How To Update Firmware on the Kenwood TH-D74 Triband

I've been waiting to update the firmware on this Kenwood TH-D74a until I had time to do it on a video. It is quite a simple process and shouldn't take you more than 10-minutes. Watch this video for instructions on the procedure.
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[@nicoladadalt1977]

I've just helped my father (who doesn't speak a single world of english) doing this. A little bit tricky but.. thanking you, Job done!

[@djraiders8402]

Thanks Jason for Sharing Your Knowledge with Us here on KZbin.

[@HamRadio2]

Thanks for watching

[@ronmorella6541]

Thanks Jason, my D74 should be arriving tomorrow, first thing I going to do will be to check out the version, and now thanks to you I know how to do an update. 73, n2imb

[@HamRadio2]

Great, thanks. It is a nice radio, you should like it

[@MyTube4Utoo]

I got my HAM ticket in (1989), but have been out of the hobby for many years, but recently got the bug again. I just received my Icom-7100 and Kenwood TH-D74A on Monday, and I have a Xiegu G90 being delivered on Thursday. My how things have changed! The Kenwood is incredible (as are the Icom and Xiegu)! The TNC I use to have for Packet was about (3) times the size of the TH-D74A. *lol* My last HF rig was one I bought new; a Yaesu FT-747GX. It was about as bare-bones as you could get, and I paid about the same for it as I just paid for the Icom-7100, thirty years later.

[@HamRadio2]

Glad to hear you are back into it

[@joeframo3347]

Jason I pull 10 people away from Eric's platform because he doesn't do the Kenwood HD so now everybody's coming over to your platform so thank you very much for sharing such a great radio so much nicer than the Yaesu

[@HamRadio2]

Thanks for sharing the channel

[@dennismarble3591]

I'm a newbie, just got my license a few days ago (KO4PEM). I bought the DT-74A after watching your videos even though it was very difficult to find one and it ended up costing $800 with software and bench charger I have no complaints at all. I am a bit overwhelmed at this point on the operation of the radio. Do you have a video for a newbie explaining step by step how to use this radio? If not could you please make one. I watched your videos to pass my Technical Exam and got 100% so Thank You Jason. I truly enjoy all your videos even though I may not understand some of the info yet. I am committed to learning and you have been extremely helpful. I enjoy you teaching style and I will continue to use your channel to become educated and proficient.

[@alvarogaitan2529]

thanks, Micke fantastic job 73

[@joeframo3347]

Hey Jason thank you for sharing yes a very great radio appreciate that my friend

[@HamRadio2]

Thanks for watching

[@drnv150]

Does anyone know if it has a way to send the I.F. out to run a pan adapter?

[@ForensicPI]

Thanks will update mine - K2PTL.

[@joeframo3347]

Thank you Jason for the firmware update on the th74 a Kenwood Eric never has any of the Kenwood products I guess Kim with doesn't want to deal with him but thank you for sharing this video Jason you're pretty cool dude

[@HamRadio2]

Thanks for watching.

[@joeframo3347]

@@HamRadio2 yeah Jason we4u& N2HGL love watching your videos out of all the amateur videos you're the best even Bob videos aren't as good as yours I'm sorry to say that but it's true you had the best videos 2.0 is where I want to go haha anyway have a great day your best friend from Atlanta Georgia

[@joeframo3347]

You're Kim with HT I like the antenna it looks pretty big does it cover 3 bands and what make is it

[@denniscrowley8517]

Beautiful

[@K4MJV]

Figures that right after you do this video they release version 1.10 :) Thanks for the video. I have this radio coming and I am looking forward to getting into D-Star.

[@HamRadio2]

Indeed. But the update procedure is still the same.

[@timsloan8881]

Good advice to check current version before attempting to update.

[@HamRadio2]

Yep, sure is! Thanks.

[@joeframo3347]

Which ant 10 are you running for your Kenwood Jason looks like a nice antenna it's long enough

[@becausehelives4282]

Questions please. I’m considering getting into ham radio for a hobby so my questions may sound ignorant. Does any new radio purchase come with the latest firmware version already installed or do you purchase a “Brick” and then install / purchase firmware before using for the first time? I want to buy this radio but an terrified of the Brick example you gave. I know this in not an entry level radio to purchase but I’d rather spend the money one time. I’m consuming you videos to learn as much as I can before diving in. Much appreciation.

[@mayed34]

thanks a lot 🤩

[@kevingrantham6315]

I've had the TH-D74A for a couple of weeks now. I use it on DStar. My previous go-to for DStar is an original ID-51h (not the newer cooler Plus 2, which are awesome in their own right). So, what have I done? I loaded both the Kenwood MCP program and the RTSystems program. The RT has better import and there are some CSV formatted repeater lists that I wanted to grab. I have connected via bluetooth to my PC and I have programmed it over bluetooth. Doesn't work for RTSystems, though - they look for a specific port name and the bluetooth ports come up as generic bluetooth serials. Works fine for MCP. My radio is v1.08 which has been out for a year. I have also tried the sound/control software which is interesting but not sure exactly what it's good for - maybe using an external decoder on the PC to receive other digital modes like C4FM and P25 and DMR. I have also run Winlink Packet via bluetooth to the radio's built-in TNC - it worked! Really slick. So now with a bluetooth enabled PC I have a go-box in an HT for both digital and voice modes. I like the DR mode, and the memory layout makes sense. My next dive in will be the APRS modes. I want to get that set up for use during public service events - maybe MS150 in May. I haven't tried receiving SSB and airband and so forth - my old IC-91AD does that but I rarely use it. I purchased a Kenwood earpiece/mic, second battery, drop-in charger and car charger (which seems to be mainly a voltage clamp and noise filter). I have a charging cable with powerpoles that I think will work as long as the voltage is regulated - from the literature the radio can be damaged by voltage spikes. I'm considering a tri-band third-party antenna but the stock antenna seems to be working really well, so maybe not. Summary: it's fun, people have gone out of their way to mention how well it sounds on the air (it is a Kenwood after all), it's "six pounds of sugar in a five pound bag" but the manual is clear and it's easy to learn. Oh, should I put in some hashtags? #kenwood #th-d74 #dstar #hamradio2.0 $amateurradio

