It's like most things, pick your poison. Their are a few things about the
radio I don't like, but I wouldn't trade it for any other radio either. 1.
The audio is 2.4 kHz wide. It can't be widened. It is also reported to be
very clean and clear. If I want to broadcast I fire up the valiant. For
hifi ssb you want a ts850 or ts870.
I have no idea why they reversed the hot and ground on the mike input. A
converter for a standard wired desk mike would fix that. That along with
the fact that the mike plugs in the radio rather than the head is a major
pain. Early models had low PEP ssb output, this has been fixed. Knocking
over the head. Well it's better than knocking over the radio I guess. With
the radio's small size and weight, that could be done. The quality of the
radio on CW, the accessibility of it's menus, and the flexibility of the
control head makes it a great radio for my needs. It looks like remote
controlling it from the Internet and computer are also usable options with
this radio, but I haven't tried that yet.
As far as rx selectivity, with the IF filters rather than depending on just
audio filtering, I find the radio to be very sensitive and selective. The
bandpass tuning can also be used to add to selectivity. RX audio is fine to
me, with the availability of 5khz bandpass for SSB and AM. Now it's not a
75a1, but the old collins gear wouldn't fit in a van either.
Remember, I pound brass first, and the ts480 seems like the biggest bang for
the buck. I thought about the 2000, but found a 480 plus a tmv71 would cost
a lot less. Maybe not now, since the 2000 has dropped in price. The remote
head just outweighs any disadvantages of the radio, since you are freed from
an uncomfortable chair at a radio desk.
5 minnits on the couch with your HF station in your hand will probably
convince you that this is a good idea. Again, it's priorities. I like
knowing my power output, processor settings, mike gain, RF gain level, and
status of my noise blankers antennas, and which equalization curve I am
using for transmit and receive.
----- Original Message -----
From: "T Behler" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, November 07, 2007 8:04 PM
Subject: Re: TS480 general info needed
> Well, Anthony has some interesting thoughts here on the TS480.
>
> Would anyone else care to elaborate either pro or con, for those of us who
> are thinking of purchasing this radio?
>
> I'm not trying to stir up trouble at all here; just trying to weigh my
> decision to purchase this radio, and hoping not to bee seriously
> disappointed.
>
> 73 from Tom Behler: KB8TYJ
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Anthony Vece" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Wednesday, November 07, 2007 8:46 PM
> Subject: Re: TS480 general info needed
>
>
>> Hi Tom & Everyone;
>>
>> The radio doesn't have any Kenwood characteristics at all.
>>
>> The receiver is not as selective.
>>
>> And, the transmit audio is terrible.
>>
>> The transmit audio doesn't have that Kenwood footprint.
>>
>> I tried using the Kenwood software and HRD software to open up the
>> transmit
>> audio and, it just didn't work.
>>
>> I tried an mc60A and that microphone is just not compatible with that
>> radio.
>>
>> It created some kind of ground problem.
>>
>> And, a lot of people, including myself may think that having just the
>> head
>> on the desk is a good thing.
>>
>> However, if you forget where you put it, its very easy to knock it over.
>>
>> I wish I could be more encouraging.
>>
>> 73 De Anthony W2AJV
>> [log in to unmask]
>> ECHOLINK NODE NUMBER: 74389
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "T Behler" <[log in to unmask]>
>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>> Sent: Wednesday, November 07, 2007 8:19 PM
>> Subject: Re: TS480 general info needed
>>
>>
>>> Anthony:
>>>
>>> I'm thinking of selling my Ic718, which includes the speach chip, a
>>> 400-hz
>>> Inrad CW filter, and the DSP module. Along with it, I also have an LDG
>>> AT11MP auto-tuner, that I could part with.
>>>
>>> I figure that if I could get $600 or so for the whole set-up, that'd put
>>> me
>>> about halfway toward the TS480, since I'm going to want filters and the
>>> speach chip in that rig.
>>>
>>> I'm curious: What disappointed you about the TS480?
>>>
>>> 73 from Tom Behler: KB8TYJ
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "Anthony Vece" <[log in to unmask]>
>>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>>> Sent: Tuesday, November 06, 2007 8:45 PM
>>> Subject: Re: TS480 general info needed
>>>
>>>
>>>> Do you have anything interesting to sell?
>>>>
>>>> That always works.
>>>>
>>>> However, I was disappointed with the radio.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>> From: "T Behler" <[log in to unmask]>
>>>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>>>> Sent: Tuesday, November 06, 2007 7:11 PM
>>>> Subject: Re: TS480 general info needed
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> Thanks, Chris, but Pat from the list already sent the manual to
>>>>> me.
>>>>>
>>>>> Now, I can start drooling, as I try to figure out how to get the funds
>>>>> to
>>>>> make the purchase. HI! HI!
>>>>>
>>>>> 73 from Tom Behler: KB8TYJ
>>>>>
>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>> From: "Chris Schulte" <[log in to unmask]>
>>>>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>>>>> Sent: Monday, November 05, 2007 8:16 PM
>>>>> Subject: Re: TS480 general info needed
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>> Actually Tom, if you want, I have the manual in pdf format, I can
>>>>>> send
>>>>>> it
>>>>>> to
>>>>>> you if you'd like.
>>>>>> Chris, w8cjs
>>>>>>
>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>>> From: "Anthony Vece" <[log in to unmask]>
>>>>>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>>>>>> Sent: Monday, November 05, 2007 7:45 PM
>>>>>> Subject: Re: TS480 general info needed
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Believe it or not, the Kenwood web site is the easiest.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Go to
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> http://www.kenwood-service.com/e_imdl/com.html
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> 73 De Anthony W2AJV
>>>>>>> [log in to unmask]
>>>>>>> ECHOLINK NODE NUMBER: 74389
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>>>> From: "T Behler" <[log in to unmask]>
>>>>>>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>>>>>>> Sent: Monday, November 05, 2007 7:35 PM
>>>>>>> Subject: TS480 general info needed
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Hi, all.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Does anyone know where I could find an easy-to-read brochure on the
>>>>>>>> Kenwood
>>>>>>>> TS480, and the various accessories you can get for it?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I'm interested in the 100-watt version with the built-in
>>>>>>>> auto-tuner.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I tried looking on the R and L Electronics web site, but got only
>>>>>>>> limited
>>>>>>>> information.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Thanks, and 73 from Tom Behler: KB8TYJ
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>
>
>
> --
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.15.24/1115 - Release Date:
> 11/7/2007 9:21 AM
>
>
|
