Direct viewer request video. Which one should you buy? The Kenwood TH-D74 or the Yaesu FT3D? I'm comparing these two gladiators head to head.
Пікірлер: 442
@NathanChilton4 жыл бұрын
I'm glad you made this! I've had this exact question on my mind for months. I'm still torn. I like the answer of "both". If only.
@rickpinelli92684 жыл бұрын
You cannot beat the audio from the Kenwood D74A! The Kenwood is also a TRI-BAND radio. Our 220 repeater is the busiest repeater in town. As far as using it with hot spots, there are plenty of TG's, Rooms and Reflectors where you can cross mode between D-Star, DMR and Fusion so that is a non-issue. 73' KA2BSM
@elguinolo73584 жыл бұрын
The D74 allows to listen to anything on the spectrum, which makes it a clear winner.
@josem.43124 жыл бұрын
Thanks! Studying for my Technician license, researching rails and and have been asking myself this same question.Thanks again!
@emsmikes4 жыл бұрын
Thanks again for a good comparison of radios! Since specs are always hard to compare real usability, these videos help.
@jasontremblay17134 жыл бұрын
Thank you for the look. I have been looking at both radios. Hard choice.
@kb9oak7494 жыл бұрын
Getting ready to buy later this coming week. Had to watch this again.
@streetchicken57384 жыл бұрын
Nice review. I've watched your review and each and the head-to-head is a good summary.
@kb9oak7494 жыл бұрын
I give a thumbs up before the video starts. I have that level of confidence in your work.
@K6UDA4 жыл бұрын
You rock dude. Thanks.
@tomisham99004 жыл бұрын
Great video! I watched this and many other videos before purchasing a new HT which I ending up with the FT3 and I love it. It replaces my Yaesu VX-8 as my main HT.
@CrittendenIV4 жыл бұрын
Been grappling with this same conundrum. You made me laugh, so hard. Thanks so much!
@PrecisionGroupYT4 жыл бұрын
As I am already invested into D-star with my first D-star radio the Kenwood D-74 ( The reason I went with the Kenwood is because it had true HF receive capabilities) . I had no prior experience with D-star, Fusion or DMR prior to my D74 Purchase But after using D-star I love it and I also now have the Icom 9700 (another D-star capable radio). So I am quite invested in D-star and now that Icom announced the IC-705 All Band All Mode QRP rig plus being also D-star capable on all bands with many of the same features and screen size as my 9700 and 7300 (The IC-705 will be my next rig as the many uses It will have is still adding up in my head and growing) I will be sticking with D-star for the far foreseeable future!!! Great video!!! Thanks Chris K4BBC
@walteredwards5444 жыл бұрын
Great video. You answered all my questions. I'd have to buy both of them because of the different digital modes
@thuff32074 жыл бұрын
Thank you for your funny videos. The sideband multimode receive is important to me.
@Gribilo4 жыл бұрын
Tnks you for speaken slowly english. I'm French in Spain and i appreciate all your Videos.
@denisemcjunkins43914 жыл бұрын
I received my D74 Saturday. Excellent quality. Impressive radio. Still studying for my license.
@Fireguy-4 жыл бұрын
OK BOB! You just cost me more $$$$. First the KX3, now the TH-D74. Working through the manual. Don Arnold's videos are a huge help. Thanks to you and Cal PERS. Cheers, Jeff, KK6CUG
@K6UDA4 жыл бұрын
Awesome.
@AmishSpecialForces4 жыл бұрын
Can't wait for the IC-705 video Bob!
@KY4BDP-TinyFangorn4 жыл бұрын
Great comparison on the radios Bob. I have the FT2-DR now and am keeping my eye on both of these radios. Thanks for the time and efforts! LCARA KY4BDP
@allanmacuser4 жыл бұрын
Hi l have enjoyed your videos l myself have been off the radio for over 35 year OMG what a shock l had getting back on to find out all these new modes but thanks you to yourself and other l am now more informed (oh yes l have now bought a id-52 plus 2) regards allan G6TMO UK
@emin97883 жыл бұрын
BOB,you are one of the best.Love your shows,too.Thank you for your presentations. Best Wishes.
@K6UDA3 жыл бұрын
Thanks. Look for new videos to drop in a few weeks.
@markdoyle87134 жыл бұрын
Attention radio manufactures these videos influence my purchase. Might get both. Love your work thanks.
@alphonsorivera11114 жыл бұрын
Always a great review!!! I can not wait for the 705...... I own the 74 but like the audio of my 51 better.
@W6MDE4 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the video I was looking into both the 74 and ft2d. But got interested in the ft3. Battery life is huge to me because I’m out backpacking a lot so the ft3 it is for me.
