TS-570SG_review_QST_1999.pdf

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1、May 199961 Product Review Edited by Joe Bottiglieri, AA1GW Assistant Technical Editor Reviewed by Joe Bottiglieri, AA1GW Assistant Technical Editor An evaluation of the Kenwood TS-570D HF transceiver appeared in a QST product review in January 1997. Since that time some additional refinements have b

2、een made to this series. Shortly after that issue of QST hit the streets, Kenwood released a second ver- sionthe TS-570S. The S version of the radio was nearly identical to the Dthe only difference being the addition of all- mode capabilities on the 6-meter band. Just a few months ago, Kenwood annou

3、nced a second generation of this al- ready popular transceiver series. These new units are now designated “G” versions. Two separate models are still available the TS-570D(G) for the HF bands, and the TS-570S(G) covering both HF and 6 meters. This time around well be concentrating primarily on the c

4、hanges made in the G ver- sions, and presenting lab measurement data and some operational details on the 6-meter capabilities of the TS-570S(G). The HF per- formance specifications of the new units re- main virtually unchanged from those of the previous reviews TS-570D. The lab data presented in Tab

5、le 1 for all bands other than the 6-meter band is data taken directly from that review (spot checks of our new unit con- firmed very similar HF performance). If youre considering purchasing any ra- dio in this series youll definitely want to have a look at the earlier review. Members can view that a

6、rticle (or reviews on any equipment that weve covered in the QST product review column since January 1980 for that matter) and an Expanded Test Result Report free of charge on our Members Only Web site. Non-members, or members without Internet access, can order paper copies for a nominal fee through

7、 the ARRL Techni- cal information Service (860-594-0278 or reprintsarrl.org). Members receive a dis- count on these reprints. Additional lab test data on 6-meter band performance and the enhanced DSP capability of our product re- view 570S(G) is available as an Expanded Test Result Report. Those who

8、 purchased the initial versions of these radios will be pleased to hear that the new capabilities offered in the G versions can be retrofitted to the earlier units by Kenwoods service facilities (currently $125 plus shipping). 6 meters, however, can not be added to either the D or D(G) models. 6-Met

9、er Capabilities The TS-570S(G) provides 100 W all- The Kenwood TS-570S(G) HF/6-Meter Transceiver mode band coverage (25 W AM) from 160 through 6 meters and an extended general coverage receive range of 0.5 to 60 MHz. The built-in antenna tuner also works on 6 meters, and comes in very handy for matc

10、h- ing a single 6-meter antenna across the rela- tively wide 4 MHz range between 50 and 54 MHz. The tuner is also effective for em- ploying a number of antennas intended pri- marily for HF, such as 40 and 80-meter dipoles for example, on 6 as well. Outputs are provided for two separate coax feedline

11、s. Either can be assigned to any combination of bandsmaking it convenient to connect different antennas for HF and 6 meters. For FM repeater operations, all versions of the 570 include CTCSS encode and de- code built-in. Many of the repeaters on both 6 and 10 meters use CTCSS to control the interfer

12、ence between repeaters that com- monly occurs when these bands are open. Operating frequencies for repeater inputs and outputs are entered independently using the same arrangement used for split VFO opera- tion on the HF bands (not by setting offset and duplex as is common with the hand-helds and mo

13、biles). CTCSS settings and repeater frequency pairs can be stored in any of the units memories. Independent CTCSS tones for transmit and receive on a single frequency or repeater pair, however, are not available. As we mentioned in the earlier review, these transceivers have built-in features that m

14、ake them well suited for use as an IF with external VHF and UHF transverters. These include a display arrangement that corrects the frequency readout to indicate the result- ing operating frequency for 6 and 2 meters and 70 cm, and a system that automatically reduces the transmitter power output to

15、a more manageable 5 W. Couple this with the S versions 100 W all-mode 6-meter output and the radios built-in digital signal processing, CW memory keyer (an optional voice recorder is also available) and compact sizeand this unit could serve nicely as the backbone for a roving or hilltopping station

