Yaesu FT3 vs Kenwood D74 Which one should you buy? | K6UDA Radio

[@NathanChilton]

I'm glad you made this! I've had this exact question on my mind for months. I'm still torn. I like the answer of "both". If only.

[@darylnd]

I just came back to this video. People complained the D74 was expensive at, what, $475? Now used ones go for twice that! The new Icom ID52 is $649 (and how can I forget the wonderful 9.25% sales tax I'd have to pay here in California?) but is crippled in comparison with the D74. I have an IC-705 but haven't tried it yet with D-Star because getting a D-Star ID isn't quick. I have the FT3. I'm happy enough with it that I don't feel the need to upgrade to the FT5, though I do like the rubber corners on the bottom of the FT5. Yaesu just replaced the case on mine, and were kind enough to do it under warranty, after the bottom plastic cracked from a 14" drop onto my kitchen floor. Glad you're enjoying your new home, Bob. 73 de Daryl. QTH San Jose, Peoples Republic of California.

[@rickpinelli9268]

You cannot beat the audio from the Kenwood D74A! The Kenwood is also a TRI-BAND radio. Our 220 repeater is the busiest repeater in town. As far as using it with hot spots, there are plenty of TG's, Rooms and Reflectors where you can cross mode between D-Star, DMR and Fusion so that is a non-issue. 73' KA2BSM

[@elguinolo7358]

The D74 allows to listen to anything on the spectrum, which makes it a clear winner.

[@ubik372]

Own both (and many others beside, you can never own too many radios and I can't bear to part with some of them!) and like them both, although just getting to know the FT3DR. The FT3DR has a very solid feel to it and seems very robust, slightly more so than the TH-D74. Also, on my TH-D74 the battery has a very slight "give" on the main body whereas on the FT3DR the battery is very firmly held in place. The RX range on the FT3DR goes all the way up to almost 1GHZ whereas receive tops out at 524 MHz on the TH-D74. You can receive the HF bands on the FT3DR, I was listening last night, althought there's no SSB mode. Love the FT3DR's touch screen (just a color screen on the TH-D74, no touch screen function) but it lacks the audio shaping options the TH-D74 has. You can get the FT3DR for $440 while the TH-D74's best price seems to be $510 so it's a little on the pricey side compared to the FT3DR. Have to ask, what antennas were you using in the video on both handhelds? Now, with the IC-705 announcement, Icom has competitively priced "state-of-the-art" equipment in the station receiver (IC-8600) and station/mobile transceiver (IC-7300, IC-9700, IC-7610, IC-705) departments, it only lacks a new handheld to go head to head with the above two new radios (it''s IC-51 line is getting a little long in the tooth).

[@K6UDA]

Nice analysis. I'm using Nagoya 701 antennas on both radios.

[@lyncchoo]

Great Video. I have a technician license. I'm coming back to radio after a 20 year hiatus. Still a noob. I want something nice but not too costly. I have an amazon gift card for a few bucks so that'll help. All I wanted was a dual band but the extra features on these two are great. No clear winner ... Thanks for the review!

[@Fireguy-]

OK BOB! You just cost me more $$$$. First the KX3, now the TH-D74. Working through the manual. Don Arnold's videos are a huge help. Thanks to you and Cal PERS. Cheers, Jeff, KK6CUG

[@K6UDA]

Awesome.

[@K4SRF]

Since Kenwood took the D74 off the market back in December 2020, I had to purchase mine off of eBay. Looking forward to playing with it.

[@Gribilo]

Tnks you for speaken slowly english. I'm French in Spain and i appreciate all your Videos.

