Of course you can control mike gain for the Kenwood TH-F7. There is an option for deviation and mike gain in the service menu. The problem is, this service menu is only accessible by shortening two contacts on the main-board. Opening the radio for this adjustment is not very handy. Years ago I soldered thin wire to these contacts and on the other end a very small vacuum reed contact. There is enough space inside the radio to hide this small tube of glass. Done this I was able to access the service menu at any time by putting a magnet near to the TH-F7. Hope you got the idea - enjoy your Kenwood TRX merry christmas 73 de DL5FJW / Josef
The other 3 radios have a deviation at 1,2 kHz. The ICOM was pushed up to 2,5 kHz. It is not a match. If you push up your deviation on the other 3 to 2,5 kHz, you would get the same results.
I used to have the Icom E92D and I found that far superior Rx and Tx than anything I’d had before or after, if the new Icom is just as good it’ll be a great little set.
The frequency response is also very different. Odds are that Icom is using a new audio chip, or new mic, and both of those radios share it. Or, they've finally decided to optimize their audio for European voices, which need more bass and midtone than Japanese voices.
I've got an old UV5R-TP with low mic gain. I widened the hole, which helped a little. But eventually found foreign instructions to add a capacitor. I recorded it with a cheap SDR stick and it's 6dB louder in Audacity. I found it best to be 1-2 inches away by using a ruler and saying the distance every cm (apart from '5' always sounds louder). A handy way to check that is if I can touch my mouth with my thumb, whilst holding the radio. It's close though, maybe it'll reflect UHF off my head as well lol.
@@derektrounce937 I widened the hole to 1.5mm by twisting a drill bit around, using a thin wire as a depth gauge to avoid damage. It helped a little but added slight breath sounds at 2cm away. I soldered one end of a SMD J106 10uf capacitor (+) to a pad below the word 'MIC'. Then connected the other end of it using a wire from the cap (-) to one of two large solder blobs (the R/H in pic), in line with the top edge of the larger 3.5mm socket. It was awkward stripping a tiny length wire (hold with pliers), and I regretted using heat shrink instead as it looked worse. It's easier to tack the SMD to the wire first then solder the wire to the board. I got the capacitor out of an old Minidisc player. I tested it with an old blue tubular one first which added a 'spooling up' whine, other values didn't work. With the small space you need the SMD or orange ceramic disc type. It was difficult to open the radio. As you pull the black metal back out under the battery, a little sideways leverage with a butter knife helped. One time I had trouble where some of the 3 PTT side rubber buttons didn't work after. I had to do a shoehorn action with a very thin piece of plastic sheet under them. Search Google for: leally UV5R. It's half way down the page.
Thinking about it, that 6dB figure might be the difference between transmitting in wide (louder) and narrow mode. Although you're meant to use a certain one for repeaters/simplex it might not matter with how the UV5R implements it or if it's too quiet. So try wide if you need a boost, as otherwise you might need to have your nose almost touching the radio or shout.
The difference in audio is very noticeable. Thats Kenwood TH-F7E is pretty cool it can receive from 0.1~1300MHz. I cant find any for sale. Is it an older model thats been discontinued ?
interesting observation, I've turned the mic up on my FT3D to see if that makes any difference. Love the music by the way. Have a grand Christmas and a happy new year.
Handhelds need the mic to be really driven, especially if they have an IP rating because of the waterproofing and so you're supposed to be about 2.5cm away.
this is really interesting... I had similar issues with some of my older FM radios, I found that the Motorola radios always sounded "better" as in, louder and fuller without distortion. I think the radios like the icom and moto, have some audio pre-processing and improvements that it does to the audio before it sends out the audio to the transmitter over the air, so its like an audio compression / boost that you would do when recording a voice for a podcast or FM Radio. Also, it could just be a better quality mic. This is also why that icom radio cost more.
Picked one up yesterday. Yes the audio is great but holy cow it's a pain to pair it to the iPhone app. I feel like I've wasted a morning trying to get it to connect via bluetooth. Still not managed. One of the reasons for getting this radio was to use it with the companion app. Shame it's such an afterthought. I am used to HAM apps looking like someones school project and that's fine, ham hobbiests are always hacking something together on a shoestring... But Icom make great (not cheap) radios so you'd think they'd also have the resources to code stuff that works. Love the feel of the radio and basic features of the radio but now wondering if I should return it or wait in the hope this has just been rushed out for xmas and that some updates will fix things.
