Official Kenwood Announcement of the new Flagship Kenwood TH-D75A HT at Hamvention 2023

This is a quick look of the new Kenwood TH-D75A. More info to come
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[@kb5elv]

So much for all those reliable inside sources who told us all Kenwood is exiting the amateur radio market.

[@spaceflight1019]

Go ahead and take a chance. After having two 940s and a 2000 go dots-up I'm done with them and have moved on to Yaesus.

[@kb5elv]

@@spaceflight1019 Of the three, Kenwood has the best out of the box usability for blind operators. This would definitely be a consideration. Yaesu definitely was easier, at least their handhelds were, prior to the VX5. Now their whole line is ... well ... a bit challenging, at least.

I'm sold on it already, but I would kill to have full duplex for satellite work. Glad to see that they included 1.25m / 220Mhz!

[@paulmitchell4421]

according to John Crook of yaesu a diplexer can not fit into an ht . never mind all makes used to have it

[@ericlessard4406]

I'm sold too. Hopefully they aren't to expensive

[@JayN4GO]

@@paulmitchell4421 crook is about as smart as someone working as a radio shack manager

[@plemieux84]

@@paulmitchell4421 The Kenwood D72 had full duplex. Hoping they bring it back in an upgraded model.

[@max2950]

@@paulmitchell4421 AFAIK the THD72 had it.

[@twohandsandaradio]

If it only had an additional feature of being affordable.

[@KD2HJP]

It's not the only sticker shock (more like disgust) from Hamvention.

[@jonathancristole6074]

And a bandscope? DMR? HF Transmit? Ya.... NO.

[@anthonydiiorio]

So excited to see amateur radios coming with USB C! Now we can charge and program with one cable. It makes travelling so much easier!

[@markdoyle8713]

I would buy this radio just because Don is supporting it. He helped me set up my 74 at a time when I was just getting into ham. Thanks Don.

[@MichaelPechner]

Until they publish a manual, put it on their site and provide a ship date, still smoke and mirrors.

[@Liberty4Ever]

SSB could be good for JS8 on VHF and UHF for local use without a lot of equipment, which would be great for Technicians wanting to play with digital modes.

[@jimfielder]

It doesn't transmit SSB it's listen only - but you can listen anywhere as a Tech.

[@Liberty4Ever]

@@jimfielder - "It doesn't transmit SSB it's listen only." I thought that was too good to be true, even though I've been publicly calling for all mode HTs for years because they'd be great for portable operations with digital. As software defined radio becomes more prevalent, it should be easier to implement FM, AM, USB, LSB, etc.

[@chunkylover54]

would love to see a new mobile as well. very exciting

[@HamTechRadioScannerDrones]

Thanks Loads Don looks great.

[@w6gps]

welcome

[@NathanChilton]

I'm glad this isn't available yet, because it's going to take me a long time to save up for it. I really wanted to get its predecessor, but the Yaesu FT3DR was significantly cheaper and more practical, since my club had a Yaesu digital repeater, but there wasn't a D-STAR repeater in town. I have a couple Mobilinkd TNCs, so I don't NEED one of these, but it would be so nice to have the ability to do Winlink over FM packet, without the need for an external TNC (and its cable). I really like that it has a built-in APRS digipeater, too. The USB-C charging capability makes this an ideal HT for traveling, since I could use my phone's charger to charge it. While I have a USB cable that I can use with my Yaesu radios -- and another for my Baofeng extended batteries -- that is a special cable that I only have one of. I have lots of USB-C cables and I can pick up a new one at virtually any gas station. So... I'm going to start saving. It would probably be a more practical use of limited funds to put the money toward a spare/backup HF radio, instead of yet-another-HT, but this is so cool!

[@joeframo3347]

Hey Don you're a genius when it comes to setting those th 74 I hope you can use a program to put the frequencies in it's great seeing you Don this is N2HGL living in Carrollton Georgia you made some great videos on that other one I think I'll buy this one when it comes out thank you for sharing it my friend 👍🌞👍

[@w6gps]

glad to help

[@ralpha.6960]

Finally. They have been promising this for two years. Can hardly wait to get my hands on. I hope they have increased the battery some. I also hope the accessories for the D-74 will work on the updated D75. Great news.

[@spaceflight1019]

While I have a TM2550 and two TS430s in my collection I gave up on Kenwood radios after having two 940s and a 2000 go dots-up.

[@DK5ONV]

I am so ready for a new Kenwood Transceiver which is a size like IC-7300. You Guys throwing one Flaggship Transceiver after another on the Market. How about a Kenwood qrp 10W HF 6m for portable Usage? Happy HAMvention Weekend & 73 de Uncle Günter, DK5ONV

[@barrybogart5436]

I do love THAT idea. I have used Mizuho, Nishi Musen and Tokyo Hypower HTs for VHF SSB and of course my KX3. I would love a triband VHF SSB HT!