[@PrecisionGroupYT]

As I am already invested into D-star with my first D-star radio the Kenwood D-74 ( The reason I went with the Kenwood is because it had true HF receive capabilities) . I had no prior experience with D-star, Fusion or DMR prior to my D74 Purchase But after using D-star I love it and I also now have the Icom 9700 (another D-star capable radio). So I am quite invested in D-star and now that Icom announced the IC-705 All Band All Mode QRP rig plus being also D-star capable on all bands with many of the same features and screen size as my 9700 and 7300 (The IC-705 will be my next rig as the many uses It will have is still adding up in my head and growing) I will be sticking with D-star for the far foreseeable future!!! Great video!!! Thanks Chris K4BBC

[@emin9788]

BOB,you are one of the best.Love your shows,too.Thank you for your presentations. Best Wishes.

[@K6UDA]

Thanks. Look for new videos to drop in a few weeks.

[@kb9oak749]

I give a thumbs up before the video starts. I have that level of confidence in your work.

[@K6UDA]

You rock dude. Thanks.

[@khalidien35]

Very nice. I am confined due to the cov19 curfew of the like and I would never have thought of having one of those transmitter. I have a TECSUN PL 380 receiver which is a nice device. These are not just transmitter, they push the experience to a all new level and you can interact, licensed wise of course. I am in France, in Europe, and those devices are not very welcomed. I can only get them from US or Chinese websites ??. You convinced me about the Ken D74. Cheers

[@boogeymanlockandkey362]

great comparison....What antenna are you using on the ft3?

[@allanmacuser]

Hi l have enjoyed your videos l myself have been off the radio for over 35 year OMG what a shock l had getting back on to find out all these new modes but thanks you to yourself and other l am now more informed (oh yes l have now bought a id-52 plus 2) regards allan G6TMO UK

[@markdoyle8713]

Attention radio manufactures these videos influence my purchase. Might get both. Love your work thanks.

[@cognetic]

I own the FT-3DR. My one BIG complaint, is the volume control! There is no master volume for both channels. Freaking annoying as all get out!! I can't do dual channel monitoring, as a daily driver with the FT-3DR, as it's business impacting. I.e. I walk into a client. Radio is screaming, on CHB. FT3 is on CHA. I reach down to turn it down, but radio is still screaming loud. I have to take the radio off of my hip. Press the A/B button to switch to CHB. Then I can turn the volume down. So freaking annoying! Needs to have an option in the settings, to choose "global master volume" or "individual channel volume". Hope they add in a future firmware update? How does the Kenwood D74 Volume work? Because, that feature alone would probably be a deciding factor alone.

[@1polonium210]

My Kenwood TH-D74 arrived today. I'll chime in when I get it figured out.

[@Whiskey6Radio]

Thanks for the video I was looking into both the 74 and ft2d. But got interested in the ft3. Battery life is huge to me because I’m out backpacking a lot so the ft3 it is for me.

[@forgetyourlife]

Hotfootedhiker Adventures if battery is king don’t backpack with a digital radio at all. They all suck more juice.

[@Whiskey6Radio]

forgetyourlife not going to be on digital. Mainly analog and use APRS. Currently I have a Yaesu VX6R and the battery life is amazing. I always hike with 2 batteries. When I get the ft3 I’ll have 2 batteries also

[@patrickallen1183]

I might have missed it in all the comments, but which one is the easiest to program; which one would be best to put in your car for a cross country trip; will either one allow you to set it and forget it for cross country trips? Thanks.

[@dahveed284]

The battery life on the Kenwood is too short. I also like that the Yaesu is water resistant, an important feature in a HT radio if you plan on going in the woods. The Blue Tooth is possibly a good feature IF (and its a big if here) it connects to my SENA helmet comm and works well. So it looks like the Yaesu is the radio for me, unless ICOM has something in the pipeline for the holiday season...

[@GoranSkular]

It connects. I am using it

[@dahveed284]

Goran Skular Are you using the VOX feature or PTT? More details please. Where do you put the Radio on the bike? Is it wired into the bike? Etc.

[@tecnocyborg]

I really liked your analysis on both radios, I did not know you but I subscribe to your channel for your simple but great way of explaining it, thanks 73's of XE1ZKC

[@NoPipeLeftBehind]

Thanks! Studying for my Technician license, researching rails and and have been asking myself this same question.Thanks again!