16、for VHF/UHF contesters. Whats New? I happened to have access to an early pro- duction unmodified TS-570S. This gave me the unique opportunity to set up the new G version side by side with a first generation unit. The G version includes a handful of new abilities and improvements on some of the origi

17、nal features. One of the more notable changes is an enhancement of the NR1 DSP noise reduction feature, used primarily on SSB. In the earlier model, the SSB noise re- duction works well, but imparts the typical watery audio quality common in most of the current DSP implementations. In the new G vers

18、ion, a menu item has been added that allows you to vary the amount of noise re- duction employed. While on the earlier radio I often found myself leaving NR1 off except under extreme conditions, with this new flex- ibility I can strike a balance between the amount of noise reduction and the resultin

19、g reduction in the overall audio clarity. Theres also an “auto” setting that varies the level of noise reduction based on the signal strength. Bottom Line The new G versions of the popular TS-570D and TS-570S add significant new features to these already nicely- equipped mid-priced transceivers. 62M

20、ay 1999 The manual settings worked best for me. All versions include a menu item that allows you to tailor the transmit audio char- acteristics. Settings include flat (or “off”), high boost, formant pass, bass boost and “conventional.” A separate variable speech processor is also included. These are

21、 nice ca- pabilitiesthe only problem is that with the earlier 570s, you cant listen to the resulting audio without a second receiver! The G version now includes a transmit audio monitor. You can switch this on and vary the monitor audio output level through a menu setting. A sample of your transmit

22、audio can now be monitored through the speaker or by using headphones. This feature is also very convenient for evaluating the performance of accessory microphones. Curiously, the transmit audio equalizer menu item on the G now also includes a setting titled “U.” The manual refers to this setting on

23、ly as “Not currently available.” Hmmm Another nice addition in the G is a receive audio equalizer. This allows you to perform the same types of audio shaping on received audio. Anyone who has spent extended peri- ods of time operating, during contests for Table 1 Kenwood TS-570S(G), serial number 00

24、600059 Unless otherwise noted, HF specifications and measurements were taken from an earlier review of a TS-570D, serial number 80600403 (see text). Manufacturers Claimed SpecificationsMeasured in the ARRL Lab Frequency coverage: Receive, 500 kHz30 MHz;Receive, 0.330 MHz (0.3-60 MHz for TS-570S(G);

25、transmit, 1.8-2; 3.5-4; 7-7.3; 10.1-10.15; 14-14.35; 18.068-18.168; transmit, as specified. 21-21.45; 24.89-24.99; 28-29.7 MHz. TS-570S(G) adds 3060 MHz on receive and 5054 MHz on transmit. Modes of operation: USB, LSB, CW, AM, FM, FSK.As specified. Power requirement: Receive, 2 A (no signal); trans

26、mit, 20.5 A, at 13.8 V.Receive, 0.8 A (max volume, no signal); transmit, 18 A (max), tested at 13.8 V. Size (HWD): 3.810.610.6 inches; weight, 15 lb. ReceiverReceiver Dynamic Testing SSB/CW/FSK sensitivity (bandwidth not specified,Minimum discernible signal (500-Hz filter): 10 dB S+N/N): 0.5-1.7 MHz

27、, 4 V; 1.7-24.5 MHz,Preamp offPreamp on 0.2 V; 24.5-30 MHz, 0.13 V; TS-570S(G) only,1.0 MHz113 dBm121 dBm 50-54 MHz, 0.13 V.3.5 MHz132 dBm140 dBm 14 MHz130 dBm139 dBm 50 MHz128 dBm141 dBm AM sensitivity (bandwidth not specified, 10 dB S+N/N):10 dB (S+N)/N, signal 30% modulated with a 1-kHz tone: 0.5

