Anthony, Kelvin is correct.  The best method of catching rare DX, where
there is always a massive pileup, is to listen to his RX frequency while you
transmit.  It is necessary to figure his pattern so you know the best
frequency to call him on.  For those hams that seriously chase DX, it is
really a must-have.  Paying extra for that capability is necessary  if you
want to land the big fish.  When you consider the cost of other components
of your station, such as an amplifier, and a good antenna, paying $8 grand
for your transceiver doesn't seem to be out of line.  My SteppIr DB36, for
example, cost me about $14,000 taking into account of the purchase price,
and the labor necessary to assemble and install it.  What is that old
saying?  "if you are going to play, you gotta pay."

Best 73





Alan R. Downing
Phoenix, AZ

-----Original Message-----
From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Kelvin Marsh
Sent: Wednesday, July 17, 2013 10:06 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: TS-990 Review

Hi Anthony,

The TS-2000 allows you to switch between two VFO receiver frequencies, but I
was talking about receiving two frequencies simultaneously.  The radios I
mentioned allow you to split the two frequencies into left and right
channels on your headphones, or have two separate speakers.

This type of dual receive is important if you want to monitor a DX station
who will be transmitting on frequency A, but listening on frequency B.  In
both SSB and CW QSOS, the DX will often be listening across a range of
frequencies, and it's much easier to find their listening frequency, or spot
their listening pattern, if you can hear both frequencies simultaneously.

You can certainly do it with a TS-2000, but you have to switch between the
two frequencies, and can easily miss something.  Mind you, you pay for the
function!

Best wishes, Kelvin Marsh - M0AID