I got into APRS when the D71A was in production and you had to attach a GPS receiver if you wanted to be mobile. I first used the D71A in the car to "try out" APRS. I decided I liked it and then bought a D700A and used the D71A portable on my bicycle with a Garmin GPS-V. When GPS technology was further miniaturized they were able to include it in the D72 portable, and now the D74. You have NO idea how convenient these newer units are to use without an external GPS!
That is a lot of stuff crammed into one small package... it might be worth it depending on what you plan on doing with it. This radio looks like its in a totally different league... I remember paying over $400+ for my VX-7R over a decade ago. $700 today isn't a far stretch for a quality price of kit.
it's a bit of a luxury item. some people like to have nice things, others prefer to make due with less. nothing wrong with either imo. the d72 was my first radio after getting my licence. never regretted it. got the '6 later for the 220, small size and HF receive. I have a bunch of budget radios but they are just miserable to use compared to these. value propositions are a personal thing. this radio is a first of its kind and can therefore demand a premium. I'd icom puts aprs in their dstar hts maybe prices will come down. 73 w1sop
Thanks for the nice introduction to this rig. the d72 was my first radio when I got licensed. still works great but this is a nice upgrade for it. pricey but hey you want nice stuff you have to pay. now let's hope they are working on a ts-2000 refresh. still love that radio but now that Kenwood is on the dstar bandwagon they'll need a base and mobile rig too. exciting times! 73 - w1sop
I agree. I love my TS-2000 but this transceiver has been in continuous production for SEVENTEEN YEARS now, and as wonderful a radio it may be, there are newer technologies that need to be included in an updated version of this model. It says a lot about any transceiver that's been in production as long as the TS-2000 has and we can only hope it's replacement will be as successful.
It's a great video of a great radio! If Kenwood comes out with a mobile version of this radio (even if the mobile doesn't do 220), it would give the Icom D-STAR mobiles some stiff competition.
Thanks for the video...when you do a retake, can you expand on the Voice Guidance option a little more in detail. Have a few friends interested in that feature. Thank you - Tony N2XJS
I like the youtube videos you do, keep up the good work! If Kenwood would bring a android app out like the new "icom id-51 plus 2" I would purchase the radio right away
I will do a lot more videos as soon as I get mine. This was the one of 3 in the USA and we were a the Huntsville Hamfest and Kenwood let me play with it more to follow... I did get very good reports and positive remarks about the audio
Good intro, I would of liked to see what came in the box, plus a little more on the HF capability of the radio and the packet capability. This radio is suppose to have SSB of HF? But, I love the APRS,which I love to run while hiking and now cycling. Also how many Memory Channels?
Looking for help in turning on the TH-D74 DR mode. I have read many comments on this process and have read the D-STAR instructions on page 35. I entered My Callsign in the TX/RX menu, registered my Callsign with D-STAR and the GPS function is on. The frequency is in VFO on Band B. After pressing the Function and Digital keys the Digital Function Menu is opened. I am unable to select the illuminated DV to DR icon. The Multi-Scroll Key and ENC knob skips over the DV to DR feature. Any suggestions would be helpful. 73 Sam N5SIB
Nice job Don! Question, I've seen examples of using the Bluetooth for wireless connectivity to send APRS between the D74 and a computer, but nothing about being able to use a bluetooth headset with the radio. Can you confirm that it will be usable with a speaker/mic bluetooth headset? Thanks for the great intro!
I'm looking for a way to maintain a list of reflectors? I just found a way to temporarily use a reflector under the "Link to Reflector" menu. Do I have to pick up the Ref there everytime again, or, can I add many Ref. and save them by name? Tnx. Happy thanksgiving :)
forgot to ask a question. if the stepsize allows 500Hz resolution can this be used in the 'ent' direct entry mode? with the d72 you enter a nearby frequency and then turn the knob for final adjustment. that is a bit hokey. I'd like to enter the entire 7 digit frequency. no big deal, just curious.
I had the D72 nice radio my question is do Kenwood will do a mobile with APRS and Dstar like the D74 but a version of a mobile with APRS and Dstar what do you know
If it's DSTAR, you can download a repeater list from the Kenwood's software page, import it into the Memory Control Program and then upload it to the radio.
Here is what I think. you pay 300 bucks for a Star radio...400 bucks for a APRS radio...and maybe 200 bucks for a 220 radio..not to mention a SWL receiver and gps tracker.. your getting a lot of features that are solid and not fluff...radio sounds great to the user and great to the outstation. They have thought this thing out very well. and the quality is great...so yes I think the price is worth it....
