I think you will be very pleased with the 590. I've had mine for a little over a year and and more than happy with it.
I also have a 950, and I do like it. I use it regularly (variety is nice), but I use my 590 about 80% of the time.

I use an MFJ-1026 noise canceler at my QTH with good results. More often than not (usually unless it's raining or just rained), there is heavy powerline QRN, but no other noise problems (I live at a semi-rural QTH). Once I experimented with noise pickup antennas and got one that worked well (in my case, a G5RV at about eight feet), the MFJ unit usually completely eliminates the noise. Occasionally it won't eliminate the noise completely, but knocks it down to a pretty low level. Without the MFJ, I often am unable to even hear, much less copy, an S7 or even S9 signal. Basically, my receiver would be useless most of the time without the MFJ. I have repeatedly contacted the power company. They come out and tighten connections, etc., with little or no result.
If there are multiple noise sources, you're probably only going to be able to eliminate one at best.
DSP filtering, and even a noise blanker, are probably only going to provide minimal results if the noise is severe.

I have an FT-950 (I think I bought it in 2008) and a TS-590 (bought it in Dec. 2012). The 590 is definitely the better performing rig, and I prefer the ergonomics of the 590 as well. You can operate digital modes with the 590 with just a USB connection, while the FT-950 will require some type of interface. If I could only have one of these rigs, I would definitely choose the 590.
That said, I do like the FT-950 and use it regularly (a change of pace is nice sometimes). Probably about 75% of my operating time is with the 590, and 25% with the FT-950.
Whichever route you go, I highly recommend you make sure the latest firmware updates are installed; both rigs have definitely benefited from their respective firmware upgrades.
73,
Jeff, KC1MK

I have used one for the last 8 months, and it works very well for my purposes. My main rig is a Kendwood TS-590S, and the backup is a Yaesu FT-950. The supply also powers several accessories in the shack.
There is some noise on 160 and 80, but it is easily tuned away as needed with the noise offset control on the supply.
73,
Jeff, KC1MK

A correction to my previous post: my switching power supply is actually a QJE, not a Jetstream. Very similar design and look. The QJE is about $60 cheaper (I got the QJE supply at Austin Amateur Radio Supply for $120), though I opted for it over the Jetstream because the QJE has a noise offset control (which really works very well) and it was locally available.

On an unrelated note, I found the noise source that was plaguing reception on 160 through 40 meters. Turns out it is the charger for my Asus laptop. I tried putting a few ferrite chokes on the charger leads, which reduced but did not eliminate the noise. I think possibly some chokes of different material may work better. In any event, worst-case scenario is to unplug the charger when operating on the lower bands. I use the Asus laptop for ham radio so it's on the desk by the radios. The Asus laptop itself does not cause any RFI problems. BTW, FWIW, I also have a Thinkpad on the desk, and neither it nor it's charger generate any noticeable RFI. Nor do my Macs in another room. I was glad that the RFI was from my Asus charger, not from a more difficult to track down source or the power lines. As far as RFI/electrical noise, the bands are awesomely quiet now at my location (a semi-rural location).

73,
Jeff, KC1MK

If the J-pole is cut to the proper length, you can connect 52-ohm coax directly to the J-pole.

Your radio has an SO-239 connector for the RF output/input. The proper mating connector for the coax is a PL-259.

Good luck and enjoy the HTX242!

73,
Jeff, KC1MK

I'm running a JPE PS30SW2 switching supply. I wrapped a couple of turns of the DC connection right at the power supply output in a clamp-on ferrite RF choke, and have only found weak birdies in the LF range (below about 300 kHz). They're very weak, and can easily be tuned away with the noise control on the power supply. Without the choke, I did have some birdies up into the 160M and 80M bands. I've only had the supply for a week or so (I was using an MFJ M4225V switching supply (lots of birdies!) and an Astron RS35M (also a good supply (I've had it about 25 years), but bulky and heavy).

73,
Jeff, KC1MK

Make sure you leave enough money for a decent antenna system. Wire antennas are relatively inexpensive, especially if homemade, and can work quite well if properly placed and installed.
There are a number of reasonable choices for an HF radio. I tend to shy away from rigs that try to do too much and that may not perform all that well (for example, IMO, the Kenwood TS-2000). Personally, I would highly recommend the Kenwood TS-850 as a strong contender. They're very reasonably priced on the used market and could serve well as a main HF rig for many years. I had a TS-850 for about eight years and was quite pleased with it. It's a great performer stock, and if you want to improve it at some time in the future, you can add INRAD filters to it. I installed INRAD CW and SSB filters in mine and it was a superb receiver in crowded band conditions (not that it was a slouch with the standard filters).
Of course there are quite a number of other good choices for a radio. I just wanted to relay my experience with the TS-850.
73,
Jeff, KC1MK

I have used my VX-5R with external 12VDC (using the Yaesu cigarette-lighter adapter cord) and it works fine, including a full five watts on transmit. The supplied wall-wart charger can't provide sufficient current for transmit, but if you provide external 12VDC with sufficient current capability, it will work fine.
73,
Jeff, KC1MK

I bought an Icom IC-1200 and a Kenwood TH-59 from Rod. As soon as they arrive and I use them a bit, I'll report back on my 1.2-GHz experience. I'm really looking forward to learning about 1.2-GHz operation!
73,
Jeff, KC1MK

I would like to thank everyone for the very helpful advice, information, and encouragement. I have e-mailed Rod to see about possibly buying an Icom IC-1200 (for mobile and home use) and a Kenwood TH-59 handheld. I plan on getting into the weak-signal modes in the future, but will start with FM to get my feet wet.
Thanks and 73,
Jeff, KC1MK

I am interested in this band for several reasons. Some of these include (not necessarily in order):
- Antenna experimentation
- Feedline behaviour and performance in this part of the spectrum
- Propagation
- Talking to other amateurs with similar interests
- Learning something new

73,
Jeff, KC1MK

Does anyone have any suggestions/tips for someone getting into 1.2 GHz FM. There are a few 1.2-GHz repeaters in the area, but the closest is probably about 10-15 miles away.

Thanks and 73,
Jeff, KC1MK

I bought a ProII about two and a half years ago, and sold my TS-850 a couple of months later, so I had the opportunity to do some A/B comparision of the two. My TS-850 had INRAD 1.8kHZ and 500-Hz filters in the 8.83-MHz IF, and an INRAD 500-Hz filter in the 455-kHZ IF.
I did not find any instance where I could copy a signal better on the 850 than on the ProII. I found a few instances where copy was better on the ProII. This included SSB and CW. I could not find a difference on digital modes such as PSK31. I also did some comparisons with a local ham (about half a mile away) aiming his beam at me (on 40, 20, and 10 meters) running full legal power. The ProII actually did better at copying a very weak signal close to an extremely strong signal.
I ended up selling the TS-850, and I haven't regretted it. The 850 was a great rig, and I'd recommend it highly, but IMO the ProII is better.
73,
Jeff, KC1MK

If you're referring to the Radio Shack HTX-202, it uses the same batteries as the ICOM IC-02AT.

72,
Jeff, KC1MK