Kenwood TH-D72 GPS sensitivity

[krokus]

I have had a D72 for awhile now, wanting to make use of the APRS capabilities, and had little luck with the radio locking onto GPS signals. (When I enable the GPS rx, the indicator rarely stops flashing, nor indicates a lock.)

What have other users' experience been?

 

[wa2chj]

I've had my TH-D72A for about a year, and the GPS receiver in it is as good or better than even my dedicated Garmin GPS.
If it's been off for a while, it understandably needs longer to get an initial lock, but even inside most buildings it manages to get useable signals from enough satellites.
Using it mobile, it will almost instanaeously drop GPS lock when entering a tunnel, and again almost instaneaously reacquire lock on exiting the tunnel.
If yours is having problems in the open where other receivers work, it probably needs Kenwood service to look at it.

 

[MarkWestin]

How long have you used the radio (the GPS part actually) outside continuously? All GPS units have an almanac in them that they use to find the satellites. It takes about 20 to 30 minutes outside stationary in an unobstructed area (with minimal electronic interference also) for the GPS to download the almanac for your area. While I don't have the TH-D72, (I would if funding allowed), I have found that a new or recently relocated GPS will work much better after the almanac has been downloaded. I hope that this helps with your problem.

Mark

 

[krokus]

I have let the radio sit for quite awhile, but I think it was all while mobile. I will try stationary, and see what happens.

My Garmin eTrex, both of them, have worked much better than the D72.