TS-590S_review_PW_2011.pdf

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1、The TS-590S is the new high frequency (h.f.) and 50MHz transceiver from Kenwood and has been long awaited. It has been several years since an h.f. radio has emerged from the Kenwood stable and there are quite a number of dedicated Kenwood fans waiting for this one! However, the International nature

2、of Amateur Radio came to the surface when I was unpacking it as I found a selection of manuals in six different languages to test my linguistic skills! The new TS-590S employs down conversion for the fi rst intermediate frequency (i.f.), resulting in excellent dynamic range when adjacent unwanted si

3、gnals are present. It is also equipped with a 32-bit Floating-point d.s.p. featuring advanced technology that enables the rigs unique i.f. automatic gain control (a.g.c.). These, plus other advanced features are what h.f. enthusiasts all over the world have been anticipating. Typical Kenwood Styling

4、 The TS-590S has a typical Kenwood styling and appearance, with a large liquid crystal display (l.c.d.). This is adjustable in brightness and also colour selectable, orange or green with a wide viewing angle. From an engineering standpoint, as can be seen from the photographs, the transceiver is rea

5、lly well put together. There is a predominance of surface mount technology so I would suggest that servicing is not within the normal Radio Amateurs capability. The main specifi cations are shown at the end of this article. More details are available on the Internet for those wishing to see a full l

6、ist. A wide variety of accessories are also available. The review transceiver was supplied with the voice guide unit, which is invaluable for the visually impaired. However, Im fortunate enough to have good vision for my age! Theres a wide variety of parameters to set up. A comprehensive menu system

7、 is used in conjunction with multi-function front panel buttons. I soon realised it would pay to spend some time with these to become familiar with the various selections that are available. An important feature to start with is the built-in automatic antenna tuning unit (a.a.t.u.) with 32 frequency

8、 ranges that automatically change as you change the variable frequency oscillator (v.f.o.) frequency. Three antenna inputs on the rear panel allow for two transmit antennas and one receive antenna. A built-in multi-function c.w. keyer caters for the Morse enthusiast. And for those that enjoy remote

9、operation, providing you have two v.h.f./u.h.f. transceivers; the TS-590S is equipped with Sky Command II to enable this function. Note: Sky Command is a system that allows the operator to remotely control and operate the main rig via Sky Command capable mobile or hand- held rigs. Editor. Like many

10、modern transceivers, the TS-590S transmit section uses a die-cast aluminium chassis, together with a large heat-sink to increase heat dissipation effi ciency. The cooling system uses two large 60mm square fans, which enables them to run at a much lower revolutions per minute (r.p.m.) while still pro

11、viding more airfl ow. Lower r.p.m. means less noise! This careful type of design feature makes the transceiver eminently suitable for DX- peditions or during contests. Control just push the same memory channel and off it goes! These can be set to repeat if necessary, a CQ TEST perhaps on one channel

12、. Additionally, if you really want to make life diffi cult for yourself, you can even use the Up/Down keys on the microphone as a paddle! The usual ability to swap paddle position is also available, reversing dots and dashes and theres also a socket on the rear apron for a straight key. One nice thi

13、ng I found when listening to the c.w. end of the band in s.s.b. mode, a menu setting will allow you to use the keyer instantaneously if you want. And it doesnt matter what sideband you are listening to either very useful indeed for busting a pile-up without having to resort to changing modes and ret

14、uning! Another neat feature is the auto zero-beat, which is selectable or not from the front panel. This ensures that youll be zero beat with the station youre calling. Editorial note: David Wilkins G5HY of Kenwood Communications UK up- dated us on an important modifi cation to the TS-590s internal

15、electronic keyer: David writes, “We asked Japan to add a choice of Mode-A or Mode-B keying to the internal keyer. Earlier models of the transceiver were fi xed in Mode-B, which some operators took an intense dislike to so we regard this new feature as being very much what the customer wants!” Other

