I have been using my D75 since they were released in the USA. I carry it everywhere every day. Love it. I also use a cheap tablet using Bluetooth to access reflectors without a OpenSpot. To each his own.
Had my D-75 for three weeks now and really enjoy it. Use it mostly for D-STAR, just like the ID-52 I had before it. I'll listen to HF when I get home from work in the morning, usually on 40m. There's one 220MHz repeater I get get into at my QTH. It's probably one of the easiest radios I've ever programed manually. Got the Blue DV Connect app to work with the D-75, which allows me access the D-STAR network without a hotspot or repeater. I bought a kit containing and a spare battery and a desk charger. Also got another spare battery for $170 from Batteries America. Just waiting on an aftermarket triband antenna to come in and I should be set with the D-75.
@pale_2111 still a rip off. Those batteries are $50 each. If batteries America is doing that just because it's for a D75, that's wrong, they take the same batteries
Thanks for the review. I had been eyeing the D74 and D75 for a while and just can't justify the price. For the weight and capability, I might as well grab my 705. That's coming from someone who operates mostly portable and does not often carry an HT.
First and foremost lets get this out of the way. The battery life sucks on the TH-D74 and given they are using the same battery and there is more in the radio I would assume the same with the TH-D75. The price is justified by what you want. I use the KISS TNC, I use every feature of this radio including hooking up a long wire to it and listening to HF for the pack. I don't know if I would use the new features of the TH-D75. I can justify the price if something happens to my TH-D74 with the addition of the USB-C charging. I have a power bank, as PD cord to bring things to 12 v and a barrel connector that will fit my 74. This is the same kit that is with me to run my X6100 minus the connector. If you aren't using the GPS features, the KISS TNC, APRS, and the new features in the 75, I completely understand. There is a lot in both radios that most hams don't make use of. For me I'd love the 75 but only if something happened to my 74.
@@Veslanjejezivotjust use the handset, you don’t need to run it down to 0% before charging, but I did, and I notice that after 5-7 cycles it lasted longer. So the battery needs some “breaking in”.
I have a Duracell 12V AGM that does 9Ah. I have a cable on it that I can change connectors and power not only my Kenwood D75 but also my Yaesu and my old Radio Shack HTX-202. I just change the connector plugs sizes as needed. So I don't care much about the battery life and of course in my car I use a Cig. plug adaptors to power all those radios the same way using the same different sized barrel plugs. Going to buy another Duracell battery and put it in parallel and have 18 amp hours. So I don't need to rely on the lithium battery much for this Kenwood. These Duracells I'm talking about are about the same size as a motorcycle battery. Nice to have for not only backup but for me everyday use.
I have been wanting to setup a 220 winlink gateway because in a situation when there is alot of traffic on 2 meter the 1.25m would be free. What holds me back is the price and selection 1.25m radios. Great review Jason thanks for sharing.
If you’re liking the tnc that much, sell it and get a D72. You’ll have kiss and command control of that tnc. And paired with a Mobilinkd and cell phone, you’ll have a portable igate setup in addition to the digipeat feature.
I enjoyed the review and yes, I'd like to see more videos connecting from a computer to the TNC over Bluetooth. I have an FT-5 and I'm not thrilled with the battery life on it either, hard to think of going to something with even worse battery life and $100 per battery, yikes! I got 2 additional stock batteries and I normally just swap once during a day with moderate usage but if i got up any earlier and maybe had heavy transmit usage, I'd probably need that 2nd swap. I'm also considering that big battery like you have. Thanks Jason! 73, -KV4S
I agree that for the price, there should be a desktop charger. A Quansheng $20 handheld radio comes with a desktop charger, so a $750 Kenwood or $400 Yaesu should also include a charger. Thanks for the video! For my radio needs, my Yaesu FT5 does the job for me.
I'd be on board with yaesu more if they supported more than fusion for digital. The TNC on the 75 is also nice to have. I would enjoy seeing your config for use with linux. I havent quite made it that far due to lack of time. Thanks for the content brother.
I'd get the Kenwood if money was no option. Mainly for the TNC, wideband receive and D-star as we only have D-Star and DMR repeaters in my location. Good points you raised Jason. :)
Thanks for the review Jason. I have a D74 and am wondering if it's worth upgrading. I know it's subjective but would like to hear opinions, especially from people who also own a D74.
Good review. Wow $700! I just sent my FT5D in for repair after only 6 months use. For me, I don't see myself even spending $400 on any radio again. With the cheap Chinese stuff, I could just throw it away and get another one many, many times over and not deal with mailing it in and waiting a month or more. Also using a cheap radio and the tiny Mobilinkd TNC4, I can do anything either of the other radios can do like APRS, Winlink, send texts etc.
I will probably get one of these high end flagship handhelds _at some point_. If I were to completely start over today, I might get the D75 and an amplifier. I would pair that with my Surface Go and FX-4CR, which I currently have, for a nice Bluetooth-connected station. The only thing I don’t like about the D75 is that it doesn’t have BLE.