@forgetyourlife4 жыл бұрын
Hotfootedhiker Adventures if battery is king don’t backpack with a digital radio at all. They all suck more juice.
@W6MDE4 жыл бұрын
forgetyourlife not going to be on digital. Mainly analog and use APRS. Currently I have a Yaesu VX6R and the battery life is amazing. I always hike with 2 batteries. When I get the ft3 I’ll have 2 batteries also
@TheRadiogeek4 жыл бұрын
I like radios too but dang man you licked your radio! Nice run down and comparisons on the radios. 👍❤️📻
@donh57944 жыл бұрын
It's a GF radio
@patthegunsmith4 жыл бұрын
And my choice is...............both! Thanks for a great and...humorous review.
@lyncchoo4 жыл бұрын
Great Video. I have a technician license. I'm coming back to radio after a 20 year hiatus. Still a noob. I want something nice but not too costly. I have an amazon gift card for a few bucks so that'll help. All I wanted was a dual band but the extra features on these two are great. No clear winner ... Thanks for the review!
@emin97884 жыл бұрын
Bob,you are good man.Great You Tube shows.Bring's a smile and laughter, too.Thank you.Best Wishes.
@K6UDA4 жыл бұрын
Emin Izyaguyev thank you
@indecentseas-4 жыл бұрын
love your videos, thank you
@CordyteActual4 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the comparison, I have been wondering about this since they announced the FT3. 73 W6KMP
@K6UDA4 жыл бұрын
Thanks. You weren't the only one.
@ifollowyou42544 жыл бұрын
Hello from Grermany, I total follow you. I have them both too and it`s sometime hard to decide which I should take with me when I go travelling.
@scottwillis98064 жыл бұрын
Loved the review!!!
@K6UDA4 жыл бұрын
Thanks.
@ubik3724 жыл бұрын
Own both (and many others beside, you can never own too many radios and I can't bear to part with some of them!) and like them both, although just getting to know the FT3DR. The FT3DR has a very solid feel to it and seems very robust, slightly more so than the TH-D74. Also, on my TH-D74 the battery has a very slight "give" on the main body whereas on the FT3DR the battery is very firmly held in place. The RX range on the FT3DR goes all the way up to almost 1GHZ whereas receive tops out at 524 MHz on the TH-D74. You can receive the HF bands on the FT3DR, I was listening last night, althought there's no SSB mode. Love the FT3DR's touch screen (just a color screen on the TH-D74, no touch screen function) but it lacks the audio shaping options the TH-D74 has. You can get the FT3DR for $440 while the TH-D74's best price seems to be $510 so it's a little on the pricey side compared to the FT3DR. Have to ask, what antennas were you using in the video on both handhelds? Now, with the IC-705 announcement, Icom has competitively priced "state-of-the-art" equipment in the station receiver (IC-8600) and station/mobile transceiver (IC-7300, IC-9700, IC-7610, IC-705) departments, it only lacks a new handheld to go head to head with the above two new radios (it''s IC-51 line is getting a little long in the tooth).
@K6UDA4 жыл бұрын
Nice analysis. I'm using Nagoya 701 antennas on both radios.
@miketel014 жыл бұрын
Great review I really enjoyed the honesty and everybody else’s opinion as well he did help me make a choice it’s called Polo a credit card and get both
@JK-ug7rm4 жыл бұрын
The usability of the GPS info on the Kenwood is scoring major points.
@iotadx76144 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the comparison,Bob! Dale BA4TB
@darylnd2 жыл бұрын
I just came back to this video. People complained the D74 was expensive at, what, $475? Now used ones go for twice that! The new Icom ID52 is $649 (and how can I forget the wonderful 9.25% sales tax I'd have to pay here in California?) but is crippled in comparison with the D74. I have an IC-705 but haven't tried it yet with D-Star because getting a D-Star ID isn't quick. I have the FT3. I'm happy enough with it that I don't feel the need to upgrade to the FT5, though I do like the rubber corners on the bottom of the FT5. Yaesu just replaced the case on mine, and were kind enough to do it under warranty, after the bottom plastic cracked from a 14" drop onto my kitchen floor. Glad you're enjoying your new home, Bob. 73 de Daryl. QTH San Jose, Peoples Republic of California.
@michalblaskovic2933 жыл бұрын
Perfect review
@1polonium2103 жыл бұрын
My Kenwood TH-D74 arrived today. I'll chime in when I get it figured out.
@peredavi4 жыл бұрын
I ordered the Yaesu FT3 before watching this. I’m satisfied with my decision. Good review. Strange, but good. The licking the radio put it over the top.
