Excellent video production, well organized and presented. Years ago, I used my TM742AD tri-bander (144, 220 & 440) on cross band repeat with my TH79 to access repeaters better, when I was away from my truck. That was before cell phones became popular and (while the truck was into the MEGALINK system) I talked with mobile stations across the state and into several surrounding states. I got lots of strange looks, sipping my coffee and talking away.
I just picked up one of these Kenwoods for $49. It was on clearance and I just got my license and wanted something more powerful than my UV-R9. Great video I am really looking forward to it arriving. I just got my license today and found that radio on clearance and it looks like I picked a good one. Now I need to watch your antenna video. You just got a new subscriber. Great video, that digipeter function sounds awesome I had no idea. For the price I think I did all right.
I wish there was "one rig to rule them all," but as you've found, it's hard to come by. The FT-857D comes close, and you could also peek at the IC-7100. That being said, I love my TM-D710G; I've found it to be rock-solid for all things VHF/UHF. Thanks for sharing your thought process.
I failed to mention the IC-7100. I just do not like the form factor of the head unit, but technically it's a shack in the box. I keep hearing great things about the TM-D710G from happy ham owners like yourself. It's a great rig and I'm glad I went with it. Have a great weekend!
Right, there isn't one single radio. An HT doesn't have enough power, a mobile needs a car battery, and a base station is bulky. Elecraft KX3 *might* get close, but it doesn't do UHF or digital.
I got a Icom 7100 for about the same price as most of these low power radios (far less than a 7105) , about 890 to the door . I do use a 7300 for my base station, the 7100 is for mobile. With VHF and UHF sideband (fm also of course) its a great radio. Its got a mobile type case, its a little heavy but 100 watts. With my Kenwood d- 710 i've got it all. I could probably save a little weight with a TNC plugged into the 7100 and a GPS plugged into a little tablet. That would be almost doable. N6GRG I realize not many will be reading this as it is a three year old video. But, the D710 with the fully available TNC is a powerful unit because you can access it fully with a tablet of computer. I did 9600 packet, and full APRS messaging and can type out messages really fast on a full keyboard ! APRS is exploding with functionality right now with SMS messaging back and even mailbox storage available !
I'm a little late to the show, but I have to agree that actual buttons is far superior to touch screen. Especially for a mobile where I'll reach over to adjust something without taking my eyes off the road. That's why I'm looking at the Yaesu FTM300 instead of the FTM400 for my next mobile. I do have to say that I find it amusing that The Tech Prepper uses a notebook for his notes. I get it, it's far easier to jot a quick note than put it on the computer, I just find it funny.
Welcome to the party. It's been a year now with the D710GA and I don't regret my decision. The radio is amazing in so many ways, but the physical knobs and buttons work great while touch feeling down the highway. I hope you enjoy the FTM300. I work in the software industry and don't trust technology. I prefer my hand written notes and, in fact, log all my contacts with a rite-in-the-rain notepad. 73 de KT1RUN
GOOD CHOICE! I also have a Kenwood TM-D710GA use the APRS function and the TNC for packet and Winlink ops. If you're a newbie research Winlink. You'll be amazed. For HF I have a FT897D and a Elecraft KX2. 73 de Ed K8EAF
Thanks for the comment! I am very much a newbie and have been trying to experiment with Winlink for some time now. Prior to this radio, I had been using a QRP rig (Yaesu FT-818ND) which was not able to get into a Winlink gateway. I'll have to give Winlink a try again now that I have 50 watts. The FT-897D is my next radio once I pass my General. I really want the FT-857D, but Yaesu discontinued it and the prices on the secondary market are out of site. 73 de KT1RUN.
@@TheTechPrepper I sent you a email (info@thetechprepper.com) reference portable antenna. If you want, I can send more information on how to find a local Winlink gateway.
@@TheTechPrepper Here's a great series on step by step Winlink setup put out by the San Diego ARES group: ua-cam.com/play/PL-7mirT-kjfs84FQzLr-qv066Kl94rtYM.html ARES and the Red Cross (and anyone else who was interested) just did a National drill on Saturday (11/14) using WinLink to message nationally... had over 600 participants across the country and even a few internationally. We have a very active group here in Arizona/New Mexico.
You're welcome. It's been a year since I made this video and I absolutely love the D710GA. I was considering getting another one for our RV, but it's gone up considerably in price (almost $300 more). The dual VFO, APRS support, receive quality, and GPS make this radio a great mobile option. 73, KT1RUN
Great video, I've been trying to decide on either the Kenwood or the FTM-400XDR but I think I've finally decided on the Kenwood. I also really prefer buttons and knobs over the touch screen and it just looks like a great radio that's built to last.
Thank you. The Kenwood D710GA is great. I may do a follow up video in a couple of months. 50 watts makes all the difference, I’m getting into digipeaters and repeaters 30-40 miles away. I think you’ll really enjoy it. Feel free to check back in. I’m curious to see how you like it. Happy Saturday!
Now that this radio is discontinued and has a good following, that price does not seem right. On the used market, I would expect to see this sell for $400 to $700 USD.
A valid reason to get into digital: In a SHTF scenario, it would be the closest thing you'll have to encrypted comms that the average person with a baofeng or scanner won't be able to receive. This lends to security. Also, digital is clearer in general... No static to deal with, even at fringe ranges. I personally really like fusion due to ease of use and it's ability to transmit coordinates and allow determination of range and bearing. I also like the VW mode for clearer voice transmissions.
You raise an interesting point that the barrier to entry is raised a bit when you consider the cost of digital radios is significantly higher compared to the inexpensive Chinese radios available on the market. I still need to look into digital, but at the moment I’m finding that HF with a NVIS deployment seems to be the most reliable method for local/regional communication with no infrastructure required. I was drawn to NVIS as it’s widely used by militaries and support teams for local use. I’m not a fan of security by obscurity, but this route also raises the bar in terms access by the casual non-ham as HF equipment is pricey and requires more skill. Thanks for the food for thought.
