Picked mine up today. I'm an avid APRS user. The D74/D75 is, in my opinion, the best radio for APRS, especially the ability to use the TNC (over Bluetooth) with PC programs such as PinPoint. Even simple messaging is much easier compared to Yaesu's flagship FT5DR (though its a great radio, otherwise...) By the way, thanks for the great videos. You sold me on the D74 at Hamvention 2017, and the D75 at 2023. See you in May!
@@susieroberts8175Oh you guys are so wrong. I'm a full blown, headed into senior moments, brain farten scatter brain. If I can do it, ANYBODY can. Seriously anybody. In my case I had never done vhf uhf repeater comms. So it is different. That's all just different. I followed this good gentleman's video step by step (I watched it four or five times) and I was rag chewing with a couple great local guys. Just start by writing down the repeater frequency you hear a lot of activity on along with the tone frequency so you have that ready to enter into the radio. For me it was important to give myself some breaks. If I felt frustrated (which I did a couple times) oh, and make sure you load the correct manual in your phone or pc. Don't do what I did. I downloaded a manual and when I tried to search for something it turned out I was missing the last 2/3 of the manual. Not helpful. So I downloaded it from a different source. I tell you it's a lot of money for a radio that you have to download the manual. I think the problems I have would be the same for any of the competition. Lot's a menus. Like for the squelch. Come on guys. No separate knob for the squelch? What ever.
Don, I am very new to the D75A and trying to learn as much as I can. I did not have the 74, so this is indeed quite new to me. I am very grateful for your videos and all you do to support us! Thank you!
Always appreciate your how-to videos on these handhelds! I have the D72 and D74, and frankly my D72 is more dependable than the D74. I like the triband D74, but the battery life stinks and I don't use DStar enough to make it pay. $800 for the D75 at HRO is too steep for a handheld regardless of features in my opinion. But...your videos are always a great help and appreciate your time on them!
thanks for your comments I would ask that you charge fully and fully discharge the battery 7 times see if it helps. I am getting 7 to 10 hours on my original battery. email me w6gps at yahoo dot com
Just received mine from DXE. Thanks for the video, it's a huge help. I will look forward to future videos. Fabulous HT, but I think Kenwood missed the price point.
At the end. If you currently have aprs/kiss active with dual mode then switch to single mode with non aprs channel showing is aprs still active/beconing in background even if not showing?
Does it transmit analog using F3E or G3E form of angle modulation? In other words is it true FM (F3E) or phase modulated (G3E)? This would not include DSTAR, which or course is digital.
Hi Don, tks for your helpful information o the TH-D75. What I curious about is how to have D-Star channels on both bands in parallel. I copied settings from my TH-D74 but can’t choose D-Star channels on the B-Band. I can‘t find any information on the internet about this. 73 Erwin, OE1EKG
Thank you kind sir for this video. It was exactly what I had hoped to find. I had to watch it a few times, but just an hour ago I made my first contact with a couple of great guys. I really needed that first success and now I have it. I used to spend countless hours writing instructions for CNC machinery. It is much harder than folks think it is. I wrote many versions before leaving them alone. So I commend you on the fantastic job you did and I thank you because your effort made it possible for the current smile on my face to be here.
Thank you for all the work on this, and listing the menu functions in the video description. Question: Will the Voice Guidance feature read incoming APRS packets?
I’m guessing that the APRS symbols for person, bicycle, etc. are not read aloud by the voice guidance. Can you list them somewhere in order? For example, if one symbol is the default or has a low beep assigned to it, what is the order of symbols as you turn the encoder knob clockwise from that point? Thanks.☺️
Hi Don, 1) There are concerns about whether this radio has a 750mw audio amp? If you go look at the Nov. 7 2023 PR it lists 400mw audio amp output. Do you happen to know the answer? 2) Battery life- equal, better or worse than the D74? 3) Any significant changes in the programming software? 73, Bill
Don’t know the audio level but it is much better than 75. Battery life better if you break in the new battery battery life is longer both 75 and 74 test. Yes changes in programming soft ware. You can copy and paste memory channels to new 75 profile. Overall 75 is better.
Warning!! If you get one of these new Kenwoods, don't let programming software vendors sell you an expensive extra programming cable. I purchased and downloaded RT Systems software to program my new TH-D75. And I ordered the cable to go along with that but of course that has to come in snail mail. I didn't want to wait, so I just used a cheap USB-A to USB-C cable that I bought from Dollar Tree!! Worked perfectly. But only after I got charged an extra $10 for the cable that I didn't need. Don't get bamboozled like I did. Any USBA to C cable will work just as well. Reply
Looks like the rubber side cover will be the first thing getting ripped off in the field. Followed by potential water / dust getting into the connectors and then potentially onto the circuit board(s) themselves. I dont have much experience when it comes to Kenwood HAM radio equipment, but have enough experience with their Business / Mission Critical DMR / P25 Radios to hate them with a strong passion.. They could have at least used a multi pin connectors for the side of the radio which sure, would most likely require a specialized programming cable to be purchased, but at least add to the durability of such device.. Build quality in general of the TH-D75A doesnt look all that impressive or "advanced" in any way.. I bet 2 drops to the floor and its lights out for this radio Some of the chinese competition are light years ahead of Kenwood if this is truly the best they can do All that for around 700 usd.. Ill definitely be sticking to Motorola / Hytera and their commercial line of radios as I mostly do DMR and actually want my equipment to last Come on Kenwood.. you can do better! (Of course this is all just my opinion) Thanks for reading
Good to know @w6gps. I was always a fan of the practice. Someone with way more letters after their name in the field of electrical engineering told me that it was not needed with today's battery technology, and this was about 10 years ago. So I stopped doing it :). He also stated that it was more of an issue with Nickel Cadmium rather than Lithium batteries...So I was just going by information I had. I get the radio Friday :)
@@Dr.Logistik I'm an engineer working in lithium ion battery industry. Totally a myth that you have to cycle or "work in" lithium batteries. Older technology NiMH batteries had a memory and this makes sense. Older NiCAD could be recovered by cycling. Lithium nope.