[@odysseyofnoises]

Wow, it looks amazing! Will the TH-D75 have a more durable screen than the D74? I remember the plastic screen on the D74 didn't feel very robust. Otherwise, the TH-D74 was already a great radio as it is, so it's nice to see that this is similar.

[@JoeyRF]

Now maybe the d74 will drop in price big time and all the people that are paying 700-800 for a HT will feel dumb

[@radiotec76]

Yeah, you can still by a decent basic hf rig for that price.

[@spaceflight1019]

Keep your eyes open, the Chinese will be selling these for $30 including shipping soon.

[@KU9L]

I will buy the whole set if you make a matching mobile unit to go with it! Cheers, Davey - KU9L

[@matjazs7348]

Great! So the TH-D74 should be sold as soon as possible. Will the accessories stay the same with the new TH-D75?

[@littlejohn1830]

and will there be a premiere of mobile kenwood?

[@jpcgpc]

Kenwood big news holy shit

[@gregoryaisemberg2037]

Hey man, hurry the heck up with the release. Like now.

[@hartranft66]

do i have to morgage my house to get one?

[@hondocalrissian1918]

Don, has there been any talk about having an updated version of the D710?

[@w6gps]

just rumors but no time line

[@ohiostate9156]

Anything on mobiles?

[@jd1029]

Can you program from a table or pc app that is easy to use or is it still as tough at TH-D74 to program? Would love to see more front end interface options for these radios that speed use/programming

[@w6gps]

I have never had any programming issues with 74

[@barrybogart5436]

I do like my original D7 which does a good job of beaconing and messaging. But I like my F6 more because it is a tri-bander, does DC-daylight Rx and SSB, and it is half the size, but no APRS. I am tempted, but it will probably cost a grand.

[@derek45auto23]

Please bring back an updated TS480HX with IF DSP

[@dwayne5530]

Don is there any word about a new mobile D74/75 type or HF rig in the pipeline? Like an announcement later this year in Japan

[@w6gps]

I have no information of future radios mobile / HF

[@pixabilly]

Cool! D75E version for Europe too?

[@w6gps]

yes

[@larry6740]

Im curious to know if the TH-D75 has the 220-225 MHz Band built in

[@w6gps]

yes

[@LU7HQW]

Shut up and take my money !!!

[@nathanhaltman7235]

I am ready to buy one!

[@paulmitchell4421]

dual watch is not the same as dual receive

[@w6gps]

it receives DV on both bands at the same time. TX on only one band at a time

[@dustoff499]

I’m starting to think this radio will not be actually released. The timing of advertising this radio and a no date available to purchase and price is questionable. The damn thing should have been available already.

[@WillW7WRP]

Full Duplex please.

[@w6gps]

sorry not duplex

[@DBJCobb]

Where is the TM 710G

[@jimfielder]

Where's the DStar mobile??? There has been plenty of time to develop it. . ..

[@This_Month_In_History]

Real 1200bd/9600bd tnc packet or no?

[@w6gps]

I would say it is similar to 74

[@egillis214]

No reason to upgrade from my D74

[@AlexShimp]

Don, just let me know where toe send my money, any word on the mobile equivalent?

[@N4DJC]

Is that a prototype or working D75?

[@w6gps]

it powers up we cannot TX yes prototype

[@N4DJC]

@@w6gps thanks Don, I’m so glad to see a replacement for the 74, by far the best APRS implementation in a hand held. A full TNC? And digipeater? Say hello to my old friend Phil, he was our go to for many years when he was at HRO in ATL (plus he did me a great favor at Kenwood that I’ll never forget).

[@w6gps]

yes it will have a built in digipeter...full TNC bigger battery

[@Destroy_Communism]

Why

[@paulmitchell4421]

th 78 had cross band full duplex

[@w6gps]

no

[@arnoldgrubbs2005]

@@w6gps It (TH-78), does have cross band repeat. But If I remember I required a configuration diode to be removed to enable it. Its been a long time since I did it, but still have the radio.

[@w6gps]

@@arnoldgrubbs2005 sorry misunderstood. but don't know about this

[@paulmitchell4421]

@@arnoldgrubbs2005 please differentiate between cross band repeat and cross band full duplex the latter allowing you to simply unintereptedly listen (perhaps with headphone ) on one band while txing on the other. Super necessary for satellite work, very handy with linked repeaters and important in tactical situations. cross band repeat on the other hand also requires cross bamd duplex and is very nice to have as well for emergency situations. These features used to be standard on every dual band radio starting in about the nineties and as soon as manufacturers started to push the horrible sounding digital modes that nobody asked for and that divided and truncated everybody into separate camps the cross band full duplex largely disappeared. Now that an entire generation or two of new hams arrived most don't comprehend the importance

[@arnoldgrubbs2005]

@@paulmitchell4421 Like you said, It would RX both VFO's at the same time, not scanning them like a 'feng would. In cross band repeat, it would take which ever VFO RX something, and transmit it out at the same time on the other band. I imagine being able to do cross band repeat would mean that the hardware is there to TX and listen to your down link. You would have to isolate your mic source from the RX audio source some how I suppose. But I don't remember if the software would allow that though. Since it was an FM radio, I didn't really care to try to mess with it for sats at the time. I had a TS-790 that I used for quite a few years, so didn't feel the need to try to use the HT for sats. In reality, there are very few radios that are in production that would allow full duplex comms.. The IC-9700 comes to mind. Anything else I can think of is either out of production (TS-2000, TS-790) or would require 2 separate radios.. Like my portable station made up of 2 FT-817's. I am somewhat disappointed in Icom's new IC-905 as I heard that, sadly, it would not be able to do full duplex as needed for sats.