28、-1.7 MHz, 31.6 V; 1.7-24.5 MHz, 2 V; 24.5-Preamp offPreamp on 30 MHz, 1.3 V; TS-570S(G), 50-54 MHz, 1.3 V.1.0 MHz8.4 V3.3 V 3.8 MHz1.05 V0.4 V 53 MHz1.43 V0.38 V FM sensitivity: For 12-dB SINAD, 28-30 MHz, 0.25 V;For 12-dB SINAD: preamp off, 29 MHz, 0.6 V; 52 MHz, 0.79 V; TS-570S(G), 50-54 MHz, 0.25

29、 V preamp on, 29 MHz, 0.15 V; 52 MHz, 0.19 V. Blocking dynamic range: Not specified.Blocking dynamic range (500-Hz IF filter): Preamp offPreamp on 1.0 MHz114 dB*115 dB 3.5 MHz114 dB*119 dB* 14 MHz115 dB*115 dB* 50 MHz108 dB*106 dB* Two-tone, third-order IMD dynamic range: Not specified.Two-tone, thi

30、rd-order IMD dynamic range (500-Hz IF filter:) Preamp offPreamp on 1.0 MHz86 dB91 dB 3.5 MHz99 dB99 dB 14 MHz98 dB*97 dB* 50 MHz98 dB*88 dB Third-order input intercept point: Not specified.Preamp offPreamp on 1.0 MHz+19.5 dBm+19.5 dBm 3.5 MHz+17 dBm+9.4 dBm 14 MHz+21.7 dBm+9.6 dBm 50 MHz+21.0 dBm9.5

31、 dBm Second-order intercept point: Not specified.14 MHz, preamp off, +60 dBm; preamp on, +59 dBm. FM adjacent channel rejection: Not specified.Preamp on, 29 MHz, 68 dB; 52 MHz, 66 dB example, will appreciate the ability to vary the audio tone of the receiver occasionally. This can go a long way towa

32、rd reducing fa- tigue as the hours roll on! This menu item also includes the mysterious “U” setting. Just for the CW Operators The G models have also added some new features particularly of interest to CW operators. Theres a new setting that allows you to manually adjust the CW weighting. The ear- l

33、ier versions have auto weightingthe ratio automatically tracks the keying speed. With auto weighting disabled, the previous mod- els would default to 3.0:1. The new versions allow you to use the auto weighting or to manually adjust the weighting to your own preferences16 ratios between 2.5:1 and 4.0

34、:1 are available. One of the most innovative features in- cluded in all the 570s is “CW Zero-Beat.” Tune close to a CW signal, press the CW TUNE button, and the radio automati- cally tunes to and zero-beats the signal. The system works very well with all but the weakest signals or busiest band condi

35、tions. In the G versions, the CW TUNE button can also be used to automatically set an RIT offset. A menu setting can unlock the trans- mit and receive frequencies of the “Auto Zero-Beat” system, allowing you to retune to CW signals without changing your transmit frequency, a very handy capability fo

36、r net or roundtable operations. All 570s use DSP to provide a wide range of CW filter bandwidths (optional conventional CW filters for 500 or 270 Hz are also available). The new units have even improved on this slightly. The originals included DSP-based bandwidths of 50, 100, 200, 300, 400 and 600 H

37、z and 1.0 and 2.0 kHz. The G versions add some welcome additional bandwidths of 80, 150 and 500 Hz. Computer Controllability As we mentioned in the earlier review, the 570 series radios include a built-in level converter for easy connection to your com- puter. Since that time, Kenwood has made avail

38、able a very impressive Windows-based software package. You can download this free from Kenwoods Web site: http:/ . Download the software, May 199963 Manufacturers Claimed SpecificationsMeasured in the ARRL Lab FM two-tone, third-order IMD dynamic range: Not specifiedPreamp on, 20 kHz spacing, 29 MHz