[@ojjenkins7110]

It boils down to this, do you want D-STAR or FUSION. The IC-705 was presented on ham college Friday evening. It has D-STAR. I have the D74.

[@NathanChilton]

That's actually the least important part of the decision for me. I've never used either. It would help if I really cared about either D-STAR or Fusion/C4FM, because I could use that to help make the decision. The Yaesu looks way better, and it's cheaper, but the Kenwood has 1.25m, practical HF reception capabilities (SSB/CW), and its TNC can be used by a computer for packet radio (particularly Winlink)! Hmm....

[@la7dfa]

Dstar and Fusion sounds bad compared to FM. Only when signals are weak, you get some digital benefit (less noise). Besides it also depends on what you local repeaters use.

[@williambouchard4480]

The Icom IC-705 is also on the HRO website as a prebuy. The specifications are there as well. I like the concept.

[@johnpeterson7264]

It seems the D74 sounds better , but I’m having trouble figuring out if the D74 is the better receiver or if it simply has the best speaker. I’d love to see a Sherwood like comparison of the two radios. I’m guessing the kenwood will come out on top.

[@donmorgan3873]

Which one weighs more? When walking the trail and carrying a radio, less weight is preferred.

[@K6UDA]

FT3 10.4 oz D74 12.3 oz

[@stanleydavis2922]

Bro your talking about spending all your money on radios im thinking of booth these and your landscaping in the background prob cost more than my house 4 miles outside detroit. Im looking to get into it really bad, how hard is it to get a ham licence can i talk on 1 without it for a while to get a feel for it?

[@jasontremblay1713]

Thank you for the look. I have been looking at both radios. Hard choice.

[@N4EJM]

I had no idea the Kenwood could receive HF. However that FT3 would be such an addition to my FTM-400.

[@K6UDA]

Perfect companion radio. I agree.

[@N4EJM]

Just missed you the other day on Wires. I’ll try you again after this storm blows by this week. de N4EJM

[@denisemcjunkins4391]

I received my D74 Saturday. Excellent quality. Impressive radio. Still studying for my license.

[@rickmcconville4015]

The Yaesu wears a tight dress and like to go dancing. the Kenwood looks nice in shorts and a sweat shirt and she can cook. You date one and marry the other.

[@cjtaylor5917]

I agree.

[@spaceshipdev]

Same for the IC-7300 and the FT-991a. Brilliant comment 💯

[@BenDover-wm7wf]

Um, meaning?

[@JK-ug7rm]

The usability of the GPS info on the Kenwood is scoring major points.

[@pmolczan]

I think overall this is a great review. My issue with the FT3D is if you need to really go through the menus or use a APRS messaging the touchscreen really lacks a good user experience.

[@andyabbo9000]

I too have a Kenwood Wife & My Yaesu Girlfriend i feel very lucky and they live together in harmony.

[@williambouchard4480]

LOL! I agree, like Bob said, my Kenwood wife stays at home because I am afraid of breaking it. I first bought the FT-2 and like a new girlfriend I took her everywhere. I then bought the D-74 but she stays at home. I also just bought the FT-3 and I have to agree with Bob, the D-74 is a much better radio and I am still trying to get use to the FT-3 so I don't want to be too harsh, but I think I still like the FT-2 better. The screen is definitely bigger on the 2 than it is on the 3 and too me it's not really a color screen. I call it enhanced grey scale. I know the pictures that can be taken or received are in color but how many hams are going to use that feature. I probably am stupider than K6UDA because I have all THREE radios! Bill N3EDO.

[@tomisham9900]

Great video! I watched this and many other videos before purchasing a new HT which I ending up with the FT3 and I love it. It replaces my Yaesu VX-8 as my main HT.

[@phnxpunx]

Aren’t people having to send back the thd74s due to fuses blowing or something similar from over charging?

