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Kenwood continues to provide new and advanced APRS™ ham radio equipment by introducing the new TM-D700A mobile transceiver. For current owners of the TH-D7A handheld with built-in TNC and APRS™ software, the TM-D700A offers even more features and versatility. The TM-D700A is unlike any other dual-band mobile radio Kenwood has ever produced. The control head is detached and comes with remote cable for easy installation. The new radio also incorporates a 9-pin PC connection for easy hook-up to program frequencies and other APRS™ mapping programs. Your TM-D700A is a full dual-band operation radio so VHF+VHF/VHF+UHF/UHF+UHF operation is possible. Full digipeater functions allow anyone to set up a digipeater location wherever needed to help fill in APRS™ nationwide network. Internet gateway operation is also possible for world-wide text communication over VHF.

144/440 MHz TX operation
118-1.3 GHz receive with cellular + blocked
Built-in 1200/9600 bps TNC
200 memory channels/PC programmable
10 memory scan bands possible
Visual band scope for scanning activity
DX packet cluster monitoring
Grid square locator
NMEA 0183 GPS input terminal
Built-in CTCSS
Built-in digital coded squelch (NEW)
Remote control and cross-band repeater operation
Mars modifiable with permit
64 character international messaging with Interet gateways
NEW backlite alphanumeric microphone for message input
Position (latitude/longitude) memory function
Transmit message memory function
APRS™ Ready

Here Is What WE Say About It:

Let me first say that 10 years ago Ham radio didn't mean a lot to me or most anyone else in the off-road community. They were expensive to buy, you needed a license to use and had to take a test for that license and they were not seen as necessary. Four years later after our group of 25 Jeeps got separated in the Mohave Desert and I saw first hand a few members with Ham Radios with the APRS feature in action getting our group together again, I was sold and I immediately took steps to get my license and my first radio, a Kenwood D700a. There is NO comparison between Ham Radios and CB Radios. Amateur Radio has all the things CB radios don't have and MORE! Imagine being able to talk clearly with another operator nearly 100 miles apart from mountain top to mountain top, or from Phoenix to San Diego using a repeater system, how about coast to coast with all the clarity of a cell phone. Speaking of cell phones, when you have no cell service, as it is in most remote areas, your Ham Radio can be used to make phone calls using a compatible repeater. On the trail, every Jeep with a Ham Radio can hear the next one no matter how far apart they are with the best of clarity. With APRS equipped radios with the proper set up, you can see every other APRS equipped radio on a GPS map! Are you running out the door yet to get your Ham Radio?

I made the decision to buy this radio due to the APRS capabilities. What is APRS? Wikipedia says it best: "In its simplest implementation, APRS is used to transmit real-time data, information and reports of the exact location of a person or object via a data signal sent over amateur radio frequencies. In addition to real-time position reporting capabilities using attached Global Positioning System receivers, APRS is also capable of transmitting a wide variety of data, including weather reports, short text messages, radio direction finding bearings, telemetry data, short e-mail messages (send only) and storm forecasts. Once transmitted, these reports can be combined with a computer and mapping software to show the transmitted data superimposed with great precision upon a map display."

"While the map plotting is the most visible feature of APRS, the text messaging capabilities and local information distribution capabilities combined with the robust network should not be overlooked; the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management has an extensive network of APRS stations to allow text messaging between all of the county Emergency Operating Centers in the event of the failure of conventional communications." I wanted a quality dual band radio with APRS so I could see on a map in real time where other radios with APRS were at. I might add that the APRS is easy to set up with this radio too.

I found out soon that just this radio alone would not allow me to use the APRS capabilities of this radio. I needed a source for GPS as this as GPS is not built into this radio (that meant a GPS unit with an NMEA output like my Garmin GPSMAP478) and a larger screen to show the information on. That screen would end up being my Panasonic Toughbook laptop secured in a "police type" mount. There are cheaper ways to go like an older Garmin GPS with NMEA output such as the Street Pilot 3 and possibly a small 8 or 10 inch net book. Or one of the new AVMAP GeoSat 6 GPS units with APRS for under $400. There are other options but these are the ones that I chose or would choose.

APRS piece of mind? Give your friends and family the FindU website and they were able to track you anywhere with APRS using your call sign. They can use Google Earth and the FindU website to get a better prospective on your location and where you have been.

But, there is more to this radio than APRS. It is full of features and the "menu" is much more intuitive than that of my Yaesu radio. The display screen gives you a wealth of information and unlike some dual band radios, you can monitor two different frequencies at the same time using a number of different scenarios. Switching between the two "sides" of the radio is easy. I like being able to receive the 1.2 GHz range - it is a unique feature of this radio. With the optional voice kit, it will talk to you and let you know you have an APRS MSG. It's easily modifiable for MARS and GMRS/FRS - a green wire and a chip resistor is all it takes (along with a tech guru to make it happen). To make it more goof proof, this radio automaticially lowers power output in response to high SWR - saving the finals and a pricy repair bill!

The D700a is a high powered radio, transmitting at up to 50 watts depending on settings. It also has cross band capabilities which are great for Search & Rescue, ARES and public service events when a low power portable is not enough. With cross band your D700a becomes a high power mobile repeater for your hand held portable Ham Radio . Great for camping, hunting, fishing, it's easy to set up for cross-band repeat. You can cross band from V/U and U/V as well as V/V and U/U. If you set up your HT (portable/hand held) using encode/decode you will avoid unwanted signals. In remote areas where your HT doesn't have the power to hit repeaters the D700a will make it happen. You can be a few miles from you vehicle hunting or fishing as as close as your campfire. Using your HT transmitting UHF to the D700a, the crossband will hit distant repeaters I have programmed on the other VFO and will send the response back to me via UHF.

Now all of these great features don't come cheap and new, the D700a will set you back nearly $700 if you can find one (its unfortunately been discontinued for a couple of years now but has been replaced by the D710ga a much updated unit) and because of its popularity will sell for as much as $600 used! Is it worth twice the price of say the Yaesu FT8800R (which I also have an use in my Wrangler)? If you have the money and want the best, then I would say yes! However t's not perfect and I have listed my few "complaints" below.

The audio is anemic and I recommend installing external speakers for each side.
If you damage or loose the control head, there is not an option to get a replacment
GPS should be built in not optional
Only 200 memory channels, not nearly enough in my opinion.
The gain on the microphone is a bit low but you can fix that by talking louder and/or closer to the mic

Using a Ham Radio isn't rocket science but there is a learning curve that will be more difficult for some. The good news there are a number of laminated "cheat" sheets for this and other popular radios to make things a bit simpler. Don't worry though, it does get easier as you get more time with the radio.

Bottom line is I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for a good dual band mobile unit. I've been using mine in my Grand Cherokee for over 5 years now. It was my FIRST Ham Radio. It is a quality made unit, performs very well, has very good power/range, scan functions are good and is easy programmed with laptop computer. No separation kit is necessary for the Kenwood so mount the radio and head unit where it works best for you, add two external speakers (one for each "side" of the radio and get the RT Systems programming software to make things easy for you. You'll be happy with this radio!

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