Thanks for this evaluation Dave.  Yah, I am happy with my 480 as well.  My 
only kind of complaint is splatter from adjacent stations on SSB and I can't 
seem to get AM stations to come in without distortion such as the WWV 
stations.  Yes, you can listen to them on SideBand, but I am curious as to 
why they sound distorted when listening on AM.  Maybe I have some settings 
that could be changed to make it perform better on AM.  Jim WA6EKS


-----Original Message----- 
From: Dave Basden
Sent: Friday, October 10, 2014 1:02 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: ts590

I upgraded from the TS-480 to the TS-590.  I don't think contesting
is any easier on the TS-590 and the arrangement of controls seems to
me a bit better for split operation on the TS-480.  The filtering is
better on the TS-590, but I'm not sure the improvement was enough to
warrant the upgrade.  I liked the separate control head as it took up
less space on my desktop.  If I had it to do over again, I'm not sure
what I would do.  Both are excellent rigs.

73,

Dave, W7OQ, [log in to unmask]

At 11:15 AM 10/10/2014, you wrote:
>Bob, do you think it's worth the bother to sell my TS480 and
>upgrade to a TS590? The 480 is in perfect condition and I really
>have very few complaints with it.  I have no plans to do digital
>stuff and I'm not a contester which is why I didn't buy the 590
>when first getting back into HF around 3 years ago.  I'd have to
>learn a whole new radio, but it's kind of tempting if the 590 is
>that much better than the 480.  73, Jim
>
>  ----- Original Message -----
>From: Bob Tinney <[log in to unmask]
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Date sent: Fri, 10 Oct 2014 08:04:11 -0400
>Subject: Re: ts590
>
>Hi Jim,
>
>My understanding is that Kenwood is coming out with an updated
>TS590SG
>next year.  It will have improved digital modes and a much higher
>price.   From traffic on the TS590 list, guys are guessing the
>the price
>will be around $2000.  Kenwood is also planning a software update
>for
>present 590 owners.  This software update will give some of the
>features
>available on the SG model.  One of the new features of the
>software
>update is that the VSG1 will announce when the drive mode has
>been
>turned on.  Current TS590s are selling for around $1249.00.
>
>Bob, K8LR, [log in to unmask]
>
>On 10/9/2014 11:41 PM, Jim Gammon wrote:
>  I called our local HRO last week and the manager there told me
>he
>  was not aware of a "new" TS590, just some firmware updates.  Not
>  owning one I have no idea other than that what to ask about a
>new
>  radio.  Maybe someone going to Pacificon out here on the west
>  coast will find out some new information.  Jim WA6EKS
>
>    ----- Original Message -----
>  From: Richard Fiorello <[log in to unmask]
>  To: [log in to unmask]
>  Date sent: Thu, 9 Oct 2014 21:57:10 -0400
>  Subject: ts590
>
>  Hi;
>  Has anyone received any info as to what will be new and exciting
>  in the
>  ts590gs compared with the current ts-590?  Also, although the
>  manual is
>  available, I wonder if anyone has put together any sort of
>  tutorial for
>  the 590.  Someone did one for the ts480 which was basically a
>set
>  of mp3
>  files that you can download from the handihams site.  It made
>  getting
>  started with the radio infinitely less difficult.
>  Also, just have to ask, any screen reader users tried the remote
>  handiham base units?  The skype part of the problem should be
>  manageable
>  but no idea how or if the control software works.  I'd have to
>  play with
>  Skype a bit first but who knows what the future holds.
>
>  --
>  richard