[@markschneiderhan4300]

It's the same as the 1 it replaced.....

[@joen8joe231]

Dual watch? … not Dual receive? … putting wallet away😢

[@w6gps]

it will receive at the same time a DV or FM signal

[@joen8joe231]

@@w6gps is it full duplex?

[@w6gps]

@@joen8joe231 no it is not

[@NSNorfolk]

Is Kenwood seriously in the Amateur HF business or still trotting out the same old radios? Yaesu is kicking their butts. Are Leo and Phil Parton in the booth this year?

[@PrebleStreetRecords]

Man, if it could tether to devices via USB or Bluetooth for digital work, I’d be ecstatic. No digirig, Mobilinkd, and a pile of adapter cables. Bonus points for CAT control. Clearly the market is there, the Mobilinkd is more popular than Jesus. Everyone wants to do portable digital, and if it could do full duplex with cat control and audio via USB sound/uart or Bluetooth audio/serial, it’d SWEEP the satellite market for portable use. Imagine working Winlink, FT8, SSTV and satellite on 2m with just a HT and a tablet. No wires, no annoying config. Now that iOS can do BT serial even Apple users could get in the game with things like RadioMail without mucking with an old Android tablet and sketchy side loaded .apks.

[@streets814]

That is assuming the tnc is completely user accessible. I keep seeing these videos where they say aprs compatible and many ht's are but they don't allow full use of the tnc for other packet work. Time will tell.

[@PrebleStreetRecords]

@@streets814 Yeah, I don't know why all the big manufacturers are so adamant about keeping mobile users in their walled gardens. Hams don't want a black box, they want something to tinker with that has exposed JTAGs, modifiable firmware, etc.

[@W9BTM-WQNX906]

So when are you going to hop back into the HF game? Think you've been lacking for a few years. Yes allot of people are wondering what's going on with Kenwood. Can't tell me all these year's and you've only worked on one HT now lol common.

[@jonathancristole6074]

I had a preorder with HRO and let it go because the lazy slobs at kenwood didn't add a bandscope. Its unacceptable for a radio at this price range not to have it. The $30 Quan Sheng I own with custom firmware (thank you Russias) now has a bandscope and can do HF receive AND transmit. The only thing the $30 modded radio can't do is transmit on SSB, but this radio can't either, its only receive and it can't even transmit on HF. All thats shows is Kenwood COULD make this radio with a bandscope and HF transmit (with SSB) but chose to just make another D74 with a USB C port, while marking it up $150 for nothing more than the now mandated European standard of USB C. Screw Kenwood.

[@jonathancristole6074]

I mean seriously, what diversity hire idiot engineer took 4 years to come up with "lets take a D74 and add a European MANDATED USB-C port so we can sell them in the EU, then try and sell it as a NEW radio". Wow, it must have taken Kenwood Engineers a lot of brainpower to come up with the D75. Years of Engineering! Its insane that you people call this a NEW radio. Did you fix the tinny speaker the D74 had? How about battery life with APRS? No.... No Bandscope (IMO MANDATORY on a radio over $200) No HF Transmit, No DMR, Just the same radio you used to sell for $150 more that has a USB C to comply with the law in the EU. THATS IT. What trash clowns. Your D&I department must be working overtime to hire a bunch of lazy young people who couldn't pass a standardized test so they got rid of them. Same radio, huge price increase. Didn't even bother to add software features. Go away Kenwood.

[@w6gps]

Enjoy your 30 dollar radio

[@jonathancristole6074]

@w6gps The $30 radio was an example of how Kenwood are lazy idiots. I took the money and got an ID52a. Loving the radio. Programmed it with an SD card in about an hour and the waterfall is beautiful. Spent $300 less on a better product. Oh, and I'm having a blast with the $30 radio too, thanks. Enjoy your overpriced brick with a tinny speaker, no waterfall, and no battery life. Have fun with that!

[@markwarren7116]

What about another HF Radio that people can actually afford?. And how about a multi band radio like the TS-2000 or like the Yaesu FT-991?.

[@iPigee]

Much of the same thing. No thanks. Will keep my 74.

[@ericlessard4406]

What's the price going to be.

[@npc9352]

It's gonna be like $1200. Kenwood is gonna Kenwood.

[@PaulBourke1]

Excellent news Don! Thank you. I’ll be ordering one for sure. Tell them to get their finger out and start importing into Australia again. VK2TZZ/KY4XB