How are people getting these early? Mine not supposed to come until March 17th!!! BTW, all the APRS and DSTAR stuff is pure gibberish to me. This guy must have been on all that for years. I know nothing about any of it. Seems like it's a steep learning curve and not the radio itself but the APRS and DSTAR alone.
Picked mine up today. I'm an avid APRS user. The D74/D75 is, in my opinion, the best radio for APRS, especially the ability to use the TNC (over Bluetooth) with PC programs such as PinPoint. Even simple messaging is much easier compared to Yaesu's flagship FT5DR (though its a great radio, otherwise...)
By the way, thanks for the great videos. You sold me on the D74 at Hamvention 2017, and the D75 at 2023. See you in May!
2 minutes in and I’m already glad I passed on buying one of these.
Thanks for posting the video.
your welcome.
Me too - this is the video that shows me this HT will frustrate the heck out of me.
@@susieroberts8175Oh you guys are so wrong. I'm a full blown, headed into senior moments, brain farten scatter brain.
If I can do it, ANYBODY can. Seriously anybody. In my case I had never done vhf uhf repeater comms. So it is different. That's all just different. I followed this good gentleman's video step by step (I watched it four or five times) and I was rag chewing with a couple great local guys.
Just start by writing down the repeater frequency you hear a lot of activity on along with the tone frequency so you have that ready to enter into the radio.
For me it was important to give myself some breaks. If I felt frustrated (which I did a couple times) oh, and make sure you load the correct manual in your phone or pc. Don't do what I did. I downloaded a manual and when I tried to search for something it turned out I was missing the last 2/3 of the manual. Not helpful. So I downloaded it from a different source. I tell you it's a lot of money for a radio that you have to download the manual.
I think the problems I have would be the same for any of the competition. Lot's a menus. Like for the squelch. Come on guys. No separate knob for the squelch? What ever.
Don, I am very new to the D75A and trying to learn as much as I can. I did not have the 74, so this is indeed quite new to me. I am very grateful for your videos and all you do to support us! Thank you!
I just picked up mine.
I liked it so much, I bought a new in box tmd-710 as well.
lT IS GREAT TO GET BACK TO APRS.
This was a short video to show how to program from the keyboard
Great Introduction to the D75!!!
Always appreciate your how-to videos on these handhelds! I have the D72 and D74, and frankly my D72 is more dependable than the D74. I like the triband D74, but the battery life stinks and I don't use DStar enough to make it pay. $800 for the D75 at HRO is too steep for a handheld regardless of features in my opinion. But...your videos are always a great help and appreciate your time on them!
thanks for your comments I would ask that you charge fully and fully discharge the battery 7 times see if it helps. I am getting 7 to 10 hours on my original battery. email me w6gps at yahoo dot com
I must agree with you.
excellent, thanks Don
Just received mine from DXE. Thanks for the video, it's a huge help. I will look forward to future videos.
Fabulous HT, but I think Kenwood missed the price point.
At the end. If you currently have aprs/kiss active with dual mode then switch to single mode with non aprs channel showing is aprs still active/beconing in background even if not showing?
Is there anyway to make the screen font or frequency numbers a little larger?
Nice radio. Thank you.
Hi Don… How can I use the scan signal mode for GMRS?
Thanks Don
Does it transmit analog using F3E or G3E form of angle modulation? In other words is it true FM (F3E) or phase modulated (G3E)? This would not include DSTAR, which or course is digital.
Thanks, Don!
Hi Don, tks for your helpful information o the TH-D75. What I curious about is how to have D-Star channels on both bands in parallel.
I copied settings from my TH-D74 but can’t choose D-Star channels on the B-Band.
I can‘t find any information on the internet about this.
73 Erwin, OE1EKG
Thank you kind sir for this video. It was exactly what I had hoped to find. I had to watch it a few times, but just an hour ago I made my first contact with a couple of great guys.
I really needed that first success and now I have it.
I used to spend countless hours writing instructions for CNC machinery. It is much harder than folks think it is. I wrote many versions before leaving them alone.
So I commend you on the fantastic job you did and I thank you because your effort made it possible for the current smile on my face to be here.