Good choice! TNC takes this radio to another level that no other radio in current production has. I'd rather pay more for an analog radio with a usable TNC and aprs than a radio with aprs only tnc and c4fm or dstar radio. 73's de Ale ti2alz
Thank you. I was thinking the same thing. The user accessible TNC and first class APRS support puts this radio in a league of its own. There’s a reason why the ISS has three of these onboard. Thanks for the comment and welcome.
@@EnuffsEnuff318 It stands for "Terminal Node Control". It's used in an area of amateur radio called "packet radio." You can think of it as a modem for your radio. I am just starting to get into this area of the hobby. I will be doing a series of video early this year.
First radio: TM-V71A. Built a bluetooth TNC to run APRS in my truck. Second radio: FT-891. I use it at home and portable. Third radio: used FTM-400XDR. Didn't like it. Sold it and purchased a TM-D710G. So now I have two Kenwood dual band radios I use with APRS and a Yaesu HF. It would be nice to have an all-mode, all-band radio in theory but I don't think it is as practical as you think. I have a friend's IC-7100 right now and it isn't as friendly as I would like. I think a dedicated HF radio is a better route.
Looks we have the same setup. ;-) I am using the D710GA in the Jeep and the FT-891 for HF. Keeping them separate actually results in having a fantastic radio for HF and a fantastic radio for VHF/UHF without compromising either. How do you like the TM-V71A with the external TNC? I need a VHF/UHF station for the house to function as a packet station and I'm not sure if I want to spend the money on another D710GA. I think I can get by with a Rasberry Pi and Mobilinkd TNC2 for the home packet station.
@@TheTechPrepper The TM-V71A works great for APRS. I am using an old Samsung tablet for the interface. I really like having a map and easy way to message. I haven't tried it with a Pi or other desktop-like APRS software but KM4ACK is all over that. If all you need is an APRS station, I'd get a cheap radio and hack into the audio lines. If you want a good voice, dual-band, APRS radio, the TM-V71A works great. You can turn the audio all the way down on Band B (APRS) and it still sends the audio out the data port to your TNC. That way you can avoid listening to the nasty 1200 baud sound. Or you can add a 100Hz CTCSS to your APRS band and use it as a voice alert. Again, it will pipe the audio out your data line but it won't send it to the speaker.
@@JoshuaJayG Good idea on going with an inexpensive radio. It seems that most of the Yaesu and Kenwood radios that have a mini DIN 6 pin data connector are in the $300 range. I'll poke around on the secondary market for these or just go with a cheaper, new radio and use the audio interface. Thanks, very helpful!
@@TheTechPrepper Get a Sabrent sound card for the Pi audio interface. I have a TM-281 at home for local comms. It's very well priced. It has a 3.5mm speaker port on the back. If you want to transmit, then you can build a cable from the microphone's RJ-45 for audio in to the radio. The only caveat is PTT. There may be a way to use the Pi's GPIO to accomplish that. Or find a radio with VOX and you don't have to worry about PTT. Then again, if you don't need 50+ watts, use a Chinese handheld, they have VOX and audio ports already available. Best of luck in the hacking! Feel free to email me if you want more ideas. My email on QRZ is good. KJ7LVZ
@@JoshuaJayG Thanks a bunch, Joshua. Jason KM4ACK has also been pushing me to get a Sabrent, too. I am using a Baofeng UV-5R for some packet work and need more than 5 watts for the home station. I'll give the TM-281 a look. 73
Best radio for prepping is the ft-897 yaesu low standby power drain larger display can have a internal power supply for base operation dc cables for mobile or external battery or internal battery’s has the same main board as the 857 but is meant to be used in all three modes home car field also can handle long talk times without overheating
Thank you. It means a lot. I have one more radio video coming out in the next day or two where I walk through the installation of this radio in the Jeep. But after that, I have a gas generator conversion to propane. Then, another video connecting a generator my home’s electrical sub panel with a manual transfer switch. Stay tuned! What kind of videos do you like on the channel!
I just bought the Yaesu FTM 400XD because of the APRS capability and I have a hotspot so I can do YSF/Wires X when I'm mobile. It was either the 400 or the 710GA, but I do like the touch screen on the 400, so that was my choice. Got programed before the install and got the APRS set up. So far, been enjoying the radio and APRS. Now if you want a radio that can do it all, check out the IC-705. It's expensive, but it has lots of capabilities. I bought one for a birthday present to myself back at the end of October. I've worked Canada, Cuba and Coasta Rica on 5 and 10w SSB. It's small, some what compact and there's the backpack made for it.
Sounds like you have yourself some great radios. The IC-705 is a fantastic rig. If it had an auto tuner it would be perfect. I’ll be buying one for myself for my 40th this year. Happy birthday and enjoy!
I got a couple HF antennas for it. First one I got was an MFJ 1982MP 80-10m EFHW. On 12, 15, 20 and 40m bands, very little to no SWR. 75/80, 60, 17 and 10m bands, it needs a tuner. The second one is the AL-705 magnetic loop antenna. It's a pain to tune, but light and easy to set up. For some reason, it doesn't like 20m too well. I got two contacts in Coasta Rica with the set up running 10w on 10m ssb.
The FT-991A is a nice rig, but too heavy for SOTA. I actually just secured an FT-857D from a viewer at a fair price. He saw this video and decided to see it as it wasn’t being used anymore.
Good Afternoon Tech Prepper, I am looking for the Kenwood TM-D710GA. It's really hard to find. Do you have any recommendations? I follow you on everything!
Excellent video, and choice in radios! I have the earlier version (TM-D710A) and they are solid radios. I also have the FTM-400XDR, and while it is a great radio, I honestly don't think it is as rugged as the TM-D710G. I started with the FT-857D, and still kick myself for selling it after getting the FT-89. The FT-60 is one hell of a sturdy radio!
Glad you enjoyed the video. There's something to be said about radios that have been on the market for awhile and improve iteration-to-iteration. The Kenwood D710 is a great example. I actually just found an FT-857D with the ATAS-120 at a great price from a viewer in great condition. I'm on the fence about making the investment now that I recently purchased a new FT-891. What would you do? The FT-60R is an amazing HT! Thanks for the view and comment. I appreciate the support.