I agree with you wholeheartedly Don. This is a great radio. When you add up all the equipment you would need to do what this radio does, this radio isn't "expensive', it's a deal!
![The Wall Song ร้องข้ามกำแพง | EP.213 | กรีน อัษฎาพร | 3 ต.ค. 67 [1/5]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/3KrlLbCsadI/mqdefault.jpg)
I got into APRS when the D71A was in production and you had to attach a GPS receiver if you wanted to be mobile. I first used the D71A in the car to "try out" APRS. I decided I liked it and then bought a D700A and used the D71A portable on my bicycle with a Garmin GPS-V. When GPS technology was further miniaturized they were able to include it in the D72 portable, and now the D74. You have NO idea how convenient these newer units are to use without an external GPS!
This is a very good introduction. I look forward to your future in depth videos about this HT. Thanks for posting!
Thanks for posting this nice overview. Very exciting to see this radio up close!
your welcome. When I get mine I will be doing short watch and learn videos. I am just getting into DSTAR and I think a great way to communicate....
It good to see another manufacturer produce a D-Star radio. I just wonder how many people will be willing to pay $700.00 for an HT.
Street price is 649.00
Crikey that's a lot
you get what you pay for Your getting a 400 dollar aprs radio and a 400 dollar Star radio and Kenwood gives you a 220 radio for free....cheers
That is a lot of stuff crammed into one small package... it might be worth it depending on what you plan on doing with it. This radio looks like its in a totally different league... I remember paying over $400+ for my VX-7R over a decade ago. $700 today isn't a far stretch for a quality price of kit.
it's a bit of a luxury item. some people like to have nice things, others prefer to make due with less. nothing wrong with either imo. the d72 was my first radio after getting my licence. never regretted it. got the '6 later for the 220, small size and HF receive. I have a bunch of budget radios but they are just miserable to use compared to these. value propositions are a personal thing. this radio is a first of its kind and can therefore demand a premium. I'd icom puts aprs in their dstar hts maybe prices will come down. 73 w1sop
Thanks for the nice introduction to this rig. the d72 was my first radio when I got licensed. still works great but this is a nice upgrade for it. pricey but hey you want nice stuff you have to pay. now let's hope they are working on a ts-2000 refresh. still love that radio but now that Kenwood is on the dstar bandwagon they'll need a base and mobile rig too. exciting times! 73 - w1sop
I agree. I love my TS-2000 but this transceiver has been in continuous production for SEVENTEEN YEARS now, and as wonderful a radio it may be, there are newer technologies that need to be included in an updated version of this model. It says a lot about any transceiver that's been in production as long as the TS-2000 has and we can only hope it's replacement will be as successful.
It's a great video of a great radio! If Kenwood comes out with a mobile version of this radio (even if the mobile doesn't do 220), it would give the Icom D-STAR mobiles some stiff competition.
Don, thanks for posting!
Will do I have this added to my next Introduction to D74
Thanks for the video...when you do a retake, can you expand on the Voice Guidance option a little more in detail. Have a few friends interested in that feature. Thank you - Tony N2XJS
I want one!
I like the youtube videos you do, keep up the good work! If Kenwood would bring a android app out like the new "icom id-51 plus 2" I would purchase the radio right away
There's no stopping a clever programmer from creating an app that will do the same thing, but add Bluetooth capability so you don't need a $70 cable.
She is a beautiful rig but hear it has some issues. Would love to have one tho
Will this hook up to a android tablet like the Icom one and send text messages and stuff?
Really nice HT, how do you like the d-star implementation and audio? And please review the HF functionality on B band, show us what it can do :)
I will do a lot more videos as soon as I get mine. This was the one of 3 in the USA and we were a the Huntsville Hamfest and Kenwood let me play with it more to follow... I did get very good reports and positive remarks about the audio
Did you mention bluetooth and FM radio in the subject ?
Nice introduction to menus... The main function of a radio is to transmit and receive. Did I miss that?
yes sorry next video will be more action orientated
I use that repeater all the time 1.3 miles from my home.
good point.
Good intro, I would of liked to see what came in the box, plus a little more on the HF capability of the radio and the packet capability. This radio is suppose to have SSB of HF? But, I love the APRS,which I love to run while hiking and now cycling. Also how many Memory Channels?
does have sub on HF receive men channels is 999
No HF, no SSB.