@Megan-hf7uh2 жыл бұрын
Great video I got the 3dr
@rickvetfrommissouri79504 жыл бұрын
LEARNING A LOT FROM YOU
@K6UDA4 жыл бұрын
Thanks.
@K4SRF2 жыл бұрын
Since Kenwood took the D74 off the market back in December 2020, I had to purchase mine off of eBay. Looking forward to playing with it.
@mattlord29064 жыл бұрын
You convinced me, The Kenwood. It has held its value longer, it has more capabilities. Has excellent track record
@kd2kvz4 жыл бұрын
Your a strange bird, Bob, but I still love ya buddy! Lmao
@K6UDA4 жыл бұрын
Thanks.
@AcuraJ324 жыл бұрын
I agree
@EarlGray_kd7sjt4 жыл бұрын
I got the D74 at Pacificon. I love it but it's gonna take me a year to learn how to use it.
@tecnocyborg3 жыл бұрын
I really liked your analysis on both radios, I did not know you but I subscribe to your channel for your simple but great way of explaining it, thanks 73's of XE1ZKC
@BurgmanChile4 жыл бұрын
awesome review, best comment ever at 11:10
@gwr22434 жыл бұрын
i pick both! because d-star is stand alone and ysf with a hot spot can access all other digital modes.
@tallmike65983 жыл бұрын
Thanks again for another great video Bob. I ordered a FT-3dr last night from HRO should have it hopefully tomorrow morning or Tuesday morning. For what I am doing within the hobby its "good enough for who its for" !! 73 Mike N2MWL
@andyabbo90004 жыл бұрын
I too have a Kenwood Wife & My Yaesu Girlfriend i feel very lucky and they live together in harmony.
@williambouchard44804 жыл бұрын
LOL! I agree, like Bob said, my Kenwood wife stays at home because I am afraid of breaking it. I first bought the FT-2 and like a new girlfriend I took her everywhere. I then bought the D-74 but she stays at home. I also just bought the FT-3 and I have to agree with Bob, the D-74 is a much better radio and I am still trying to get use to the FT-3 so I don't want to be too harsh, but I think I still like the FT-2 better. The screen is definitely bigger on the 2 than it is on the 3 and too me it's not really a color screen. I call it enhanced grey scale. I know the pictures that can be taken or received are in color but how many hams are going to use that feature. I probably am stupider than K6UDA because I have all THREE radios! Bill N3EDO.
@aw74254 жыл бұрын
Fantastic review Bob and the added humor was lol great too. 73 w1nga
@tonymiller34174 жыл бұрын
Very good review are the antennas stock or after market and where did you get them
@nateneww4 жыл бұрын
Thanks 🙏🏽
@davequick33734 жыл бұрын
Great video.... especially the girlfriend part! 😍
@dewhalin4 жыл бұрын
Great video
@ftlaud9114 жыл бұрын
Was looking at both. Leaning towards Kenwood. Just saw video on the Icom 705. Looks like a portable 7300. Not exactly a handheld though. Right now I just do HF and enjoying making DX contacts. Yet to ever use a local repeater. Waited for my General to start getting into ham radio.
@gotammo91484 жыл бұрын
The Kenwood is holding it's price the ft3d is now $349
@chrism54284 жыл бұрын
Thanks, I think I'll get the FT3D. I like the battery life. Which will allow me to carry less batteries. The super wide band features of the D74 seem nice but with half the battery life of the FT3D...ehh, I think I'm leaning to the FT3D more. Good video. Thanks.
@aulii114 жыл бұрын
WHOA - both out of my price range, but thanks!
@ajdrewjp4 жыл бұрын
Bob, thanks for the video. I'm right at this buyer's junction right now. Any chance you could compare the FT3 against the Icom ID-51a? Thanks again!
@juanjorda24434 жыл бұрын
Congratulations from Panamá Rep. PANAMÁ
@brianhill24884 жыл бұрын
Another awesome K6UDA video. 73's KM4MQC
@K6UDA4 жыл бұрын
Thanks.
@denisemcjunkins43914 жыл бұрын
I did change the brightness setting of the screen and turned gps off when I first turned the radio on.
@Irenaeus-von-Lyon4 жыл бұрын
Very handsome and full of informations!
