Kenwood TH-D75A - a new 144/220/430MHz tri-bander is on the way! Preliminary features are listed as: APRS Protocol Compliant - To exchange GPS location data and messages in real-time. D-STAR with Simultaneous Reception on DV mode - Compatible for transferring voice and digital data over D-STAR networks. Reflector Terminal mode to access D-STAR Reflectors USB Type-C for Data Transfer and Charging Built-in Digipeater station to transmit received data Built-in GPS Unit Easy-to-Read Transflective Color TFT Display Call Sign Readout Tough & Robust - meets IP54/55 Standards Wide-band and multi-mode reception Built-in IF Filter for comfortable reception (SSB/CW) DSP-based Voice Processing and Reputable KENWOOD Custom tuned Sound Quality Bluetooth, microSD/SDHC Memory Card Slot for Flexible link with a PC More information as it becomes available including pricing & ETA will be here: https://www.gigaparts.com/kenwood-th-d75a-144-220-430mhz-tri-band-handheld-transceiver-with-d-star-and-aprs.html
What they need to do is make a replacement for the TS480. Many of us will be a Dayton this WKend, maybe they will have an announcement
Given what people have been paying for 74's, I am sure the price will be eye-watering! Exciting to see Kenwood with a new product! That would be awesome!
I suspect this thing will cost mucho dinero. But hey, I guess at least Kenwood is not leaving ham radio!
If they would dump D-Star and replace it with DMR, I'd be slightly more interested. No offense to Icom/D-Star users intended.
I hope it has a sizeable battery options that lasts, built robust and has a skratch resistant screen, something better than the 74. An amazing machine nonetheless.
I wish they would do DMR also but Kenwood does DMR for commercial and public service so doubt they'd want to skew the line The D75 looks to be a D74 but only with USB C. Maybe it'll have a better battery life. The Icom ID52A is $600 so I'd be shocked if the Kenwood D75 isn't the same or higher. I have a hard time justifying $600 for HT especially with DStar. If it was DMR well I'd be a lot more tempted
Many Kenwood fans wanted a D74 in a mobile form, like a D710. That would be really excellent, especially with a separate RX antenna port. (And yeah, I prefer dmr vs d-zast-star, but do both...)
Hard to tell from the pic, but it looks thinner front to back. That would be a good thing because the D74 is a brick. Chris
This SCREAMS "Re-Issue". They had plenty of time to at least update the display. Extremely disappointing.
Another Yaesu 817/818 situation. I wouldn't be surprised if this gets a short run also like the 818 did.......
Yeah I have to say I'm disappointed. I wanted a mobile rather than an HT but when I heard it was only going to be an HT. I was hoping for a facelift and maybe a feature or two but looks like it's just a D74 that they added a USB C port to. Maybe they some how got better battery life in the new model but don't see how if it indeed using D74 parts.
