The TS-2000 gives you menu numbers and current setting, not a big deal to me 
though I hardly go in the menu anyway. With the software you can tell what's 
what, or you can make a quicklist of common menu items if you do make 
changes a lot. The VS-3 is all you'll need with that, I have the DRU-3A in 
mine too, the digital recorder board, but it's not needed. I like to have it 
though. I have used the internal TNC, it's real basic and depending on what 
you want to do, either just good enough or no good. For example, if you want 
to do the packet cluster, it's good. APRS, it's good, Winlink, forget about 
it. BBS's, it can do it but it can be a struggle because there's no RAM for 
the TNC. I use it for the packet cluster and run a totally separate packet 
setup for my packet work. I have tried it on winlink, and as I was warned, 
it will lock up the TNC because it just can't do it. If you have a virtual 
com port software, that will give it the buffering it needs, personally I'd 
say it's not worth the trouble for that, it will do the packet cluster 
though and the like. I use it for that. I'm very happy with the radio so 
far, I've had it for over a year now and use it daily.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Richard Fiorello" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, January 31, 2009 12:55 PM
Subject: ts2000


> Hi;
> I was rather interested in the price drop for the ts2000.  Are any =
> accessories needed other than the vs3?
> Also, although I don't recall the specifics, apparently kenwood software =
> will let you browse the menus of the ts480 and make changes.  Apparently =
> you don't just get menu numbers but names as well.  Can you do something =
> similar with the ts2000?
> Has anyone used the built in tnc?
> If you add a couple filters to the ts480 and maybe a bracket there isn't =
> much of a price difference.
> Other than the power level and audio level what else doesn't speak?
> Richard