@@TheTechPrepper I run one of my FT-891 in my truck. (I actually did a couple of videos on mobile install) and I still use the ATAS-120. Since I run the HF Mobile I don't really need the VHF/UHF feature since I already have the FTM-400 in the truck. I am a big fan of the ATAS-120A. If you use that antenna make sure it is properly grounded. I used my FT-857 and ATAS 120A to hit Canary Islands from Southern California while mobile. I do like the newer components on the FT-891 especially how well it receives.
Thanks for the details on your setup. When I pick up an ATAS-120 I’ll be sure to ground it properly. I’m looking forward to catching up on your videos. It’s great that you were able to make DX contacts!
This video is very helpful to me. I'm also a novice and ready to buy and install a mobile rig. It has been quite daunting for me because of all the options and me being so new that I barely understand what they do (had to research APRS yesterday) -- still trying to understand how Echolink works in a radio -- I just use it on my computer because my location is behind a bunch of hills and I can't reach the repeaters in town with my HTs... maybe once I get my antenna on the roof. So I need Echolink to participate in some of the nets. Thank you for going through your criteria and thought process. I had just about narrowed my short list down to the Kenwood TM-D710G as well although I had a Yaesu and ICom also on that list. Now I'm strongly leaning towards the Kenwood... such an iconic much respected radio manufacturer.
Glad you enjoyed it and welcome to the hobby. I found that you need to give yourself time when exploring a new area of amateur radio. There is so much to explore and it's very easy to get discouraged. I've also found that there is no one radio for everyone. Everyone has unique interests and operating needs, so the choice of radio should be a personal one. Personally, the Kenwood has lived up to my expectations. If you decide to go with the Kenwood, consider sticking around on the channel. I am going to interface the D710 with a Raspberry Pi and try my luck at sending email with Winlink. 73
@@TheTechPrepper I'm eager to see how you make out with the R-Pi/Winlink configuration. I've been doing WinLink over Telnet (kind of cheating), but haven't set it up yet to do away from the internet. I'm a junior ham operator with the Red Cross here in AZ so I need to get up to speed with the various technologies and capabilities for Disaster Recovery work. I'm really eager to take the next step in ham operations and I think the Kenwood will fit the bill both for base use as well as being able to install it either in my car or RV for use away from home. I'm East of Papago Park which is hindering my access quite a bit so I want to be able to get on the road quickly and easily. The step after that will be upgrading to General license & diving into the HF world. I'm beginning to realize that it is really important for disaster comms.
@@sgarcata Awesome, you're an AZ local. I'm in New River. I'll be on the AEN-MAR tonight. It might be right up your alley. www.aen-mar.org/ . I'll be taking my General on Wednesday. HF is a lot of fun, but I've exhausted what I can do on 10 meters. I hope to catch you on the air. 73 de KT1RUN
Nice video, particularly liked your thought process, define the needs before you start looking at radios, and the hand written Logbook. I have the TM-710G for the same reasons you had. Have you checked out the Cross Band Repeat function? Pretty handy for remote repeater work or even around the QTH. I'm 100% Kenwood, except for one Commie Radio I have for the pontoon boat. 73. K3SKS
5 analog watts can travel quite a.distance with a proper antenna. I hung a jpole on top of the house hooked up my 5 watt ht and strongly hit a repeaters 36 & 40+ miles away. Rx increased 3 fold, too, compared.to the diamond ht antenna.
It can depending on the physical characteristics of your location. I have good luck with a 5 watt HT getting into a repeaters 15 miles from my location. However, I am having success going almost 70 miles with this new 50 watt Kenwood. Welcome to the channel!
@@TheTechPrepper I am in urban area surrounded by trees. The take off angle of the jpole affords me to arch over the obstacles. A lot of new hams miss the importance of a good antenna/coax and compensate with higher wattage. Here's another example: inside my brick home my diamond antenna ht just made qrn to the repeater 3 miles away. Then I took a 1/4 wave mag mount on a 2 foot steel stool for a ground plane with my 8800r @ 50 watts and slammed that repeater.
@@DesDeNova-USA Great point. Thank you for the explanation. I've already learned the hard way that the antenna system is just as import, if not more important than the power of the radio. Since learning this lesson, I've invested heavily in low loss coax for the shack (LMR-400) and have been working with resonant antennas (10 meter dipole). With these changes, I've had great success operating QRP and making the most of 6 watts on my Yaesu FT-818ND. Thanks again. I'm still learning about the hobby. I've been looking to add a J-Pole to my shack.
I haven't understood the ultra loaded HTs out there. Like you said, 5W. Of course you could run an amp but that's more cost on top of the already pricey radio. I am very inclined to put more emphasis on a very nice mobile (like you have done here) with more power which can usually be dialed down to 5W if needed. I like the amount of info that can be displayed on the screen. The thing I didn't like about the 857D is specs say only 20W on uhf. Congrats on the new rig!
I thought about getting an amp for my FT-818ND, but that adds weight and complexity in the field as well as adds cost as you mentioned. Like you, having a solid mobile rig for 2m/440 feels like the right decision, at least for me. Thanks for chiming in. Happy, Friday!
There are so many reasons that I don't like using a PC program with my radios. The main one is, Programming a radio manually gives training and more understanding of the radio for older and newer hams. To me, anything one obtains needs to be learned inside and outside and to use a PC software takes that ability away.
