Vaughn,

Having owned and used both radios, I can well understand why this is a 
difficult decision for you to make.  In terms of accessibility, the 590 
provides much more feedback than does the 2000.  Items such as TX Power, Mic 
Gain, Vox Gain, Vox Delay, Keying Speed, Carrier Level, TX Monitor, and a 
few others which I'm probably forgetting, are not spoken by the VGS3, but 
are spoken by the VGS1.  Where items don't speak, the 590 is more consistent 
about providing high beeps when the item is turned on, and low beeps when it 
is turned off.  In many cases, the 2000 provides a single beep which doesn't 
change regardless of the state of the item, which means you really have to 
keep your wits about you.  Having said all that, the 2000 is a very nice 
radio, especially if you want to do anything on 2 meters or 450.  On the HF 
bands, both radios are very similar, although I think the DSP in the 2000 is 
slightly better.  Still, it's awfully easy to get used to the additional 
feedback in the 590, which is why I bought one after having used the 2000 
for about a year.

Two features you won't find on the 2000 are a USB audio interface, and a 
low-level output for transverter operation.  Depending on your operating 
preferences, you may not care at the moment, but that might change some day.

The main reason I continue to hang on to my 2000 is that I would some day 
like to play around with SSB on VHF and UHF, and that's one area where the 
2000 shines.

Steve

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Vaughn Bennison" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, December 03, 2013 16:42
Subject: Kenwood TS590s vs TS2000


> Hi all,
>
> I am looking at purchasing my first hf radio, and am primarily looking at
> the TSS590, and the TS2000.  I am having a fair amount of difficulty in
> coming to a decision.  I recognise the fact that the 2000 does VHF and UHF
> as well as HF, which is an advantage, but as I have a handheld VHF/UHF 
> radio
> already, I'm not sure it's a big one considering that the 2000 is an older
> radio, and does not have USB for computer control, (only RS232).
>
> Can anyone who has owned or used both give me a reasonably objective
> viewpoint as to which would be the better choice, in terms of 
> accessibility
> and useability?  They are much the same price, with the 2000 being 
> slightly
> more expensive.  Is the VGS1 chip a significant improvement over the VS3?
> Does the 590 have many useful features the 2000 does not?
>
> Any assistance would be much appreciated.
>
> Thanks
> Vaughn - VK7FADA.
>