@andresta2you3 жыл бұрын
you are the best!! thank you
@K6UDA3 жыл бұрын
Thanks
@johnbonvillian44174 жыл бұрын
Thank you Bob KI5FRK 73
@dermucki33844 жыл бұрын
Crazy Dog, thank you ! 73 from Germany
@khalidien354 жыл бұрын
Very nice. I am confined due to the cov19 curfew of the like and I would never have thought of having one of those transmitter. I have a TECSUN PL 380 receiver which is a nice device. These are not just transmitter, they push the experience to a all new level and you can interact, licensed wise of course. I am in France, in Europe, and those devices are not very welcomed. I can only get them from US or Chinese websites ??. You convinced me about the Ken D74. Cheers
@vonzigle4 жыл бұрын
Hi Bob, I appreciated the work you put in to generate these reviews! I have a Kenwood D74, but notice they now have a D74A. Do you know the difference between the two? Thanks!
@K6UDA4 жыл бұрын
If you live in the America’s you most likely have an A model.
@vonzigle4 жыл бұрын
Got it... and the E version is for European!
@Bob814u2 жыл бұрын
Two years later the price on the Kenwood has gone up $200. I love mine except for the short battery life. I do love the record function for working Satellites. I record the contacts then can go back and log them. DStar is great for talking around the world with the 74. I don't own the Yaesu handitalkie so I can't talk about it. Thanks for the videos. 73 de KE5ES
@jptucsonaz85034 жыл бұрын
Hi Bob, I agree, the Kenwood is the better overall RADIO! The FT3 has the better display (though I like that the K has a full keyboard too!) Solution; the Kenwood/Yaesu mashup FT3D74 - it's blender time! Btw; 11:34 ick! Please don't lick the radio gear... kiss fine, but I'd rather not have to down half a bottle of tums. Thank you for the side by side! 73 John
@rickbattle57064 жыл бұрын
I got the FT3. Very happy with it. Hands down the best HT I have ever had. Works like a charm, easy to program, display is great. CW or SSB on 40 isn't real useful on a HT. Rick KB3NG.
@K7AGE4 жыл бұрын
Great review Bob. Does the Yaesu do duplex for satellite operation? Also, please don't lick my radios!
@JayN4GO4 жыл бұрын
K7AGE no
@pmolczan Жыл бұрын
I think overall this is a great review. My issue with the FT3D is if you need to really go through the menus or use a APRS messaging the touchscreen really lacks a good user experience.
@johnpeterson72644 жыл бұрын
It seems the D74 sounds better , but I’m having trouble figuring out if the D74 is the better receiver or if it simply has the best speaker. I’d love to see a Sherwood like comparison of the two radios. I’m guessing the kenwood will come out on top.
@josephbarreira25514 жыл бұрын
Hey Bob: loved the video. Unfortunately I’m helplessly new to this ham radio stuff, can you get shortwave on this kenwood radio, or any handheld transceiver? Thanks, Joe in CT.
@ojjenkins71104 жыл бұрын
It boils down to this, do you want D-STAR or FUSION. The IC-705 was presented on ham college Friday evening. It has D-STAR. I have the D74.
@NathanChilton4 жыл бұрын
That's actually the least important part of the decision for me. I've never used either. It would help if I really cared about either D-STAR or Fusion/C4FM, because I could use that to help make the decision. The Yaesu looks way better, and it's cheaper, but the Kenwood has 1.25m, practical HF reception capabilities (SSB/CW), and its TNC can be used by a computer for packet radio (particularly Winlink)! Hmm....
@la7dfa4 жыл бұрын
Dstar and Fusion sounds bad compared to FM. Only when signals are weak, you get some digital benefit (less noise). Besides it also depends on what you local repeaters use.
@williambouchard44804 жыл бұрын
The Icom IC-705 is also on the HRO website as a prebuy. The specifications are there as well. I like the concept.
@bev82004 жыл бұрын
I can tell I'm going to fall deep down this rabbit hole
@K6UDA4 жыл бұрын
It’s almost bottomless.
@steveb73104 жыл бұрын
One small aside, aircraft band is blocked on the D74, but everything else is open. Great video, the clear choice is...both. 73
@K6UDA4 жыл бұрын
I’ve got aircraft frequencies programmed into mine.
@panflute0074 жыл бұрын
That's 2 things the D74 doesn't do : no aircraft band, and stops at 470mhz.
@steveb73104 жыл бұрын
@@panflute007 actually I was wrong, the D74 does receive aircraft band, but only on the B band of the radio.
@kb6dxn4 жыл бұрын
Well, I have the Yeasu FT3D for Fusion, Kenwood TH-D74 and the AnyTone for DMR and each have there place but, the Kenwood sucks as far as battery life out of all of them. Every geek needs more than 1 radio, you're a cool geek, you have a jeep.. :)
@spiritzweispirit1st6383 жыл бұрын
Most Honest Radio Review Ever!😏📡🌎🌍🌏📶👍
@CalSextons4 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the excellent comparisons, what was the antenna on your FT3DR for this video? Thansk
@K6UDA4 жыл бұрын
A Nagoya 701.