Great timing on this post. You are 100% correct. Our local emergency net had us go through an exercise to jump on another’s club repeaters to test our ability to reprogram our HTs. Well, I forgot and had to quickly connect the programming cables to my Yaesu FT-60R, boot up the computer, login, launch CHIRP, add the repeater, and download to the radio. It took 15 minutes, so I failed the first challenge. So, I decided to make a 3”x5” laminated note card with the instructions. The manual instructions were so easy, that I tested myself while on a peak and 150 miles from my house to program a repeater in the area. It took 20 seconds. Video on this trip and the training will be out this week. Thanks for contributing to the discussion. We all need to practice and keep our skills sharp. 73, KT1RUN
I agree that knowing how to manually program the radio (any radio you're using) is critical. The computer link is good, however, for backing up all the data just in case something goes wrong and the radio memory is lost or a a second radio needs to be programmed - it makes keeping multiple radios set up identically easier for long lists of stations. I too have been waffling between the same Kenwood and Yaesu radios for my base/mobile unit...not decided quite yet but fantastic video!
I love my FT857D shack in a box. Gets mainly used now for HF digital. I lust after a TM-D710GA but Kenwood no longer have a distributor in Australia so the only option is a prohibitively expensive shipping from the USA. Any VK's want to part with a mint TM-D710GA, let me know !!!
It's some type of synthetic grass, but not sure which brand. We've been here for 18 months and never really had to maintain it other than the occasional raking after a storm. We have dogs, so we neutralize the urine with Simple Green. As someone who's had grass, I prefer synthetic.
Got the same radio. Just installed in my Rubicon. Did a comet antenna on the rear by the spare tire. Haven’t transmitted yet. Gotta SWR the antenna. Had the MARS modification done to use GMRS frequencies. The guys at Giga said it was the top of the line mobile rig available at any price. Nice video! Keep up the good work! 73’s WRHX347 out.
I like your setup. I'd be curious to see what kind of SWR and overall performance you get on the rear. I think that is probably a better place than the hood as I was whacking my antenna on all kinds of trees earlier this week while on the trail. The Comet SBB-5 antenna and Kenwood K400 mount handled the beating fine. I'll like take the Kenwood back in to HRO to get the MARS modification as I 'm a fan for having additional TX capabilities if needed on FRS and GMRS. I failed to mention this on the video, but I was able to beacon my position about 40 miles to a digipeater with no issues. I was not able to do this on my HT at 5 watts before. 73.
You are probably ok with mount location for VHF/UHF. Suggest a non ground dependent antenna. I use a Diamond 7500. Most spare tire mounts may not be bonded to frame/body of vehicle.
Okay -- I just have to go here. It seems like SO MANY people want to intro and out-tro their videos with loud, grinding electric guitars. THANK YOU for the calm, smooth guitar at the end of your video. It was a refreshing change.
That's great to hear. Thank you. I am not fan of a jarring intro noises as I personally get my UA-cam fix at 4:00 AM before work. I appreciate the comment. Take care.
@@TheTechPrepper ft-3d. I am trying to talk myself into buying a d710g. i have really gotten into aprs and this seems like the best radio for it. I like the digital channels but not sure I use them enough to justify giving up the features the d710 has over the ftm400
@@chunkylover54 The FTM-400XDR was second on my list. For me, the user-accessible TNC on the Kenwood is what made me go with the D710GA. They are both fantastic radios. The FTM-400XDR is a bit more modern, which is nice.
Someone needs to make a video that's less than 8 minutes long to give a quick breakdown to follow the info. These 11+ min videos peoples eyes glaze over when trying to find useful information.
Thanks for the feedback. I assume you were looking for a detailed overview of the D710GA and less of an overview of the radios that influenced my decision for a next radio? As a new ham and as someone who receives a bit of email from new hams on how to select a radio, it was important to give the context on where I was and where I wanted to go as these details along with budget informed my selection of radios. If you happen to find a video that covers the material you need and is within your 8 min max, feel free to let me know. I’m always looking for ways to improve the quality of the channel. Thanks again for the feedback.
@@TheTechPrepper to br clear, i was making a joke about your note book to remember what to talk about. A musician friend has has a book with lyrics for a 500 songs. He calls it the teleprompter. LoL. I just saw your note book and thought of that. I appreciate your video and explaining the thought process of how you arrived at your radio choice decision. One thing is clear and that is. There is no one radio that does it all. I've been attempting to find one radio to meet all my needs. That radio just doesn't exist. I've gotten down to two radios, but it was three radios for awhile. I'm talking about just for the vehicle. Real estate can be limited in a vehicle , so you don't want radios stuck into every nook and cranny. I don't know where you live in the USA, but the background looks similar to Santa Ana, California. I have a friend that lives there. That's looks like the view from his back yard.
@@SocialistDistancing I finally got the joke. ;-) I guess taking notes by hand is a dying form of capturing thoughts. Like your musician friend, I have piles of notebooks going back 20 years. You're right, there is no "one" radio. 73
They are, but they do have a place in the hobby. It's a great way to get started without spending a ton of money. I rarely use my Baofeng's these days, but I am thankful that it got me started for about $25 USD.
Excellent video production, well organized and presented.
Years ago, I used my TM742AD tri-bander (144, 220 & 440) on cross band repeat with my TH79 to access repeaters better, when I was away from my truck. That was before cell phones became popular and (while the truck was into the MEGALINK system) I talked with mobile stations across the state and into several surrounding states. I got lots of strange looks, sipping my coffee and talking away.
Thanks, I appreciate this as I’m still new to amateur radio and producing content. Sounds like you’re a Kenwood guy with a really slick setup.
I just picked up one of these Kenwoods for $49. It was on clearance and I just got my license and wanted something more powerful than my UV-R9. Great video I am really looking forward to it arriving. I just got my license today and found that radio on clearance and it looks like I picked a good one. Now I need to watch your antenna video. You just got a new subscriber. Great video, that digipeter function sounds awesome I had no idea. For the price I think I did all right.
Did you get taken in by one of those scam sites? I've been seeing them lately.
I wish there was "one rig to rule them all," but as you've found, it's hard to come by. The FT-857D comes close, and you could also peek at the IC-7100. That being said, I love my TM-D710G; I've found it to be rock-solid for all things VHF/UHF. Thanks for sharing your thought process.
I failed to mention the IC-7100. I just do not like the form factor of the head unit, but technically it's a shack in the box. I keep hearing great things about the TM-D710G from happy ham owners like yourself. It's a great rig and I'm glad I went with it. Have a great weekend!
