2m – 70cm
Bands
5 W
Output
2024
Introduced
FrequencyTX: 144-148 MHz (2m), 222-225 MHz (1.25m), 430-450 MHz (70cm), RX: 0.1-524 MHz wideband (AM/FM/NFM/WFM/SSB/CW/DV) + built-in bar antenna for 0.1-10 MHz HF
Bands2m, 1.25m (220 MHz), 70cm
TX power0.05 / 0.5 / 2 / 5 W (5W / 2W / 0.5W / 0.05W — four selectable levels on all TX bands. Same as TH-D74A.)
ModesFM, NFM, WFM (RX), AM (RX), SSB (RX), CW (RX), DV (D-STAR), DV Fast Data
BatteryLi-ion 1820mAh / 7.4V
Weight370 g (13.1 oz) - ~370g with standard battery and antenna per review.
ConnectorSMA-Female on the radio body - takes SMA-Male antennas
Year2024
Connectors
antennaSMA-Female on the radio body - takes SMA-Male antennas
speaker micKenwood 2-pin (2.5mm + 3.5mm)
usb cUSB Type-C (serial, audio in/out, battery charging)
if outputIF output for external SDR
microsdMicroSD/SDHC card slot
bluetoothBluetooth HSP/SPP (audio, data, headset, PTT)
power reqKNB-75LA Li-ion 1820mAh (included). USB-C charging. Battery life 8-10 hours mixed use with standard battery.

Estimated (unverified): AMATEUR (ham) radio - FCC Technician-class license or higher required (NOT GMRS/license-free). D-STAR digital voice + analog FM + APRS - NOT DMR. Tri-band (2m/1.25m/70cm); 5W. Wide RX 0.1-524 MHz incl. HF/SSB/CW/air. Color transflective display; GPS; Bluetooth; microSD; USB-C; IP54/55. KNB-75LA 1820 mAh. New vs D74: USB-C, dual simultaneous D-STAR, Reflector Terminal Mode (no hotspot needed), standalone APRS digipeater. Announced 2023, released late 2023/2024. The only current tri-band D-STAR+APRS HT.

THE successor to the TH-D74A — Kenwood's flagship amateur HT returns INDUSTRY FIRST (continued): simultaneous APRS and D-STAR operation NEW: simultaneous reception of 2 D-STAR signals (dual DV decode) NEW: Reflector Terminal Mode — access D-STAR reflectors directly NEW: APRS standalone digipeater function (temporary relay station in the field!) NEW: USB Type-C port (serial comms, audio in/out, AND battery charging — replaces micro-USB) NEW: Bluetooth headset PTT support (hands-free operation) NEW: enhanced voice guidance — 770+ phrases, phonetic code callsign reading, 4 speed levels, 7 volume levels NEW: 5-band RX EQ (0.4-6.4 kHz) + 4-band TX EQ (0.4-3.2 kHz) — KENWOOD custom-tuned sound NEW: fully ergonomic redesigned chassis tri-band TX: 2m + 1.25m (220 MHz) + 70cm wideband multi-mode receiver: 0.1-524 MHz covering AM/FM/NFM/WFM/SSB/CW/DV built-in bar antenna for 0.1-10 MHz HF reception (switchable with SMA external antenna) SSB/CW reception with fine mode — minimum 20 Hz tuning steps IF output for external SDR (use the TH-D75A as an SDR front-end) built-in IF receiving filter + DSP equalizer built-in TNC: standalone APRS (no PC needed!) + KISS mode TNC for PC APRS software APRS: SmartBeaconing, Decay Algorithm, Proportional Pathing, station tracking, messaging, weather, objects, QSY, email gateway D-STAR: DR mode, Terminal mode, DV Fast Data, gateway, reflector, callsign routing GPS receiver built-in with high-sensitivity patch antenna Bluetooth HSP/SPP (audio + data + headset + PTT) 1.74-inch TFT transflective color display (excellent visibility day AND night) 1000 alphanumeric memory channels MicroSD/SDHC card slot (voice recording, GPS logs, settings, firmware) IP54/IP55 weather-resistant (dust + rain proof — NOT submersible) free downloadable PC software: MCP-D75 + ARFC-D75
Strengths

Everything the D74A did, plus dual DV decode, Reflector Terminal mode, an APRS standalone digipeater, USB-C, Bluetooth headset PTT, enhanced voice guidance (770+ phrases with phonetic callsigns), and custom 5-band RX + 4-band TX EQ. The wideband RX 0.1-524 MHz with SSB/CW/AM/FM/DV, IF output, built-in TNC, and standalone APRS carry forward. USB-C charging from power banks is the most-requested upgrade over the D74A, and the APRS digipeater adds field-relay capability.

Weaknesses

It carries flagship pricing. Battery life is 8-10 hours mixed use. At about 370 g with battery it is a bit heavier than the D74A. IP54/55 only, not waterproof. No DMR. No color waterfall (the ID-52A has one). The menu system remains deep. No System Fusion.

Verdict

The successor to the TH-D74A. The TH-D75A continues the D74A and adds the features the community requested: USB-C, Bluetooth headset PTT, dual DV decode, an APRS digipeater, and enhanced audio. Little else combines tri-band D-STAR+APRS, wideband SSB/CW reception, an IF output, and a built-in TNC in one handheld. The D74A had no replacement for years; now it has one.

The Kenwood TH-D75A is the current flagship amateur handheld and the direct successor to the legendary TH-D74A, carrying forward the same formula, a tri-band radio with D-STAR, APRS, GPS, and an extraordinarily wide receiver, while modernizing the parts that aged. It covers the 2-meter, 1.25-meter (220 MHz), and 70-centimeter bands; transmitting requires an FCC Technician-class license or higher, and it is not GMRS or license-free. Like its predecessor it uses D-STAR (not DMR) plus analog FM and a built-in APRS terminal.

Its receiver again spans roughly 100 kHz to 524 MHz with SSB and CW reception, covering HF, broadcast, and air bands. The headline upgrades over the D74 are practical: USB-C charging and data in place of micro-USB, the ability to receive two D-STAR signals simultaneously, a "Reflector Terminal Mode" that reaches D-STAR reflectors through a PC or phone without a separate hotspot, and a standalone APRS digipeater mode. It keeps the color transflective display, GPS, Bluetooth, microSD, and IP54/55 weatherproofing.

It is current production and, as of 2026, the only tri-band D-STAR-and-APRS handheld on the market, which is reflected in its premium price. The discontinued TH-D74A is its predecessor; Icom's color-screen ID-52A is the closest D-STAR competitor, though it lacks APRS and the 220 MHz band.