Kenwood TH-F7E Handheld

I saw this handheld the other night in the club and what a good value for money thing it is. Its got two VFO's and RX 0.1 - 1300MHz FM/WFM/SSB/CW/AM

TH-F7E Kenwood 2m/70cm FM + 0.1-1300MHz FM/WFM/CW/SSB/AM Handheld
* 144 - 146MHz Tx/Rx: FM * 430 - 440MHz Tx/Rx: FM * 0.1-1300MHz Rx: FM, FM-W, CW/SSB, AM * Memories 434 * Large Frequency Display * 5W HI, LOW, EL * Internal VOX * Automatic simplex checker * Memory shift * Time-out Timer & APO * 16 button key pad plus multi-scroll key * Internal bar antenna for MW AM broadcasts * 1200/9600baud packet ready * Windows memory management software (free download from Kenwood website) * Special charging/operating circuit * Lithium-ion battery pack 7.4V/1550mAh * 58 x 87 x 30mm * 250g
Kenwood’s latest handheld the TH-F7E is not only a dualband 2m/70cm transceiver but also a wideband 0.1 to 1300MHz all mode receiver. It can receive two frequencies at once even on the same band. There is a selectable bar antenna for receiving AM broadcasts. It is equipped as standard with a powerful 7.4V, 1550mAh lithium-ion battery, offering high output, with selectable HI/LOW/EL settings for extended hours of operation. The charging circuit allows the battery to be recharged whilst the TH-F7E is operating from a DC supply. A multi-scroll key and 16-key pad is for ease of operation, even with one hand. Built to a tough MIL-STD 810 C/D/E standard this handheld is built to last.

I've had one for a couple of years now and although it does its job in many ways, in some areas it does fall down:

o not as sensitive as could be - the VX150 is certainly more sensitive on 2m
o image rejection and strong signal handling not too hot
o AM band and short-wave reception definitely very poor!

However it does have the features that many rigs have now and it could work quite well if you're in a location or use it in a way where the above won't affect you.

One BIG tip , get rid of the rubber ducky! (I use a WHSM-270 Watson 2m/70cm Dualband SMA. Amazing difference. Note some sellers term this 40cm ae. as a rubber duck! It's not).

I've had on for over 4 years. I use it as a handy and as a base station when at the caravan. 5 watts to the WX-1 on the 'van works very well. It's a good scanner too!

We've just bought 2 of thes little radios...we also bought an Icom e90, mainly for the 4m capability.

Initial impressions are that the TH7 is not as good on either TX or RX in comparison with the TH42 that it was intended that the 7's replace.

I'm also inclined to think that the e90 is a better radio than the TH 7, but it is early days at the moment and when I've done some more side by side comparisons, I'll post my findings.

Certainly from the point of view of quality and robustness of construction, the e 90 is far better than the TH7...so far!