Zero Retries 0002A - Special Issue - TM-V71A
The Kenwood TM-V71A "data" radio is currently in stock at Ham Radio Outlet
Disclaimer: I have no relationship (other than as a regular customer) with Ham Radio Outlet - HRO (or any other Amateur Radio dealer, distributor, or manufacturer). Thus I derive no financial or other benefit if you act on the information below.
Terse version - The Kenwood TM-V71A mobile radio has, at times, been reported to be out of production due to the worldwide chip shortage in 2021. As of Friday 2021-07-23, Ham Radio Outlet appears to have a reasonable supply of TM-V71As in stock. I have not talked to anyone at HRO about the status of the TM-V71A.
In my experience, the Kenwood TM-V71A mobile radio is a good choice for experimentation with data modes on 144-148 MHz and 440-450 MHz, especially faster data modes such as VARA FM or 9600 bps FSK packet radio that benefit from or require “flat audio”, such as VARA FM or 9600 bps FSK packet radio.
Flat audio is audio input and output that is not amplified or otherwise distorted to optimize for human voice, and thus more ideal for data modes. Most commonly, flat audio on a radio is available from the 6-pin MiniDIN connector that on many radios is labeled as “DATA”.
For more information about why I like the TM-V71A, see my article Bought Another Kenwood TM-V71A on my N8GNJ.org blog.
Thanks for reading!
Steve Stroh N8GNJ
Bellingham, Washington, USA
2021-07-24
Copyright © 2021 by Steven K. Stroh
Below is a much more complete “footer” that has evolved over 30+ issues of ZR.
Join the Fun on Amateur Radio
If you’re not yet licensed as an Amateur Radio Operator, and would like to join the fun by literally having a license to experiment with radio technology, here are some pointers:
Ham Radio for Dummies by Ward Silver N0AX is a great overview of Amateur Radio. N0AX is a gifted writer and HRFD is now in its 4th edition.
My two favorite YouTube channels for a good overview of Amateur Radio are AmateurLogic.TV. and Ham Nation (part of Ham Radio Crash Course). These folks just seem to have so much fun!
Radio Amateur Training Planning and Activities Committee (RATPAC) offers weekly presentations on general Amateur Radio topics (Wednesdays) and emergency communications in Amateur Radio (Thursdays).
Dan Romanchik KB6NU offers a free No-Nonsense Study Guide for the Technician test (PDF).
HamExam.org Amateur Radio Practice Exams offers good Flash Card and Practice Exams.
When you’re ready to take an Amateur Radio examination (Tech, General, or Extra), W1MX - The MIT Amateur Radio Society offers remote exams, free for students and youngsters. There are apparently many other remote exam options.
Bonus - with an Amateur Radio license, you’ll be more attractive on dates 😀
Closing the Channel
In its mission to grow Amateur Radio and make it more relevant to society in the 2020s and beyond, Zero Retries is published via email and web, and is available to anyone at no cost. Zero Retries is proud not to participate in the Amateur Radio Publishing Industrial Complex!
My ongoing Thanks to Tina Stroh KD7WSF for, well, everything and Bill Vodall W7NWP as Zero Retries Instigator in Chief.
My ongoing Thanks to pseudostaffers Dan Romanchik KB6NU and Jeff Davis KE9V for continuing to spot, and write about “Zero Retries Interesting” type items, on their respective blogs, from Amateur Radio and beyond, that I don’t spot on my own.
Southgate Amateur Radio News consistently surfaces “Zero Retries Interesting” stories.
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More bits from Steve Stroh N8GNJ:
SuperPacket blog - Discussing new generations of Amateur Radio Data Communications - beyond Packet Radio (a precursor to Zero Retries)
N8GNJ blog - Amateur Radio Station N8GNJ and the mad science experiments at N8GNJ Labs - Bellingham, Washington, USA
Thanks for reading!
Steve Stroh N8GNJ (He / Him)
These bits were handcrafted in beautiful Bellingham, Washington, USA
If you’d like to reuse an article in this issue, for example for club or other newsletters, just ask. Please provide credit for the content to me and any other authors.
Portions Copyright © 2021-2022 by Steven K. Stroh.
Blanket permission granted for TAPR to use any Steve Stroh content for the TAPR Packet Status Register (PSR) newsletter (I owe them from way back).