I have tested the Kenwood handheld TH-D74E (not equipped with the 220 MHz band) on 144 MHz by receiving a CW beacon in Finland (Lapland). Compared with an Icom IC-7100 i didn´t notice any difference between them. It is good to have the possibility to use the TH-D74E close to an antenna on other bands as well, e. g. checking antenna performance. I will also use the handheld together with converters on higher frequency bands.
The receive ranges in SSB, CW and AM modes are 0.1-76 MHz and 108-524 MHz.