Right, there isn't one single radio. An HT doesn't have enough power, a mobile needs a car battery, and a base station is bulky. Elecraft KX3 *might* get close, but it doesn't do UHF or digital.
I got a Icom 7100 for about the same price as most of these low power radios (far less than a 7105) , about 890 to the door . I do use a 7300 for my base station, the 7100 is for mobile. With VHF and UHF sideband (fm also of course) its a great radio. Its got a mobile type case, its a little heavy but 100 watts. With my Kenwood d- 710 i've got it all. I could probably save a little weight with a TNC plugged into the 7100 and a GPS plugged into a little tablet. That would be almost doable. N6GRG I realize not many will be reading this as it is a three year old video. But, the D710 with the fully available TNC is a powerful unit because you can access it fully with a tablet of computer. I did 9600 packet, and full APRS messaging and can type out messages really fast on a full keyboard ! APRS is exploding with functionality right now with SMS messaging back and even mailbox storage available !
I'm a little late to the show, but I have to agree that actual buttons is far superior to touch screen. Especially for a mobile where I'll reach over to adjust something without taking my eyes off the road. That's why I'm looking at the Yaesu FTM300 instead of the FTM400 for my next mobile.
I do have to say that I find it amusing that The Tech Prepper uses a notebook for his notes. I get it, it's far easier to jot a quick note than put it on the computer, I just find it funny.
Welcome to the party. It's been a year now with the D710GA and I don't regret my decision. The radio is amazing in so many ways, but the physical knobs and buttons work great while touch feeling down the highway. I hope you enjoy the FTM300.
I work in the software industry and don't trust technology. I prefer my hand written notes and, in fact, log all my contacts with a rite-in-the-rain notepad. 73 de KT1RUN
@@TheTechPrepper Same here, paper logs on my POTA contacts. Then into the online logs.
Just picked one of these up. Thanks for the video
GOOD CHOICE! I also have a Kenwood TM-D710GA use the APRS function and the TNC for packet and Winlink ops. If you're a newbie research Winlink. You'll be amazed. For HF I have a FT897D and a Elecraft KX2. 73 de Ed K8EAF
Thanks for the comment! I am very much a newbie and have been trying to experiment with Winlink for some time now. Prior to this radio, I had been using a QRP rig (Yaesu FT-818ND) which was not able to get into a Winlink gateway. I'll have to give Winlink a try again now that I have 50 watts. The FT-897D is my next radio once I pass my General. I really want the FT-857D, but Yaesu discontinued it and the prices on the secondary market are out of site. 73 de KT1RUN.
@@TheTechPrepper I sent you a email (info@thetechprepper.com) reference portable antenna. If you want, I can send more information on how to find a local Winlink gateway.
@@TheTechPrepper Here's a great series on step by step Winlink setup put out by the San Diego ARES group: ua-cam.com/play/PL-7mirT-kjfs84FQzLr-qv066Kl94rtYM.html
ARES and the Red Cross (and anyone else who was interested) just did a National drill on Saturday (11/14) using WinLink to message nationally... had over 600 participants across the country and even a few internationally. We have a very active group here in Arizona/New Mexico.
Thank you very much for your thoughtful and informational presentation on this radio. Hope it works well for your needs. 73 KG6WOY
You're welcome. It's been a year since I made this video and I absolutely love the D710GA. I was considering getting another one for our RV, but it's gone up considerably in price (almost $300 more). The dual VFO, APRS support, receive quality, and GPS make this radio a great mobile option. 73, KT1RUN
Great video, I've been trying to decide on either the Kenwood or the FTM-400XDR but I think I've finally decided on the Kenwood. I also really prefer buttons and knobs over the touch screen and it just looks like a great radio that's built to last.
Thank you. The Kenwood D710GA is great. I may do a follow up video in a couple of months. 50 watts makes all the difference, I’m getting into digipeaters and repeaters 30-40 miles away. I think you’ll really enjoy it. Feel free to check back in. I’m curious to see how you like it. Happy Saturday!
I know this transceiver is discontinued.
However, see adverts by various dealers selling this rig for about $50.00?
Now that this radio is discontinued and has a good following, that price does not seem right. On the used market, I would expect to see this sell for $400 to $700 USD.
A valid reason to get into digital: In a SHTF scenario, it would be the closest thing you'll have to encrypted comms that the average person with a baofeng or scanner won't be able to receive. This lends to security. Also, digital is clearer in general... No static to deal with, even at fringe ranges. I personally really like fusion due to ease of use and it's ability to transmit coordinates and allow determination of range and bearing. I also like the VW mode for clearer voice transmissions.
You raise an interesting point that the barrier to entry is raised a bit when you consider the cost of digital radios is significantly higher compared to the inexpensive Chinese radios available on the market. I still need to look into digital, but at the moment I’m finding that HF with a NVIS deployment seems to be the most reliable method for local/regional communication with no infrastructure required. I was drawn to NVIS as it’s widely used by militaries and support teams for local use. I’m not a fan of security by obscurity, but this route also raises the bar in terms access by the casual non-ham as HF equipment is pricey and requires more skill. Thanks for the food for thought.
Good choice! TNC takes this radio to another level that no other radio in current production has. I'd rather pay more for an analog radio with a usable TNC and aprs than a radio with aprs only tnc and c4fm or dstar radio. 73's de Ale ti2alz
Thank you. I was thinking the same thing. The user accessible TNC and first class APRS support puts this radio in a league of its own. There’s a reason why the ISS has three of these onboard. Thanks for the comment and welcome.
@@TheTechPrepper What's TNC?
@@EnuffsEnuff318 It stands for "Terminal Node Control". It's used in an area of amateur radio called "packet radio." You can think of it as a modem for your radio. I am just starting to get into this area of the hobby. I will be doing a series of video early this year.
Really enjoyed the video. I am in the same place in my radio quests.
Thanks. The D710GA is an amazing rig. I can't believe it was recently discounted. Best of luck on your comms journey. Enjoy the ride.