[@miker6555]

Kevin Grantham Mr. Grantham, thank you for your comments. I’m a brand new HAM (technician for one week). I bought a D74a and had a hard time understandinq how to work it. Like I got a Ferrari for my learners permit. I was about to send it back, but after reading your comments, I’m going to keep it and press on to master it. You’ve inspired me with all that you’ve done with it. Thanks again, Mike

[@joeframo3347]

Yes Jason you're right Yaesu needs to get it together a man thank you for sharing that that was easy as saying Yankee Doodle Dandy awesome thanks again buddy

[@HamRadio2]

Yep

[@OH8STN]

Love the tutorials, this will be a popular video. 👍

[@HamRadio2]

Thanks for watching

[@williamvoss9264]

Thanks for the video, Jason. Have a TH-D74 just a week old and would like to program it from the Kenwood software. I've seen a couple of warnings about using a standard USB charging cable to do so - they say you must use a 'data' capable cable. Do you find that to be the case? 73

[@HamRadio2]

Yes, that's true

[@williamvoss9264]

@@HamRadio2 Thanks, Jason!

[@douglasdreger3852]

What antenna are you using on the D74?

[@HamRadio2]

This one - amzn.to/2IpPmk7

[@gotammo9148]

I was on the fence between this radio and the FT3. Within $120 of each other in price.. what's the battery life of the Kenwood?

[@HamRadio2]

The battery on the FT3D is better. I like the Kenwood because it does 220 also.

[@binoykv]

Great video, thanks for sharing, could you please make a video of upgrading the firmware of FT3DR ..?!- TNX

[@HamRadio2]

Yes I have that on my list of videos to post. Thanks for watching.

[@kevingrantham6315]

Menu 9 9 1 takes you right to the version number. This is much faster than scrolling around and clicking Ent or > but those are valid menu navigation techniques. For the purposes of how-to video's, the shortcut might be better.

[@HamRadio2]

Most people won't know that, so I wanted to show them where the menu actually was.

[@tomasz5274]

Meanwhile on official Kenwood web page: "TH-D74_V111E.zip: The download is temporarily suspended due to technical reasons. Sorry for inconvenience." and "Last updated : August 26, 2020" :o

[@steamingcoax3685]

When is the next update coming out?

[@HamRadio2]

That would be a question for Kenwood, i don't have any inside info on firmware releases.

[@grigorirasputin5020]

So, the great unanswered question, at least as far as I can tell, is what did this upgrade change or "improve"?

[@HamRadio2]

There is a change log on their website where you download the firmware from

[@mikemcdonald5147]

I am the grey man LOL I subbed long ago

[@HamRadio2]

Haha, thanks!

[@K6TJO]

Any idea why they don't update the firmware more often? Seems like they should to keep people engaged with the product.

[@HamRadio2]

No idea...maybe it doesn't need updating and has little-to-no bugs. But I can inquire.

[@schoocg]

I own the TH-D74A and love it. Best HT I have ever owned. But, like many folks I am not a Windows owner, I am a Mac guy. With the ability of the unit to have a 32gig SD card, why in the heck can't Kenwood permit a download of firmware to any computer , copy the firmware package to SD and and update the firmware from the SD card. I can not count how many devices I have that firmware updates can and are preferred from the SD card.

[@HamRadio2]

I'm not a Mac guy, I don't like them. But I do see the value of having the firmware readily available from multiple platforms, you would think it would be possible since it is from a micro-sd card load, like you said.

[@mikemcdonald5147]

yeah updating my ftdx3000 Yaesu is HORRIBLE.......they have three or four different updates for the radio. and some convoluted steps to get It done. its like lets see how painful we can make this for the customer LOL

[@HamRadio2]

I didn't even think about the HF rigs, I was referring to their Fusion radios. But good to know that the FTDX ones are a pain too.

[@denniskimrey4129]

Using my D74A on 220 Dstar

[@HamRadio2]

That'd be fun

[@timholtzclaw8930]

You are silly young man!, I like silly lol

[@mikes6844]

You guys, including K6UDA, should start a campaign of shame against these manufacturers. Yaesu Ftdx 3000 is a horrible horrible mess to upgrade. Elecraft is much easier and it works with Mac OSX. I’m at a loss as to Why we have to put up with this shambles. It all seems an after thought as opposed to a marketing/sales advantage. Put a little R&D into this and make it multi platform. Great vid thanks 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@HamRadio2]

Thanks for commenting.

[@Sidewalkchalk27]

I refuse, REFUSE to buy a $500 radio I have to babysit so the battery doesnt over charge. I should be able to leave it trickle charging till its ready to use. My cheaper Motorola 4100's already have this feature.

[@oorcinus]

This is a bit like watching an old person try to adjust the clock on a VCR.

[@oorcinus]

No offense, just found it hilarious for some reason.