HudsonScannerGuy
Member
I might be getting a Kenwood D74 for Christmas. What are the pros and cons you guys have found out that the websites dont list?
Kenwood: TH-D74: Pros and cons?
- Thread starter HudsonScannerGuy
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You need a great memory to remember how to use all the functions. I bought one of those Nifty manuals to keep in my briefcase. I've heard it said you need an engineering degree to operate it.
There isn't a button labeled scan even though there are 7 different scanning modes.
It's the only HT with full APRS support.
Probably my favorite, but not the most used because it's almost twice the size of an Icom ID-51.
There isn't a button labeled scan even though there are 7 different scanning modes.
It's the only HT with full APRS support.
Probably my favorite, but not the most used because it's almost twice the size of an Icom ID-51.
HudsonScannerGuy
Member
Huh, interesting. Looks like I'll have to keep a copy on my phone. All in all this would work well with my FT2DR with its APRS support.
I have a FT3DR, it's APRS is a joke compared to the TH-D74 implementation.
HudsonScannerGuy
Member
How so?
Only has half the functions (no TNC) and data display is crippled. You'll easily see the difference next to the kenwood.
I'm not a regular user of APRS, so you'll have to search that up. I remember a lot of hams complaining about the APRS in the FT3DR facebook forum. I think APRS in the Ft2 and Ft3 is the same.
I'm not a regular user of APRS, so you'll have to search that up. I remember a lot of hams complaining about the APRS in the FT3DR facebook forum. I think APRS in the Ft2 and Ft3 is the same.
HudsonScannerGuy
Member
Huh. Okay. I'll have to check it out. I shouldve gone with a D72 as my first APRS HT I guess...
I had a TH-D72 before I got the TH-D74. I also have a Yaesu FT-1DR and an FT-2DR.
Pros: Full access to the TNC. This will allow you to fully use third-party APRS programs such as APRSIS/32 or PinpointAPRS. You can also use the TH-D74 to access Winlink packet stations. The receive and transmit audio equalizer is a plus that few people actually use. Compared to the Yaesus, I find the TH-D74 very easy to you. The things you use on a regular basis are assigned to front panel buttons and there are two front panel buttons that you can assign to functions at your discretion. The menus are laid out logically and easy to access.
Cons: It ain't cheap. The clear plastic lens on the display sits flush with the front panel. If you put the radio down on its face, you risk scratching the lens. Battery life is an issue that you can mitigate by shutting off things, like the GPS receiver, if you aren't using it. I've had spotty success with non-Kenwood battery packs. The Bluetooth works very well for communicating data with the radio for programming or TNC access, but I have heard of people having programs using the radio with a Bluetooth headset.
Pros: Full access to the TNC. This will allow you to fully use third-party APRS programs such as APRSIS/32 or PinpointAPRS. You can also use the TH-D74 to access Winlink packet stations. The receive and transmit audio equalizer is a plus that few people actually use. Compared to the Yaesus, I find the TH-D74 very easy to you. The things you use on a regular basis are assigned to front panel buttons and there are two front panel buttons that you can assign to functions at your discretion. The menus are laid out logically and easy to access.
Cons: It ain't cheap. The clear plastic lens on the display sits flush with the front panel. If you put the radio down on its face, you risk scratching the lens. Battery life is an issue that you can mitigate by shutting off things, like the GPS receiver, if you aren't using it. I've had spotty success with non-Kenwood battery packs. The Bluetooth works very well for communicating data with the radio for programming or TNC access, but I have heard of people having programs using the radio with a Bluetooth headset.
Rereading what I wrote and your replies. I just wanted to make sure of this, APRS in the D74 is superior to the Yeasu HTs.
HudsonScannerGuy
Member
oh, alright. I would guess it's better. Idk why Yaesu didn't fully implement APRS in their HT's.
HudsonScannerGuy
Member
Do you find the HF recieve a plus too? I would figure that's a major plus in some ham's minds...
eorange
♦RF Enabled Member♦
FWIW...I just bought a 72, mainly because I didn't want the battery drain due to the 74's display.
HudsonScannerGuy
Member
I want a 74 because I want to get into D-Star and still have APRS.
eorange
♦RF Enabled Member♦
The Kenwood's APRS features are so much better than what's in the Yaesu VX-8R.
HudsonScannerGuy
Member
So it's basically advanced APRS?
I love the D74 for what it can do, even though my needs are less than that. I am a D-star advocate and I salivated over the D74 after I saw one at the IWCE three years ago. I got lucky to get one 'open box' for a substantial discount. If you don't get that lucky, you better save your spare change for a few years. Or find out if Santa is in a good mood.
Pro:
Believe it or not, my favorite feature is the 3-band capability; the 222 MHz band is available at full power and sensitivity specifications, including APRS and D-Star, assuming there's anyone else using those things on 222 (or using 222 at all, for that matter).