[@HamRadio2]

I still don't get the comparison between these 2. You can get something less expensive if you don't want Fusion or DSTAR, and if you want one of those, the other one won't work. Both are great radios, I just don't really get why so many people try to decide between them.

[@rtrjmk5]

Right now, my dilemma is Kenwood or wait for the Icom that is just being sold. I am in line for one. I have a Kenwood TH 22 AT that is 20 years old and still works great. Having. 7300 and a 9700 in my shack, and love them both, I think I may just go Icom. Decisions decisions. Thanks for the review. 73.

[@tallmike6598]

Thanks again for another great video Bob. I ordered a FT-3dr last night from HRO should have it hopefully tomorrow morning or Tuesday morning. For what I am doing within the hobby its "good enough for who its for" !! 73 Mike N2MWL

[@ftlaud911]

Was looking at both. Leaning towards Kenwood. Just saw video on the Icom 705. Looks like a portable 7300. Not exactly a handheld though. Right now I just do HF and enjoying making DX contacts. Yet to ever use a local repeater. Waited for my General to start getting into ham radio.

[@steveb7310]

One small aside, aircraft band is blocked on the D74, but everything else is open. Great video, the clear choice is...both. 73

[@K6UDA]

I’ve got aircraft frequencies programmed into mine.

[@panflute007]

That's 2 things the D74 doesn't do : no aircraft band, and stops at 470mhz.

[@steveb7310]

@@panflute007 actually I was wrong, the D74 does receive aircraft band, but only on the B band of the radio.

[@1polonium210]

I bit the bullet and bought a FT3D., because I just NEEDED to have another HT. As skeptical as I was when I first saw this radio, I have to admit that It is a stellar (and very "sexy") HT. I am surprised at how easy it is to program repeaters manually. It takes all of about two minutes to get one programmed. Really, I was up and running in a matter of minutes ... after the battery was charged with the charging cord that comes with the radio. That takes a while. Anyone who buys a FT3D would be well advised to buy a charging cradle (you can get lower cost alternatives on Amazon compared with the more highly priced Yaesu brand) and a mic.

[@emin9788]

Bob,you are good man.Great You Tube shows.Bring's a smile and laughter, too.Thank you.Best Wishes.

[@K6UDA]

Emin Izyaguyev thank you

[@Bob814u]

Two years later the price on the Kenwood has gone up $200. I love mine except for the short battery life. I do love the record function for working Satellites. I record the contacts then can go back and log them. DStar is great for talking around the world with the 74. I don't own the Yaesu handitalkie so I can't talk about it. Thanks for the videos. 73 de KE5ES

[@kb9oak749]

I checked repeaters in my state and came up with 38 Fusion and 39 D-Star. However, D-star is 16 miles away, while Fusion is 30+.

[@K6UDA]

Get a hotspot. You're welcome.

[@jptucsonaz8503]

Hi Bob, I agree, the Kenwood is the better overall RADIO! The FT3 has the better display (though I like that the K has a full keyboard too!) Solution; the Kenwood/Yaesu mashup FT3D74 - it's blender time! Btw; 11:34 ick! Please don't lick the radio gear... kiss fine, but I'd rather not have to down half a bottle of tums. Thank you for the side by side! 73 John

[@AmishSpecialForces]

Can't wait for the IC-705 video Bob!

[@kb9oak749]

Getting ready to buy later this coming week. Had to watch this again.

[@denisemcjunkins4391]

I did change the brightness setting of the screen and turned gps off when I first turned the radio on.

[@thomasmanson1119]

Hey thanks for this great video! I already have the ft-3dr, so I’m gonna go buy the Kenwood! You always have some great info and I appreciate that. Thanks again, 73s de Tom KC3QAC

[@Megan-hf7uh]

Great video I got the 3dr

[@TheKiltedHam]

It's the icom ic-705. Just announced in Tokyo

[@MyTube4Utoo]

@Chris Bone I do too, but I just ordered the XIEGU G90. It'll do 20 watts, has a built-in tuner, and is $439.99 at 'Radioddity.com.' Of course I may end-up with the 705 too, depending on the price. You should check-out the reviews on the G90 at www.eham.net/reviews/detail/14255?page=1

[@AKELLZ08]

What antenna is that on the Kenwood?