Whats crazy is, if Kenwood would offer that radio in a 50 watt mobile, hams would gladly hand over the money. I don't get why Kenwood doesn't offer that, they would sell like hotcakes
The D75 is obviously a reissue of the D74 to clear the parts shelves from the period of chip shortage and Covid. Yes, it has a few more features, but if they didn’t add something there would have been little hope at reissue. When the service manual comes out, I’m betting a comparison of part numbers will tell the tale. In any event, the D75 is on the same architecture of the D74, hence battery, charger and other obvious similarities. I had a D74 from when it came out in 2016- eight years ago, to 2020 when I sold it, using it heavily. I was glad to move on. D75? Welcome to 2016.
Nice review Jason. I am certain the TH D75 is a great radio but for the price it would have to walk the dog and make tea as well as having Bluetooth before I'd consider it. Using a Mobilinkd TNC to any Yaesu is one cheaper practical solution. Yes, it involves another piece of gear but that is only marginally inconvenient. If money is no object then having the TH D75 would be nice, but it's certainly not on my list of things I want.
I have only Japanese Brands Ham Radios, Because of Their Very High Quality Standards! I have a Yaesu FT5D, ICOM ID52A and a Alinco DJ-MD5, and a Kenwood D75,
Nice review. I agree that $750 is a lot of money, but it also does more than any other. If you were to take the cost of getting two radios that do what this one does you will spend more money. Couple that with the fact that even their old TH-D7/D72 radios are still selling for a premium it really only means that this will hold its value. I do wish Kenwood would bring back the full featured TNC and not just the KISS, tnc and update their BT to allow for BTLE so the iPhone users can use it without the intermediary device. My D75 has been my daily driver, I have the D72, D74, and an ID-52 and I get more pleasure out of the D75. (Wideband RX is awesome) Icom could learn from Kenwood and add APRS to their radios, until then I don't really consider it comperable. As for the FT5 though, I would own one, but there are a LOT of reports of a cracking case and that kind of negates their weatherproofing..
I have both a Yaesu and the Kenwood, but not the kenwood portable. If what your talking about is a completely separate access to the tnc (Kenwood D710 does that) , seems to be the only ones who do) then that is a powerful feature ! You then have a full keyboard available and much more. I was able to pound out messages amazingly fast with that feature. SMS to a cell is when you definitely need that feature. So, even though it is pricey, selling my Yaesu to have it might be something I would think about. I do like fusion though, but don't think I could justify having 500 plus 700 (1200) into portables !
@@KM4ACK Wow, the bluetooth is a game changer. That gives you access to a keyboard direct to the TNC if that can be worked out. With my D-710 I use a windows program called SarTrack, and with a linux machine you would use DireWolf or something like that. The FT5 with its bluetooth should be able to work that out, its a firmware option where instead of typing on the touch screen you would type on the keyboard ? Doesn't seem that earth shaking of an idea, and wouldn't need direct access to the TNC per se. That said, I haven't gotten access with anything yet on my FT5 bluetooth, won't connect to anything. I've tested about 20 different headsets ect. I was trying to explain why its important. I know of an area , most of a County (TRINITY) in California that doesn't have Cell Access, and that includes miles and miles of a dangerous state highway (west 299) in Northern California. I can think of a ton of reasons its good to be able to send messages to someones cell, some emergency, some just basic family coms, many reasons. Auto Accidents for instance, and repeater access is fairly limited, and with the huge forest fire all of the landline system boxes on poles were burned. APRS MESSAGING could easily save a life out there. And, good access including use of a keyboard makes it work really well.
@@stephanef4gpj836I have one, the TX output on 2m SSB is only a few milliwatts and it only goes down the lower frequency you go from there. Decent SSB RX radio for what it is though
I am one who paid a deposit, but did not purchase because I could not come even close to justifying the outrageous price. The other two issues were the short battery life and it does not support current Bluetooth standards. I am happy with my FT5 and third-party all day battery.
I have the D74 and it has been worth more to me than any other HT I have owned. The TNC just makes the difference to easily send messages that Yaesu does not allow you to do. I am still trying to decide if I need to get the D75 though.
I wish that Kenwood would have made the design of the D74 and D75 similar to that of the Baofeng - where you could get an extended battery pack for it. Unfortunately besides the price that is it's only shortcoming!
I've had a D74 for years and love it, but the new radio is way too expensive. In my humble opinion, the Yaesu FT3DR and FT5 are highly underrated and amazing radios! I'd buy an FT5 before the new D75 due to price alone.
Kenwood is following how they operate in the commercial world. The desktop chargers are extra cost. The battery cost is cheaper in the commercial side vs amateur. Interesting how they price radios.
I have a D74 and I like it a lot. You talked about wide receive on the D75. Is the wide receive any better than D74? How does it compare to a TH-F6A on wide receive?