Nice, but I'll wait for the APRS with DMR Model!
Excellent video makes want one . N4UED
Mr. Arnold, where can I get a in depth manual for the 74? Will you do a video on the GPS functions?
I've been waiting forever for an APRS/DSTAR HT radio that will send texts to any smartphone. Is this it?
Looking for help in turning on the TH-D74 DR mode. I have read many comments on this process and have read the D-STAR instructions on page 35.
I entered My Callsign in the TX/RX menu, registered my Callsign with D-STAR and the GPS function is on.
The frequency is in VFO on Band B. After pressing the Function and Digital keys the Digital Function Menu is opened. I am unable to select the illuminated DV to DR icon. The Multi-Scroll Key and ENC knob skips over the DV to DR feature. Any suggestions would be helpful.
73
Sam N5SIB
Do I need to get the license for this radio?
DA, the 74 is my first radio so...
Hello I wanted to ask a question, does TH-D74A broadcast (108,136 mHZ) on airband? I am interested to be used RPAS, thanks.
Nice job Don! Question, I've seen examples of using the Bluetooth for wireless connectivity to send APRS between the D74 and a computer, but nothing about being able to use a bluetooth headset with the radio. Can you confirm that it will be usable with a speaker/mic bluetooth headset? Thanks for the great intro!
More to follow when I get my radio
I'm looking for a way to maintain a list of reflectors? I just found a way to temporarily use a reflector under the "Link to Reflector" menu. Do I have to pick up the Ref there everytime again, or, can I add many Ref. and save them by name? Tnx. Happy thanksgiving :)
good job~!
Great overview, thanks.
I would like to see and know the size difference between this radio and others like it. Thanks.
It's about the same size as the D7 and D72.
close to the size of a D72
How is that display in the sunlight?
in the bright sunlight I have no problems ...it reacts differently in the son...but no problems
forgot to ask a question. if the stepsize allows 500Hz resolution can this be used in the 'ent' direct entry mode? with the d72 you enter a nearby frequency and then turn the knob for final adjustment. that is a bit hokey. I'd like to enter the entire 7 digit frequency. no big deal, just curious.
if you select 6.5 spacing you can enter a freq like 460.1234
+Don Arnold great! thanks for getting back to me on that. that radio is on my list.
Does it download the repeater list or do you have to find it and install it?
There is a 1500 RPT list you can download and the radio comes with 1000 repeaters you don't have to install it
Is the radio capable of full duplex while crossband tx/rx using analogue fm/fm?
In other words can I use it for satellite work ?
It is not full Duplex like the TH-72
I asked the guys at Kenwood - I forget his name, but one guy mentioned it was full duplex on crossband. Can you demonstrate?
it is not full duplex or crossband
was there any info on availibility
order at HRO now get it in 3 weeks
Is there any guide for entering repeaters onto this radio? I could not find anything in the "manual"
need more info analog or DSTAR
I had the D72 nice radio my question is do Kenwood will do a mobile with APRS and Dstar like the D74 but a version of a mobile with APRS and Dstar what do you know
If it's DSTAR, you can download a repeater list from the Kenwood's software page, import it into the Memory Control Program and then upload it to the radio.
is it worth the price?
Here is what I think. you pay 300 bucks for a Star radio...400 bucks for a APRS radio...and maybe 200 bucks for a 220 radio..not to mention a SWL receiver and gps tracker.. your getting a lot of features that are solid and not fluff...radio sounds great to the user and great to the outstation. They have thought this thing out very well. and the quality is great...so yes I think the price is worth it....
I agree with you wholeheartedly Don. This is a great radio. When you add up all the equipment you would need to do what this radio does, this radio isn't "expensive', it's a deal!
gostaria muito se o vídeo fosse em português
How is the battery life?
used it most of the day with display on They are talking about a bigger battery
600 dollars is steep for a hand held i could get another 5100a for that price
nice radio but cost way tooooooo much. I'll keep my ID-51
will this work with id51 on dstar
or is it another dstar mode
It is a DSTAR radio, just the Icom radios. It will do what ID-51 will do. I think that's what you are asking.
yes sir TX
Kenwood should give us all one so we can upload TH-cam demos and tell people how great they are. :-)
pfff 700 euro's . and i thought that icom was pricey.
Put me to sleep
Seems like a lot of money to push a never ending series of buttons. Is it also possible to have a QSO?
yes you can have a QSO ...This is a overview of the radio. I have had more fun in the last 2 years using this HT than 40 years of noisy HF.