Kenwood TH-D72 - APRS Digipeater

Draft

DRAFT MODE - 03-06-2022

Content within table needs to be reviewed for completeness and accuracy.

Overview

While it is possible to use programming software such as Kenwood MCP-4A or RT Systems KRS-D72 to apply the configuration settings listed below, we encourage you to program the settings via the front-panel keypad. While the process is tedious, it is important to ensure you are able to configure your radio in the field without a computer at your disposal.

Once your radio is configured, the end result will allow you to operate as follows:

VFO A: 144.340 MHz - APRS enabled (AT Golden Packet APRS frequency*)

VFO B: 445.925 MHz - Voice communications with adjacent stations

  • DO NOT USE THE STANDARD APRS frequency 144.390 MHz for AT Golden Packet!

Firmware Update

Update your radio’s firmware with the most current version available on the Kenwood support site:

https://www.kenwood.com/i/products/info/amateur/software_download.html

The most current version for the Kenwood TH-D72A as of the time this document was posted is: 1.10 (released August 2020)

Configuration Backup and Factory Reset

Prior to configuring your radio, make a backup of the configuration and perform a factory reset. This will ensure that you start with the factory default configuration as your baseline.

The easiest method of backing up the configuration is with Kenwood MCP-4A or RT Systems KRS-D72.

Once you have a good backup, proceed to performing a factory reset.

There are two methods to perform a factory reset:

Option 1

  1. Turn the tranceiver power off

  2. Press [F] + Power On

  3. Use the Up/Down arrows or rotate the Tuning control until “Full Reset” is selected

  4. Press > OK to set the reset type

  5. Press > OK again to perform the reset

Option 2

  1. Navigate to Menu 199

  2. Choose FULL RESET from the menu

Configuration Settings

Menu

Display

Details

300

My Callsign

Set MYCALL to tactical call (MDMTN-7)

360

* 1

Select Position 1 - *ensure this position is selected with **

361

Name

Enter name for site (i.e MDMTNS-7) - up to 8 characters

362

N (S)

Latitude Entry

363

E (W)

Longitude Entry

370

Speed

Set to DISABLED

371

Altitude

Set to DISABLED

372

Pos. Ambiguity

DISABLED

380

Position Comment

SPECIAL

390

*1/TX Rate/Text

Select *1, Set TX Rate to 1/1, and TEXT to your call and name

3A0

QSY in Status

Set to ON

3A1

Tone/Narrow

Set to OFF

3A2

Shift/Offset

Set to OFF

3C0

Icon/Symbol

Set station icon to DIGIPEATER (optionally TENT or HUMAN)

3C1

Symbol

3C2

Table

3D0

Method

TX Beacon set to AUTO

3D1

Initial Interval

10 Minutes (will likely start more frequently and decrease as we go)

3E0

Decay Algorithm

Set to OFF

3E1

Prop. Pathing

Set to OFF

3H0

Type

Select OTHERS (ensure you use * to ACTIVATE!)

3H1

Wide1-1/Relay/ABBR/Others

Set to HOP7-7,HOP7-7 (confirm value with coordinator)

3H2

Total Hops

????????

3K0

Digipeat(MyCall)

Set to ON

3L0

Time (UI Check Time)

15 Seconds (Default is 28)

3M0

UIdigi

Set to OFF

3N0

UIflood

Set to ON

3N1

Alias

Set to HOP

3N2

Substitution

Set to ID

3O0

UItrace

Set to ON

3O1

Alias

Set to TEMP

3U0

Display Area

Set to ENTIRE ALWAYS

3U1

Interrupt Time

Set to 10 Seconds

NOTE: There are quite a few options available throughout the APRS configuration settings. If they are not covered in the aforementioned table, leave them set to the default value(s)

Field Operations

Once out in the field, the recommended method involves:

  1. Tune the radio on VFO A to 144.340 MHz - Set the power level on VFO A to High (if your battery has sufficient power) - otherwise, use Medium power

  2. Tune the radio on VFO B to 444.925 MHz - Use minimum power for voice operations

  3. Press the TNC button until D and APRS12 are displayed on the top line of the display

  4. Press the BCON button until BCON is also displayed on the top line of the display.