Oh wow, feel bad for recommending it now😩. I've gotta say I've had no issues pairing with android. It just worked first time. I've even tried a really budget tablet and it works flawlessly. The MS1A app stays connected when the tablet/phone is on standby and will still decode the dstar messages. That sucks Maybe this is an IOS problem. I'm mostly apple, have two M1s but my daily driver device is now android. The app GUI and Ergonomics arent great, I'll give you that. How are you finding the radio itself though?
@@andykirby No fear. Teething problems. Had my eye on it since it was announced and they said it had USB charging :-) I get excited about the smallest things. Must admit though that your videos keep these temptations fresh in the brain. I think I know what the issue it. If you tell the phone to forget the radio you cannot tell the radio to forget the phone. So it's an app issue that I might be able to get around with changing the name of my phone. But that is a ball ache. Having done UX testing on apps before I'm amazed iCom got this on the App Store. If you do get the chance to video what seamless bluetooth pairing looks like it might help a few people. 73!
Definately sounds like an IOS app issue, when was it actually released? The actual MS1A App on Android has been available for a long time, not sure about the IOS version.
Sounds to me that there's a lot of compression on the icom's audio. The other HTs are compressed but it seems to me to be through clipping rather than using a VCA.
I can't wait to receive mine... I have most major handhelds, and was mostly disappointed in the audio of the FT5D, it's very "tinny".. Lacks any low end whatsoever.. My best HT from an audio perspective by far is the Anytone 878 II Plus.. I'll really look forward to comparing it to my ID52A when it lands.
Nice one Andy and interesting about the audio. my FT-70 is really quiet if I don't use the additional speaker mic. If i use vhf/uhf more i would probably get one. Merry Xmas mate all the best. 73
Perhaps if you set the non-Icom radios to the correct deviation/bandwidth on 2-metres of NARROW you will notice an improvement on the others. Icom do not let you bugger about with the narrow/wide band or deviation. I have witnessed a huge amount of trouble and shockingly poor signal quality from many who just run on wide as someone tells them it is better. Set to narrow and you should see a big signal improvement. After all, narrow IS the required bandwidth for the 2-metre band. Worth a go and see what you notice with the IC-705 on receive as you did in this video. 73 de MM0JNL
That was a huge difrence in the modulation there.....I think I must buy one some day, but they have not got anyone in Norway yet :-( The best from LB1NH
It's a real shame the radio doesn't have APRS! Of course they offer DPRS, but with out a local repeater to go threw it's useless. I have that fetcher I have to spend another $150. Nuts! 8P6RC
Icom sounds very mid rangey and lots of room echo. Really all it sounds like is reverb. My preference from audio is the opposite. I like crisp and high end audio with no indication of the type of room the user is operating from. But then again I don't hold my mic that far from my mouth...that really picks up the room noise. Yaesu would sound the best if it weren't set too hot. You can hear the over drive on that mic. 73
The Kenwood sounded the best in this test. The Retevis sounded dirty. The Yaesu, and especially the Icom sounded over driven - which they were. It would have been interesting if you had also tested with normal mic gain - rather than just max. IMHO, it's usually not a good idea to drive your mic at max gain - as it distorts the sound and makes it louder than everyone else's. This causes everyone listening to have to turn their volume down for you and then back up for everyone else (unless they are listening on a Motorola). Interesting video, but NOT practical advice ...
Ah Bob, the good looking one :) stalker never far away lol ( private joke between me and Bob ) btw I have the ID51 and that also has very good audio 73
73's i've Seen your comparaison video of D74 and Id52 audio test. ID52 internal mike gain was 2 (default settings) and another settings was on "bass" . For D74 didn't see audio settings chosen. By the way Thanks for your video.
Kenwood sounds most natural by which I mean you likely recognize the person by his voice but the volume is low. Yaesu has artificially boosted hights like if breathing helium likely for better clarity in a noisy environment (screaming girl is heard much farther than screaming man with lower pitched voice) though it may be just a result of a tiny mic, while ICOM mic boost boosting both highs and bass, not really a natural voice but certainly hard to miss when combined with higher volume even while driving a car... Yaesu FT5D was at one moment sold at 300£ (after a 50£ cashback deal), and you got for that money waterproof device that can connect apart from Yaesu accessories also to off-the-shelf Bluetooth devices, thus, considering the price gap between Yaesu and ICOM for which you can buy a lot of good equipment to make it vastly superior to stock ID-52, ICOM with current introduction prices does not seem that great value unless you need D-Star without using hotspot capable converting different digital communication protocols...
