This one is subtle. It looks like a firmware problem, and I'm
wondering if anyone else has seen it. I have a _brand_new_ D7.

With a specific combination of settings, the bar indicator (which
shows battery level on transmit and signal level on receive)
won't activate when transmitting. It actually transmits, and
the red light goes on, but the bar doesn't activate.

The conditions a
beaconing, not responding to the PTT switch
Data Band B
144 MHZ band

The bar _will_ activate if you change any of the above:
using PTT switch
using Data Band A
using 440 MHz on Data Band B.

Try it, let me know what happens...