73,

chem_man

oilcanhenry

Good going Rand!

Nice looking Chevy pickup. Mines is a two-door long bed too.

alderfall

Sorry for the delay guys, I was out with an eye procedure, doctor's orders.

Hahahah... WELL, I am a fond fan of Yaesu as well my friend! In fact, I have several of them. I purchased this Kenwood TM-281A during COVID, it was the only mobile radio I could find at the time! I won't go all in on the discussion, but it replaced a FT-2900 that had to be used to replace an FT-1900. SO, it was a little bit of a radio shuffle there. But, I have been pleased with the Kenwood, surely. I have a commercial Kenwood in the "ham shack", and it has proven itself.

And yes, there's the old Larsen there. This was one of the EASIEST installations I have ever had! One thing that is annoying though involved transmitting at high power. When I set the Kenwood to high TX, the darn thing shuts straight down if I am at idle or shut down. Unless I am on the gas and getting good amperage out of the alternator. I plugged my FT-2900 in and tried it, got the same result. BUT, unlike the Kenwood without a voltage gauge, I can get a voltage reading of the battery out of the Yaesu and it is showing under 12 volts, so it is likely a battery issue. That is fair, considering the battery is 13 years old! Can you believe it? Hahahha... Truck still starts very readily, without issue. But, I obviously need to get it replaced.

73 to you as well, and have a really great evening!

Rand

alderfall

Thank you sir! You know, it's a base model truck but boy I sure do think it was just about perfect for me. Consider this interesting tidbit. It's a 2001 model. Can you believe it was built prior to 9/11? Boy, time sure does fly by, doesn't it?

Have a wonderful evening there, and I look forward to more as the years go by guys.

Rand

chem_man

13 years on an automotive battery? WOW! I've heard of them going 8 or 9 years, but never over 10. Might be time for a new battery for that "More Power" mode on the radios!

73