Remember that none of the major manufacturers sell their products in the US at Japan prices.  The TS-480sat sells for $1618 in Japan but in the US for under $1000 -- the 590 sells for $2352 in Japan -- when introduced was $1900 here and can now be purchased for $!500 and change.  Within a year the 990 will be somewhere under $6k.

Of course all of this is Monday morning fun.  I have my 590 and couldn't afford a 990 if I wanted one -- so I remain,

Happily yours

Tom ah6zz
Honolulu

Anybody connected the iPhone or iPod touch to the TS-480

Over the past few years I have made a number of purchases from DXEngineering (a dozen or so orders).  Each time I get great products and excellent support.  Yesterday, I corresponded with Rod at DXE concerning a question about using one of their vertical antenna products on a HexBeam (20m monoband).   I received a detailed, professional answer to my question.  
To the question: the DXE  VFCC-H05-A is an inline choke for unbalanced vertical antennas.  It looked to be an answer to noise on the feedline to my HexBeam – as it has proven to be.   I placed the choke  in line about 50' from the antenna and 10 feet from the radio/amp/tuner (six beads that were installed with the antenna remain in place just below the feedpoint).  The first thing I noticed was a 2 S-unit drop in noise level, and I was concerned that the signal levels would also be lower.  But working twenty meters for a couple of hours convinced me that signal levels were either the same or possibly better -- and the noise level remained lower.  I disconnected the VFCC and the noise came up and signals remained the same.  I repeated this about four times and continued to get the same results.
Thanks again to Rod for his complete explanation and encouragement; and thanks to DXE for providing the Ham community with some terrific products.

Maybe a replacement for the recently retired Argo V...

Owned a 2000 and traded it for a 480 -- love the 480 but wish I would have kept the 2000.  Different radios and different strengths.  2000 is the one to have if you need a complete shack in one box.

For several days before the 2000 went on its way I did side by sides on weak signal and noisy HF signals.  Overall the 480 "heard" better -- both have some features that Kenwood excels at: audio and the best BC in HF radio.

Tom ah6zz

Hilo, Hawaii

Thanks.  II plan to take a 2m HT and HF (Argo V).

Much appreciated -- good info.  Will be on Celebrity's Millennium in October from Honolulu to Auckland with a 3 day stop in French Polynesia.  73 and aloha.

Any Elmers with experience? requests to operate?  ship's ground? power?
 

What is the fix for the transmit hum on some 450s?

What is the fix for the transmit hum on some 450s?

I've had excellent results with a 102" SS whip and both the SGC239 and SGC237 -- down to 40m without a problem.  My guess would be that the TS2000's tuner would have a hard time -- and you would also have your coax as part of the antenna.  The 102 is an imposing and possibly violent beast if not mounted on a pretty substatial vehicle.  My current preference goes to short loaded whips (mini-sticks) -- almost as efficient as the 102/SGC solution and a heck of a lot calmer on my Toyota.

Aloha

Tom ah6zz

Can it be done?

Thanks

Tom ah6zz

Cannot get HRD to work with my TS-2000 -- works with the Argo okay (but slow -- anyone know how to get the Argo above 1200 baud?).  On the TS-2000, standard cable and Packet is turned off.  Help

Thanks
Tom
ah6zz

Anybody know the current limitations of the +12v pin on the mini-DIN "accessory" port.  I want to run both an SGC-239 and the SGC ADSP2 speaker for a max of 900ma -- but am concerned that it might be too much.  Thanks for your thoughts and knowledge.

Tom  ah6zz

Thanks for your help, Ed.