Kenwood TM D700A

[KD5ZPG]

I am a newbe to the ham world and am looking at the Kenwood TM D700A. What do ya'll think. Would this be a good first radio???

[w5zzq]

I love this radio but it is kinda complicated to program at first. I think the manuals are written fine and if you follow them you should have few problems. Really a nice radio. Larry .~. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[KA0AZS]

I've owned one for almost 3 years now and have had no problems. It is THE way to do mobile APRS. Wish I could talk my wife into trading her IC-207 in for one for her car.

That being said: unless you are interested in APRS, this may not be the best first radio due to price. If you think you might become interested in mobile APRS, I'd say get it and use it as a dual band mobile until you're ready to make the plunge.

If you do get it, make or buy a 9DB male to 9DB Female straight through (extension) cable and download the programming software (free) from the Kenwood site. Setting it up is much easier this way.

[KA7RRA]

I have a TMD-700 in my Chevy Surburban. I have had the radio for about 2 yrs and I love the radio. The next step is to get the softwhare loaded on to my laptop so I can program the radio with out taking it out
Dave...

[KE4QDC]

I agree with a previous quote. The only reason to start out with this radio is that you plan on doing APRS. Otherwise there are several good choices at a cheaper price. You might want to look at either the Icom 2720 or the Yaesu 8800. Both are good radios. If you do decide to get the D700 radio it is very good. Be aware though that it is very sentitive to blowing a interal diode & transitor if you work the cables without first removing power to the radio. That does not mean simply to turn off radio it means to disconnect power from the radio if it not switched. I had this happen by pluging & unpluging the cables installing the radio in my truck. After it got back from Kenwood they even included a note saying to be sure to inspect the cable that this is a known problem. GREAT RADIO though

[OH5KUY]

Great rig. I have had TM-D700 in use almost 3 years: one in my car and the other one at my qth. There have not been problems with the radios - all have been worked FB, so far. If you like mobile APRS or SSTV, TM-D700 is very good choice. The DTMF-microphone is very handy and good extra investment for mobile rig.

de ARi

[K2AMB]

Best mobile rig out there! Have had it for over 3 years and have had perfect luck. People are always asking what I'm using becase my audio is killer. Check out the APRS activity on your area. It's a blast.

[KC2DZU]

I have had one in my truck for two years. No problems and I love the rig.:D