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write your own review of the Kenwood TS-480HX.
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M0AEP
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 2, 2011 06:21
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Full Marks Kenwood!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I've owned my TS480HX for at least 6 years during which time it has been mainly used on 6 Metres (all modes) with excellent results. Unsolicited complimentary audio reports (using a Heil mic.) are frequent. My particular radio has also survived several flights to holiday destinations some of which have pushed its build quality beyond normal use e.g.prolonged exposure to volcanic ash dust in VP2M. But it cleaned out without problem each time. This week I replaced my 6M antenna at my home with a venerable rebuilt 35 year old KLM KT34A HF tribander. The TS480HX loved it, and matched very well without an ATU, pushing 150 /200 watts effortlessly to work all continents on 10 M ssb the other day in a couple of hours.
If there was a downside it's the relatively large sized switch mode 40 amp psu required to carry on trips away. On the other hand a 12V hire car battery has powered mine when abroad without problem. A very versatile rugged performer on HF and 6 Metres. Thank you and well done Kenwood!
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K8SI
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 24, 2011 14:55
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Great little rig!
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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Bought this rig new back in February from Gigaparts for just barely over a kilobuck, and boy, have I been happy with it! It replaced a TS-450 that I had bought used, and while the 450 was a pretty good rig, this one really shines. I like the ability to place the control head wherever I want it on the operating desk. I have a rather small installation out here in my garage, and it fits in well.
I use a Heil GM-5, and always get really good audio reports. I curently don't have any of the IF filters, but plan to soon add the 500Hz CW filter, as I do find that the AGC pumping will wipe out a weak station. I have been able to work around this somewhat playing with turning off the AGC and backing the RF gain down while cranking up the AF gain, and it helps, but I really feel the need for a filter.
Other than that, it's performed like a champ. The power is plenty to make all the CW QSOs that I want to...if I hear 'em I can work 'em. Can't ask for any more than that.
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PA1HR
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 21, 2011 00:59
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Unbelievable great value for the money
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Last year I bought the TS-480HX as second transceiver and to take along on holidays, Fieldday, JOTA, etc. I am really impressed by the quality and the features of the TS-480HX taken into account its low price. Well done Kenwood!! Compared to my main rig the receiver of the TS-480HX is remarkable good! Selectivity and sensitivity are excellent, so is the sound coming from the internal loudspeaker. I installed the optional 1.8 and 270 Hz filters. I don't think that I need the TCXO and find this option very expensive compared to the price of the TS-480HX... The 200 Watt output of the TS-480HX is very nice when I am on location. I don't need an internal antenna tuner, because I use tuned antennes on location and symmetrical antennatuner at home. I really cannot find any consideration of this transceiver. This transceiver is a stayer in my shack and outside of it. Highly recommended!
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W2YM
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 19, 2011 15:03
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GREAT RADIO
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have been using this radio in my pickup truck with a 75A TarHeel antenna and talkiing all over the world.. Unreal radio.. Can't say enough about it.. I run 185 watts all the time and It stays nice and cool. If you want a 200 watt radio this is it. I even have the optional ssb filter and take's all other noise right out.. All I can say is this is one GREAT RADIO for the money.... Mark W2YM 73's.
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W3LZK
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 28, 2011 09:28
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Updated mobile installation
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Time owned: months
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Well now..looking back its been over a year since my last review on what many consider one of the finest HF rigs made. That being the Kenwood TS-480HX 200 watt HF + 6 meter transceiver. In my last review I had mounted my TS-480HX in my 2009 Ford Ranger..what a year it has been.
After my wife and I returned from our vacation (our first with no kids along) at the end of June this year. I had mentioned that I missed the room that I had had in my Ford Explorer Sport Trac. My wife had said that if I could find a suitable replacement that if we could wing it..well I did find an outstanding replacement.
It was 4th of July weekend and I had been looking up and down the Treasure Coast of Florida for an 09-10 Sport Trac or full size pick up. All I had needed to do was go to my local Ford dealer..there in their lot was a brandy new 2011 Toyota Tundra double cab, 4X4, most all the bells and whistles..didn't have leather interior or a sun/moon roof..who needs it.