I'll be impressed if you can modify that id-52 for CB band... the 52 sounds the same as the 51.. the th-74a still sounds the best on dstar. 80% of these guys on dstar sound like total shit on dstar because they are over modulated, spit in the mic because they are trying to clean the screen with their lips. You would think a system with /echo.. people would check their audio and how they sound before getting on REF30C or whatever and asking for a million radio checks or just talk anyway while sounding like total shit.
The Icom audio quality was so much better. A huge difference in range and clarity.
A great video. Thank you.
M0DSK
Of course you can control mike gain for the Kenwood TH-F7. There is an option for deviation and mike gain in the service menu.
The problem is, this service menu is only accessible by shortening two contacts on the main-board. Opening the radio for this adjustment is not very handy. Years ago I soldered thin wire to these contacts and on the other end a very small vacuum reed contact. There is enough space inside the radio to hide this small tube of glass. Done this I was able to access the service menu at any time by putting a magnet near to the TH-F7.
Hope you got the idea - enjoy your Kenwood TRX
merry christmas
73 de DL5FJW / Josef
Really nice trance music at the end of the video
Where can I have the full track ?? I would like to buy it please !
The other 3 radios have a deviation at 1,2 kHz. The ICOM was pushed up to 2,5 kHz. It is not a match. If you push up your deviation on the other 3 to 2,5 kHz, you would get the same results.
Great music!! Reminds me of back in the club days…
Every time I see that FT5, it reminds me of the FT3 which I had. Man, I hated that thing with a passion, couldn't get rid of it quick enough!
Why if I may ask
Me too.. terrible speaker sound …
I used to have the Icom E92D and I found that far superior Rx and Tx than anything I’d had before or after, if the new Icom is just as good it’ll be a great little set.
The frequency response is also very different. Odds are that Icom is using a new audio chip, or new mic, and both of those radios share it. Or, they've finally decided to optimize their audio for European voices, which need more bass and midtone than Japanese voices.
Now that they are more readily available, I’m thinking about getting one.
Always interesting videos, keep them arriving :)
It's good to be loud... crank up that modulation, crank up that dev.... hammer down!
Cool music dude.
Thanks for this. Video.
I've got an old UV5R-TP with low mic gain. I widened the hole, which helped a little. But eventually found foreign instructions to add a capacitor. I recorded it with a cheap SDR stick and it's 6dB louder in Audacity.
I found it best to be 1-2 inches away by using a ruler and saying the distance every cm (apart from '5' always sounds louder).
A handy way to check that is if I can touch my mouth with my thumb, whilst holding the radio. It's close though, maybe it'll reflect UHF off my head as well lol.
Link to instructions for the capacitor install?
@@derektrounce937 I widened the hole to 1.5mm by twisting a drill bit around, using a thin wire as a depth gauge to avoid damage. It helped a little but added slight breath sounds at 2cm away.
I soldered one end of a SMD J106 10uf capacitor (+) to a pad below the word 'MIC'. Then connected the other end of it using a wire from the cap (-) to one of two large solder blobs (the R/H in pic), in line with the top edge of the larger 3.5mm socket.
It was awkward stripping a tiny length wire (hold with pliers), and I regretted using heat shrink instead as it looked worse. It's easier to tack the SMD to the wire first then solder the wire to the board.
I got the capacitor out of an old Minidisc player. I tested it with an old blue tubular one first which added a 'spooling up' whine, other values didn't work. With the small space you need the SMD or orange ceramic disc type.
It was difficult to open the radio. As you pull the black metal back out under the battery, a little sideways leverage with a butter knife helped.
One time I had trouble where some of the 3 PTT side rubber buttons didn't work after. I had to do a shoehorn action with a very thin piece of plastic sheet under them.
Search Google for: leally UV5R. It's half way down the page.
Thinking about it, that 6dB figure might be the difference between transmitting in wide (louder) and narrow mode.
Although you're meant to use a certain one for repeaters/simplex it might not matter with how the UV5R implements it or if it's too quiet.
So try wide if you need a boost, as otherwise you might need to have your nose almost touching the radio or shout.
How are you finding the stock rubber duck on that radio?
The difference in audio is very noticeable. Thats Kenwood TH-F7E is pretty cool it can receive from 0.1~1300MHz. I cant find any for sale. Is it an older model thats been discontinued ?
interesting observation, I've turned the mic up on my FT3D to see if that makes any difference. Love the music by the way. Have a grand Christmas and a happy new year.
