FIRST LOOK! Kenwood TH-D75 Ham Radio Handheld

Today we do a deep-dive on the new Kenwood TH-D75. Is it worth every penny of that $750.00 price tag?
Thanks for @HamRadioOutlet for letting me borrow this radio. I might just end of up buying it!
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[@islandmagicco]

If you have an iPhone or iPad and want to get more out of your TH-D75, consider getting the B.B. Link adapter. This adapter allows iOS devices to work with the Kenwood TH-D74 and TH-D75 over Bluetooth. With it, you can run apps like RadioMail for emails and aprsfi for GPS positioning and messaging, leveraging the powerful built-in packet TNC in the radio.

[@asertolentino9147]

I’ve been through quite the rollercoaster this week. Started playing with GMRS and went, “Maybe I should go back and look at getting a Technician license.” But then I saw the 74 was no longer available and its voice guide was considered the best around by blind users, which made me go, “Well, at least my wallet will be happier.” But now, now I will have to start studying. :)

[@k6usy]

See you on the bands!

[@seanplynch]

The price seems reasonable. I paid $500 for a beautiful Kenwood TH-79A in 1995. Inflation adjusted, that would be a $1,000 radio today. Sure, components are way cheaper now but you’re also getting way more features here.

[@slackleashdogtraining3598]

I got one of these radios, the 79A…. Right after I got my first tech license. I just loved it compared to operating a Yeasu. I took it canoeing with me, on a lake with 200 ft depth. I don’t scuba any longer and haven’t visited that Kenwood TH79A because well, no tanks. I always miss THAT radio to this day. It was so easy to use so versatile, and sounded great. If Kenwood is coming back to HAM I may wait to get my first HF.

[@mediocreman2]

Well maybe, but salaries haven't gone up to match inflation, so it's significantly more expensive.

[@viahf1200]

After selling the 74, I just bought a 72 and the menus are much easier to get in and out of. For the 74/75 the menus get very deep. They should add a “real” escape/home button to get you completely out and to the main screen.

[@rainmannoodles]

Does the USB-C port actually work correctly with USB-C chargers (and not just with USB A-C cables)? It’s shocking how many devices get this wrong.

[@k6nvg541]

Mine charged on C to C

[@osculant]

No full duplex on the D75…..can’t imagine it being worth the price without that. With it…..maybe.

[@mainetomass99]

I simply want one of the big guys to make a current, full duplex HT. It’s all I want. Ha.

[@ManuelPinner]

I like the Bluetooth Terminal Mode Feature,

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Me too!

[@thedwighty]

You can tap function then button six to turn on beacon. I leave my 74 on auto then beacon with 6. And function and button 5 for going through aprs, kiss and off. So less menu scrolling.

[@viahf1200]

Had the 74, it was awesome for KISS BT connection to iPhone 12. The latest iPhones after 12 are also backwards compatible with BT Classic, so it should connect.

[@daledervin3672]

Someone needs to do a line item comparison of part numbers from the service manuals between the D74 and D75. As a former heavy user of a D74 for years, and for the money- the D75 is way too similar to the D74 that I bought when it came out EIGHT years ago. But hey- at least it scans visually unlike some other HTs! Hahaha.

[@kd4exy]

Rember when the top dollar hf rigs came out and Kenwood was the lowest-priced of the 3. Now in the ht war they are the highest

[@N4DJC]

Priced a TS-990S lately?

[@pale_2111]

I'm getting one. Traded my ID-52 with MTC to get it, so I don't have to pay full price for it. I don't need it, per say, but I wanted it.

[@splattamus5528]

For that price It should be able to do Analog, DStar, DMR , YSF, P25 and cook you french fries....

[@viralsheddingzombie5324]

Yes, but the french fry feature would require an attached oil container.

[@MaryBrownForFreedom]

Sats have operating costs for the ground stations that monitor them to make sure they are healthy, make sure they are holding the assigned orbital slot... usually a ground station with a big dish antenna so not cheap...

[@N0LSD]

As far as I know, the only geo-stationary satellite asset available to Amateurs (OSCAR-100) is a transponder hosted on Es'hail-2, which is a broadcast satellite: it's not owned and operated as a satellite by Amateurs, but rather a Qatari company -Es'hailsat. All of the other satellite assets available to Amateurs -- again, at least as far as I know -- are not geo-stationary, but rather low-earth orbit satellites that have an orbital period.