[@gotammo9148]

The Kenwood is holding it's price the ft3d is now $349

[@CordyteActual]

Thanks for the comparison, I have been wondering about this since they announced the FT3. 73 W6KMP

[@K6UDA]

Thanks. You weren't the only one.

[@soupdragon12345]

Did you do a cost comparison? That would be a factor also .

[@K6UDA]

When I made the video they were very comparable in price. Now you can get the FT3 for a song while the D74 has become a unicorn.

[@ajdrewjp]

Bob, thanks for the video. I'm right at this buyer's junction right now. Any chance you could compare the FT3 against the Icom ID-51a? Thanks again!

[@mattlord2906]

You convinced me, The Kenwood. It has held its value longer, it has more capabilities. Has excellent track record

[@timmanwell2538]

Great Vid. I'm thinking about both of these models myself for future purchase. Question... when it comes to ONLY the APRS functionality, and 2-way messaging, etc. is there a clear winner? I thought I'd heard/read somewhere that Yaesu's APRS feature-set isn't as .... capable..or feature-rich as Kenwoods? [I'm obviously not sure of what I'm talking about, hence the question]. Put another way, if what I wanted was the 'best' all-in-one APRS HT, would I rather have the Kenwood or the Yaesu?

[@tonymiller3417]

Very good review are the antennas stock or after market and where did you get them

[@AJMic-sp2rx]

When the Yaesu price comes down,i will buy it ,my EDC radios are currently the FT 1 and the D74 ,so i will upgrade to the FT 3 and gain some features ,i skipped the FT 2 because the screen sucks, but being able to use the same accesories from FT 1 makes the FT 3 a no brainer .i only buy color screens these days ,i have a brand new icom IC 92 A and all its accesories in the closet ,i got burned on it because the low resolution screen and cataracts dont mix well ,the IC 7000 was my last Icom till they improve there displays to color. I have bought like 6 Kenwood's and Yaesus ,since the 7000,Icom has not put out a premium radio in years .displays suck and the whole optional parts required to install thing has ran the premium out of them.

[@emsmikes]

Thanks again for a good comparison of radios! Since specs are always hard to compare real usability, these videos help.

[@jtrehern]

I’ve had this question myself but decided to go with the Yaesu because C4fm is what is used in my area and there are no D-Star repeaters near me.

[@walteredwards544]

Great video. You answered all my questions. I'd have to buy both of them because of the different digital modes

[@streetchicken5738]

Nice review. I've watched your review and each and the head-to-head is a good summary.

[@KY4BDP-TinyFangorn]

Great comparison on the radios Bob. I have the FT2-DR now and am keeping my eye on both of these radios. Thanks for the time and efforts! LCARA KY4BDP

[@iosonoi.7132]

I think the Keenwood looks sleeker. If only looks mattered, I would like the keenwood in a smaller size. It just looks cooler and more professional.

[@44stevenson]

If you were a beginner looking to take one with you on remote mountain bike rides, would you pick the FT3 for extra battery life of the Kenwood for the extra frequency? Looking for a worst case scenario radio

[@mgimenez1]

I own both and would take the FT3DR on any outdoor excursion. The TH-D74 just feels too fragile, so I just keep it indoors. Oh, and battery life? The FT3DR works all day and the TH-D74 uses juice like it's a heroin addict. It's so bad you might just throw it off your mountain.

[@alphonsorivera1111]

Always a great review!!! I can not wait for the 705...... I own the 74 but like the audio of my 51 better.

[@EarlGray_kd7sjt]

I got the D74 at Pacificon. I love it but it's gonna take me a year to learn how to use it.

