| VA3VS |
Rating:  |
2024-08-27 | |
| works well for boat anchor |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
well. i have always used either an ft 991a or ft 847 to take care of 2m,70cms and occasional satellite work. about 4 years ago,
i picked up an early model ts2k in a swap, and it was awful ! hf receive was very noisey, and on tx , everytime i switched to a new band, i had to re set the mic gain as alc was all over the place.
however, i was extremely disappointed with 2m and 70cms. even with preamp on, it was deaf as a post!
soon got shot of it.
about 8 months ago, my trusty ft 847 started to go off, and it was time to look for something else. i considered another ft 991a but saw another ts2k advertised fairly locally to me. owner said he only used it for 2m digi.
it looked brand new, and bonus, it was fitted with the cool blue led display. after a quick rx on hf and 2m, a deal was done.
back in the shack, and full testing. alc/mic gain set once and good for all hf and 6m bands.
however, i found the vhf and uhf to be far superior to the last one i had, and i rarely turn the preamp on for 2m and 70cms!!
biggest surprise was rxing local airport on subband and airband freqs on ts2k there is no preamp available. it still outshot the ft 847 with its preamp on by a large margin.
is it perfect, no, but for now its doing a grand job for this yaesu fanboy! i have looked for faults, but have come up short. its a keeper ! im sure if kenwood made an updated model with 1.2gigs included , they surely would sell a boatload!
this is an updated review!
i have always found the ts 2000 to be noisey on hf rx.
my location has a lot to do with that, surrounded by hydro poles, and during summer months, terrible line noise.
the nb does little to nothing to help here. this year line noise has not been a problem, so using the 2k more.
what i have noticed, is on hf, if the s meter is hovering around s3 to s6 in the absense of signals, just band noise etc, with the preamp in, i also switch in the attenuator. this drops the s meter to 0 to s1 on most upper bands. this makes the signal to noise ratio much better, and im able to hear/work staions down at low levels.
i guess just the same as on the old ts 830. shut off the agc, and control the gain with rf gain control.
anyhoo. doing that on 14 thru 28 makes this radio perform better, and my ears dont fall off after extended time in the shack. vhf and uhf are still excellent, and thats with the preamp turned off. btw. i now have 2 ts 2000 radios in the shack. one strictly for vhf and uhf, the other for 6 and hf.
again, not a bad radio for being a boat anchor
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|
| SV1SLB |
Rating: |
2024-02-06 | |
| If the filters were better, it would be an amazing rig |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
Bought mine some 3 years ago from a fellow ham how had it since new, just because I wanted THIS radio too in my collection. I can't complain for the features it has. In fact if you search in today's market for a tranceiver will all these, simply put, you don't get one.
BUT, there are some things that show it's age. And I don't mean the goodies of the latest models, like watefall etc. I mean the lack of descent filters. It's noisy, you can not get rid of the band noise, whatever you do.
I have it side by side with my ic 7300. When I press the NR on the Icom, it does a descent job. You can really copy the voice at the other end. I turn the antenna switch to the 2000, and imediately I hear noise that I am unable to filter. The NR1 does some job, the NR2 mutes almost everything! There is no comparison between the audio that reaches my ears between the two. On the other hand you can use the Kenwood literaly on every frequency. You can use it as a radio, just to listen to radio stations. It can even receive at ULF, something that the 7300 is uncapable as the 7000 too.
There is a station at 77,5 Khz. It's a highly accurate 77.5 kHz (3868. 2897806 m wavelength) carrier signal is generated from local atomic clocks that are linked with the German master clocks at the PTB in Braunschweig. The DCF77 time signal is used for the dissemination of the German national legal time to the public.
The 2000 receives it exceptionaly well. The 7000 and the 7300 are both completely deaf. Nothing.
If it hadn't this disadvantage on the "filtration" of the band noise, ti would be an amazing rig. I even purchased a DSP speaker to use, but it has a small delay until the DSP kicks in, so it's not so pleasent to hear.
All in all, since there is not a new radio having the same capabilities as the 2000, I just have to keep it. |
|
| KA2AYR |
Rating: |
2024-01-21 | |
| Okay if it's maintained within spec. |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I got my TS-2000 from a friend's estate when he became a silent key. It works well on HF, and I've earned several awards with it, but my primary reason for the radio was my desire for a reliable 6 meter radio. I was using a buggy IC-751A with a Downeast Microwave transverter, but I needed something a little more serious.
I achieved VUCC on 6 meters, but I noticed that I missed DX other hams in my area were hearing. I simply heard nothing. That was with a 5 element Yagi.
