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You can
write your own review of the Kenwood TH-D7A(G).
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KF5DEY
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Rating: 4/5
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Nov 4, 2009 17:59
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Works fine.
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I am having a hard time hitting repeaters...so I will have to agree that the range is very limited...but how much range can you get out of a 5w HT with a short antenna?
I got the cable to use the software for programming...it is a lifesaver.
If I really need range out of this, I will get the BD35 amp and a big antenna...
On a related note...does anyone know of a leather case for this radio?
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NT9M
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Rating: 5/5
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May 30, 2009 16:19
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Still unique
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Though discontinued, the D7A(G) still offers a unique feature set that no one else even approaches. I've had mine for a few years, but only recently began using SkyCommand on a regular basis with my TS2000. They make a great pair. The only nit to pick is the speaker does not produce the same quality audio as my TH-G71A, no doubt due to a size limitation, as they've certainly managed to pack a lot into this HT. Remedied with a quality speaker/mike add-on. I'm anxious to see what Kenwood will do to top this one when they come out with the new model next year. Sure hope the same accessories will work with the new one!
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ZS5J
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Rating: 5/5
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May 30, 2009 14:07
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Great but change the display
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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This is a great h/held radio, works very well, and intuitive. One thing I would like Kenwood to bring out in their new HT next year, is a color LCD display. The technology is there and has been for a decade - thanks to cheap cellular phones, it would be easy and cheap to use a good color display. I find with color LCD, it is easier to read in all types of light, and, more information can be put on the display, than currently on h/helds. Come Kenwood, you would sell heaps of them, if you had a good color display - none of the other manufacturers have ventured there yet.
Otherwise, I have no complaints. My stock battery died, so I imported a very high spec battery from a battery manufacturer in the USA, now my battery lasts for days.
73
John, ZS5J
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KSAVES2
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Rating: 5/5
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May 29, 2009 12:10
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Dated but still holds it own
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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This radio is a tracking solution rather than just a glorified tracker. Yaesu missed the mark with the VX-8R. Hold on to yer hats though as Kenwood is planning on a replacement in 2010.
It will be dual band I've been told. Make sure
if you are interested you write to KW and tell them the features you'd like to see. I mentioned it has to have the functionality of the ol' D7 or they might as well not go through
the motions. The TNC needs to be accessible and the radio still needs to be interfaceable to
a serial handheld GPS. Kurt KC9LDH
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K4PDQ
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 13, 2008 09:35
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Glad I got it when I did
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I had been looking at the TH-D7 HT to Sky Command my Kenwood TS-2000 for several years, then I began to see they were not being listed on major distributor's web sites, so I suspected they had been discontinued. About that time, a local ham was helping liquidate a SK inventory and had one almost new in the box for a very good price, so I grabbed it. I haven't used it a lot yet, but did set it up to do the Sky Command and that is about as neat as an HT can get. Sorry they no longer make this unit and it does seem that Kenwood is not making much effort to bring out new gear now...just hope they don't leave the ham arena for good.
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KQ4KK
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 13, 2008 06:04
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Retired by Kenwood
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I've owned one since they first came out. Great system for doing APRS on the fly. OK HT.
On the Kenwood site, it now lists the D7 as "retired".
Some folks say they quit making them due to the European Solder rules. I heard in the Kenwood booth, from a Kenwood guy that a critical component is no longer made.
I'll keep running mine till it dies.. the RIP.
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KF4FRK
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Rating: 4/5
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Oct 12, 2008 19:11
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Great for local APRS work
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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My D7 has been used for APRS in my mobile basically whenever the Jeep is moving. I've got 148,000 miles on the Jeep now, so the D7 has withstood the test of time. 5 watts is plenty around town but there are times out on the interstate that more power would be useful. Mine is set up to use APRS on one side and 2m voice on the other, and I often have QSO's while I am sending out posits every 1 minute while moving. I've never had any overheating issue or durability issue with this little guy, and it isn't always mounted with the greatest of TLC!
Some minor quibbles, though:
1. Wish that text entry for APRS messages was easier. As is, it is nearly impossible to respond to incoming messages while stationary, dangerous if moving!
2. To get to UHF memories, I have to jump through some hoops, which is also less than ideal while moving. I have to confess that I like Yaesu's menu system and 'way of doing things' much better, but I have much more experience with Yaesu rigs.
3. Wish there was more variety in power settings.
4. Battery life of stock battery.
All in all, a good little rig when used for its designed purpose. Now that Kenwood has announced that it is retiring the D7, I wonder what will replace this little workhorse.
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VK7HDX
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 30, 2008 18:50
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I'm Happy
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Great device because I brought mine for APRS work on my quadbike and its perfect for the job in hand.
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K2CG
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 14, 2008 08:31
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Great Radio
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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This radio is packed with some great features. I have used the radio for Satellite work, APRS and just general 2M/70cm operations. The computer programming software is FREE.
On the minus side:
The battery is NiCad, I replaced it with 9.6 1450mAh NiMh from Batteries America.
The Manual is poorly written, but then I haven't found any well written manuals from ICOM or Yeasu.
The Free software is limited to a few COM ports, but you can always use Link700.
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KB5VNU
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Rating: 3/5
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Apr 22, 2008 10:37
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not worth the money
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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This may be a decent radio, I haven't had time to find out much about the HT itself. I bought this to be able to use it with my laptop for digital. So far I can only use it with my desktop.
I wanted to have something portable for ecomm, this was the main reason for the purchase. This only works if a). you are able to rename your USB ports on your laptop or b) you have an older laptop with serial ports. I have neither on my Dell. I am also unable to rename my USB ports. After trying myself, I called Dell to help me accomplish this. They were unable to do it either.
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