Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

15

Time Required

                          2 - 4 hours

Sections

1

  • Front Panel
  • 15 steps

Flags

2

In Progress

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Introduction

Step 1

              The Radio when fully functional
  • This is the stock USA model of Kenwood TH-D74A

This is the stock USA model of Kenwood TH-D74A

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Step 2

  • The faceplate has locks to the rear plastic panel on the topmost margin. The bottom part is secured by two philips-head screws. There is an obvious white ribbon connector that must be carefully removed from both ends. The connection is held by a hinge clip. You pick the hinge to raise it up and release the cable end.

The faceplate has locks to the rear plastic panel on the topmost margin. The bottom part is secured by two philips-head screws. There is an obvious white ribbon connector that must be carefully removed from both ends. The connection is held by a hinge clip. You pick the hinge to raise it up and release the cable end.

Step 3

              Remove the ribbon connector carefully!
  • The plastic tool (seen on R side) is able to pry up the hinge lock that holds the ribbon end to the connector block. Use your fingernail to aid the plastic tool in releasing the hinge lock from pressing on the cable.

The plastic tool (seen on R side) is able to pry up the hinge lock that holds the ribbon end to the connector block. Use your fingernail to aid the plastic tool in releasing the hinge lock from pressing on the cable.

Step 4

              Remove the speaker connections
  • Desolder the speaker wires in preparation for removing the keypad assembly

Desolder the speaker wires in preparation for removing the keypad assembly

Step 5

              Transfer the foam padding and microphone tube
  • Remove the soft foam padding and the microphone foam tube from the old faceplate. It is glued but can be lifted off with care. Use tiny amounts of cyanoacrylate (Super Glue) to reattach them to the new faceplate

Remove the soft foam padding and the microphone foam tube from the old faceplate. It is glued but can be lifted off with care. Use tiny amounts of cyanoacrylate (Super Glue) to reattach them to the new faceplate

Step 6

              Transfer the spring
  • There is a metal spring that is located on top of the rubber seal that appears to function as an antenna component (maybe a counterpoise) or just a spring lock. Need to transfer this too by prying it out carefully. It is 1.5 inches long

There is a metal spring that is located on top of the rubber seal that appears to function as an antenna component (maybe a counterpoise) or just a spring lock. Need to transfer this too by prying it out carefully. It is 1.5 inches long

Step 7

              Lift off the plastic keypad panel
  • Start prying out the keypad sheet using the wide metal pick. The glue is a thin line in the periphery of the keypad

Start prying out the keypad sheet using the wide metal pick. The glue is a thin line in the periphery of the keypad

Step 8

              continue around the keypad
  • Continue prying carefully and it will reveal the multi-switch board underneath (with copper terminals)

Continue prying carefully and it will reveal the multi-switch board underneath (with copper terminals)

Step 9

              keep aside the keypad
  • Black front keypad removed completely

Black front keypad removed completely

Step 10

              Lift off the switchboard very carefully!
  • Be carful with this switch or keypad electronic board. Use the plastic picks to aid in lifting the board with progressive lifting from all sides.

Be carful with this switch or keypad electronic board. Use the plastic picks to aid in lifting the board with progressive lifting from all sides.

Step 11

              work on separating the glue carefully
  • The copper lined switchboard is glued on to the plastic front panel and but be dissected thru using the plastic black tool. Keep inserting the blue picks to maintain distributed pressure to lifting off the board. DO NOT use a metal tool here

The copper lined switchboard is glued on to the plastic front panel and but be dissected thru using the plastic black tool. Keep inserting the blue picks to maintain distributed pressure to lifting off the board. DO NOT use a metal tool here

Step 12

              set aside the switchboard
  • Switchboard removed completely. DO NOT bend or press on any button while the board is off the plastic panel. This is a thin and sensitive board.

Switchboard removed completely. DO NOT bend or press on any button while the board is off the plastic panel. This is a thin and sensitive board.

Step 13

              this is the underside of the switchboard
  • This is the underside of the switchboard. Notice the contacts for the speaker and the ribbon connector block

This is the underside of the switchboard. Notice the contacts for the speaker and the ribbon connector block

Step 14

              Reconnect the speaker terminals
  • Reconnect the speaker terminals. Wire with black stripe goes to the negative terminal (right side on the photo). Use a small paper tape to keep the wires tidy. NOT IN PHOTO, reconnect the ribbon connector cable. Test the sound, and keypad before locking the faceplate back to chassis

Reconnect the speaker terminals. Wire with black stripe goes to the negative terminal (right side on the photo). Use a small paper tape to keep the wires tidy. NOT IN PHOTO, reconnect the ribbon connector cable. Test the sound, and keypad before locking the faceplate back to chassis

Step 15

              Test buttons, test speaker, and enjoy!
  • Program the frequencies, PL tones, test at low power to reach the repeater; or use 146.52 simplex to test with another radio. Good luck!

Program the frequencies, PL tones, test at low power to reach the repeater; or use 146.52 simplex to test with another radio. Good luck!

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

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Attached Documents

  • TH-D74A/E Operating Tips
  • PDF - 3.42 mb
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TH-D74A/E Operating Tips

PDF - 3.42 mb

Author

                                      with 1 other contributor 


                    Jojo

Member since: 05/24/2020

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Fake Newspapers - Mar 28, 2022

Reply

Half of this repair is missing and the grammar is awful. Remove this tutorial. It says nothing about putting the radio back together. Ridiculous.

Jojo - Mar 28, 2022