actually, i believe that TV channels are 250KC's wide, not 25.
They have to carry audio, vidio and data, and 25KC's just wouldn't handle
all that.
73
Colin, V A6BKX
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Butch Bussen" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, December 25, 2006 10:17 PM
Subject: Re: Which HT would _you_ select?


> This question comes up every month or so and I write a reply and
> think I should have saved a copy of what I wrote last month.  So,
> this time, I'm saving a copy.  I havbe both hts.  Honestly, I use
> the Kenwood more for ham use just because, in my opinion,  it is easier to
> program
> and I have all the local repeaters in it for Las Vegas.  I finally bought
> a cable to program the t90 from a local ham.  He also included the
> software, which by the way, works well with window-eyes.  I do also have
> the cable for the Kenwood.  Here are my thoughts, for whatever they are
> worth.
>
> First, let us compare assessories.  Kenwood is  high on these things, as
> all manufacturers seem to be, but Icom is even more expensive.  Examples.
> Kenwood software is free on line.  Icom software I think is $25.00.
> Kenwood computer programming cable is $35.00.  Icom cable is $45.00.
> NOte, this cable is available from another source, rc systems,  for $25.
> The DC power cord is similar.  $35 for
> the Kenwood, $45 for the icom.  The icom specificly says in the book not
> to exceed 11.5 volts, so you'll need some kind of regulater if you plan to
> run it on 12v cigarrette lighter, which you could build or buy their high
> priced dc cord.  I haven't tried
> either speaker mike.  The case is another example.  The kenwood case is
> kind of a rough feeling materiall and comes with a belt clip.  There is an
> opening over the keys, so radio can easily be run in the case.  The cost
> is $15.00.  The icom case is a leather feeling material and very soft.  It
> has a transparent cover over the keys, so is a little harder to run the
> radio in the case.  I think cost on this case is $25.00.
>
> Layout.  I prefer the layout on the kenwood.  It has a morestandard
> keypad, basically 4 by 4.  The icom has 3 keys up and down and 5 wide
> which I think is a little strange.
>
> Tv band and cw.  The two main reasons I bought the t90 after already
> owning a th-f6 are these.  The icom has a cw readout for frequency.  Also,
> the Icom has TV channels preprogrammed.  NOt a big deal, as I programmed
> all of the channels into the kenwood when I got the cable.  I don't know
> if Icom also played with the filtering or what, but the t-90 beats the
> kenwood hands down for receive on TV channels.  I compared them side by
> side many times.  I've even swapped antennas.  Icom always wins.  TV
> stations I can 't even hear on the Kenwood are crystal clear on the t-90.
> I suspect it has something to do with the bandwidth.  I ran into an
> engineer at the N A B convention here, and he tole me Tv channels were 25
> KC wide, and I think Fm is a hundred.
>
> The icom does not receive as high a frequency as the Kenwood, but
> I don't recall the exact numbers.  One big drawback, and I don't
> know why they did this, is what the icom does above 900.  I use
> some wireless headphones and speaker systems at home and I like to
> grab the ht and listen to these outside.  The kenwood works fine
> as I can put it in wide fm mode above 900.  Not so with the t-90.
> It forces you to narro and won't receive wide at all.  Also, the
> Kenwood receives sideband.  It isn't very sensative, but does
> make a nice hf transmit monitor.  I was running a kenwood 130 when I was
> back In Kansas over Christmas and used the Kenwood ht to get me close to
> the wanted frequency.
>
> I feel the Kenwood is easier to program.  The icom isn't bad once
> you get the hang of it, I just think the Kenwood is more
> intuitive.  I haven't checked lately, but I think the t-90 is less
> expensive for the basic package than the Kenwood.
>
> As far as ham band coverage, the icom works on six, and the Kenwood on
> 220, so that is something else to consider.  If you run the icom on six,
> you screw on a little add on thingy on the antenna to make it longer.
>
> I guess, if I had to pick, I'd pick the Kenwood.  Actually, I'd
> like to cross them and come up with one heck of a radio.  Hope
> this helps.  AS the old saying goes, your mileage may vary...
>
> 73s. Butch WA0VJR.
>
>
>
> 73s
> Butch Bussen
> wa0vjr
>
>
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