I don't know about this particular transceiver but I tried to learn to 
operate an ic7000 earlier this year and boy I was glad to get my ts850 back 
from the shop.  It takes the vgs1 like the Kenwoods but the firmware needs 
to be upgraded to give the vgs1 the ability to work as well as it does on 
the Kenwoods.  73- pat kk3f
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Gerry Leary" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, May 11, 2012 7:20 AM
Subject: Re: New Kenwood Transceiver FT990


> Yes it is.  I really do like the Kenwood for that, and I don't know how 
> the
> Icom stacks up against Kenwood in functionality.  I've been using Icom 
> since
> the 701 and I may play with Kenwood stuff just because it is easier for me
> to use.
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Tom Behler" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Friday, May 11, 2012 4:46 AM
> Subject: Re: New Kenwood Transceiver FT990
>
>
>>    But the problem there is that those rigs are not nearly as
>> blind-friendly as the Kenwoods.
>>
>> So, it's a trade-off, I guess.
>>
>> Tom Behler: KB8TYJ
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "Gerry Leary" <[log in to unmask]>
>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>> Sent: Friday, May 11, 2012 12:01 AM
>> Subject: Re: New Kenwood Transceiver FT990
>>
>>
>>> Get an Icom 706 or 7000.  They both do that.
>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>> From: "Jim Gammon" <[log in to unmask]>
>>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>>> Sent: Thursday, May 10, 2012 11:21 AM
>>> Subject: Re: New Kenwood Transceiver FT990
>>>
>>>
>>>> Hi Steve, it will be interesting to see what comes of this.  Are
>>>> you still liking your Kenwood 590? I am having fun with my 480,
>>>> but do wish I had SSB on 144 and 430 MHZ.  I guess the only way
>>>> to get those bands would be to get a TS-2000 right? Jim
>>>>
>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>>From: Steve Dresser <[log in to unmask]
>>>>>To: [log in to unmask]
>>>>>Date sent: Thu, 10 May 2012 12:16:53 -0400
>>>>>Subject: Re: New Kenwood Transceiver FT990
>>>>
>>>>>Fred,
>>>>
>>>>>The model number you reference sounds more like Yaesu than
>>>> Kenwood.  I've
>>>>>heard rumors about a TS-990, but I don't think it's been released
>>>> yet.
>>>>>Maybe we'll know more after Daton.
>>>>
>>>>>Steve
>>>>
>>>>>----- Original Message -----
>>>>>From: "Fred Adams" <[log in to unmask]
>>>>>To: <[log in to unmask]
>>>>>Sent: Thursday, May 10, 2012 11:54
>>>>>Subject: New Kenwood Transceiver FT990
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>> Have any of you guys heard anything about a new Kenwood
>>>> transceiver FT990
>>>>>> with a showing at Dayton this year?  The best I can gather it
>>>> looks like
>>>>>> it will be something like the 950SDX with a builtin power supply
>>>> and a
>>>>>> 200 watt version.    I was on 75 meters a couple of nights ago
>>>> and the
>>>>>> guys were talking about it and were looking at a picture on the
>>>> innernet.
>>>>>> There has been talk of this for years.
>>>>
>>>>>> FRED ADAMS W4HC
>>>
>