David,

I agree with Ed.  Go to icanworkthisthing.com and get the manual in text 
form, a list of menus, and a list and description of the front panel 
knobs and buttons.

There is info on the voice board and what it does at

hamradioandvision.com

Also one of our list members from the UK has an accessibility review:

http://active-elements.org/evaluations/


In a nutshell, you don't need to tune the transmitter, just the antenna 
if it isn't resonant.  You can enter frequency by the front panel key 
pad, or  by setting and recalling memories.    You can also change or 
adjust frequencies by the large tuning knob or change bands with up down 
buttons.

As someone said, nothing magic about the  matching Kenwood power supply. 
  I think max current draw is 20.5 amps, so something  that will do 25 
amps will give you some headroom.   In today's world, you have the 
choice of the old style linear supply with large transformer, or smaller 
and lighter switching supplies.    Both have advantages, but either will 
be much cheaper than the "official" Kenwood supply.

73, Steve KW3A


On 12/4/2013 11:07 PM, Ed Malmgren wrote:
> David, I think you could get all those answers answered better if you went
> to the site,  I can work this thing . com which has front panel layout and
> everything you could ask I think.  Not sure if it tells the wieght which is
> 16 pppounds and there is not touch screens, all buttons and knobs and there
> is seventy ddifferent ones and some are more than one funtion so it takes a
> couple days or weeks or months to become familiar with the rig but it is one
> great rig and if you order this monthI think they say Kenwood will send you
> the voice board so go for it and I know you will love the rig.  good luck
> and 73.
> Ed   K7UC
>
> --------------------------------------------------
> From: "David Weigel" <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Wednesday, December 04, 2013 8:12 PM
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Another Query re: the TS590s
>
>> Hello, Listmates!
>>
>>
>>
>>             I have been enjoying viewing the information &comeraderie
>> presented by the listserv users since I joined up in May of this year.  I
>> have checked into the Sunday 20 meter Net a few times; however, since a
>> couple of my old HF radios are presently offline needing repairs,  my
>> remaining Kenwood TS520 is tuned for 75 meters, and I lack the flexibility
>> of independently changing frequencies, tuning the transmitter, and the
>> antenna for 1:1 SWR, etc.  A common problem with old technology.  The
>> recent
>> and ongoing listserv information on accessibility features on the Kenwoods
>> has been very helpful to me.  To reduce my need for family member help
>> with
>> setting frequencies, tuning the transceiver and the antenna, and the
>> inability to do so when alone, I am approaching the attitude of a
>> self-induced Christmas present of an accessible HF radio, and I'm tilting
>> toward the TS590s.  I still have a few questions about the rig, and I'd
>> appreciate your responses.  My questions are as follows:
>>
>> 1. What are the dimensions and approximate weight of the TS590?  (I'm
>> hoping
>> that it is a "good-sized" tabletop model, rather than something "small",
>> like a TS50 or something.)
>>
>> 2. Is it true that the TS590 and other modern HF transceivers do not need
>> to
>> be "tuned", such as my TS520s with 6146s or my Swan 270?  What do you have
>> to do to set the power from 0 - 100 watts?
>>
>> 3. Can someone describe the front side of the TS590?  Does it have a touch
>> screen and/or does it have knobs, buttons and switches on the frontside?
>> Please describe the size & placement of the display indicator.  (I presume
>> that the rig does not have separate needle meters & such these days.)
>>
>> 4. A listing of some of the voice board voice "prompts" has been mentioned
>> Does the voice board also state band and frequency?  Do you change
>> frequency
>> by turning a rotary knob?  Do you push a button to hear the frequency when
>> you stop turning the tuning knob?  (if there is a tuning knob)
>>
>> 5. What color is the rig?  Does it have a keypad, and if so, is it on the
>> front face of the rig or on a separate cord?  What is the configuration of
>> the keypad?
>>
>> 6. My old "semi-boat anchor HF radios all have built-in power supplies.
>> Does the TS590 require a separate power supply?  Did I see somewhere that
>> there is a matching Kenwood power supply for the TS590 that costs about
>> $499?  If a separate power supply is required, might one substitute a
>> different PS to save $$, without sacrificing reliability?  Any
>> recommendations?
>>
>>
>>
>>             Thanks in advance for your responses and advice.  My Windows XP
>> & JAWS 11 couldn't open the Kenwood websites provided on the list a couple
>> of days ago, hence my questions today.  Best Wishes as we start to get
>> into
>> the Christmas holiday season.  My next e-mail won't be so long.  Sorry
>> 'bout
>> that.
>>
>>
>>
>>                                                             Regards.
>> Dave Weigel  KD4JEZ  Naples, Florida
>
>
>