Updated: 12/08/2000, 02/23/2001, 03/19/02.

Short Review
(see below for more info, and what WAS my radio purchasing goals):

• I like it! It gets a "7.5".

(If 10 is perfect, 5 is so-so, and 0 is, it SUCKS, this radio gets a 7.5.)
• Belt clip easily brakes back of battery pack - extremely bad,
• Uses NiCd batteries - not good,
• Small, but not to small - good,
• Lighted key pad - vary good,
• Laid out, wide enough for fat finger types (not me) - vary good,
• Mil. 810E - vary good,
• Computer programmable - vary good,
• Programming software is FREE - vary good,
• Good spec's - vary good,
• OK price,  - could be lower (~$250)...
• Key pad is laid out properly - vary good,
• Easy to use - vary good…
• PTT lock, effectively not usable - vary, vary, bad,
• No voltage meter, for battery life - bad,
• Dose not have DCS (DPL) - bad,
• Strange programing of CTCSS (PL) - not good,
• Not a software based radio, Dev level not settable by software (it's done the old way, with pots) - not good,
• SMA Female antenna connector - neutral,
• Shipped not meeting FCC spec, max. deviation was over 5 khz.

Price:

• AES
• HRO (See item #157)

Spec's:

• AES (See "More Info")
• Kenwood

Things I like:

Mil. 810E (my interpretation of it);

It should be able to survive a drop(s),

It should be able to survive hard rain(s),

Small, but not too small,

Back lit keys,

Computer programmable,

• Software is free, and can be down loaded on Kenwood web site (Sw is ok, vary simple),
• Cable is a little pricey, ~$$30-40 (Im going to try to reverse engineer it, and I'll put the diagram on hear,

well some one already else has...),

Easy to use, easier than TH-78A,

Things I don't Like:

Please don't assume, because I have so many "Don't like" items, that I don't like this radio, because I do like it, mostly (You will have to look at these items to see if the "problems" are an issue for you...).

• Easy to brake the belt clip or were the battery hold the clip, both has happened to me...
• No (usable) PTT lock,
• Soft case (SC-45) SUCKS!!! (1 case fits all; Poor fit; Doesn't fit, any.)
• Must buy belt clips for each (Kenwood battery), not included with battery pack (clips brake if reused, my broke the after the second battery exchange, radio almost fell and drooped to the ground).
• I had to Supper Glue my clip on, after TWO battery changes.  I had to hassled Kenwood customer service, till they would give me two, new ones. One to replace the broken one. One to use on the new pack, I just bout from them (PB-38).
• Dry cell pack, only holds 4 cell, instead of 6, batteries,
• Case squeaks, if you squeeze the radio, audible squeaks heard, in person and over the air.
• Buttons stick out, PTT, Key Pad, Display linz, etc.…
• Radio during programing (or not) doesn't "auto detect" type of cable connected to Acc. jack, must set radio to MENU-15, "TC ON". Then when your dun, set back to "TC OFF".
• Strange CTCSS programming, both on key pad and via the computer, CTCSS has to be set twice, If you switch from CTCSS Tx only to Rx/Tx, CTCSS is not set any more must re-inter it???  Almost like it will do SPLIT CTCSS, but CAN'T???
• Programming (software is free) requires PG-4P data cable, and is expensive ($30-$40).
• SMA Female antenna connector (like& dislike, like more, I think).
• Not a software based radio, Dev level not settable by software (it's done the old way).
• My radio (seem like every HAM radio I buy) is not conforming to FCC spec's, it's over Deviating, ~5.5KHz?  Should be ~4.8 KHz, with CTCSS, on (less than 5KHz, max. total, Deviation.  According to a calibrated IFR.).

Recommended Accessories:

• PB-38, 6V 650mAh BATTERY, the THIN battery, makes radio much smaller, lighter, better feel (~$45)...
• Pryme, Large speaker mic (~$25?),
• KENWOOD PG-4P, COMPUTER CONTROL CABLE (~$35),
• MAHA, MH-PB-39H, 6V 1800mAh NiMh BATT (~$60),
• Small (2-3/4 Inch) flexible 2/70cm (I forgot the brand) SMA antenna (~$25).
• After market, fast charger, MAHA, MH-C777, charges any battery that's a NiCd or NiMh (~$50).

Product Enhancement Requests:

• PTT lock; example, "F" then "7", we don't need "Bell" function there, put it, in the Menu!
• 6/2/70cm (6m = 40-60MHz, min.; ideal (RX), 25-1300, contuse),
• LiOn batteries and Nicd,
• No mechanically induced noise (no case squeaks),
• Set CTCSS once, unless a split CTCSS,
• DCS en/decode (allow split codes),
• Auto detect use of programing cable.
• 6 cell battery pack,
• Fix belt clip to battery connection (too weak),
• Include belt clips with EACH battery(s),
• DC voltage meter (battery state of charge),
• Don't have cheezee soft case...
• Export function in software, to export .xls, csv, etc., type files...
• Software radio, dev, VCO, etc., adjustable; Sell "Plug-in" for regular programing Sw (as part of Service Manual).
• Ship radios in SPEC!

 

 
 
 
 
 

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