16、Features One thing thats not built-into the TS-590S is a separate sub-receiver. However, it also has split operation with the two v.f.o.s. To listen on either frequency would entail swapping, so theres no ability to monitor both frequencies something I do a lot here at G3LDI and I dont think I would

17、 like to be without a separate sub-receiver. The multi-function metering measures six parameters; signal strength, power output, automatic level control (ALC) status, standing wave ratio (s.w.r.), compression and the i.f. fi lter width. There are several ways to selecting the operating frequency. Yo

18、u can do it the old fashioned way, i.e. turning the v.f.o. a few or many times, or you can enter it directly from the keypad. The keypad doubles as the band change buttons. You just have to press ENT fi rst and ENT again to complete the selection. You can also the MULTI/ CH control to change frequen

19、cy in steps of 1MHz. Its also possible to select 100, 500kHz or 1MHz from the menu. A quick QSY (change of frequency) around the band is again possible with 14 Kenwood TS-590 Review.indd 14Kenwood TS-590 Review.indd 1424/01/2011 10:0524/01/2011 10:05 15 the MULTI/CH control, using steps of 5kHz and

20、again this can be changed in the menu. Fine tuning is also available in 10Hz steps, which is selectable from the front panel. And, as we expect nowadays, receiver incremental tune (RIT) and transmitter incremental tune (XIT) are both available with the offset displayed. A clear button reverts back t

21、o original setting. Beeps are selectable on/off but again these are useful to the visually impaired and a lock function disables some keys and controls to prevent you from changing your favourite settings. The band change buttons are also triple band-stacking registers. Each one remembers three sett

22、ings of mode, frequency and other settings. So, if you wanted you could set up three changes on each band, c.w., RTTY and single sideband (s.s.b.) and just a push of the band button would take you there. Power is adjustable in 1W steps from fi ve to 100W and it would pay to set this for 75W when usi

23、ng the transceiver on data modes. This is because data modes requires 100% duty cycle operation. To deal with interference, the TS- 590S is equipped with very good digital signal processing (DSP) fi ltering technology. The d.s.p. can control the bandwidth, reduce the noise or take out a carrier. For

24、 reducing interference i.f. fi ltering is selectable from the front panel specifying the bandwidth. This is also shown on the meter display. Using the LO/WIDTH and HI/SHIFT controls, you can select suitable bandwidths for all modes. Theres an auto notch and a manual notch fi lter, both of which are

25、very effective and deep. The beat cancel function is also useful in s.s.b. mode and it would pay to play with these for a while to get used to them. Two noise blankers, or reduction functions in modern parlance, are used to reduce interference and a nearby electric fence was certainly quietened down

26、 by these. Electric fence are one of the penalties of living in the countryside! A pre-amplifi er is also available from the front panel, if needed. Theres also a low output for use with a transverter. On The Air I completed some setting up of both the audio tailoring and the c.w. keyer and then let

27、 it loose on the air to get some reports. My fi rst test was to go onto the Ex-G net that I attend every day on 14.337MHz using my Rhombic antenns (I used the rig intensively on this net during the time I had it on review), to obtain some reports from those regulars that know me well and would give

28、me an instant audio report. Much to my surprise, there wasnt one comment, so I had obviously set it up fairly well! However, when I asked for comments, the same comments came from two members of the net, that there was a lack of bass. So, I quickly made an adjustment to that and the ensuing comments

29、 were favourable. I also worked a number of USA and Canadian stations, one in ZF1, Grand Cayman Island, ZL50VK in New Zealand and an OY and a UA9 on 1.8MHz. The Top Band QSOs were on c.w. using a 1.8MHz inverted V dipole with the apex at 90ft on my tower. A pair of slow running 60mm square fans assi

30、st the cooling on the TS-590S. The main r.f. and filter board.The main board has space for the optional speech unit (top left in the aluminium box). The TS-590s high contrast main display. Kenwood TS-590 Review.indd 15Kenwood TS-590 Review.indd 1524/01/2011 10:0524/01/2011 10:05 Using the processor