Price was right..the guy had traded this absolutely pristine truck in on a fully loaded Fusion..and yours truly got the deal of a lifetime. Now then..the next task was to mount the TS-480HX, the Turbo Tuner, my Tar Heel 40A-HP motorized HF antenna. Planned on a installation party, called in some of our club members, picked a weekend that was agreeable for everyone, and went to work. I had already mounted the Tar Heel in the bed at the far end towards the tailgate, just needed help in getting the coax and control cables into the cab, get the radios mounted. It took most of the day..but by the end of the day we had mounted not only the TS-480HX, ut got my FT-8900 mounted as well. I went with the FT-8900 for not just the 2m/70cm, but I can also use the FT-8900's 10m/6m features as well..more on that in another review. So..how is the performance..better than I expected, with about a 98% noise reduction in the Tundra, as opposed to the Ranger's 95% reduction in received noise..no its not much in the overall scheme of things..but with basically no bonding, other than grounding the rig, the TX/RX is nothing short of outstanding. Having a good 10' or so of separation from the antenna to the TS-480, as opposed to having the tar Heel on a very large mag mount on the roof of my Ranger then going to the rig was maybe 5' or so..maybe not even that much. I will say that with my GAP Hear-It external speaker, the TS-480HX is on 98% of the time I'm in my vehicle, about the only time its not is if I only have a short distance to go..<1 mile even then I may turn it on just to see how the bands are, then when I get home to my base rig I go.
I have made numerous contacts with the TS-480 in the short couple of months I've had the rig in my Tundra pick up, lots of room, lots of places to mount rigs without loosing any usable space. If any one has the Tundra ad are looking for ways to mount this or pretty much any rig with the remote control head, please feel free to contact me and I can email photos of my install, offer suggestion a to how/where to run your cables, coax,etc. The Kenwood TS-480HX is an outstanding rig in its class, and now with more room, visibility of the control head is way easier than before.
Bottom line..get one..it the best on the market in its class.
73 de Mark
W3LZK
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W2OZ
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 26, 2011 10:24
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Transverter Menu #23 Limitations
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I own 2 TS480HX Transceivers for more than 2 years, best Ham Rig I hav ever owned, Great Receiver DSP, Great Transmitter, Incredible Eyes Front Voice Support. But like everything in this world has limitations, I point this out as it may help someone else make a better purchase of a Transverter with an I.F. in the 6 meter range where the TS480 can give you full 4MHz of transmitter range! Recently added a 2m transverter [brand doesn't matter] essentially they all function similarly, they use the ten meter band as an I.F. and 'Mix UP' ie 28+116MHz=144 MHz, this is fine except ,,,,Even in the 'Transverter Menu #23 , the TS480 blocks Transmitting above 29.7 MHz, the result is that you cannot transmit in the 2m band above 145.7 MHz, as 29.7+116=145.7 MHz, very disappointing result . Have made this known to Kenwood, but no fix so far. A better choice would be a Transverter using 6m as the I.F. if you want full 4MHz band coverage on 2m.
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WK5H
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 28, 2011 22:53
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A really great radio
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I've had this radio for about 4 months now, and I'm discovering the pros and cons (far more pros than cons).
Pros - great audio reports with the stock mic. I have yet to have anyone tell me my audio was weak or needed adjusting. The PC interface is dead simple, with no odd cables needed; the rs232 goes right into the radio. The display is bright enough to be seen with no problems even running mobile without tinted windows. The extra 100watts over the SAT version makes a difference, no matter what others say. Once you learn where and what the numerous buttons do, it's really easy. The direct entry is very handy, and the knobs all have a very nice feel. The RX audio is great, especially with an external speaker. The detached head really de-clutters my small desk in my "corner of the room" hamshack.
Cons - there's not many, and they probably really only apply to me. The detached head is great for shack operation, and great for mobile operation. The only problem is that swapping the radio back and forth is cumbersome. There is a metal mounting plate from Kenwood that will mate the head with the main radio, but, then that defeats the purpose of having the detached head not taking up a lot of space while running mobile. Basically, it's great to mount permanent either in the shack or mobile, but, is a pain swapping back and forth.
