| WB7USV |
Rating:  |
2021-08-20 | |
| A very good non-digital (other than PACKET/APRS)radio |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| I purchased my first TM-D710(A) in March of 2010. Other than replacing the memory battery in the display unit (which is very easily done), I have had no problems with this radio. I have used all of the capabilities of this radio EXCEPT ECHOLINK and have had no problems with this radio. I used to use an external Garmin GPS unit with this radio, but this radio is now my base station. I have since acquired two more TM-D710(A) radios, the first of these two had to sent in for repair/replacement of the microprocessor. The circuit board the microprocessor was on was replaced. Both of these needed to have the memory batteries in the display unit replaced. The second radio purchased is now being used as a remote base and the third radio is in my car. Other than the problems stated above, I have had no other problems with any of these radios. All three have the VGS-1 module installed. Our local EOC also has two of these TM-D710(A) radios (without the VGS-1), and again, except for the memory batteries in the display unit, they have performed flawlessly. The interesting thing to note about this model is that the average used prices for this model are at or near its original retail price.This is a testament to the quality and usability of this radio. A very good non-digital (other than PACKET/APRS) FM transceiver. As far as I am concerned, this model is a keeper. |
|
| 5B4AMD |
Rating: |
2021-02-20 | |
| I 've had enough with the TOKOs |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
This is a great featured radio! But there is a big BUT! TOKOs fail. Ok so i 've changed them once and a second time, and the third the pcb failed on us. So the radio propably is for recycling.
Anyway, as long as i had it i had great fun. Don't buy this radio second hand, 100% the TOKOs will fail. I hope they resolved the issue in D710GE.
73s |
|
| N2MDV |
Rating: |
2018-02-10 | |
| Great rig, but buy the "G" version! |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| Gee, I was wondering what other rigs I need to review, and here it is. My TM-D710A is great, except that it's the "A" version where the TOKO RX IF filters are corroded by the DC bias going to them. The fix sounds easy, and if you have the SMT tools to do it, it maybe is. But, for the rest of us through-hole folks, get someone whom can do the DC blocking CAP's MOD for you, after the TOKO filters get swapped out. Audio quality on RX / TX is wonderful, and I get great complements on my TX audio. The "extra features" adjustments, for power H/M/L power outs ADJ, deviation ADJ, DTMF volume ADJ, etc., via look-ats from the TM-D710 Yahoo Groups. (Be very, very careful when you are in this "Adjust" mode.) But, it's nice to have. Nice that the head and radio body can be connected via a long CAT 5/6 cable with RJ-45 connectors, but what sucks is the mic connector is on the radio, and not the head! (Just what were you thinking Kenwood?) RX sensitivity is fantastic, and you can ADJ both VHF / UHF TX to 50W and over, but you are advised not to go over 50W, especially on UHF. Low power can MAX down to a MIN of 2W, and below that it cuts out. Quite an effective fan in it, just remember not to block the rear of that rig because of that fan. (Let it breath!) Have yet to do APRS on it, but my friends rave over it. It does not have 222MHz TX, but will RX that band. WX NWS Radio Alert feature is nice, but scares the hell out of you when you are by the rig when it goes off. Like it's HT cousin the TH-F6A, it does same band monitor. I can take on 2M and "A" side and listen to VHF MURS on "B" and vise-vera. Seems to do crossbanding repeat well. (Albiet, I haven't done it much from 2M to 440 and back.) The Green back ground isn't bad, since I don't like the Amber, but too bad other colors weren't used, like white raster gray. (I did that MOD to the display in my TM-741A and that looks very pleasing to the eyes.) The only intermod that I've gotten is when I was line of sight 1/2 mile from the police / fire Dept tower, but no pager blast-throughs. This rig has proven itself to be a good work horse in Field Day, VHF Sweepsteaks contests, and ARES operations. And, that pretty easy Kenwood programing. Yeah, could be more room for alpha-numerics, but still nice to have what's there. It's a keeper! |
|
| W6KKO |
Rating: |
2015-11-29 | |
| So good I bought two! |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I own two and use them for the mobile and QTH. Paired with the Greenlight Labs GPS, the radios work very well. I often use 50W simplex while mobile with zero problems. No problem with repeaters using 5 or 10 watts when I'm deep in the trees of the Sierra Nevada range, or down on the valley floor of 6 land.
APRS is easy and I haven't had a problem sending packets to the ISS when nearby. The AIP feature works well for me as I am plagued with public service RFI from just a mile away.
Kenwood D710 software works well on a Windows 8 tablet allowing me to easily clone the radios. I installed a VGS1 voice module as well and enjoy the features that offers. It even speaks Japanese on the voice guide, if selected, keeping me up to speed.
Crossband operation is plenty of fun and the D710 makes it easy. Whether operating near the home or using the mobile with an HT, I enjoy taking full advantage of what this radio has to offer. The wide receive range is also a plus as I scan one side of programmed memories and leave the other free for APRS, simplex, or monitoring a repeater.
Finally, the TNC allows me to easily send and receive email via Winlink and RMS Express software on the D710.
