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.

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

Thanks! Studying for my Technician license, researching rails and and have been asking myself this same question.Thanks again!

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

Thank you for the look. I have been looking at both radios. Hard choice.

Thanks again for a good comparison of radios! Since specs are always hard to compare real usability, these videos help.

Tnks you for speaken slowly english. I'm French in Spain and i appreciate all your Videos.

I give a thumbs up before the video starts. I have that level of confidence in your work.

@K6UDA

4 жыл бұрын

You rock dude. Thanks.

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.

The D74 allows to listen to anything on the spectrum, which makes it a clear winner.

Nice review. I've watched your review and each and the head-to-head is a good summary.

Getting ready to buy later this coming week. Had to watch this again.

great comparison....What antenna are you using on the ft3?

Been grappling with this same conundrum. You made me laugh, so hard. Thanks so much!

I received my D74 Saturday. Excellent quality. Impressive radio. Still studying for my license.

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!

Very good review are the antennas stock or after market and where did you get them

Can't wait for the IC-705 video Bob!

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

@K6UDA

4 жыл бұрын

Awesome.

what is your favorite antenna to pair with the ft3?

Thank you for your funny videos. The sideband multimode receive is important to me.

Great video. You answered all my questions. I'd have to buy both of them because of the different digital modes

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.

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

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

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?

BOB,you are one of the best.Love your shows,too.Thank you for your presentations. Best Wishes.

@K6UDA

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks. Look for new videos to drop in a few weeks.

Attention radio manufactures these videos influence my purchase. Might get both. Love your work thanks.

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!

Always a great review!!! I can not wait for the 705...... I own the 74 but like the audio of my 51 better.

Thanks for the comparison, I have been wondering about this since they announced the FT3. 73 W6KMP

@K6UDA

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks. You weren't the only one.

Bob,you are good man.Great You Tube shows.Bring's a smile and laughter, too.Thank you.Best Wishes.

@K6UDA

4 жыл бұрын

Emin Izyaguyev thank you

What antenna are you using on those ? 73 de HB9GVJ

Do you think Icom with upgrade the 51A with a color screen? Probably right after I buy a 51A.

Thanks for the excellent comparisons, what was the antenna on your FT3DR for this video? Thansk

@K6UDA

4 жыл бұрын

A Nagoya 701.

I might have missed it in all the comments, but which one is the easiest to program; which one would be best to put in your car for a cross country trip; will either one allow you to set it and forget it for cross country trips? Thanks.

Hey do you know where to get the Kenwood new still? I do really like the Yaesu and it has a band scope!

What brand and model of antenna you used on the FT3D? How does it perform?

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.

@forgetyourlife

4 жыл бұрын

Hotfootedhiker Adventures if battery is king don’t backpack with a digital radio at all. They all suck more juice.

@W6MDE

4 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

Hi Bob, what antenna are you using on the Yaesu FT3? I find a few don't fit with the "bulge" of the GP. Thanks

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.

The usability of the GPS info on the Kenwood is scoring major points.

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.

I like radios too but dang man you licked your radio! Nice run down and comparisons on the radios. 👍❤️📻

@donh5794

4 жыл бұрын

It's a GF radio

And my choice is...............both! Thanks for a great and...humorous review.

I did change the brightness setting of the screen and turned gps off when I first turned the radio on.

Hello Bob I would like to know with the yaesu FT-3D How the Bluetooth works in others words if I paired the Bluetooth to my motorcycle headset Sena 20s evo How the ptt works and the microphone on the helmet will work also ? Or it’s just audio received are Bluetooth. Thanks in advance for the answers and keep up the good reviews and videos

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

My Kenwood TH-D74 arrived today. I'll chime in when I get it figured out.

Loved the review!!!

@K6UDA

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks.

love your videos, thank you

Are there any other radios besides the D74 that recieve all modes on hf?

Is the Kenwood outdated, by any chance? I’m getting ready to take my exams (Technician and General) and I’d like to go with something I can grow into. Thank you!

Thanks for the comparison,Bob! Dale BA4TB

Perfect review

So what’s the one you use the most still to this day?

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

Great video I got the 3dr

I got the D74 at Pacificon. I love it but it's gonna take me a year to learn how to use it.

Kind of curious how that Nagoya works on your HT

Great review Bob. Does the Yaesu do duplex for satellite operation? Also, please don't lick my radios!

