New radio I need help in purchase.

[AH6RR]

Aloha Jim,

 Stay away from the FT-950 and TS-2000 they do not have the Receiver that the TS-850 has and you will be disappointed in the first hour ( I have tried both side by side with my 850). For $1800 the new TS-590 cant be beat it has the roofing filters and AT and most of all a GREAT RECEIVER. Yes you can get a K3 but no extras like a AT or filters and the 590 has a close/as good of a receiver as the K3. I personally have not used a 590 but I have a friend who has been evaluating one for the last few weeks say it is Outstanding and he is a respected DX'er and contester here in Hawaii, He also has a K3.

Good luck in your choice. BTW how much do you want for the 850? Since I have installed the Inrad roofing filter kit mine has been a Great rig.
73
Roland AH6RR   

[AB7R]

Be careful with the 590.  Only has down conversion below 15M.  Above that is up conversion.  There is also no VCO for cleaning up the DDS.  And you cannot "grow" the radio as you desires change later.

Either way...GL!

[SWMAN]

Just curious about the new ts-590. Greg Fischer mentioned here that the 590 has down conversion below 15M( 21 mhz). And has up conversion above 15M. What effect will that have on 12 and 10 meters ? I was planning on buying a 590 in the next few months I did read something about below 21 mhz but didn't really understand what it meant.Would Greg or someone let me know what that means. Thanks, 73 Jim KF5HRN

[KD6CCP]

Well I folded and picked up a used 950 fro under a grand. I will keep the 850 as a backup and if I cant get with the 950 I will sell it and start over again with the new Kenwood.  Thanks to all who responded and helped out. 73s jim

[KG8JF]

I had an Ft-990 and I would buy one again in a heartbeat.  It was the last of the non-dsp radios, had great rf speech processing, much like the new box that Tentec is selling.  It had an antenna tuner that was good for about a 3 to 1 swr, also an auto notch filter and mechnical filters.  I loved mine.  You should also try to buy one with Firmware v.1.3

[N0AZZ]

Of radios you asked about the FT-950 is a best buy in it's price class. The Kenwood 590 new one has had not one independent test ran on it yet and one has been listed on QRZ swap meet for a week. The K3 when you get it with several options you have a radio that can up to well over $3,000 mine did I sold it. You might look at the Ten Tec Jupiter also all of the radios are good some are just better the TS-2000 would down the list a ways for me though.

[KA2DDX]

Good luck with your ft950 - I have one and use it extensively on cw - I also have an ft920, and found the 950 to have a better receiver. The 950 has a much steeper learning curve. I have found Yaesu support to be very willing and able to answer questions. Once you get the hang of the 950 you'll love it. Others have mentioned the ft990, however the 990 is no longer in production. The 950 is the second generation after the 990 and first generation after the 920. Keep that in mind in case you ever need service / parts, etc.........