It's my 'carry-in-the-boonies' radio because it does so much. I keep it in my bug-out bag when I am not using it.
I like the display, despite the easily-scratched faceplate.
I like the solid feel of the radio. That's subjective, but mass & density make it feel like it's a sturdy piece of equipment.
Surprisingly good audio from the little internal speaker. I have been given good tx audio quality reports. You can adjust the audio for your preferences.
You don't have to buy any add-ons to get all the features (APRS/Packet TNC, Bluetooth, GPS, D-Star, etc.). A larger antenna and a speaker-mic, maybe... and if you record conversations, a micro-SD card. And maybe the drop-in rapid desk charger. Maybe a suitable pouch.
Con:
If I don't use the radio often enough I forget half of the key sequences needed to get into its many features and functions.
The wide receive range is cool but I haven't really heard any DX or anything on HF with it. I think if the external antenna doesn't present pretty close to 50 Ohms to the radio, the sensitivity plummets. I am not in an AM-band-dense area and I find the internal ferrite bar antenna might as well not be there.
Battery life has been mentioned before. Turn off GPS and pretty much everything else you aren't using at the moment, and use the battery saver function. I have gotten good off-brand batteries so far, but I've only bought two.
I don't like SMA-Female antenna connectors. Fragile. Be careful changing antennas and/or get a SMA-BNC adaptor that snugs down on the radio body, thus relieving stress on the connector - and leave it on forever.
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The above comments might be worth a cup of coffee, if you have a dollar.
Pro:
Believe it or not, my favorite feature is the 3-band capability; the 222 MHz band is available at full power and sensitivity specifications, including APRS and D-Star, assuming there's anyone else using those things on 222 (or using 222 at all, for that matter).
It's my 'carry-in-the-boonies' radio because it does so much. I keep it in my bug-out bag when I am not using it.
I like the display, despite the easily-scratched faceplate.
I like the solid feel of the radio. That's subjective, but mass & density make it feel like it's a sturdy piece of equipment.
Surprisingly good audio from the little internal speaker. I have been given good tx audio quality reports. You can adjust the audio for your preferences.
You don't have to buy any add-ons to get all the features (APRS/Packet TNC, Bluetooth, GPS, D-Star, etc.). A larger antenna and a speaker-mic, maybe... and if you record conversations, a micro-SD card. And maybe the drop-in rapid desk charger. Maybe a suitable pouch.
Con:
If I don't use the radio often enough I forget half of the key sequences needed to get into its many features and functions.
The wide receive range is cool but I haven't really heard any DX or anything on HF with it. I think if the external antenna doesn't present pretty close to 50 Ohms to the radio, the sensitivity plummets. I am not in an AM-band-dense area and I find the internal ferrite bar antenna might as well not be there.
Battery life has been mentioned before. Turn off GPS and pretty much everything else you aren't using at the moment, and use the battery saver function. I have gotten good off-brand batteries so far, but I've only bought two.
I don't like SMA-Female antenna connectors. Fragile. Be careful changing antennas and/or get a SMA-BNC adaptor that snugs down on the radio body, thus relieving stress on the connector - and leave it on forever.
---------------------------
The above comments might be worth a cup of coffee, if you have a dollar.
I took my HT apart, it has a huge metal chassis. The antenna connector is firmly attached to the chassis.
HudsonScannerGuy
Member
I'll probably order a Signal Stick for it if I do end up getting the D74. Just gotta see what Santa brings...
I was a Yaesu user for years and still have a VX-7, but I was turned off by their decision to create yet another proprietary digital format (which I consider contrary to the interoperable nature of ham radio), so elected to go with the TH-D74, and I do like it.
You definitely have to go through and trim down the active features in order to ensure decent battery life, though. I turned on APRS beaconing and within a day or so turned it off again, never to return, as it was not only eating up the battery but the once-per-minute TX business was driving me nuts. Didn't need GPS either, as my phone and a Garmin handheld unit already do that for me.
Loads of memory space, which can be divided up into separate channel banks. The channel banks can be scanned together or separately.
As Bob noted, beware scratching the display lens. I bought a GoPro lens cover and put it over top of the D74 lens to protect it.
I don't use Bluetooth so I can't speak to that, but it sure is nice to use an ordinary USB micro cable to program the radio.
True 144/220/440 tri-band, with 220 at full power instead of an afterthought band running milliwatts.
Nice color display, too. Easier to read for my tired eyes.
Do yourself a favor and get a drop-in desktop battery charger. I bought a off-brand version on eBay and it's performed very well; charges the battery faster and can charge a second battery pack without it being attached to the radio to charge through the internal port.
HudsonScannerGuy
Member
How much stuff comes active from the factory?
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