Kenwood TH-D72 APRS Checklist

The following checklist was created from a YouTube video “Basic setup for APRS operations with the Kenwood D72” by Don Arnold.  I really recommend you view this video.  The reason I wrote this list is because there are about 10 APRS setup steps.  I seldom use this radio and when I do, I want a quick check list to ensure the APRS is working.

• * Turn Internal GPS On
  • * “F” Key = 1 “Int. GPS” (note that “F” key changes APRS menu items.)
  • * Turn ON.
  • * Confirm that “iGPS” appears upper right of screen.
• * Turn Battery Saver OFF
  • * Press MENU
  • * Select RADIO = Menu 1
  • * Go to MENU = 110 = “Batt. Saver”
  • * Select OFF.
• * APO OFF (automatic power off)
  • * Press MENU
  • * Select RADIO = Menu 1
  • * Go to MENU = 111 = “APO”
  • * Select OFF
• * Set the DATE
  • * Press MENU
  • * Select RADIO = Menu 1
  • * Go to MENU = 194
  • * Enter correct date.
• * Set the Time
  • * Press MENU
  • * Select RADIO = Menu 1
  • * Go to MENU = 195
  • * Enter the correct time.
• * Set the UTC
  • * Set the UTC
  • * Select RADIO = Menu 1
  • * Go to MENU = 196 = Auxiliary, Time Zone, UTC
  • * Set to -7 Daylight Savings (for California)
  • * Set to -8 Standard Time (for California)
• * Set the int. GPS
  • * Select GPS = Menu 2
  • * Go to MENU = 201 = Int. GPS = Operating Mode
  • * Sub menu = Battery Saver = OFF
• * APRS Setup – BASIC SET
  • * Select APRS = Menu 3
  • * Go to MENU = 300 = Call Sign
  • * Go to sub menu “My Callsign”.
  • * Enter your call sign.
• * EXIT OUT OF MENU
  • * Enter 144.390 = APRS Frequency for the USA
• * Press TNC button. (this opens the TNC)
  • * Look at screen. You should see “APRS12”.

Now Lets confirm that the radio is “seeing” the GPS satellites and the APRS circuits are working properly:

• * OPTIONS
  • * Press POS key which will show degrees, minutes seconds. Make sure the small circles just to the right of each is blinking on and off.
  • * You can press the radio joy stick to see your Altitude.
  • * Target Point is another display. Target Point is recorded in the HT.  Up to 5 points can be stored.  (Its accuracy is not good enough for Geocaching.)
  • * You can view the log memory used.
  • * You can view satellites.
• Beacon
  • * If you have manual beacon set, press “BCON” key to send your position.