First radio: TM-V71A. Built a bluetooth TNC to run APRS in my truck. Second radio: FT-891. I use it at home and portable. Third radio: used FTM-400XDR. Didn't like it. Sold it and purchased a TM-D710G. So now I have two Kenwood dual band radios I use with APRS and a Yaesu HF. It would be nice to have an all-mode, all-band radio in theory but I don't think it is as practical as you think. I have a friend's IC-7100 right now and it isn't as friendly as I would like. I think a dedicated HF radio is a better route.
Looks we have the same setup. ;-) I am using the D710GA in the Jeep and the FT-891 for HF. Keeping them separate actually results in having a fantastic radio for HF and a fantastic radio for VHF/UHF without compromising either. How do you like the TM-V71A with the external TNC? I need a VHF/UHF station for the house to function as a packet station and I'm not sure if I want to spend the money on another D710GA. I think I can get by with a Rasberry Pi and Mobilinkd TNC2 for the home packet station.
@@TheTechPrepper The TM-V71A works great for APRS. I am using an old Samsung tablet for the interface. I really like having a map and easy way to message. I haven't tried it with a Pi or other desktop-like APRS software but KM4ACK is all over that. If all you need is an APRS station, I'd get a cheap radio and hack into the audio lines. If you want a good voice, dual-band, APRS radio, the TM-V71A works great. You can turn the audio all the way down on Band B (APRS) and it still sends the audio out the data port to your TNC. That way you can avoid listening to the nasty 1200 baud sound. Or you can add a 100Hz CTCSS to your APRS band and use it as a voice alert. Again, it will pipe the audio out your data line but it won't send it to the speaker.
@@JoshuaJayG Good idea on going with an inexpensive radio. It seems that most of the Yaesu and Kenwood radios that have a mini DIN 6 pin data connector are in the $300 range. I'll poke around on the secondary market for these or just go with a cheaper, new radio and use the audio interface. Thanks, very helpful!
@@TheTechPrepper Get a Sabrent sound card for the Pi audio interface. I have a TM-281 at home for local comms. It's very well priced. It has a 3.5mm speaker port on the back. If you want to transmit, then you can build a cable from the microphone's RJ-45 for audio in to the radio. The only caveat is PTT. There may be a way to use the Pi's GPIO to accomplish that. Or find a radio with VOX and you don't have to worry about PTT. Then again, if you don't need 50+ watts, use a Chinese handheld, they have VOX and audio ports already available. Best of luck in the hacking! Feel free to email me if you want more ideas. My email on QRZ is good. KJ7LVZ
@@JoshuaJayG Thanks a bunch, Joshua. Jason KM4ACK has also been pushing me to get a Sabrent, too. I am using a Baofeng UV-5R for some packet work and need more than 5 watts for the home station. I'll give the TM-281 a look. 73
Very good video. Thanks
You’re very welcome. It’s about 6 weeks later and this radio is simply amazing. Happy Saturday and thanks for the comment.
Best radio for prepping is the ft-897 yaesu low standby power drain larger display can have a internal power supply for base operation dc cables for mobile or external battery or internal battery’s has the same main board as the 857 but is meant to be used in all three modes home car field also can handle long talk times without overheating
I have two FT-857's since this video was first published. Yes, the FT-857 is hands down the best prepper radio in my opinion.
I am not into Radios, but this was awesome.
Thank you. It means a lot. I have one more radio video coming out in the next day or two where I walk through the installation of this radio in the Jeep. But after that, I have a gas generator conversion to propane. Then, another video connecting a generator my home’s electrical sub panel with a manual transfer switch. Stay tuned! What kind of videos do you like on the channel!
I just bought the Yaesu FTM 400XD because of the APRS capability and I have a hotspot so I can do YSF/Wires X when I'm mobile. It was either the 400 or the 710GA, but I do like the touch screen on the 400, so that was my choice. Got programed before the install and got the APRS set up. So far, been enjoying the radio and APRS.
Now if you want a radio that can do it all, check out the IC-705. It's expensive, but it has lots of capabilities. I bought one for a birthday present to myself back at the end of October. I've worked Canada, Cuba and Coasta Rica on 5 and 10w SSB. It's small, some what compact and there's the backpack made for it.
Sounds like you have yourself some great radios. The IC-705 is a fantastic rig. If it had an auto tuner it would be perfect. I’ll be buying one for myself for my 40th this year. Happy birthday and enjoy!
I got a couple HF antennas for it. First one I got was an MFJ 1982MP 80-10m EFHW. On 12, 15, 20 and 40m bands, very little to no SWR. 75/80, 60, 17 and 10m bands, it needs a tuner.
The second one is the AL-705 magnetic loop antenna. It's a pain to tune, but light and easy to set up. For some reason, it doesn't like 20m too well. I got two contacts in Coasta Rica with the set up running 10w on 10m ssb.
@@pale_2111 The MFJ-1982MP is a great antenna. I have the same one in an inverted-v connected to my FT-891. 73!
You might also look at the Yaesu FT-991A. It's pretty much the successor to the FT-857D.
The FT-991A is a nice rig, but too heavy for SOTA. I actually just secured an FT-857D from a viewer at a fair price. He saw this video and decided to see it as it wasn’t being used anymore.
Good Afternoon Tech Prepper, I am looking for the Kenwood TM-D710GA. It's really hard to find. Do you have any recommendations? I follow you on everything!
Check out the Yaesu FTM-400DR. It's crossband repeat capable and has built-in APRS support.
Excellent video, and choice in radios! I have the earlier version (TM-D710A) and they are solid radios. I also have the FTM-400XDR, and while it is a great radio, I honestly don't think it is as rugged as the TM-D710G. I started with the FT-857D, and still kick myself for selling it after getting the FT-89. The FT-60 is one hell of a sturdy radio!
Glad you enjoyed the video. There's something to be said about radios that have been on the market for awhile and improve iteration-to-iteration. The Kenwood D710 is a great example. I actually just found an FT-857D with the ATAS-120 at a great price from a viewer in great condition. I'm on the fence about making the investment now that I recently purchased a new FT-891. What would you do? The FT-60R is an amazing HT! Thanks for the view and comment. I appreciate the support.