So, I am digging into the radio and will probably rework/replace several components in the receiver chain. Some of these issues are well-documented. My goal is to get that resolved before I lose another 11 years of solar activity.
If I can work through the 6 meter issues, this will remain a fine radio for me. If not, I'll need to go on an odyssey for which transceiver has the best performance on 6 meters. I haven't even tried it on 2 meters or 432 yet.
The radio will work well with WSJT-X, the N3FJP logging and contesting software, and RT Systems programming software. I use a Signalink USB interface, and I have a sequencer for an HF amplifier to use with this radio.
I haven't noticed a port for a transverter (haven't really tried very hard). The 751A had specific breakouts for using a transverter with it. I'd love to make it a peak performer if I can. We'll see what happens. |
|
| VK2HEY |
Rating: |
2023-10-13 | |
| Keep your fingers crossed. |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
Sold since I first reviewed it on Jul 11, 2009 06:34.
Was running fine since being repaired for its total 70cm failure (see below) except that just recently, we discovered the audio on 70cm SSB is terrible and I suspect this has been the case since 2009 because this is the first instance I think I have tried 70cm SSB.
My advice after having one of these repaired is to comprehensively check everything. Just because it sounds alright on FM or 2m SSB, doesn't mean it's OK elsewhere.
I cursed the teeny numeric keypad buttons. I tend to use it in conjunction with HRD and HRD was used exclusively to program the memories until HRD deleted that function. If you like scanning memories, forget the TS-2000. For some reason mine only scans about two memories per second. VFO scan is fast but I really can't understand Kenwood's thinking here. HRD's Bandscope tool saves the day.
On a lot of levels, I actually prefer the IC-7000 - a swiss army knife mobile rig which I bought when the 2000 first failed and hasn't been a problem. One area the Icom excels is noise blanking and notch filtering. NB on the Kenwood doesn't seem to do anything except distort received audio and notching out whistles requires multiple steps and juggling of the DSP controls, BC, Manual BC, AN and manual AN, where the Icom is far simpler.
The FUNCtion button is painful because I am forever jumping from one side of the radio to the other to activate secondary functions. Better to just push and hold.
I still think this radio is a flawed gem. The longer it continues to run without problems, the happier I'll become but I still wonder from time to time: what next?
----------------------
Earlier 2-star review posted by VK2FANG on 2009-07-11
Please note that all repairs were done under warranty.
The TS-2000 is superbly disappointing. I would be quite happy to see my life out with the TS-2000 except that it appears it will not itself survive beyond four years.
I received the excruciating news last week that it will be a month before parts arrive after it suddenly failed to TX on 70cm on all modes. I only got it back about two weeks prior after it stopped TXing on all HF and 2m bands on all modes. Replaced were two driver transistors (2SC1972) and a blown fuse. It now appears we’re up for another round. Why? From the tidbits of information I am gleaning from around the net (no thanks to Kenwood in this regard – they remain deathly silent!) Kenwood have re-designed the affected area of the TS-2000. This is little consolation to me who is left with what appears to be a flawed and insufficiently tested and hurriedly produced lemon.
When I first got it, I was immediately appreciative of how Kenwood had brought many of the functions that were buried in the menus of the 570, out onto the control surface of the TS-2000. The 2000 is also a fantastic companion to Ham Radio Deluxe and the memory management via HRD (was) heaven sent (except HRD repealed that function). Operationally by itself, the TS-2000 is great except for the tiny numeric keypad buttons. For goodness sake, it’s an amateur transceiver not a mobile phone and the longer I look at my dead TS-2000, the more I wonder about all that wasted space.
The Kenwood TS-2000 is unique and hard to ignore for the price but I cannot tell you just how depressing it is when any part of it stops. If the re-design is true, buying a second hand unit will be very risky because you don’t want an early version. If you already own one and it hangs together, you’ll probably hang on to it because their re-sale value will be pffft. |
|
| VE7REN |
Rating: |
2022-11-20 | |
| Great radio,Excellent capabilities,Lacking reciever |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
nov 20/2022 update-
this radio is amazing with capabilities and the transmit performance is excellent. i have used 2-ts 2000 here in my shack for ALL bands with 100s if not,a thousand or more qso,s. the only thing lacking is the reciever! as ive mentioned before. An external speaker of good performance will help,along with some tailoring of the hi and low filtering. overall a very capabale radio that i would recommend!
dec 2/2019 review
my 2016 model ts-2000.