Apparently foundation operators can now use 25 watts on 2mtr and 70cms
Great video! Thanks.
Obviously the dynamic range / quality of the microphone etc is far superior... Should be for £550 !
Handhelds need the mic to be really driven, especially if they have an IP rating because of the waterproofing and so you're supposed to be about 2.5cm away.
this is really interesting... I had similar issues with some of my older FM radios, I found that the Motorola radios always sounded "better" as in, louder and fuller without distortion. I think the radios like the icom and moto, have some audio pre-processing and improvements that it does to the audio before it sends out the audio to the transmitter over the air, so its like an audio compression / boost that you would do when recording a voice for a podcast or FM Radio. Also, it could just be a better quality mic. This is also why that icom radio cost more.
You have your own music. Awesome!
I just found it on Apple Music. What is the name of the song playing at the end of the video?
Picked one up yesterday. Yes the audio is great but holy cow it's a pain to pair it to the iPhone app.
I feel like I've wasted a morning trying to get it to connect via bluetooth. Still not managed. One of the reasons for getting this radio was to use it with the companion app.
Shame it's such an afterthought. I am used to HAM apps looking like someones school project and that's fine, ham hobbiests are always hacking something together on a shoestring... But Icom make great (not cheap) radios so you'd think they'd also have the resources to code stuff that works.
Love the feel of the radio and basic features of the radio but now wondering if I should return it or wait in the hope this has just been rushed out for xmas and that some updates will fix things.
Oh wow, feel bad for recommending it now😩. I've gotta say I've had no issues pairing with android. It just worked first time. I've even tried a really budget tablet and it works flawlessly. The MS1A app stays connected when the tablet/phone is on standby and will still decode the dstar messages. That sucks Maybe this is an IOS problem. I'm mostly apple, have two M1s but my daily driver device is now android.
The app GUI and Ergonomics arent great, I'll give you that. How are you finding the radio itself though?
@@andykirby No fear. Teething problems. Had my eye on it since it was announced and they said it had USB charging :-) I get excited about the smallest things. Must admit though that your videos keep these temptations fresh in the brain. I think I know what the issue it. If you tell the phone to forget the radio you cannot tell the radio to forget the phone. So it's an app issue that I might be able to get around with changing the name of my phone. But that is a ball ache. Having done UX testing on apps before I'm amazed iCom got this on the App Store. If you do get the chance to video what seamless bluetooth pairing looks like it might help a few people. 73!
Definately sounds like an IOS app issue, when was it actually released? The actual MS1A App on Android has been available for a long time, not sure about the IOS version.
@@andykirby It's certainly due an update. I shall await it eagerly. :-)
Sounds to me that there's a lot of compression on the icom's audio. The other HTs are compressed but it seems to me to be through clipping rather than using a VCA.
The track at the end is great! Do you have a bandcamp or soundcloud or anything like that?
Great stuff Andy , have a good Christmas mate 👍👍
Sounds like your voice is clipping at 7:47. I'd probably drop the gain down a bit if you haven't already.
I can't wait to receive mine... I have most major handhelds, and was mostly disappointed in the audio of the FT5D, it's very "tinny".. Lacks any low end whatsoever.. My best HT from an audio perspective by far is the Anytone 878 II Plus.. I'll really look forward to comparing it to my ID52A when it lands.
SenHaix 8800 has also an option for increasing the mic gain via app. It is also quite good.
What a difference that's astonishing
Nice one Andy and interesting about the audio. my FT-70 is really quiet if I don't use the additional speaker mic. If i use vhf/uhf more i would probably get one. Merry Xmas mate all the best. 73
Cheers Steve, must catch up on air👍🏻Merry Xmas!
You can adjust the deviation in the service menu of the Kenwood.
Ahh interesting.
@@andykirby yep, just posted a comment about that as bandwidth but some radios call is deviation. Must be narrow on 2-metres. 73 de MM0JNL
Perhaps if you set the non-Icom radios to the correct deviation/bandwidth on 2-metres of NARROW you will notice an improvement on the others. Icom do not let you bugger about with the narrow/wide band or deviation. I have witnessed a huge amount of trouble and shockingly poor signal quality from many who just run on wide as someone tells them it is better. Set to narrow and you should see a big signal improvement. After all, narrow IS the required bandwidth for the 2-metre band. Worth a go and see what you notice with the IC-705 on receive as you did in this video. 73 de MM0JNL
That was a huge difrence in the modulation there.....I think I must buy one some day, but they have not got anyone in Norway yet :-( The best from LB1NH
Good test m8, worth considering in the new year
Does the 705 mic fit on the id52? Interesting on the audio, great video
Mine's in the post :o) Blaming you though...
