Looking for a dual-bander with cross-repeat. So those two models come up... can anybody chime in on advice on which one to get? Looking for existence of 'mods' as well, which, well, I can only find for the Yaesu.
The one advantage the Kenwood has over the Yaesu in terms of cross-band repeat is the ability to actually control the radio remotely using DTMF. Thank goodness Kenwood carried that over from the previous generation TM-V7A.
I think beyond that it more or less comes down to personal preference, i.e. if you're already a Kenwood owner or a Yaesu owner.
I own both Radio's and they are both good Radios, The 71A gives me the option to run EchoLink with the built in Interface, This Radio at Least once a week is hooked on the EchoLink for a steady hour and doesn't heat up at all. This radio has been designed well. Thus reason why I got a second one. The cross band repeat is very easy to operate. I would suggest the Kenwood.
I have the 8800 and use cross xrpt for my HT around the yard/house. It works well but on a few occasions it has froze on me and needed power cycle to fix it. IMO If you can afford the kenwood, BY all means buy the kenwood. You will not be sorry.