Jerry,
Every menu setting is read, although a bit cryptically. For example, it will
say menu 19 A: if you arrow down it will say on or off. The display will
give a menu description of 19A, but you'd need to know that it was S-Meter
Squelch. That is done easily enough, though. Most of the settings are of the
set-and-forget variety, but you can always print out a reference card if you
know Braille which lists each menu function and what it does. I printed one
in braille from the TS-2000 manual; the manual lists each menu, the possible
settings, and the default value.
As far as the relay, Jerry, don't let that deceive you. It is so quiet that I
guaranty you won't hear it. I think the QSK rise and recovery times are quite
nice. You can set the CW rise time in the menus if you wish. It is menu 32,
the values are 1MS, 2MS 4MS or 6MS; the default is 6 miliseconds.
If you go to Icanworkthisthing.com, you will see an article which describes
the keys and their functions which Bob K8LR and I wrote, as well as the
manual, and a nice "getting Started" guide that Gary from this list wrote.
Steve, K8SP
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jerry Neufeld" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 20, 2004 10:01 PM
Subject: the ts2000 and menu read-outs
Hello Lowell and others.
I am back with a question. Today I got my first hands-on look at the front
panel of the Kenwood ts2000, not a thing I would recommend for the weak at
heart. It was a daunting experience, seeing all those small buttons, each, I
was told, having two or more functions, truly disconcerting for someone who
began his ham radio experience in the fifties, building simple single
conversion receivers from the parts bin, my projects large and anything but
beautiful. As I examined the ts2000, I remembered that someone had told me
that menu numbers were read out but nothing else other than frequency and s
meter reading. Then, tonight, my enthusiasm rose when I heard, perhaps
wrongly, that, in addition to the menu numbers, actual menu values are also
read, useful if one had some reference card to know their significance. What
I need to know is if, in fact, actual values, defaults as well as newly
revised settings can be heard. If so, then, the crowded panel
notwithstanding, the ts2000 still remains one of my first choices. I was
disappointed to learn that the rig uses reed relays rather than solid state
switching for transmit and receive when in qsk mode. But, perhaps all
manufacturers do the same. If so, too bad.
Anyway, if someone who has a ts2000 with speech board can tell me what is
read and what is not, I would be very grateful. I want to buy my radio
shortly.
Again, thanks to everyone.
Jerry
|