This means we must use the two VFOs and switch between them, operating half-duplex. Memory channels in the TH-D74A are similar to those in the TH-D72A and many Icom HTs - memory channels cannot hold transmit and receive frequencies in different bands. As this radio gained the TH-D74 model number, and especially after the radio was shown at the Tokyo Ham Fair a few weeks ago, the chatter changed to indicate this radio would not be capable of cross-band full-duplex operation for the FM satellites.Įven though this radio is not capable of cross-band full-duplex operation, it can be used to work FM satellites.
I read reports from the Dayton Hamvention earlier this year, claiming that Kenwood representatives were saying this radio (without the TH-D74 model number at that time) would be capable of cross-band full-duplex operation. The inability of the TH-D74A to work FM satellites full-duplex is unfortunate, but not a surprise. The TH-D72A lacks the 222 MHz band, D-Star, and the all-mode receiver found in the TH-D74A, but is still a good radio for satellite work (FM and packet/APRS). The retail price of the TH-D72A had dropped below $400 recently, the lowest it has been since its late 2010 release. I also posted a recommendation for those who are interested in purchasing a single HT for full-duplex operation on all FM satellites:
Seeing this, I didn't need to wait to try the radio on a satellite pass to try this out. Whenever I transmitted from one VFO (Kenwood calls it a "band"), the other VFO is muted until I unkey the PTT. Unfortunately, I could not make this radio operate in that manner.
That is, listening on one band while simultaneously transmitting on another band. I sent out a quick tweet about this purchase on my Twitter feed:Īfter fully charging the battery, which took about two hours after this picture was tweeted, I tried to make this HT operate cross-band full-duplex. Last week, I bought a Kenwood TH-D74A when it became available at the Phoenix HRO store.