Overall, the audio (both RX & TX), 200watts, and styling of this radio MORE than makes up for the nit-picking cons I have for this radio. I would buy another one in a heartbeat if I could.
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KD5SRW
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Rating: 5/5
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May 21, 2011 19:13
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200W and Mobile
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I am coming up on three years with my lovely Kenwood 480HX. It has never been anywhere but mobile in my Infiniti QX4. The 480HX is a wonderful rig and in my opinion, needs nothing extra... Well, ok, I could see the advantage of having 2m/440 included, but I have a V-8000 that works very well mobile so the lack of vhf/uhf on the 480HX is not a problem.
I have my HX coupled to a High Sierra 1500 MK II screwdriver which I feel is a superb antenna match, with a consistantly low SWR. But, I imagine a Tarheel Screwdriver would work equally as well.
I was pleased to discover that the noise factor in the HX was almost nil. I do have the HX extremely well grounded to the vehicle chassis, so I am sure that also plays into the mix. The 480HX is hooked to a Heil Clear Speech speaker (no longer available except used...) which I find can handle most any noise that might crop up. I am really very happy with the whole mobile set up.
I also have a 7000 which I found to be a very fine and complete rig. Yet when it came to which rig to use for a mobile install, the HX with its ease of use and 200 watts, won out. I really debated on this decision, until I fired up the HX the first time out, called CQ DX(at 80 MPH)and back came Malta, loud and strong, giving the HX mobile a solid 58...needless to say I was sold.
Try one , you'll love it, I promise. This radio (I now have two) is a joy to own and use. In a word, superb!
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KD5UDE
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Rating: 5/5
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May 7, 2011 22:12
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excellent
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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wonderful highly recommend i run mine mobile with hustler resonators and works perfect! buy one you'll love it!
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N8PEP
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Rating: 5/5
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May 7, 2011 18:42
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The TS-480HX is the best all-around HF transceiver I have used
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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The Kenwood TS-480HX has an excellent receiver in my opinion. I say this based on comparisons with a Kenwood TS-820 and TS-830; ICOM IC-746; Drake TR-7A; Drake B-line and C-Line; and Yaesu FT-857D. I do not have the equipment to perform objective measurements, so all of my comments are subjective. The TS-480HX's receiver seems to be as good as if not better than several of the other radios. The receiver is reasonably quiet, and received stations are unusually clear. Both the transmit and the receive audio are excellent. The DSP works well, on par with the FT-857D's. The noise limiter is effective mainly on power line noise.
I have had nothing but outstanding audio reports from other hams, even with the processor turned on. I was even invited to join two AM nets! So you know the transmit audio must be good. The 200 Watts of output is a nice bonus, even though there is not a lot of difference between 100 W and 200 W on the received end. However, the extra power has made the difference between being copied and not being copied in a few QSOs.
I love the big display and the layout of the front panel. Unlike the FT-857D, the menu system is very simple to use. It is only one-layer deep, and a text string scrolls across the bottom of the display to identify each function.
I especially like the detached faceplate (or "control head"). I can set it on my desk and have all transceiver functionality without consuming a lot of space. I put the main body of the radio on the floor behind my desk. The control head has a decent built-in speaker to further reduce the clutter on my desk (although I like to use an external communications speaker when I am doing serious DXing).
I also like the fact that the firmware can be updated easily from my PC.
I have owned the radio for three years without any sort of problem. The reliability is 100%.
Overall, I can't imagine owning a better transceiver. It simply does everything I want to do exceptionally well. This includes SSB, AM, and PSK31 operation, as well as FM.
I like the TS-480HX so well that I bought a second one as a back-up. It performs identically to the original one that I described above. I will likely own these radios for many years. I don't see how I could want more. These radios have to be among the best kept secrets in ham radio, and are certainly one of the best buys.
I strongly recommend that anyone comtemplating purchasing a reasonably priced radio to go to the Kenwood website (http://www.kenwoodusa.com/Communications/Amateur_Radio/HF_Base_Mobile/TS-480HX-480SAT) and download the manual to the TS-480HX. That's the best way to get an appreciation for all of its features. There is neither time nor space to go into all of them here.
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