excellent comments and everything you say is true about the t h f 6 a,
however, the incredible nice thing is you don't even need the programming
software to do everything.  just don't drop the rig or it will shatter.
dan
At 09:18 AM 2/29/04, Kevin Nathan wrote:
>Hi All,
>
>First, let me begin by thanking all who wrote to me answering questions on
>this subject. I also want to thank the guys at I Can Work This thing.com
>for all their work and for each of you who has uploaded information to that
>site. I was able to look at and download documentation which helped a lot
>in my choice.
>
>Now, for the new arrival. My XYL and I drove to Portland, Or yesterday to
>the HRO store and I stood at the counter with a T90A and a TH-F6A both in my
>hands. Since my use of a handheld is usually on the street with traffic and
>other noise, my first test was for volume level before distortion set in.
>In this regard, the T90A went into distortion at what seemed to be a fairly
>low level of output. On the other hand, the TH-F6A could be turned so loud
>others in the store were giving me a hard time about the volume level and it
>still didn't distort. So, hands down, the Kenwood. From there on it was a
>matter of learning it's functions. I bought the lighter adapter, a Prime
>speaker mic, the programming cable and a little coax adapter to go from SMA
>to an SO-239. Running the radio on the lighter adapter, I was able to plug
>in a local repeater there in Portland and work it as we were leaving for
>home here in the Seattle area. Then, when I got home, I downloaded the
>programming software and using it, I put all my memories and added new ones
>into a file I called home while the radio was charging. You can also make
>menu settings in this program.
>
>Here is the neat part. When the radio was fully charged, I thought I'd try
>putting in my local repeater which has a tone on it. Just reading the key
>chart from I can work this thing.com, I was able to set the repeater
>frequency and then set the tone properly with no sighted help whatsoever.
>This is the kind of access I have been wanting and which I didn't have on
>the Icom T7H I have been using. Then later, after finalizing the settings
>in the programming software, I was able to upload the whole ball of wax into
>the radio instead of programming 60 plus memories.
>
>I have a lot to learn yet about the operation of the rig and will give the
>manual a more thorough read but first impressions and access are great and I
>wanted to share that with anyone who is contemplating a new handheld. For
>those of you who are old TH-F6A hands, do you have any recommendations on
>antennas for it? I have read reviews critical of the stock duck but wonder
>if you have found anything better.
>
>Take care and very 73 to all.
>
>Kevin :)
>Amateur Radio: K7RX
>Navy Marine Corps MARS: NNN0SHS