
Reviewers from DXEngineering have given the TH-K20A a rating of 4.9 stars across 22 user reviews. He called it “easy to use” and a good choice for people who are new to ham radio. Eric from Universal Radio reviewed this unit and had good things to say about the large speaker and clear audio quality, as well as its durable design and backlit keypad and screen. In his overview of the Kenwood TH-K20A, Everything Ham Radio also mentioned the compact size of the TH-K20A, as well as the backlit and easy-to-use buttons and screen, which are ideal for night-time operation.
He said that it was a great choice for outdoor use, particularly for hiking. He also liked that it supports PC programming for quick and easy setup of memory channels.
Bob Allison from ARRL reviewed the TH-K20A, and he praised its overall design, as well as the convenient belt clip built into the battery. If you want a radio that’s a little pricey but a step up from comparable models from brands like Baofeng, the Kenwood TH-K20A is a great choice. But Kenwood is a reputable brand for a reason, and the TH-K20A packs a surprising amount of features into a small, durable, and easy-to-use package. There are definitely cheaper handheld 2 meter HTs out there, especially from Chinese manufacturers. Sensitive buttons – Some users report that the Push To Talk and other buttons are quite sensitive, which can lead to inadvertent transmissions or button presses. If you want a dual-band radio, it’s not the right choice for you. Single band – This HT only works in the 2 meter band. It also has a customizable function button, which can be configured to perform a wide variety of different functions. Simple to program – This HT has 200 programmable channels and is PC programmable.
Loud speaker – The Kenwood TH-K20A uses a specialized Kenwood “High Sound Pressure” speaker to deliver clear and loud audio.
Compact size – The Kenwood TH-K20A measures in at just 2.13 inches wide, 4.4 inches tall, and 1 inch in depth, and it weighs just 7.4 ounces. Rugged construction – This unit meets MIL-STD 810 C, D, E, F and G environmental standards for durability. Water and dust resistant – IP54 dust and water intrusion standards mean the TH-K20A holds up well to dust and grime, and can resist splashing water. 5.5 watts of transmission power – This 2 meter band radio boasts 5.5 watts of FM transmit power.
It may not be as feature-rich as some of its more expensive counterparts, but it’s a great choice for new or intermediate ham radio enthusiasts who don’t want to spend an arm and a leg on an HT. If you want a durable, compact, and reliable handheld transceiver (HT) to add to your ham radio collection, the Kenwood TH-K20A is an excellent choice.