Hi Richard

I had a ts-870 for several years.

All menus can be read, once the voice unit has been activated which is in a 
menu.

Not sure how the newer rig's menus are announced but the 870 announced 
menu number and 0 for off and 1 for on, a few of them with more options 
had higher numbers so youu need to know the choices before setting them.

As for performance, transmit audio is excellent as is the audio on receive.  
They can suffer with overload if you put a big aerial on.  I operate a lot of 
top band and suffered with breakthrough from medium wave.  Also, got 
swamped under contest conditions.  

Probably fine for rag chewing but not great for crowded bands.

Construction appeared to be a bit flimsey with a couple of the knobs falling 
to bits and also felt a bit plastic and not solid.

Most of what you need is on the front pannel so you will not need to be in 
the menus much once it is setup.

I presume it was discontinued because of its age, was one of the first dsp 
rigs and time has moved on with the newer rigs (not necessarily kenwood) 
getting much better.

I have to say that it replaced a ts-950sdx which I always preferred to the 
870.

The 870 has now been replaced by an ic-7800.


hth



On 4 Dec 2007 at 15:03, Richard Fiorello wrote:

> Hi;
> Just wondering in anyone has used the kenwood ts870 and how you liked it? 
> Does anyone have any idea when it was discontinued and why?
> Any ideas which speech board it uses and if the inevitable menus are 
> readable?
> Richard 
> 
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