Can you tune in broadcast AM radio stations on the D75 using the internal bar antenna? My experience with the D74 is that it can't tune powerful AM stations in my area using the bar antenna. My TH-F6A is a much better AM radio.
How would you compare the menu structures, with ease of navigation/programming? With my older (and less expensive) Kenwood and Yeasu HTs, the Kenwood wins hands down in that area.
Hard for me to say without being biased. I have been running the Yaesu FT3 & FT5 for so long that the menus are second nature to me. I need more time with the Kenwood.
Here is another mind frack...What if you do NOT already own a Icom 52, Yaesu 5, or Kenwood 75? If you were in the market for a new HT at that level, what would YOU purchase? I look forward to the responses...
Never owned the Icom. Love my FT5. Only had the Kenwood for a short time but right now I would choose the Kenwood if I were limited to one. Primarily for the built in TNC that I can access with a computer without additional hardware. I have used that feature a LOT since I got it.
Saying the FT5 (factory) battery life is better is faint praise. I bought a used FT3 and realized I needed an upgrade, so bought a W0AEZ battery they were back in stock.
Grab a battery from batteries America. I have one. Few more AH with it and it lasts a tad longer but never less then after 7 cycles with it. And the kicker it’s $50.
I think it's a shame that Kenwood and Yaesu don't have a full duplex device. And D-Star, well, I don't know. Actually, it's an operating mode invented by amateurs, I would even prefer it to the other operating modes if D-Star wasn't on such a downward spiral.
Great review! One thing I heard but don’t have confirmation on is that you can’t Bluetooth pair to an iPhone due to the D-75 not supporting BLE. Is that accurate? So to use my iPhone I would still have to use my Mobilink like I use it now with my FT-5. 73 W4BFZ
I own two D-74 radios and and what you said is correct about those. I was very interested to see if they had upgraded the D-75 to support BLE. Also, I would love to see a soundcard interface over Bluetooth for VARA FM, SSTV, etc.
Fact check me but I think the limitation is the data rate over Bluetooth on the iPhone. There is an aftermarket part that can be used to make it compatible with the iPhone. groups.io/g/radiomail/message/746
@@KM4ACK Looks like it’s a design choice to prioritize iPhone battery life over legacy device compatibility. Not that Apple is overly concerned about device compatibility with anything they don’t sell. Thank you for the link. That is super helpful!
@@KM4ACK Ahh, interesting. Actually created by the person who developed the RadioMail App for iOS. Thanks for that as well. So it would be possible to use the D-75 TNC with an iPhone.
I have a FT3, and I was curious Is the FT5 better at decoding APRS than the FT3? I find the FT3 garbage at decoding. Is the KENWOOD any better at decoding APRS? Thanks!
I have an ft2d and the ft5d. The ft2d decodes APRS way better than the ft5d. Not sure what they've messed with but the ft5d should be a LOT better than it is at the price.
Does the D75 near repeater search include analog repeaters? This was a bummer in the D74 where near repeater was exclusive to D-Star where as the Icom ID-52 did indeed do near repeater searches for both analog and D-Star making it the ideal travel companion. The advantage I see in the Kenwood is true APRS and the TNC as an edge over the flagship Icom D-Star HT. If the D75 had the near repeater with analog…
@@KM4ACK alas there is still no perfect HT radio. The ID-5100 mobile has this near repeater capability to include FM which is wonderful for travel (on my wishlist). ID-52 DOES have this capability in a HT which is awesome. Downside - no true APRS. FT5D - best for entering custom APRS messages by hand without a computer/tablet/phone intermediary. But no near repeater search. D-75 true APRS unlike the Icom’s with a DStar only flavor of APRS. Yet no near repeater search like the Icom! Goldilocks situation!
I looked through the comments and don't know if I missed it or if it wasn't brought up, but what is the make and model of the extended FT5 battery? Thanks
There's a 220 in Bedford county that you don't have to be a member of the good old boys club to try.. let me know I you want to make contact some day ive got a 220 ht and mobile
I added a sma to BNC adapter. I run the adapters on all of my HT. km4ack.square.site/product/sma-male-to-bnc-female-ht-adapter/44?cp=true&sa=false&sbp=false&q=false&category_id=7 OR km4ack.square.site/product/sma-female-to-bnc-female-ht-adapter/45?cp=true&sa=false&sbp=false&q=false&category_id=7 depending on your radio.
this "breaking in a battery" thing.. I thought that was the "thing" with old NiCad batteries. But current chemistry doesn't have that as a thing AFAIK. No manufacturer instructions come with that sort of recommendation. So is this a case of an old habit with "true believers" not letting go?
Waaaaay over expensive and it doesn’t worth in my opinion. Get a Mobilink and strap it with Velcro or even a rubber band and you have hundreds extra to go on a vacation. It’s ridiculous to pay HF price for an HT
