Kenwood TM-731A
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| Frequency | 144-148 MHz, 440-450 MHz |
| TX power | 5 / 35 / 50 W |
| Modes | FM |
| Weight | 1.2 kg (2.6 lb) |
| Connector | SO-239 |
| Year | 1990 |
| antenna | SO-239 |
| dc in | 13.8VDC fused power cable |
| mic | Kenwood 8-pin modular (RJ-45 style) |
| power req | 13.8VDC (vehicle power) |
One of the first affordable dual-band mobiles with simultaneous (twin) receive. 50W on 2m, 35W on 70cm. 30 memories. The TM-731A helped define the dual-band mobile category.
The display is small. Programming is menu-driven. 30 memories. Kenwood discontinued support long ago. No APRS or digital modes.
An early dual-band mobile. The TM-731A brought simultaneous dual-band (twin) receive to the mobile market at a reasonable price, helping establish the dual-band mobile category. A capable vintage rig still in use.
The TM-731A is a Kenwood dual-band FM mobile from the early 1990s, covering 2 meters and 70 centimeters in one compact body. It makes 50 watts on 2 meters and 35 watts on 70 centimeters, and like most Kenwood mobiles of the era it is FM-only, no SSB, no digital. Its party trick for the time was dual-watch: it can listen on both bands at once.
It also does cross-band repeat, carries 30 memory channels, and uses separate antenna connectors for the two bands. It is a well-regarded vintage rig, and a number of them are still in daily service. As with any radio of this age, the things to watch are display and capacitor wear rather than any specific design flaw.
The modular TM-741A is its more elaborate sibling, trading the fixed dual-band setup for plug-in band modules. If you only need a single band, the long-lived TM-271A covers 2 meters with more power. But for an affordable vintage dual-bander, the TM-731A remains a sensible pick.