As a ham who is blind, yes, it is definitely worth the price, considering the over 750 voice guidance prompts that are part of the user interface. Compare that to yaesu (no speech) and Icom (minimal speech), not to mention the flagship models from those two manufacturers contain touchscreens. Thank you Kenwood for including us.
But how does it do in a simplex range test? It would be neat to have a pair of these go against comparable Yaesus to show if the Kenwood's DStar or the Yaesu's C4FM is more robust. Or for that matter a pair of DMR radios.
This question comes down to the bandwidth used by each mode. The more narrow the bandwidth, usually the more effective range. D-Star is 6Khz wide; DMR is 6.25 kHz for each slot. I would expect D-Star and DMR effective range to be similar. Yaesu's C4FM is 12.5kHz, so that would typically result in less range.
I love the DStar terminal mode allowing use of a phone/tablet as a hotspot. The USB-C charging means I don't have to carry an extra charger around and can use a regular external phone battery to charge if needed. For me, it's worth it.
Only you can answer that question. There are very few differences between the D74 and the D75. The only other features that the D75 has that the D74 does not: 1. USB-C isn't a deal breaker for me. Sure - it's nice, but I can live without it. 2. The D75 has Dstar Terminal Mode (as stated by tuckmeat - LOL 3. APRS Digipeater support - this allows the D75 to act as a standalone APRS digipeater. This does ABSOLUTELY NOTHING for the person operating the D75. But it could be VERY beneficial if you're out operating with several others with APRS-enabled radios and they need to be able to communicate across a wider region - your D75 would effectively act as a repeater for their APRS traffic. Outside of those three features - I can't find anything else worth writing home about. For me, #3 was enough of a reason to upgrade from my D74 to the D75 (which I did last weekend). I originally thought I would keep both the D74 and D75, but now that I can see how few differences there are... I'm selling my D74. Hope that helps!
In my humble opinion and with 45 years of experience as a radio amateur, no super expensive HT is worth the money when most of its life will be spent locked up in a drawer.
IMHO, the only things this radio is missing are the ability to transmit on SSB and low power Bluetooth. When living through a disaster, listening can be just as important as transmit. The general receive ability of this radio challenges many of my SWL radios. It's portability to feature ratio is unparalleled. Didn't fully appreciate the need for this need until the disaster in WNC hit.
I love mine, the people who talk sh-- about it are just sore because they are poor and can't afford one. And if you have one be prepared for people showing bitter envy to you. I sure have got people envious!! It's the best handheld rig I've ever owned by extremely far. The only tough learning curve is for the DSTAR and APRS which are highly complex to use. But other than that it's easier to use than any Yaesu I've ever had and the same for Icom. I had mine programmed with just over 100 ham memories the first night I had it in all three ham bands it has. Plus over 80 civilian aircraft frequencies which is great for a pilot like me. Also does he entire military air band from 225 to 380 mHz and I have 50 or so memories for that band. Very intuitive for regular analog usage and ever day use. Also has blistering scan speeds, which is cool. It has a built in ferrite bar antenna for broadcast MW which can also be deselected for another antenna if desired. The built in GPS receiver is just fantastic. You can have your Baofengs and other cheapies.
I am visually impairedd. The voice assist alone will be worth it..
3 месяца назад
A load of great features but rugged is not one of the features. A light rain shower can damage your radio and Kenwood will void your warranty. $750 and not even rain resistant. Buyers be warned
As a ham who is blind, yes, it is definitely worth the price, considering the over 750 voice guidance prompts that are part of the user interface. Compare that to yaesu (no speech) and Icom (minimal speech), not to mention the flagship models from those two manufacturers contain touchscreens. Thank you Kenwood for including us.
18:12 where's the link in the description to the out-of-band mod?
Thanks for a very comprehensive review, it's a lot of money but it's a lot of radio! I'll keep my D74 for now and see if I need the new features.
Nice job explaining the radio..best I've seen..sold me..