39、, 67 dB; 52 MHz, 62 dB; 10 MHz spacing, 52 MHz, 96 dB. Noise reduction: Not specified.NR1, 10 dB; NR2, 20 dB (at default 20 ms setting). Beat cancel attenuation: Not specified.50 dB or greater notch. S-meter sensitivity: Not specified.S9 signal at 14 MHz: preamp off, 94 V; preamp on, 25 V. 52 MHz: p

40、reamp off, 90 V; preamp on, 12 V. Squelch sensitivity: SSB, CW, FSK, AM, 0.5-1.7 MHz,FM, at threshold, 29 MHz, 0.04 V; 52 MHz, 0.04 V; 20 V or less; 1.7-30 MHz, 2 V or less; FM, 28- SSB, at threshold, 14 MHz, preamp on, 0.4 V. 30, 50-54 MHz, 0.25 V or less. Receiver audio output: 1.5 W at 10% THD in

41、to 8.2.1 W at 3.7% THD into 8 . IF/audio response: Not specified.Range at 6 dB points, (bandwidth): CW (500-Hz IF/600-Hz DSP): 258-769 Hz (511 Hz) CW (500-Hz IF/100-Hz DSP): 443-557 Hz (114 Hz) CW (500-Hz IF/50-Hz DSP): 470-530 Hz (60 Hz) USB wide: 286-2433 Hz (2147 Hz) USB narrow (DSP controls at 1

42、2 oclock): 404-1633 Hz (1229 Hz) LSB wide: 287-2428 Hz (2141 Hz) LSB narrow (DSP controls at 12 oclock): 404-1626 Hz (1222 Hz) AM wide: 115-2670 Hz (2555 Hz) AM narrow:113-1270 Hz (1157 Hz) IF rejection: 70 dB.115 dB. Image rejection: 70 dB.109 dB. TransmitterTransmitter Dynamic Testing Power output

43、: SSB, CW, FM, FSK, 5-100 W; AM, 5-25 W.SSB, 5-115 W; CW, 5-108 W (varies slightly from band to band); AM, 5-23 W; FM, 5-109 W. Spurious-signal and harmonic suppression: 50 dB.As specified. Meets FCC requirements for spectral purity. SSB carrier suppression: 40 dB or greater.As specified. Undesired

44、sideband suppression: 40 dB or greater.As specified. Third-order intermodulation distortion (IMD) products:See Figure 1. CW keyer speed range: Not specified.Approximately 10-75 wpm. Transmit-receive turnaround time (PTT release toS9 signal, 50 ms. 50% audio output): Not specified. Receive-transmit t

45、urnaround time (“tx delay”): Not specified.SSB, 18 ms; FM, 14 ms. Unless otherwise noted, all dynamic range measurements are taken at the ARRL Lab standard spacing of 20 kHz. *Measurement was noise-limited at the value indicated. 1086420246810 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Frequency Offset (kHz) Referen

46、ce Level: 0 dB PEP Figure 1Spectral display of the TS-570S(G) transmitter during two-tone intermodulation distortion (IMD) testing on 6 meters. The worst-case third-order product is approxi- mately 32 dB below PEP output, and the worst-case fifth-order product is approxi- mately 35 dB down. The tran

47、sceiver was being operated at 100 W output at 50.2 MHz. Figure 2The Kenwood RCP570 control software displays a virtual front panel nearly identical to that of the actual transceiver. Extensive documentation in the owners manual and the software package should be very helpful to those interested in d

48、eveloping their own control software. install a common computer interconnect cable between the male DB-9 connector on the back of the transceiver and the COM port on your computer, load the software and youre ready to gono additional interface hardware is required. The software displays a virtual re

49、presen- tation of the front panel (see Figure 2). While under computer control, you can use either the actual front panel switches and knobs or the mouse and virtual front panel to operate nearly any control on the radioeven the rotary controls such as the volume, squelch and DSP slope settings for example. The presently available version of the software was designed for the earlier radios. It does not yet include the program modifica- tions necessary to operate the expanded fea- tures in the G versions. The Future? The improvements made in the new G versions of the