[@trumpdonald6911]

My call sign showed up when you were showing APRS receive.

[@viahf1200]

Loved the 74, but sold it for 2 reasons: 1. Battery life was dismal with KISS TNC and BT on, and RX Save off to not miss the APRS packets. Even with GPS off display back light off, it lasted about 4 hrs. 2. Got stuck in that endless menu loop and could not escape out of it. You also keep experiencing that in ur video.

[@slosolo2]

The battery on your power meter was low. You might charge it and try the readings again. Just in case it wasn't getting the voltage it needed to do the measurements. This commenter is not an EE just someone who's experienced weird results from electronics due to out of spec voltage.

[@jimedwards9310]

I need that Solo coffee cup :) nice video on the new Kenwood

[@raymondmartin6737]

I sold my D74 a while ago, because of battery life and not needing another HT with 222 Mhz band, and DSTAR. 😊

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

I am currently doing some battery cycles for a proper life test. Keep an eye out!

[@WillySlick]

Hi Josh- I can't wait to hear your feedback on the battery life. There are concerns about why this radio has a 400mw audio amp when the Nov. 7 2023 PR it listed 750mw audio amp output. Do you happen to know the answer? Also, any significant changes in the programming software? @@HamRadioCrashCourse​

[@WillySlick]

I know you are performing real life battery tests, however I do note greater RX power consumption per the published specs: D74: 135 mA (SQ Close)- single mode and 185 mA (SQ Close)- dual mode; D75: 155 mA (SQ Close)- single mode and 225 mA (SQ Close)- dual mode;

[@tomKZ8TOM]

Seems like Kenwood is trying to take advantage of its ancient history and price gouge. I would rather purchase a Yaesu or Icom HT.

[@ryany4326]

I think you mean gouge

[@scarpad]

I know it’s a totally different thing but I just picked up a FT-710 for $899 so I mean….

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Good deal!!

[@thomashardy9994]

I want that field version. Do you think it’s sturdy/small enough to take outside ?

[@scarpad]

It’s not the 897 but it looks fine the only concern is the display in bright light it may wash out. But other than that

[@hypnosiscenternyc]

😅😢Nice ... looking at yaesu ft5dr and this one. I don't care about aprs and there is no dstar repeaters near here ... my club members only use dmr. Is there any reason I've overlooked why I should buy this over the yaesu? Thanks It's painful

[@stevie3011]

RadioMail + TH-D74 does not work directly since it's Bluetooth on the radio and BLE in RadioMail. Need a dongle.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Working on that 🤙

[@AZREDFERN]

Speaking of DankPods. Will this Bluetooth audio in AND out? Like, can I connect my Fiio BTR7 (Bluetooth DAC w/built-in mic)? So I can use basically any headphones with it. Are there any other radios that do that?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

“Bluetooth mode” - but sexy

[@KI5UCO]

That surecom has always been a little generous on 1.25m, in my experience

[@m.p.6330]

Did they fix the unable to transmit while plugged into the power wall-wart charging circuit?

[@daledervin3672]

No. The wall wart doesn’t put out enough power and was always for charging only. Use a 12v battery and a usb-c instead as suggested in the vid.

[@mediocreman2]

My yaesu HT reboots when trying to transmit while plugged in. 😅

[@mediocreman2]

Genuine question. Why would I get this if I already have a TH-D72A? Just for the third band? Or is there another reason? I'm still waiting for a TM-D710GA successor.

[@robincross4625]

Move to the middle of the USA and get 40 to 75+ mph winds!!

[@markmanning2921]

where are these designed? where are they manufactured. are they just more garbage chinesium?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Japan. But everything has Chinese parts. That’s unavoidable.

[@thuff3207]

I wonder if you can connect a usb cable to your iPhone to connect to the TNC.

[@k6usy]

iPhones do not support serial over USB.

[@thuff3207]

@@k6usy Are you sure about that? I have with mine.

[@user-xj6kj3ke7r]

tengo un KENWOOD HT-D74

[@markr.1984]

I don't understand how people think it's so expensive. Maybe compared to other radios but as far as I'm concerned they might as well give it away at only $750.00!! I paid close to that for my Uniden SDS200 scanner and it don't transmit. I'm going to buy the Icom ID-52A and Yaesu FT5DR soon after I get the Kenwood. Also, don't get the "no duplex" complainers. Use two radios. I sometimes have three or four radios going at once. Not hard.