@JayN4GO

4 жыл бұрын

K7AGE no

Can either receive airband and PMR?

Great Video as usual. If you are still reading comments, could,you tell me the antenna you use on the FT3? Thanks

@K6UDA

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks I’m using the Noygya 701

What antenna is that on the Kenwood?

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.

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

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!

@K6UDA

4 жыл бұрын

If you live in the America’s you most likely have an A model.

@vonzigle

4 жыл бұрын

Got it... and the E version is for European!

Aren’t people having to send back the thd74s due to fuses blowing or something similar from over charging?

Kindly suggest a HAM Radio of 11° (Eleven Degrees)

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.

Dang it, you left me sitting on the fence. Primary planned use would be APRS and APRS messages while activating for SOTA. Which 1 is easier for that?? Malen VE6VID

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.

Del Is best Kenwood or Yaesu for you?

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.

There's such a thing as too small. Where's the battery? I really liked my old Icom 32AT and Icom 2GAT that could run for 4 days on one battery charge and was big enough to hold.

Great video, Bob. I was going to make you an offer on the D74A ... until you licked it. Ha! What antenna are you using on the D74A? I just bought one and love it. I'm missing fusion, but have an openSpot3 on the way!

@K6UDA

4 жыл бұрын

But I also licked the radio I sold you.

Another awesome K6UDA video. 73's KM4MQC

@K6UDA

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks.

i pick both! because d-star is stand alone and ysf with a hot spot can access all other digital modes.

Thanks 🙏🏽

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.

@NathanChilton

4 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....

@la7dfa

4 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.

@williambouchard4480

4 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.

Fantastic review Bob and the added humor was lol great too. 73 w1nga

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.

WHOA - both out of my price range, but thanks!

Bro your talking about spending all your money on radios im thinking of booth these and your landscaping in the background prob cost more than my house 4 miles outside detroit. Im looking to get into it really bad, how hard is it to get a ham licence can i talk on 1 without it for a while to get a feel for it?

You convinced me, The Kenwood. It has held its value longer, it has more capabilities. Has excellent track record

If you were a beginner looking to take one with you on remote mountain bike rides, would you pick the FT3 for extra battery life of the Kenwood for the extra frequency? Looking for a worst case scenario radio

@mgimenez1

3 жыл бұрын

I own both and would take the FT3DR on any outdoor excursion. The TH-D74 just feels too fragile, so I just keep it indoors. Oh, and battery life? The FT3DR works all day and the TH-D74 uses juice like it's a heroin addict. It's so bad you might just throw it off your mountain.

LEARNING A LOT FROM YOU

@K6UDA

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks.

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

Is it worth considering how the HT radios interact with mobile aand base radios? Do their mobile radios offer important advantages or work well together?

@K6UDA

4 жыл бұрын

Great question. The FT3 and FTM400 mobile function alike. kinda like moving from an iPhone to a iMac. Beyond that its pretty much a toss up unless you want to maintain the same digital mode across your mobile and HT platforms.

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.

Great video

Congratulations from Panamá Rep. PANAMÁ

awesome review, best comment ever at 11:10

Regarding battery life Did the ft3 have the gps running constantly? My d74jasts all day with the gps off I think you should make sure the are configured equally., thanks N5LWL

@K6UDA

4 жыл бұрын

GPS was on and it was pinging APRS.

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

Hi Robert Thanks for your awsome Video. How do you program your Radios Woch programming software, the Yaesu ft-3 and the Kenwood th-d 74? My problem is that my FT2 has a chunk touchscreen where the processor fails. I think I'm going to Kenwood and TH-D 74. It's about time that the manufacturers sat down and exchanged their technology, by the way. thus AM, FM, NFM, WFM, C4FM, D-STAR and DMR. Doesn't want those who read this to think what he sucks for shit, it is really time that the companies YAESU and Kenwood and who else? should think about it, NO have to. 73

Thank you Bob KI5FRK 73

Best for satelittes?

I too have a Kenwood Wife & My Yaesu Girlfriend i feel very lucky and they live together in harmony.

@williambouchard4480

4 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.

What's the 411 on a ICom, is it that mobile unit with backpack option? Or a handheld?

@K6UDA

4 жыл бұрын

It’s a qrp ( low power) HF VHF UHF multimode transceiver.