Hi Matthew,

I used the TS-480 until about a year ago and really liked it.  It is 
very accessible and there is a lot of documentation in accessible 
format.  I got it with the voice board and a 500 Hz filter.  I have 
always  used an IF filter with my rigs and am pleased with the way 
they enhance CW operation.  The TS-480 uses an audio filtering 
system, which, in my opinion, is not as helpful as the IF 
filtering.  I'm now using a TS-590, which doesn't require additional 
filters.  There are several things I liked better about the TS-480 
such as the external control head and the button arrangement.  The 
fact that the RF gain doesn't have a separate knob bothered me at 
first, but I almost never set the RF gain to anything but wide 
open.  I thought the fact that the mike and key plug into the main 
unit and not into the control head would be awkward, but it hasn't 
been a problem.  Some don't like the separate control head, but I 
like the fact that it freed up desk space.  I think you would come to 
appreciate it as I did.

73,

Dave, W7OQ

At 12:51 PM 12/31/2014, you wrote:
>Hi, Howard.  Thanks much for your response.  I'm a Tech Plus, so
>still need to run CW on HF/old novice freqs.  Do I need to buy an
>internal filter, or can I get buy with the built-in knotch
>filter?  Thanks.--Matt, N1IBB.
>
>P.S.  Have been up on active-elements.org and got the files, along
>with some txt files from icanworkthisthing.com
>
>
>At 03:42 PM 12/31/2014, you wrote:
> >Matt, I absolutely love my 480.
> >The only menu item that doesn't talk on the 480 that I know of, is the
> >Power/SWR meter.
> >Their is lots of documentation on the usual places about this radio.
> >I made an audio discription of the control head buttons if you want it.
> >That separate head is very easy to become very happy with.
> >Their are a couple of things that do drive me nuts about the radio.  No
> >radio is perfect.
> >1.  The volume and squelch are on the same knobb.  The RF gain is a menu
> >option.
> >2.  The mike and key plug in to the body of the radio instead of the head.
> >Other than that, no complaints.
> >If you run CW, you will want one of the internal filters.  They turn the
> >radio from an average radio in to a very compedative performer.
> >
> >----- Original Message -----
> >From: "Matthew Chao" <[log in to unmask]>
> >To: <[log in to unmask]>
> >Sent: Wednesday, December 31, 2014 1:42 PM
> >Subject: Kenwood TS480sat
> >
> >
> > > Hi, Folks.  I just bought a TS480SAT with the VGS1 voice chip.  I
> > > have a few questions:
> > >
> > > How accessible is this rig compared to the TS590?
> > >
> > > Are there any accessible docs for this rig?
> > >
> > > What's been the experience using this rig overall?  I thought about
> > > buying the 590, but can't justify the expense.  Any thoughts and
> > > ideas are greatly appreciated.  Thanks in advance.--Matt, N1IBB.