[@N0LSD]

$750 is *hugely* expensive for an HT - like, double the price of the next most expensive currently-offered HT on the market. Next, it's not full duplex? -- the TH-D72a was full duplex at fully $200 *less* than this radio. For an HT that is *two* generations newer than the TH-D72a, it shouldn't even be a debatable feature: it should be baked-in. After spending 3/4 of a grand on a radio, one should not have to go buy *another* radio if one is working satellites, which is why people value full duplex radios. Take a look at the feature set of the TH-D72a and compare it with this radio, and tell me what about this radio justifies the additional cost. Bluetooth? A colour screen? The fact that they used a rubber gasket? -- what? Let's get real: this is stupidflation. Everytime Kenwood comes out with a new "flagship" HT, it costs $100 more than the last "flagship" HT. This radio cost nearly as much as a cell phone, and at least one can watch pr0n on a cell phone. Like I said, it's a no for me, dawg.

[@mediocreman2]

​@@N0LSDI have a 72. Thanks for reminding me of the features it has. I didn't realize the 75 was a step down in some ways.

[@kd4exy]

Can you take the program from the 74 and clone to the 75

[@kd4exy]

Does it do start on both at same time?

[@gyurkalevente]

It is possible to open TX for th-d75?

[@soctnights]

The BEEP sounds like a first generation video game.

[@user-xj6kj3ke7r]

soy de mazatlan sinaloa mexico

[@jessgypin-ko5ds]

25 mph ?? That’s barely a breeze

[@thomashardy9994]

Costs $100 less than the daily hotel rate I paid in Miami last month. I’ll keep telling myself that. 😂

[@user-xj6kj3ke7r]

buenas noches me puedes ayudar no entiendo mucho el ingles

[@ManuelPinner]

it a Tribander,

[@rfcdgaf]

$1k+ by the time it gets north of the border into canada ... lol. At least it has usb-c charging, only ip54/55 rating. Lol

[@updownandallaround]

Perplexed by the $750 launch without full duplex on a handheld... More than likely would have been an early adopter, but probably not now. I know it's not an apples to apples comparison, but it's ridiculously priced considering you can purchase an AnyTone DMR for less than half the price. Again, I realize it's not the same specs, nor reputation, but it really takes the wind out of your sails when you consider it's not full duplex. The radio is essentially a reboot of the 74... and PLEASE, don't mention the USB-C connector like it's a revolutionary addition and worthy of the cost of upgrading - that's a poor argument. BLE? RadioMail? Admittedly, I didn't watch the entire review... Thank you HRCC for taking the time to post the video/review!

[@DonzLockz]

Thats an expensive Pong game. Haha

[@k6usy]

I live a few miles away from M^2 here in Fresno and know the owner… it’s dangerous.

[@the_kingd0m]

Put a bid on the MEO satellite. It will be dirt cheap. D75 what's the value prop, why would anyone by this radio, unless you're a d-star enthusiast??!

[@angelscomputers]

I WAS very excited about that radio until saw the ridiculous price tag. No way I will pay HF price for a VHF/UHF radio. If Kenwood is expecting a “come back” so they start looking like a Ham Radio brand alternative again with those prices they started the wrong way already. Good chance to get a 74 now with the fanboys giving them for cheap hahaha

[@mediocreman2]

I agree, but people will still buy them. And if they don't then what? Kenwood will ditch the division entirely, which isn't good either.

[@elzippo488]

Nope ! LOL!

[@user-xj6kj3ke7r]

SI LO PUDIERA TENER EN ESPAÑOL SOY ROMEO OSCAR HOTEL

[@markr.1984]

Connect the Kenwood to a 13.8 battery? No such animal. The 13.8 volts is what your vehicle's alternator puts out to charge a 12v battery. If you can find a 13.8 volt battery, let me know.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Lmao, have I got news for you. Most our batteries at least start above 13 volts. Our regulated power supplies are generally set for 13.8 and if you look at most amateur radios, they call for 13.8 volts.

[@coreym8960]

Not watching it live, am I the only one that is getting an annoying amount of ads? It is every few mins.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Thanks for telling me. KZbin sets all ads to default automatic placement an sometimes it goes absolutely haywire. I deleted most of them.

[@the_kingd0m]

Buy KZbin premium is worth every penny

[@HarryTwoDogs]

Sheez get to the point why don't you.

[@pa3crl]

Nice radio!! PA3CRL