Hi Steve,
Well, a few things:
1. The problem with those rigs you mentioned, is they have autotuners, and folks, I've never been able to tune anything, with an autotuner, here.
2. As far as the 100 watts, we've never had a problem, with my friends 570 interfering with anything, amazing as that sounds, and it is amazing to me, because you'd think that there would be a problem with it.
Trippy, ac8s
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Steve 
  To: [log in to unmask] 
  Sent: Sunday, July 15, 2012 12:37 PM
  Subject: Re: the kenwood ts480HX, I'm in the market!


  Yes, you can put it in because it is just a plug-in module.

  But, in my opinion, you're better off with the Ts-480SAT or a TS-590, or 
  even the Ts-2000 which gives you all modes on VHF as well.  The high-power 
  480 requires a 40 Amp supply, and you don't have a built-in tuner if you 
  ever want one.  To me, it isn't worth the 3DB gain, which in the whole realm 
  of things is imperceptible, it is only a half an S-unit.

  If you need more power, get a light--weight amp like the Ameritron or an 
  older Heath Sb200.

  Also, consider that in an apartment complex, you probably don't want to run 
  even a hundred watts much, let alone 200 watts, as you'll probably be 
  getting into everybody else's TV, computer speakers, stereos, etc.  You're 
  probably going to be better off running QRP or close to that unless it is 
  the middle of the night.
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Harry Brown
  To: [log in to unmask]
  Sent: Saturday, July 14, 2012 3:30 PM
  Subject: the kenwood ts480HX, I'm in the market!


  Hi all,
  Well folks, yes, I have been bitten, severely, by the hf bug.
  Now that my ham friends in my building, are back on hf with the Kenwood =
  570, I am going to buy an hf rig!
  I've called ham radio outlet, and they have the kenwood ts480HX, that is =
  the 200 watt rig!
  I'm wondering about the vgs1 speech board, did I get that name right? =
  Anyway, I don't know how to put the speech board in, so, I wonder if ham =
  radio outlet would put it in for me?
  Or, is it something a blind ham can do?
  I bet it is, but folks, I don't want to ruin a new radio!
  So, I'm all ears!
  73,
  Trippy, ac8s, who can't wait to get his own hf station on the air!