Will it transmit am on the air bands with the freq mod you mentioned?
No it will not
@@tuckmeatthanks
But how does it do in a simplex range test?
It would be neat to have a pair of these go against comparable Yaesus to show if the Kenwood's DStar or the Yaesu's C4FM is more robust.
Or for that matter a pair of DMR radios.
This question comes down to the bandwidth used by each mode. The more narrow the bandwidth, usually the more effective range. D-Star is 6Khz wide; DMR is 6.25 kHz for each slot. I would expect D-Star and DMR effective range to be similar. Yaesu's C4FM is 12.5kHz, so that would typically result in less range.
@@tuckmeatYaesu C4FM in DN mode is just 6,25 kHz wide.
You live in Buena Park?!
I have a D74, do you believe there are enough new features to make it worth the purchase?
I love the DStar terminal mode allowing use of a phone/tablet as a hotspot. The USB-C charging means I don't have to carry an extra charger around and can use a regular external phone battery to charge if needed. For me, it's worth it.
Only you can answer that question.
There are very few differences between the D74 and the D75. The only other features that the D75 has that the D74 does not:
1. USB-C isn't a deal breaker for me. Sure - it's nice, but I can live without it.
2. The D75 has Dstar Terminal Mode (as stated by tuckmeat - LOL
3. APRS Digipeater support - this allows the D75 to act as a standalone APRS digipeater. This does ABSOLUTELY NOTHING for the person operating the D75. But it could be VERY beneficial if you're out operating with several others with APRS-enabled radios and they need to be able to communicate across a wider region - your D75 would effectively act as a repeater for their APRS traffic.
Outside of those three features - I can't find anything else worth writing home about.
For me, #3 was enough of a reason to upgrade from my D74 to the D75 (which I did last weekend). I originally thought I would keep both the D74 and D75, but now that I can see how few differences there are... I'm selling my D74.
Hope that helps!
Worth it and I have the other major ones to compare it to.
In my humble opinion and with 45 years of experience as a radio amateur, no super expensive HT is worth the money when most of its life will be spent locked up in a drawer.
what's the price yes it's actually a tri-band and not a door banner, also, you can access the TNC through Bluetooth or USB,
IMHO, the only things this radio is missing are the ability to transmit on SSB and low power Bluetooth. When living through a disaster, listening can be just as important as transmit. The general receive ability of this radio challenges many of my SWL radios. It's portability to feature ratio is unparalleled. Didn't fully appreciate the need for this need until the disaster in WNC hit.
I love mine, the people who talk sh-- about it are just sore because they are poor and can't afford one. And if you have one be prepared for people showing bitter envy to you. I sure have got people envious!! It's the best handheld rig I've ever owned by extremely far. The only tough learning curve is for the DSTAR and APRS which are highly complex to use. But other than that it's easier to use than any Yaesu I've ever had and the same for Icom. I had mine programmed with just over 100 ham memories the first night I had it in all three ham bands it has. Plus over 80 civilian aircraft frequencies which is great for a pilot like me. Also does he entire military air band from 225 to 380 mHz and I have 50 or so memories for that band. Very intuitive for regular analog usage and ever day use. Also has blistering scan speeds, which is cool. It has a built in ferrite bar antenna for broadcast MW which can also be deselected for another antenna if desired. The built in GPS receiver is just fantastic. You can have your Baofengs and other cheapies.
It's worth it if you have the disposable cash.... I dont but i still would like one. :)
I hope you can get one eventually, you won't be disappointed.
I am visually impairedd. The voice assist alone will be worth it..
A load of great features but rugged is not one of the features. A light rain shower can damage your radio and Kenwood will void your warranty. $750 and not even rain resistant. Buyers be warned
Kenwood radios are overpriced and overrated as far as I am concerned.
Screen too small with large bezel taking up real estate, battery not great and no band scope/waterfall.... Nah, overpriced...
nope