Kenwood needs to update online registration page. The TH-75A not in the drop down selection and data entry not permitted. Great videos Don. 73, W1RKB
I need some help with registering with D star
I am going to buy it
Thank you for all the work on this, and listing the menu functions in the video description.
Question: Will the Voice Guidance feature read incoming APRS packets?
I’m guessing that the APRS symbols for person, bicycle, etc. are not read aloud by the voice guidance. Can you list them somewhere in order? For example, if one symbol is the default or has a low beep assigned to it, what is the order of symbols as you turn the encoder knob clockwise from that point? Thanks.☺️
I agree, this is amazing, but there are a lot of blind hams out here that are waiting with bated breath to see the voice guide.
when you are setting up APRS you will get an I can read out
@@chrissmart9761
Where is the handie made? Japan I assume?
Hi Don,
1) There are concerns about whether this radio has a 750mw audio amp? If you go look at the Nov. 7 2023 PR it lists 400mw audio amp output. Do you happen to know the answer?
2) Battery life- equal, better or worse than the D74?
3) Any significant changes in the programming software?
73,
Bill
Don’t know the audio level but it is much better than 75. Battery life better if you break in the new battery battery life is longer both 75 and 74 test. Yes changes in programming soft ware. You can copy and paste memory channels to new 75 profile. Overall 75 is better.
Tnx Don!@@w6gps
Excellent. Thank you ! How is the battery life?
So far about 10 pct better. 8 to 10 hours. Must condition the battery
Thanks, Don! New sub here.
Why is the radio labeled as TH-D75 instead of TH-D75A?
Looks like manual programming will be easier than the ID-52. Can't wait until I get mine.
Don is there ever a reason with this radio to upgrade antenna?
I would for iss ops and fringe area to a repeater. Diamond srh320 is what I recommend
I am sooo confused! I cannot enter a #$%^ frequency or correct mode in the $%^& radio!
So how can I contact you
@@w6gps I just sent you an email!
Why shouldn’t you use the radio while on and plugged in with stock “wall wart” charger?
Not enough current to drive radio
Life saver 73😊
Warning!! If you get one of these new Kenwoods, don't let programming software vendors sell you an expensive extra programming cable. I purchased and downloaded RT Systems software to program my new TH-D75. And I ordered the cable to go along with that but of course that has to come in snail mail. I didn't want to wait, so I just used a cheap USB-A to USB-C cable that I bought from Dollar Tree!! Worked perfectly. But only after I got charged an extra $10 for the cable that I didn't need. Don't get bamboozled like I did. Any USBA to C cable will work just as well.
Reply
For %700.00 maybe
Maylasia
thank you for doing this...programing 3 of them, my wife kb3ofi, son kb3wbg, and mine kb3mec....
It would be more helpful if you scrolled through the menu rather than punch in numbers. I want to see how you got there.
I will do that in future videos
Looks like the rubber side cover will be the first thing getting ripped off in the field.
Followed by potential water / dust getting into the connectors and then potentially onto the
circuit board(s) themselves.
I dont have much experience when it comes to Kenwood HAM radio equipment, but have enough
experience with their Business / Mission Critical DMR / P25 Radios to
hate them with a strong passion..
They could have at least used a multi pin connectors for the side of the radio which sure, would
most likely require a specialized programming cable to be purchased, but at least add to the durability
of such device..
Build quality in general of the TH-D75A doesnt look all that impressive or "advanced" in any way..
I bet 2 drops to the floor and its lights out for this radio
Some of the chinese competition are light years ahead of Kenwood if this is truly the best
they can do
All that for around 700 usd..
Ill definitely be sticking to Motorola / Hytera and their commercial line of radios as I mostly do DMR and actually
want my equipment to last
Come on Kenwood.. you can do better!
(Of course this is all just my opinion)
Thanks for reading
czcams.com/video/u44qdA9yL6U/video.html&si=aDNRqJN73piPNlm7
hasn't the concept of cycling batteries been proven to be a myth?
Nope.
Good to know @w6gps. I was always a fan of the practice. Someone with way more letters after their name in the field of electrical engineering told me that it was not needed with today's battery technology, and this was about 10 years ago. So I stopped doing it :). He also stated that it was more of an issue with Nickel Cadmium rather than Lithium batteries...So I was just going by information I had. I get the radio Friday :)
@@Dr.Logistik I'm an engineer working in lithium ion battery industry. Totally a myth that you have to cycle or "work in" lithium batteries. Older technology NiMH batteries had a memory and this makes sense. Older NiCAD could be recovered by cycling. Lithium nope.
that's what I thought! @@schmidtwoodworks533
How are people getting these early? Mine not supposed to come until March 17th!!! BTW, all the APRS and DSTAR stuff is pure gibberish to me. This guy must have been on all that for years.
I know nothing about any of it. Seems like it's a steep learning curve and not the radio itself but the APRS and DSTAR alone.
it is not a steep curve if you really want to know. how to use the radio. it opens a lot of outlets for ham radio
@@w6gps Great, thanks.
As many have said and will...$750.00 for a HT? I'll pass.
Sooooo purdy......