@thomasmanson11193 жыл бұрын
Hey thanks for this great video! I already have the ft-3dr, so I’m gonna go buy the Kenwood! You always have some great info and I appreciate that. Thanks again, 73s de Tom KC3QAC
@rickmcconville40154 жыл бұрын
The Yaesu wears a tight dress and like to go dancing. the Kenwood looks nice in shorts and a sweat shirt and she can cook. You date one and marry the other.
@cjtaylor59174 жыл бұрын
I agree.
@spaceshipdev4 жыл бұрын
Same for the IC-7300 and the FT-991a. Brilliant comment 💯
@BenDover-wm7wf3 жыл бұрын
Um, meaning?
@boogeymanlockandkey3623 жыл бұрын
great comparison....What antenna are you using on the ft3?
@jtrehern3 жыл бұрын
I’ve had this question myself but decided to go with the Yaesu because C4fm is what is used in my area and there are no D-Star repeaters near me.
@AdamSWL4 жыл бұрын
Great comparison Bob! But the choice is already made for me. Kenwood won't release the radio in VK land, so the FT3D is the only choice here. And the FT3D uses the same batteries as the VX-8R and FT-1DR which is perfect. Yeah you could probably get a D74 shipped over, but it would be stupid expensive.
@AJAcevedo4 жыл бұрын
5 minutes into the video and he’s still rambling.
@DannyB-cs9vx3 жыл бұрын
If he didn't like to talk, he would not be a ham. Lol
@johnk80914 жыл бұрын
I hate the massive bezels on the TH-D74, such a waste of display space. The FT3 goes right to the edge. I was going to get the FT3, but have decided to not purchase it - where I live in Kenya, there is zero activity on 2/70 so it would be a waste. I could see the purchase of a new HT for me here in East Africa would be used as an expensive glorified WFM broadcast receiver only. I have decided to rather put that money into buying the new IC-705 HF/6/2/70 all mode handy SDR rig. Heck, I could even use the IC-705 on VHF/UHF as an HT with a rubber duck :)
@2e0txe4 жыл бұрын
Personally I think the Kenwood packs more punch.
@solomondavid3294 жыл бұрын
Can I ask why?
@OnTerraFirma4 жыл бұрын
For one thing it has a built-in tnc so you can run packet through either USB or bluetooth. This is something the yaesu can't do. Also because of the Bluetooth you can use the tnc under kiss protocol with APRS droid (think built in mobilinkd) . That means a larger screen, maps, and easy messaging.
@HH-CA Жыл бұрын
spending money on expensive products/radios is never a waste at all, you get reliable high quality & performance
@hemitj3 жыл бұрын
Not stupid. I totally get it! Makes sense. Had me laughing! Thank you. Subscribed!
@N4EJM4 жыл бұрын
I had no idea the Kenwood could receive HF. However that FT3 would be such an addition to my FTM-400.
@K6UDA4 жыл бұрын
Perfect companion radio. I agree.
@N4EJM4 жыл бұрын
Just missed you the other day on Wires. I’ll try you again after this storm blows by this week. de N4EJM
@davidgrant27254 жыл бұрын
I love the Kenwood. VE7 IOX
@timmanwell25383 жыл бұрын
Great Vid. I'm thinking about both of these models myself for future purchase. Question... when it comes to ONLY the APRS functionality, and 2-way messaging, etc. is there a clear winner? I thought I'd heard/read somewhere that Yaesu's APRS feature-set isn't as .... capable..or feature-rich as Kenwoods? [I'm obviously not sure of what I'm talking about, hence the question]. Put another way, if what I wanted was the 'best' all-in-one APRS HT, would I rather have the Kenwood or the Yaesu?
@2e0btx3 жыл бұрын
brilliant and your Hilarious ! just subscribed to the channel love your sense of humor 2E0BTX
@TheChico8684 жыл бұрын
I like your channel
@K6UDA4 жыл бұрын
Thanks
@Martin-hq1if4 жыл бұрын
hi, Thanks vor your‘s helpfully Video’s. 73 😉👍🏻
@K6UDA4 жыл бұрын
Your welcome
@ryankc9oza1184 жыл бұрын
Thats bob for video. Would like to have a kenwood even though dont have any dstar around
@K6UDA4 жыл бұрын
Just grab a hotspot. You'll never miss a repeater again.
@ryankc9oza1184 жыл бұрын
@@K6UDA I have a DV mega hotspot. Keep up good work bob