[@JdeVos]

Got my first TH-D74 a couple of days ago. Dead on day 2 :/ If you are considering buying one, first be sure to Google 'TH-D74 wont switch on'. I was horrified to learn how common issues are with this HT dying in a matter of days and its mostly related to a failed/ flawed charging chip 😕

[@patthegunsmith]

And my choice is...............both! Thanks for a great and...humorous review.

[@gwr2243]

i pick both! because d-star is stand alone and ysf with a hot spot can access all other digital modes.

[@PhinAI]

Why is the D74 not available, anymore?

[@lanceriffle4841]

Do you think Icom with upgrade the 51A with a color screen? Probably right after I buy a 51A.

[@hbryant1971]

220 is very seldom used, though it should continue. I like the Yaesu. I live in the Philippines where it's impossible to get one for less than $1500. Can anyone help? Find a shipping option?

[@JK-ug7rm]

Is it worth considering how the HT radios interact with mobile aand base radios? Do their mobile radios offer important advantages or work well together?

[@K6UDA]

Great question. The FT3 and FTM400 mobile function alike. kinda like moving from an iPhone to a iMac. Beyond that its pretty much a toss up unless you want to maintain the same digital mode across your mobile and HT platforms.

[@chrism5428]

Thanks, I think I'll get the FT3D. I like the battery life. Which will allow me to carry less batteries. The super wide band features of the D74 seem nice but with half the battery life of the FT3D...ehh, I think I'm leaning to the FT3D more. Good video. Thanks.

[@AJAcevedo]

5 minutes into the video and he’s still rambling.

[@DannyB-cs9vx]

If he didn't like to talk, he would not be a ham. Lol

[@kd2kvz]

Your a strange bird, Bob, but I still love ya buddy! Lmao

[@K6UDA]

Thanks.

[@AcuraJ32]

I agree

[@thuff3207]

Thank you for your funny videos. The sideband multimode receive is important to me.

[@panflute007]

I have a vx-8 in New condition. It does 144 220 440. There are no digital modes or GPS. I may order the ft3 because of all the new things to learn and the nice styling. Neither radio does ssb or cw. I couldn't live with the screen on the ft2 I had.

[@indridcold8433]

Sadly, finances dictate that I buy a Baofeng, Rivitis, or Radio Oddity. Right now, all I have is a scanner. But it is an extremely nice scanner. It is 100 kilocycles to 2.1 gigacycles with no gaps, all modes, dual monitor, with close call. It is attached to the yagi television antenna on the roof. I may not be able to transmit. But I can listen to everything.

[@ericlessard6653]

Hey do you know where to get the Kenwood new still? I do really like the Yaesu and it has a band scope!

[@kb6dxn]

Well, I have the Yeasu FT3D for Fusion, Kenwood TH-D74 and the AnyTone for DMR and each have there place but, the Kenwood sucks as far as battery life out of all of them. Every geek needs more than 1 radio, you're a cool geek, you have a jeep.. :)

[@goaley45]

Good vid but I must have missed it... Why are you in 100 degrees again? For US?

[@K6UDA]

Because I live in Kalifornia. Thats the real reason.

[@johnk8091]

I hate the massive bezels on the TH-D74, such a waste of display space. The FT3 goes right to the edge. I was going to get the FT3, but have decided to not purchase it - where I live in Kenya, there is zero activity on 2/70 so it would be a waste. I could see the purchase of a new HT for me here in East Africa would be used as an expensive glorified WFM broadcast receiver only. I have decided to rather put that money into buying the new IC-705 HF/6/2/70 all mode handy SDR rig. Heck, I could even use the IC-705 on VHF/UHF as an HT with a rubber duck :)

[@2e0txe]

Personally I think the Kenwood packs more punch.

[@solomondavid329]

Can I ask why?