* One last thing. I encountered the infamous filter problem with one of the radios. I had it back within a week and only paid to ship it to the West Coast repair center. While not all of these radios have that bad batch of filters, Kenwood's acceptance and resolution of the problem earned plenty of goodwill around here.
I previously used a Yaesu FT-7800R for the mobile, and while it is a well performing radio, the D710 is simply rich with more features that I use. |
|
| WN3R |
Rating: |
2015-06-29 | |
| Warranty repair still available |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
My TM-D710A, serial 90900058 was repaired in just six days at no charge for a deaf receiver. They replaced four defective filters.
L72-0999-05
L72-1034-05
L72-1035-05
L72-1036-05
Very nice of Kenwood for such an old radio. |
|
| IZ4UFQ |
Rating: |
2015-05-27 | |
| Quite perfect but found an annoying issue |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I own 2 TM-D710E (European version) and I use them for APRS both at home and in car. I have replaced ceramic filters in one of the radios. Apart from that I have had no issues with these radios.
But I have just discovered an annoying issue with the TNC. When the TNC is switched on the head unit emits a carrier on 431.312.5 Mhz, which happens to be the frequency for RU19a repeater. This carrier is not strong enough to enter the antenna when used at home with the antenna on the roof, but it is strong enough to enter the antenna when used in car. Adding ferrite beads to the head unit connection cable helps but is not enough.
I have been hit by this issue when a new local repeater has been set up exactly at this frequency.
I have talked to other hams that own the 710E and also the new 710GE model, and all of them confirmed the issue. The TNC in the TH-D72 HT does not show this behaviour.
|
|
| KB9SZX |
Rating: |
2015-03-04 | |
| Super radio, Awesome Support |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
| I purchased my rig second had from another ham that was having issues with the "a" band selector button. Checking out the rig when I received it revealed a bad pullup resistor for this button's input to the micro controller. I have no Idea how the pull up resistor when bad....it showed 2.5 V without the button pressed. Which, is neither 0vdc or 5 vdc which yeilded random results. Simple enough, wired in a new 1/8w pullup and all has been well since. I also installed my mini gps module in the control head, with excellent results. Great radio for mobile APRS, excellent crossband repeat. My model is a later serial, and does not suffer from the filter issue. My only gripe is the 90's text style interface for sending messages. being able to interface a USB keyboard, or Bluetooth for that matter would be most excellent! But hey, always room for improvement. Also, with so many reviews of Chinese radio owners being left high and dry with NO service manuals or tech support, I have to give High regard to Kenwood for support after the sale. EVEN TO THE SECOND OWNER! I have always had technical questions answered the same day.....will be a Kenwood customer for some time to come! |
|
| W5KVV |
Rating: |
2015-01-28 | |
| Excellent |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I purchased my early serial# 710 used from a local friend & fellow ham. It was his full time mobile, so it had been put thru the paces. I knew full well of the possible issues with the filters, namely those on the UHF side. This rig was installed in my 2nd mobile & performed flawless for a year. Sold the mobile, so the 710 replaced a TM-281 in the shack.
Super easy to program from the front panel as with all Kenwood rigs. The large display is a huge plus. The ability to display frequncy & alpha tags simultaneously is a huge improvement over the 281 & 71A. Well laid out menu & funtion keys on the front panel are a plus. APRS & TNC setup is a snap if you know what you're doing, however a novice to APRS will find themselves doing a little digging in the owners manual & on the internet for help.
After some time in the shack, my 710 developed issues with the filters on the UHF side. Basically the UHF side went deaf. A common issues with the early run of TM-D710A rigs. It's well documented & Kenwood will repair the issue if you wish to spend the money. Alternatively, there are fixes on the internet if you should be so bold as to attempt repairs yourself.
All in all these are great dual band rigs. Since they're no longer in production, anyone looking to pick up a used 710 needs to be aware of the issues associated with the early serial # rigs, namely the filters. It's not a matter of IF they will fail, it's a matter of WHEN. I still give this rig a 5* review due to the fact that the said issues were with the early production radios. I also own a late model 710A & it has had NONE of the issues associated with the pre 2009 radios. Flawless in every aspect.
My early production 710 has been repurposed as a digipeater & has been working non stop for a year as such with no issues from the TNC or the VHF side. |
|
| GREGWTH7MMMAG |
Rating: |
2014-08-03 | |
| Great radio |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| I have owned mine for a little over a year now, using it for APRS as well as for digital modes. Compared to the menus on Yaesu and Icom, the Kenwood is much easier to navigate thru. The D710 screen is much easier to see vs the other dual band mobiles as well. My only gripe about this radio, is having to use a serial to usb adapter to connect it to my computer. |
|
| KD5NDU |
Rating: |
2014-03-19 | |
| very good radio |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| I had mine for about a year now. And also got the GPS unit with it. I use for apes cross band. And I have use the remote control from a ht. I in in joy the radio a lot. for a mobile vhf UHF radio. it does almost anything you want it to do. |
|
