va2wdq
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Re:Kenwood TS-590 - 2010/10/28 17:08
Fabi,
Sure. Here is my opinion:
The reason why I decided to go to a new one radio was a heavy QRM level which started to kill weak DX signals. After reviewing new technologies I understood that just good DSP filters could improve that. Also I’d like to get a down conversion radio with high dynamic range. There were 3 radios in my list: K3, FT-5000 and TS-590S. After first eHam reviews in October I decided to go with Kenwood TS-590S. That was tagged as a best radio for the money. I ordered mine in Ham-City ( USA ) for $1699 plus $80 for shipment. (That was a promotion. Now the price is a bit higher.). Was waiting for a 4 weeks and voila! Got mine on last week.
So the first test was weak CW signals receiving on 80-160. I was really excited how the DSP filter easily jumped up 5N7N signal on 80 meters. I was hunting up for that station during almost every October night around 3.501 but was never lucky to get something except a signal presence somewhere deep under noise with my FT-1000D. The huge difference! The DSP CW filter starts work after narrowing less then 300 Hz. That’s amazing how clean the signal could be with the bandwidth just only 50 Hz! The QRN noise almost eliminated. Just a DX sounds with a Hi-FI quality signal. And that doesn’t even ring!
The next test was during Stew Perry 160 m contest. We had our friends visited us that night. So I could have just one hour for the test. But around 12 AM I was kind of “fresh meet” so got a good pile up on frequency right away. That was another one test how clean the receiver could get close pile up signals. That also works great in the TS-590S. Every signal could be red individually clear and without IMD artifacts. There is no mess up as in some older Icom radios.
That's the best CW receiver ever I heard. Just only Orion-II could over beat it in some circumstances. And I have an experience with TS-570D, TS-830S, IC-761, IC-746, IC-746Pro, IC-775DSP, FT-857D, FT-1000D, FT-1000MP, FT-1000M5V, IC-7800, IC-7700, IC-7600, Orion-II, K3
There are also some other good features:
- RX and TX have 17 band parametric equalizers (!!). So that’s possible to fit the radio to any ears. No needs expensive external devices anymore!
- It has the one of the best signal noise ratio which significantly much better then in K3.
- It’s ready for remote operations over the Internet.
- It has build in USB connection with Audio codec inside. So it’s ready for digital modes right from the box.
- Excellent design. (The thing I hate how K3 designed)
- Dynamic range is the same as K3 due to 500 Hz and 2.7 kHz roofing filters
- Claimed In-band IMD much better then K3 has. Let’s wait for the ARRL review.
- The price! Less then K3 1.5 times. So that’s possible to buy 2 x 590S radios for SO2R by the price of one K3 + 500/2.7 filters+ 100W PA + ATT + Second RX.
So it’s a fun to play with it.)))
73!
Victor
Post edited by: va2wdq, at: 2010/10/28 17:13
Post edited by: va2wdq, at: 2010/10/28 22:46
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