Kevin,

The antenna tuner in the radio is marginal.  It is intended for HF bands; it 
will not match a wide range as the TS-870 type tuners did; you will need an 
external tuner to match a wide range of impedences.  The tuner is no different 
than what is found in other HF radios.

The speech in the 2000 does not announce power levels or SWR.  The speech 
output in the Ts 480 does announce power levels and mike gain settings. 
However, this isn't a problem in the TS-2000 as when you set power, it beeps 
at the top and minimum positions, so once you know that if you want say 70 W 
drive level, you go about eight klicks back from the max.

To speak SWR, you'd need a talking SWR meter or one that outpout in CW like 
the P2000 did.  Neither the talking one by LGE I think the manufacturer was, 
or the P2000 are manufactured any more, so you'd need to look for a used one. 
Of course, another option is to hook a VCO across the meter.

You can control the rig with memory programming such as the MCP 2000 software 
with a screen-reader.  There are some built-in pre-defined audio curves for 
receiving and transmisission but I don't know if anybody has tried making one 
on their own using a screen reader.
Steve, K8SP


The
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Kevin Minor" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, March 28, 2009 8:11 PM
Subject: Looking for info on the TS-2000X


Hi.

I've just joined this list, and I hope to be able to give what little
information I know.  My name is Kevin Minor, and I've been a ham since
February of 1982.  I got my Extra class license in 1986.  I currently enjoy
working 2 meters and 440 Mhz.  I hope to get a low band rig soon, and I've
decided on the TS-2000X.  With this in mind, I have several questions about
it.

How good is the antenna tuner in the radio?  I live in an apartment, and I
don't have a lot of room for an antenna.  I'd like to find one that will
work most of the bands, so with my setup I plan on using the tuner a lot.

I understand that the optional speech synthesizer will announce most
functions on the radio, including menus.  Will it announce such things as
power level and SWR?  If not, how do you set the power level.  I did call
Kenwood, and they did tell me that the speech does not announce the PL tone
setting.  Is there an easy way to adjust this setting?  I work repeaters
that require a tone.

I'd like to use the radio with an HT.  I know that Kenwood has Skycommand,
but from what I understand it requires eyes to get going.  If there is
another way to control the radio, I'd like to know.  Also, how well does
cross band repeat work?  I'd like to be able to use my dual band HT to send
a 440 signal to the TS-2000X, and talk to 2 meter repeaters.

What controlling software is screen reader friendly with the TS-2000X.  I
use Jaws 10, and I'd like to be able to do such things as copy memory
contents to the PC as a backup, and set up some user specific control of the
DSP functions.

That's all the questions I can think of.  I'd like to find audible tutorials
on the radio, and I understand that Handihams has them.  Where do I find
these?  I like to listen to these types of things before I get the equipment
in order to learn what I can, plus it tells me about the features of the
radio.

That's it from me.  Sorry about the long message, but I wanted to get as
manhy questions as I can think of as possible.

73
Kevin Minor, N8EGA
[log in to unmask]