I just acquired in new condition. ive always wanted to try the ts2000,but have opted for other radios over the years. finally acquired one,and I can say,it is a nice radio feature wise,but...... the receiver is lacking.. big time. I cant find the sweet spot like I can with my 7300,7410,756 pro3, and yes,my 718 sounds better in receive. no lie. I'm happy with all other aspects of the 2000,but the receiver just isn't pleasant like other radios.. I knew this going into the purchase!
.
Verdict... if your looking for a overall flexable radio to do everything. get this one. if you want a radio to work some dx,and daily rag chews,get this one.if you like daily rag chews and dx along with being enjoyable to listen to for long periods.. look elsewhere..would I buy again?,yes.....,i did in febuary 2019.The the price was right on one of the LAST new ts2000. I purchased this radio from DX Engineering.overall still not a bad radio,but leaves me wanting more from the reciever |
|
| N4ALR |
Rating: |
2022-05-31 | |
| Great transmit, noisy receive somewhat |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
Having had a ts2000 since 2009, i have had a good bit of talk time in those years. It is great for a rag chew and dx contacts. No transceiver is great without a great microphone . My microphone is the heil with the hc5 element in it. Get plenty of great comments on the audio. You have to run it fairly warm, but it will drive my alpha 8410 with ease. The antenna will bring out your transceivers performance. Lots of times complaints about noisy transceivers, it is the antenna to blame The antenna that i have is the full wave loop. It allows the ts2000 to dig out signals, with it horozontial polarization.
Never really liked the sideband on 2 meters. It is hard to get on frequency with other stations.. all in all a great transceiver.!!! |
|
| AD5NM |
Rating: |
2022-05-14 | |
| Very Reliable |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| I've had my TS 2000X since they were introduced and it is as reliable today as it ever was. A bit unusual for an early model of a new design yet it has seen a great deal of use. |
|
| KE7KK |
Rating:  |
2022-05-13 | |
| it will go dead |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
| If it hasn't failed it will, had broke, all my buddies had one broke just horrible |
|
| N4BOZ |
Rating: |
2022-04-23 | |
| Decent Shack-in-the-box |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I've owned this rig for probably 4 years+ now, bought it at a great deal from a church that was clearing out their ham shack because they hadn't used it. My intention was to flip-it and make money and invest in an ICOM 7300 because it had just come out.
BUT, I hooked it up and have used it as my main rig for 4+ years now. I've worked 64 countries. made 1000's of QSO's, have done FT-4, FT-8, PSK31, RTTY, WinLink to send emails, etc. all by adding a SignaLink. It is great on 2m, 70cm with lots of power. I use it with a Heil ProSet Elite and get great audio reports from nearly everyone I talk to.
This radio is a solid performer, albeit not the best HF receiver on the planet. It's provided years of use and works as intended. |
|
| WB4IVG |
Rating: |
2021-04-07 | |
| It Has Its Place, As was Said, "A Jack of All Trades |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| And the Master of None!" Is how the old saying goes and true for this radio, The "Swiss Army Knife" of radios........... You would not however want to take a Swiss Army knife into combat..... But it is much better to have that knife than no knife at all! Pretty much sums up the TS-2000. I have been a Ham since 1966 and have owned almost any radio that you can name. I still own quite a few of them, according to my wife WAY TOO MANY! That said, I have done a direct comparison between the TS-2000 and several other radios including the Icom 746PRO, an Icom IC-706MKIIG, Yaesu FT-897D, Kenwood TS-430, TS-440SAT, TS-570DG, TS-940SAT, Icom IC-775DSP, Collins KWM380, and the RF Harris RF-3200. Without a doubt, the TS-2000 is a good Mediocre radio, nothing and I mean absolutely nothing stands out about the transmit capability of this radio. I have never been given one complement about the Tx audio. As for the Receive it definitely has no edge on any of the radios that I listed above in fact several of them outshine the receive capability of the TS-2000 by a large margin. The TS-2000 is a good middle-of-the-road radio with a ton of features, however several of the above-mentioned radios are a pure pleasure to listen to, in fact, I kept my TS-570DG because it was a better receiver in many ways than the TS-2000 and the TS-590S that I sold. I will never sell my TS-2000 simply because My Dad now (SK) bought it. But the IC-775DSP and the TS-940SAT sit in my HF Desktop positions. Even the little FT-897D has a much better and simpler receiver to use. No Radio no matter who made it is a pleasure to use if you spend more time in the menus than you do using the radio! I'd rather go to a cafeteria than stare into a menu wondering what the true outcome will be. It was said long ago, "If You Try To Be Too Much Too Many You Wind Up Being Too Little To Everyone!" this is certainly true in the case of this radio! It is sort of like kissing your sister, it ain't too bad but it ain't too good either! |
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