@@TheTechPrepper I run one of my FT-891 in my truck. (I actually did a couple of videos on mobile install) and I still use the ATAS-120. Since I run the HF Mobile I don't really need the VHF/UHF feature since I already have the FTM-400 in the truck. I am a big fan of the ATAS-120A. If you use that antenna make sure it is properly grounded. I used my FT-857 and ATAS 120A to hit Canary Islands from Southern California while mobile. I do like the newer components on the FT-891 especially how well it receives.
Thanks for the details on your setup. When I pick up an ATAS-120 I’ll be sure to ground it properly. I’m looking forward to catching up on your videos. It’s great that you were able to make DX contacts!
This video is very helpful to me. I'm also a novice and ready to buy and install a mobile rig. It has been quite daunting for me because of all the options and me being so new that I barely understand what they do (had to research APRS yesterday) -- still trying to understand how Echolink works in a radio -- I just use it on my computer because my location is behind a bunch of hills and I can't reach the repeaters in town with my HTs... maybe once I get my antenna on the roof. So I need Echolink to participate in some of the nets. Thank you for going through your criteria and thought process. I had just about narrowed my short list down to the Kenwood TM-D710G as well although I had a Yaesu and ICom also on that list. Now I'm strongly leaning towards the Kenwood... such an iconic much respected radio manufacturer.
Glad you enjoyed it and welcome to the hobby. I found that you need to give yourself time when exploring a new area of amateur radio. There is so much to explore and it's very easy to get discouraged. I've also found that there is no one radio for everyone. Everyone has unique interests and operating needs, so the choice of radio should be a personal one. Personally, the Kenwood has lived up to my expectations. If you decide to go with the Kenwood, consider sticking around on the channel. I am going to interface the D710 with a Raspberry Pi and try my luck at sending email with Winlink. 73
@@TheTechPrepper I'm eager to see how you make out with the R-Pi/Winlink configuration. I've been doing WinLink over Telnet (kind of cheating), but haven't set it up yet to do away from the internet. I'm a junior ham operator with the Red Cross here in AZ so I need to get up to speed with the various technologies and capabilities for Disaster Recovery work. I'm really eager to take the next step in ham operations and I think the Kenwood will fit the bill both for base use as well as being able to install it either in my car or RV for use away from home. I'm East of Papago Park which is hindering my access quite a bit so I want to be able to get on the road quickly and easily. The step after that will be upgrading to General license & diving into the HF world. I'm beginning to realize that it is really important for disaster comms.
@@sgarcata Awesome, you're an AZ local. I'm in New River. I'll be on the AEN-MAR tonight. It might be right up your alley. www.aen-mar.org/ . I'll be taking my General on Wednesday. HF is a lot of fun, but I've exhausted what I can do on 10 meters. I hope to catch you on the air. 73 de KT1RUN
Nice video, particularly liked your thought process, define the needs before you start looking at radios, and the hand written Logbook. I have the TM-710G for the same reasons you had. Have you checked out the Cross Band Repeat function? Pretty handy for remote repeater work or even around the QTH. I'm 100% Kenwood, except for one Commie Radio I have for the pontoon boat. 73. K3SKS
5 analog watts can travel quite a.distance with a proper antenna. I hung a jpole on top of the house hooked up my 5 watt ht and strongly hit a repeaters 36 & 40+ miles away. Rx increased 3 fold, too, compared.to the diamond ht antenna.
It can depending on the physical characteristics of your location. I have good luck with a 5 watt HT getting into a repeaters 15 miles from my location. However, I am having success going almost 70 miles with this new 50 watt Kenwood. Welcome to the channel!
@@TheTechPrepper I am in urban area surrounded by trees. The take off angle of the jpole affords me to arch over the obstacles. A lot of new hams miss the importance of a good antenna/coax and compensate with higher wattage. Here's another example: inside my brick home my diamond antenna ht just made qrn to the repeater 3 miles away. Then I took a 1/4 wave mag mount on a 2 foot steel stool for a ground plane with my 8800r @ 50 watts and slammed that repeater.
@@DesDeNova-USA Great point. Thank you for the explanation. I've already learned the hard way that the antenna system is just as import, if not more important than the power of the radio. Since learning this lesson, I've invested heavily in low loss coax for the shack (LMR-400) and have been working with resonant antennas (10 meter dipole). With these changes, I've had great success operating QRP and making the most of 6 watts on my Yaesu FT-818ND. Thanks again. I'm still learning about the hobby. I've been looking to add a J-Pole to my shack.
I haven't understood the ultra loaded HTs out there. Like you said, 5W. Of course you could run an amp but that's more cost on top of the already pricey radio. I am very inclined to put more emphasis on a very nice mobile (like you have done here) with more power which can usually be dialed down to 5W if needed. I like the amount of info that can be displayed on the screen.
The thing I didn't like about the 857D is specs say only 20W on uhf.
Congrats on the new rig!
I thought about getting an amp for my FT-818ND, but that adds weight and complexity in the field as well as adds cost as you mentioned. Like you, having a solid mobile rig for 2m/440 feels like the right decision, at least for me. Thanks for chiming in. Happy, Friday!
There are so many reasons that I don't like using a PC program with my radios. The main one is, Programming a radio manually gives training and more understanding of the radio for older and newer hams. To me, anything one obtains needs to be learned inside and outside and to use a PC software takes that ability away.