31、made a considerable difference too, although care should be taken on the level of processing. I was using the fi st microphone, so other microphones would need adjusting too and would probably provide a better response for DX working. I was using the radio with the built-in speaker, and whilst this

32、is quite adequate, I think an external speaker would enhance user satisfaction. Morse Mode Nice! Operating in the Morse mode was quite nice to use, a pleasant side-tone (once lowered to 400Hz!), and I had quite a nice surprise on 1.8MHz. I used the transceiver on this band to compare the noise level

33、 with my own FT-2000. At the time I tried it, I was pleasantly surprised to fi nd an S-3 noise level. I thought that Mr. Murphy must still be on his Christmas holiday! I worked two new countries, 4L4O (Georgia) and Gabriel Mardiros OD5NJ in Lebanon. Using semi- break in makes for a seamless Morse ex

34、perience and coupled with the ability to fi lter down to 50Hz if necessary, with minimal ringing, makes the TS-590S a very worthy c.w. transceiver. I think that the TS-590S, with a price of 1521, is a mid-price range transceiver and as such it doesnt have some of the bells and whistles of a transcei

35、ver costing a few hundred more. However, the TS-590S does have some bells and whistles that the more expensive transceivers dont have! I did a few tests to compare it with my Yaesu FT-2000 and to be frank it was diffi cult to tell any difference at all. The TS-590S is pleasant and intuitive to use a

36、nd once the operator is familiar with the controls/ menu,etc., it will hold its own with any of the more expensive transceivers. My thanks go to David Wilkins G5HY from Kenwood Communications for the loan of the radio. PW 16 Manufacturers Specifi cations General Receiver coverage: 130kHz to 30MHz, 5

37、0-54MHz. Transmitter coverage: All Amateur bands including 5MHz. Modes: a.m., c.w., s.s.b., f.m.,f.s.k. Sensitivity 0.2V. Selectivity 12, 6, 2.2kHz, 500Hz. Frequency stability 5 p.p.m. Minimum-maximum power output 5 to 100W (low output available for transverter). Amplitude modulation pow output Max.

38、 25W minimum 5W. Power supply 13.8V d.c. (15%). Current consumption 20.5A max on transmit. Receive (no signal) 1.5A or less. Antenna impedance 50 Antenna tunable impedance auto-tune range 16.7 to 150 Dimensions 108x280 x335mm (HWD) 4.2H x 11W x 13.2D Weight 7.4kg (16.3lb) Transmitter Modulation type

39、: s.s.b. balance modulation, f.m. reactance modulation, a.m. low power modulation. Maximum freq. deviation (f.m.): Less than 5kHz (wide). Less than 2.5kHz (narrow). Spurious responses: 1.7 to 40MHz less than -50dB. 40MHz or more less than -60dB. Carrier suppression: More than 50dB. Unwanted sideband

40、 suppression: More than 50dB. Tranbsmit freq. response: -6dB 400Hz to 2.6kHz. Microphone impedance: 600. Variable XIT range: 9.999kHz. Receiver Circuitry design: Double superhet 1st intermediate freq: 11.374MHz. 2nd intermediate freq: 24kHz. Triple Superhet 1st intermediate freq: 73.095MHz. 2nd inte

41、rmediate freq: 10.695MHz. 3rd intermediate frequency: 24kHz (except f.m. which is 455kHz). Fitted items SO-3 Hi-stability Crystal Oscillator Fitted. VGS-1 Voice Guide and Storage unit Fitted (supplied with review model). Optional extras HS-5 Deluxe Headphones HS-6 Lightweight Headphones MB-430 Mobile mounting bracket MC-60A Desk Microphone PS-60 Heavy Duty Power Supply P-23 External Speaker Manufacturers Specifi cations General Kenwood TS-590 Review.indd 16Kenwood TS-590 Review.indd 1624/01/2011 10:0524/01/2011 10:05