🤣🤣🤣
The Icom is louder AND better sounding, or higher fidelity. 73 de KI1Y Cocoa Beach. PS. Also like your ebike vids.
Большое, большое спасибо!
That's pretty impressive 👏!
Is the receive range on this radio the same as the FT5DR? Also can you murs mod this icom?
Please check and tell me if it can TX up to 450 MHz? Not up to 440, but up to 450. Maybe A or E?
The mic gain is too high on the Icom in my opinion. The Kenwood sounded the best.
Big difference Andy.
Nice................
It's a real shame the radio doesn't have APRS! Of course they offer DPRS, but with out a local repeater to go threw it's useless. I have that fetcher I have to spend another $150. Nuts!
8P6RC
Andy, I saw that you have the ICOM 705....What tripod do you use?
It's just a mini camera Tripod from my Sony zv1 vlogging camera.
Icom sounds very mid rangey and lots of room echo. Really all it sounds like is reverb. My preference from audio is the opposite. I like crisp and high end audio with no indication of the type of room the user is operating from. But then again I don't hold my mic that far from my mouth...that really picks up the room noise. Yaesu would sound the best if it weren't set too hot. You can hear the over drive on that mic. 73
Can it do analogic cross band beetween V/U or U/V?
The Kenwood sounded the best in this test. The Retevis sounded dirty. The Yaesu, and especially the Icom sounded over driven - which they were. It would have been interesting if you had also tested with normal mic gain - rather than just max. IMHO, it's usually not a good idea to drive your mic at max gain - as it distorts the sound and makes it louder than everyone else's. This causes everyone listening to have to turn their volume down for you and then back up for everyone else (unless they are listening on a Motorola). Interesting video, but NOT practical advice ...
You have music in the back ground.
Algo Bump!
So turn it up to 4?
Wonder if Bob Heil helped Icom on this…
Why can't handhelds do HF?
Ah Bob, the good looking one :) stalker never far away lol ( private joke between me and Bob ) btw I have the ID51 and that also has very good audio 73
Haha I'll have to ask him😁, I just sold the ID51 and it always got good reports, shame I didn't have it for this test! 73!
It is very good audio the D74 is better but both sound great.
73's i've Seen your comparaison video of D74 and Id52 audio test.
ID52 internal mike gain was 2 (default settings) and another settings was on "bass" .
For D74 didn't see audio settings chosen.
By the way Thanks for your video.
The 52 or the Ft5 overall if you had to pick one?
52 all day long.
🎄🎄🎄
Voice frequencies definitely sound fuller on that icom radio, be interesting to hear it on a lower mic gain setting..
time to update your qrz page with updated radio list. AE7HF
Kenwood sounds most natural by which I mean you likely recognize the person by his voice but the volume is low. Yaesu has artificially boosted hights like if breathing helium likely for better clarity in a noisy environment (screaming girl is heard much farther than screaming man with lower pitched voice) though it may be just a result of a tiny mic, while ICOM mic boost boosting both highs and bass, not really a natural voice but certainly hard to miss when combined with higher volume even while driving a car...
Yaesu FT5D was at one moment sold at 300£ (after a 50£ cashback deal), and you got for that money waterproof device that can connect apart from Yaesu accessories also to off-the-shelf Bluetooth devices, thus, considering the price gap between Yaesu and ICOM for which you can buy a lot of good equipment to make it vastly superior to stock ID-52, ICOM with current introduction prices does not seem that great value unless you need D-Star without using hotspot capable converting different digital communication protocols...
👍👍👍
I'll be impressed if you can modify that id-52 for CB band... the 52 sounds the same as the 51.. the th-74a still sounds the best on dstar. 80% of these guys on dstar sound like total shit on dstar because they are over modulated, spit in the mic because they are trying to clean the screen with their lips. You would think a system with /echo.. people would check their audio and how they sound before getting on REF30C or whatever and asking for a million radio checks or just talk anyway while sounding like total shit.
Why do you & Wheeler Dealers say "nu" & not "new" like the rest of us?
I'm flattered you are comparing me to wheeler dealers!🤣
Fart
they all sound like crap
dstar makes everyone sound like a digital troll regardless of gain.
dmr is much worse.
I didn't even show DSTAR, this was FM but I do agree digital doesn't sound great.