D-STAR handheld transceiver

[jazzboypro]

Hello all,

Is it me or there doesn't seem to a lot of D-STAR capable handheld transceiver on the market (unless you buy used equipment)

 

[toolman60]

I think Icom got 2 or 3 HT's D Star and Kenwood I think is only 1 model. Not sure if anyone else has stuffed (Skype OOps) D Star in there lineup.

 

[jazzboypro]

I think Icom got 2 or 3 HT's D Star and Kenwood I think is only 1 model. Not sure if anyone else has stuffed (Skype OOps) D Star in there lineup.

From what i could gather, the Icom's and Kenwood's D-STAR handheld are discontinued

 

[AK9R]

Icom's latest handheld was the ID-51. It has been discontinued. Icom has a replacement, the ID-52, ready to release, but they have run into shortages of some key parts, so the radio is on hold.

Kenwood recently stopped production of their TH-D74 handheld for roughly the same reasons as the ID-52 delay.

There was a major fire last fall at an Asahi Kasei Microsystems (AKM) chip fab in Japan. Apparently, both Icom and Kenwood used AKM chips in their radios.

 

[toolman60]

AK9R,

Well that makes sense. I just could not figure Kenwood dropping the TH-D74. That was a hot little item for people doing sat work. Hope it will make a comeback soon.

 

[jwt873]

On the ID-52A. ID-52A VHF/UHF D-STAR Portable - Features - Icom America

They touch on the delay In the "Read More" link there. They don't go in to too much detail. They only attribute the delay to "a long delay in critical parts". So it looks like the fire was a major event.

 

[jazzboypro]

AK9R,

Well that makes sense. I just could not figure Kenwood dropping the TH-D74. That was a hot little item for people doing sat work. Hope it will make a comeback soon.

About 3 weeks ago i bought 1 from HRO, they took my order and they send me an email containing this message

This item is out of stock and will be sent as soon as it is supplied from the manufacturer. Estimated 2 to 3 weeks before it is available.

No news since

 

[vagrant]

Used D74’s can be found on the swap area of QRZ.com from time to time.

 

[jazzboypro]

Thanks for the tip. I certainly don't want to be rude or show any disrespect but buying used stuff is not my cup of tea unless of course i don't have a choice, unfortunately it my be the case for this device.

 

[K6EEN]

Is it me or there doesn't seem to a lot of D-STAR capable handheld transceiver on the market (unless you buy used equipment)

As others have said, you probably won't see any new digital ham radios out of Japan for 6 months to a year due to the AKM chip foundry/factory fire (A/D converter OEM supplier). This is also impacting the digital camera markets and semi-pro/pro audio electronics markets.

 

[jazzboypro]

As others have said, you probably won't see any new digital ham radios out of Japan for 6 months to a year due to the AKM chip foundry/factory fire (A/D converter OEM supplier). This is also impacting the digital camera markets and semi-pro/pro audio electronics markets.

If i'm lucky, i will eventually get my TH-D74