Great timing on this post. You are 100% correct. Our local emergency net had us go through an exercise to jump on another’s club repeaters to test our ability to reprogram our HTs. Well, I forgot and had to quickly connect the programming cables to my Yaesu FT-60R, boot up the computer, login, launch CHIRP, add the repeater, and download to the radio. It took 15 minutes, so I failed the first challenge. So, I decided to make a 3”x5” laminated note card with the instructions. The manual instructions were so easy, that I tested myself while on a peak and 150 miles from my house to program a repeater in the area. It took 20 seconds. Video on this trip and the training will be out this week. Thanks for contributing to the discussion. We all need to practice and keep our skills sharp. 73, KT1RUN
I agree that knowing how to manually program the radio (any radio you're using) is critical. The computer link is good, however, for backing up all the data just in case something goes wrong and the radio memory is lost or a a second radio needs to be programmed - it makes keeping multiple radios set up identically easier for long lists of stations. I too have been waffling between the same Kenwood and Yaesu radios for my base/mobile unit...not decided quite yet but fantastic video!
I love my FT857D shack in a box. Gets mainly used now for HF digital. I lust after a TM-D710GA but Kenwood no longer have a distributor in Australia so the only option is a prohibitively expensive shipping from the USA. Any VK's want to part with a mint TM-D710GA, let me know !!!
The FT-858D is a fantastic rig. I finally acquired one several months back. I hope you get your hands on a D710GA. It's a fantastic rig. Good luck!
Currently, is there a mobile that is similar or better than the Kenwood TM-D710GA?
Take a look at the Yaesu FTM-400DR. Like the Kenwood, it supports APRS, is dual-VFO and supports cross-band repeat. I considered that rig, too.
Is that astroturf? Is it hard to clean?
It's some type of synthetic grass, but not sure which brand. We've been here for 18 months and never really had to maintain it other than the occasional raking after a storm. We have dogs, so we neutralize the urine with Simple Green. As someone who's had grass, I prefer synthetic.
thanks very much nice video 73 from kb2uew
Thank you! The Kenwood D710 is a great mobile rig, so it was a lot of fun making this video. 73 de KT1RUN
857d is gold now days. My dad has one he bought new and I was lucky to get one at a ham show not long after they discontinued them
Glad your dad was able to secure an FT-857D. I finally found one myself last month and absolutely love it.
Got the same radio. Just installed in my Rubicon. Did a comet antenna on the rear by the spare tire. Haven’t transmitted yet. Gotta SWR the antenna. Had the MARS modification done to use GMRS frequencies. The guys at Giga said it was the top of the line mobile rig available at any price. Nice video! Keep up the good work! 73’s WRHX347 out.
I like your setup. I'd be curious to see what kind of SWR and overall performance you get on the rear. I think that is probably a better place than the hood as I was whacking my antenna on all kinds of trees earlier this week while on the trail. The Comet SBB-5 antenna and Kenwood K400 mount handled the beating fine. I'll like take the Kenwood back in to HRO to get the MARS modification as I 'm a fan for having additional TX capabilities if needed on FRS and GMRS. I failed to mention this on the video, but I was able to beacon my position about 40 miles to a digipeater with no issues. I was not able to do this on my HT at 5 watts before. 73.
You are probably ok with mount location for VHF/UHF. Suggest a non ground dependent antenna. I use a Diamond 7500. Most spare tire mounts may not be bonded to frame/body of vehicle.
@@ag1382 Thanks for chiming in. It's great to get as much input as possible in this hobby. 73.
Okay -- I just have to go here. It seems like SO MANY people want to intro and out-tro their videos with loud, grinding electric guitars. THANK YOU for the calm, smooth guitar at the end of your video. It was a refreshing change.
That's great to hear. Thank you. I am not fan of a jarring intro noises as I personally get my UA-cam fix at 4:00 AM before work. I appreciate the comment. Take care.
what are you using for a handheld
I have a Yaesu FT-60R. You?
@@TheTechPrepper ft-3d. I am trying to talk myself into buying a d710g. i have really gotten into aprs and this seems like the best radio for it. I like the digital channels but not sure I use them enough to justify giving up the features the d710 has over the ftm400
@@chunkylover54 The FTM-400XDR was second on my list. For me, the user-accessible TNC on the Kenwood is what made me go with the D710GA. They are both fantastic radios. The FTM-400XDR is a bit more modern, which is nice.
@@TheTechPrepper what are you using to add aprs to the ft-60? I have one also and would like to use it for aprs.
@@jake7765 I use the Mobilinkd TNC2 with APRSDroid.
Someone needs to make a video that's less than 8 minutes long to give a quick breakdown to follow the info. These 11+ min videos peoples eyes glaze over when trying to find useful information.
Thanks for the feedback. I assume you were looking for a detailed overview of the D710GA and less of an overview of the radios that influenced my decision for a next radio? As a new ham and as someone who receives a bit of email from new hams on how to select a radio, it was important to give the context on where I was and where I wanted to go as these details along with budget informed my selection of radios. If you happen to find a video that covers the material you need and is within your 8 min max, feel free to let me know. I’m always looking for ways to improve the quality of the channel. Thanks again for the feedback.
BI4PWU 73
Thanks. 73, KT1RUN
Nice teleprompter. LoL
It looks like one ;-)
@@TheTechPrepper to br clear, i was making a joke about your note book to remember what to talk about. A musician friend has has a book with lyrics for a 500 songs. He calls it the teleprompter. LoL. I just saw your note book and thought of that.
I appreciate your video and explaining the thought process of how you arrived at your radio choice decision. One thing is clear and that is. There is no one radio that does it all. I've been attempting to find one radio to meet all my needs. That radio just doesn't exist. I've gotten down to two radios, but it was three radios for awhile. I'm talking about just for the vehicle.
Real estate can be limited in a vehicle , so you don't want radios stuck into every nook and cranny.
I don't know where you live in the USA, but the background looks similar to Santa Ana, California. I have a friend that lives there. That's looks like the view from his back yard.
@@SocialistDistancing I finally got the joke. ;-) I guess taking notes by hand is a dying form of capturing thoughts. Like your musician friend, I have piles of notebooks going back 20 years. You're right, there is no "one" radio. 73
@@TheTechPrepper my friend has the same pile of notebooks. LoL
Bao radios are garbage.
They are, but they do have a place in the hobby. It's a great way to get started without spending a ton of money. I rarely use my Baofeng's these days, but I am thankful that it got me started for about $25 USD.