[@OnTerraFirma]

For one thing it has a built-in tnc so you can run packet through either USB or bluetooth. This is something the yaesu can't do. Also because of the Bluetooth you can use the tnc under kiss protocol with APRS droid (think built in mobilinkd) . That means a larger screen, maps, and easy messaging.

[@CrittendenIV]

Been grappling with this same conundrum. You made me laugh, so hard. Thanks so much!

[@MaxHedrm]

I’ve been looking for this comparison. It looks like you covered it all. But dude, tighten up your intros. 3:30 before you got to the content. Do people really care that you wait in line to buy new radios at full retail right when they come out?

[@K6UDA]

The reason I included that was to quiet the guys accusing me of just pandering to companies for free radios but thanks for the critique.

[@Jim-kd8mq]

I haven't read all the comments so maybe someone else has mentioned this. The FT2 & 3 are both capable of becoming WiresX nodes replacing the HRI 200. The FT2 needs a firmware update but I believe the FT3 is already updated.

[@billyparkinson9933]

James Kunkle yes the FT3 is PDN ready out if the box. I've tried the PDN thing, personally, I don't see what the big deal is. I don't see myself sitting in front of the computer screen to see all the info and talk on the radio. Kinda like all these hot spots with screens, the same info pops up on the radio screen, so what's the point?

[@neilspector9221]

LMAO you are just too funny. I am studying for my General now and would like the HF functions of the Kenwood. But that Yeasu is just plain sexy. Plus i have a Yaesu hat that I got at the Huntsville Hamfest.

[@K6UDA]

Well if you got the hat your committed.

[@neilspector9221]

K6UDA That is exactly what I was thinking.

[@vonzigle]

Hi Bob, I appreciated the work you put in to generate these reviews! I have a Kenwood D74, but notice they now have a D74A. Do you know the difference between the two? Thanks!

[@K6UDA]

If you live in the America’s you most likely have an A model.

[@vonzigle]

Got it... and the E version is for European!

[@michaelbloomston1770]

I have the FT-3DR. Which antenna would you suggest. I purchased the Diamond SRH770S, but is there a better choice?

[@BubbaJazzy]

I prefer the signal stick

[@K6UDA]

I put Nagoya NA-701's on both my radios. Short, flexible and no bent memory.

[@cognetic]

27.5"!!! Good grief that's long. 😁. I was freaked out by the stock 7" jabbing into my side. Can't imagine increasing that frustration. I went the opposite and ordered the MFJ-1713S 5" at $16.95 and a MFJ-1719S 1" at $18.95. Waiting for them to arrive from Gigaparts.

[@michaelbloomston1770]

Jeff Rose I am new to ham. Who is the manufacturer? What is the model number? Thanks.

[@off-trailseeking3965]

@@K6UDA What SMA extension are you using on the FT3d so the NA-701 fits next to the GPS bump?

[@ryankc9oza118]

Thats bob for video. Would like to have a kenwood even though dont have any dstar around

[@K6UDA]

Just grab a hotspot. You'll never miss a repeater again.

[@ryankc9oza118]

@@K6UDA I have a DV mega hotspot. Keep up good work bob

[@bev8200]

I can tell I'm going to fall deep down this rabbit hole

[@K6UDA]

It’s almost bottomless.

[@AdamSWL]

Great comparison Bob! But the choice is already made for me. Kenwood won't release the radio in VK land, so the FT3D is the only choice here. And the FT3D uses the same batteries as the VX-8R and FT-1DR which is perfect. Yeah you could probably get a D74 shipped over, but it would be stupid expensive.

[@brianhill2488]

Another awesome K6UDA video. 73's KM4MQC

[@K6UDA]

Thanks.

[@garysiuco7834]

Hi Bob, what antenna are you using on the Yaesu FT3? I find a few don't fit with the "bulge" of the GP. Thanks

[@rickbattle5706]

I got the FT3. Very happy with it. Hands down the best HT I have ever had. Works like a charm, easy to program, display is great. CW or SSB on 40 isn't real useful on a HT. Rick KB3NG.