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write your own review of the Kenwood TH-78A.
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AB7SC
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Rating: 5/5
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May 27, 2007 12:03
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Great HT - some minor issues
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have owned a TH-78A since new in 1993. Never had a problem until recently when reports were given stating my audio was dropping out. About the same time I noticed that receive signal was also dropping out. It didn't take long to discover first hand one of the few negatives with radio has: the dreaded connection between the PC board and antenna. As it turns out, I removed all of the boards, connections and screws (you have to remove EVERYTHING) and resoldered the PC board connection. After that the radio went back together easily and am now getting great audio reports again! This is a great radio, feels good in my hand when talking (good size), LOTS of features (documented and un-documented - search the net for details), good re-sale should you ever decide to sell (why would you???).
I currently own an older boat-anchor Icom HT, a Yaesu VR-5R and a second TH-78A. Most of the models I have tried as well. None compare, IMHO, to the 78A. People complain about the TH-78A's complexity and the need for the manual. If you have it in VFO mode you automatically get direct programming from the keypad - nothing simpler. TONE is easy to set (without manual).
Bottom Line: Great radio, I would buy another without hesitation.
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N9WYS
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Rating: 5/5
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May 31, 2006 23:17
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Here's the manual!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I bought the one from ARRL that they used for the Product Review - yes, I had the high bid! I love the radio!
I've used it off and on over the years, and it just keeps on "chugging" along.
If you need the manual for the radio, subscribe to the Yahoo Group "th78a"... It's in their file section in PDF format.
73!
Mark - N9WYS
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KE6AHX
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 6, 2005 16:54
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Excellent, but
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I lost the manual and I am the worse for it. If anyone has a manual, or knows where I can obtain one, please let me know. I might consider selling my HT (10 years old but in storage for most of that time) because I can no longer read the tiny keypad.
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NE0P
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Rating: 4/5
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Jun 22, 2004 22:15
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Interesting HT!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I picked up one of these HTs in a trade recently, and it has been my only 2 meter FM rig since. It gets the job done, I will say that. With the standard battery expect about 2 watts out. Wish it did 5 watts, but this is a early 90s HT where 5 watts required 12 volts. You can get a 12 volt battery for it if you don't mind making the HT several inches longer. So far it has worked nicely for me, and received good audio reports with it. Not outstanding reports, but good.
One thinga about this HT is that it has everything but the kitchen sink included. You can send text messages, you can page people, does CTCSS encode and decode which was kind of rare for the time it came out. Does dual receive, will do automatic band switching on receive. It has a clock which stays on during dual receive. All HTs should have a clock. The VX7R has a clock, but you can only see the time during single band receive. This is much better. About 50 to 100 memories which is enough. Programming memories is as easy as any other HT. Even has a little sliding door which covers the keypad.
I gave it a 4 for 2 reasons. One is that this is the least intuitive HT I have ever seen. You must have the manual to do very much with this. Was able to turn it on and get on the repeater, but if it required a tone I would have been lost. This HT does almost too much. We don't need to send text messages today with email and cell phones, but guess that was neat in the early 90s.
The second reason for the 4 is no Wide FM. This has a pretty decent wide band receive range, but forget broadcast FM or TV audio without Wideband FM. Couldn't have been that hard to do. Also, I don't think it does AM receive either.
I will say that the case seems really rugged, and looks like it will last a long time. It was a good trade, as I am having fun with this HT. Nice size for the hand, and decent receive audio also.
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KK7D
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 23, 2004 15:57
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Best HT Ever!!!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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This is one of the best HT radios ever built. I have owned many different models and yes like every radio out there, it has it negative as well as positives. The negative side is parts are no longer available from Kenwood on such a remarkable radio, but there is shops that have a surplus of parts for the radio. I took possession of a TH78A from a EBay purchase and I cannot be more glad. The radio is in excellent condition, besides some bruises on the case and some scratches on the front glass. The orignal batteries needed to be replaced, but for a radio over ten years old. No complaints.
Enjoy the hobby and I am an avid ham... Support and maintain our great hobby.
Joe
KK7D
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AL7B
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 1, 2004 21:26
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Great Handheld
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have had my TH-78A since shortly after they came out. It is still my only handheld rig.
The TH-78A is small and solid. I do still have to refer to the manual from time to time but it is accurate and easy to follow.
The primary short coming of this rig is the ability to program or reprogram after resetting. It does not have any software/PC interface. By using the clone mode I have saved the DTMF tones to tape. This has allowed me to reload the configuration by sending the DTMF tones back into the TH-78 from another rig.
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KG6TNU
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 1, 2004 20:46
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The Best
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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The best radio I have ever owned and I have owned alot. It doesen't get better than this. Easy functions great reception in and out of band and no multi-fuction buttons. Alpha numerics are alittle tricky but thats my only complaint. I highly recomend this radio if you can find one, not many people will part with it.
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W5ZZQ
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 9, 2003 15:56
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Excellent Handie!!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Got to be the best handie that I have owned. Have had it for about 7 yrs. Have not had one problem with it. It has outlasted about 6 or 7 batteries. I love the dual display - v/v / u/u / v/u. Just the best.
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BG4SFZ
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 17, 2003 01:05
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Good HT for Collection
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I just purchased through the web flea market a new one after a few times trial use. I believe that this is absolutely a good HT for collection. Quite a lot of HAM friends are still using it in China now. The TH-78A is commonly referred to as a tough and durable work HT amongst all my friends. It contains many features and certain modification will bring it a receiver to RX the air-band, cellular and public safety frequencies.
The only shortcoming with this radio is the interface, which is not so user friendly. It is sort of complicated and requires even experienced users to refer to the operation manual occasionally.
I am using a TH-G71A currently and giving it also a FIVE. Personally prefer Kenwood as the first rig TM221S works perfectly along with me since I owned it!
Just go and get it for a durable fun!
VY 73 de BG4SFZ
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