Manager


Manager - NA4M
Manager Notes

Reviews For: Kenwood TS-2000

Category: Transceivers: HF Amateur HF+6M+VHF+UHF models - non QRP <5W

eMail Subscription

Registered users are allowed to subscribe to specific review topics and receive eMail notifications when new reviews are posted.
Review Summary For : Kenwood TS-2000
Reviews: 460MSRP: 2300
Description:
Kenwood HF radio
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.kenwood.net/indexKenwood.cfm?do=ProductDetails&ProdID=5016&Group=5
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
144604.4
N4VNV Rating: 2010-05-08
BEST EVER Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have the completely opposite evaluation of the Kenwood TS-2000. It's MUCH quieter on receive than my IC-746PRO. Which I have owned for almost four years. AND the DNR works MUCH better than the Icom's. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO to remove the "STATIC" noise, is change the setting of the High and Low filters. It makes a whole other world of listening pleasure. The default setting is 300 Low & 2600 High. I prefer 200 Low & 2800 High. It makes a world of difference. Also I run the NB at the highest setting unless bleedover is strong. Then I reduce the NB setting to a #6. Do some experimentation for your own "best" settings. Not all of us have perfect hearing.
IK0YKM Rating: 2010-04-27
to be a quad works too well ... Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Good transceiver, beautiful design.
However I prefer VHF/UHF (also for satellite traffic)
HF section is not bad but could be improved.
It's a good solution for confined spaces.
I would definitely recommend to everybody
Henry
KB1NXL Rating: 2010-04-21
Was a fantastic radio - when it worked! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I purchased the TS-2000 based on the recommendations of fellow hams. At the time of purchase, there were no competitors (ICOM, YAESU, ELECRAFT, TEN-TEC, ALINCO) offering the complete package that Kenwood offered. The price was fair and reasonable. With all the pros going for it, and the cons centering on its ergonomics (a 'radical' design for a ham band radio) I burned the plastic and awaited the signal reports from my new rig. As expected, I received great TX audio reports, hands down, from all my contacts. The RX audio was fantastic also. The DSP was showing its age in relation the other rigs on the market, but that same market still does not have the "magic" button known as B.C. on the ts-2000. Press this little chitlit key and heterodynes disappear. PBT and DSP i've not seen on any other rig work as well.

Now, to the reason I gave this rig 4 out of 5. About two years ago, I noticed on the HF bands quite a lot of noise...didn't matter what band, nor what filters/dsp i had switched on. But, I could hear the DX and QSO's clearly. Progressively, the situation got worse, and finally, now after a 5 minute warmup, the s-meter pegs at 60+Db over S9, with a crackling, almost constant "lightning crash" noise with the QSOs being drowned out. Disconnecting the antenna did not remove this issue. This only happened on the HF bands, the 2M and 70cm RX/TX were unaffected. My TS-2000 now sits away from my station, which now has a IC-756 Pro II and Yaesu FT-2000D setup. IF anyone has similar issues with the TS-2000, drop me an email.

PS - No, the rig did not suffer any lightning hits, as i unplug the rig(s) on approaching storms...

73
Rick
KB1NXL
K1FPV Rating: 2010-04-21
For the price, it's tough to beat! Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I bought this rig primarily as a back-up for satellite work. I also occasionally use it on HF....mostly on CW. I have noticed that HRO and the other Ham specialty stores have lowered the price on them which leads me to believe that it will be discontinued soon. Too bad...it is a nice radio.

My primary 2 rigs are an Orion II and an FT-2000. This rig isn't quite as good as the FT-2000...and quite a bit behind the Orion II, but again....for the price and features it is great.

I too can't understand why VE2AYX made the comment he did about the IF shift. Hello...it is the second knob to the right of the mic connector. That plus the DSP IF bandwidth control make for a decent CW radio.

Get 'em before they go away!
EX_AA5JG Rating: 2010-04-20
Great radio Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I have owned a few TS2000s in the past. This rig does it all-more features than probably any other rig out there. The crossband repeat function is worth the price of admission-get on HF or 6m while walking around with an HT.

I don't understand VE2AYX's comment. The IF shift is right there on the front panel, using the SHIFT knob. It is right next to the WIDTH control.

KC2PLJ Rating: 2010-04-20
Excellent Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
The TS-2000 has been great so far, lots of features and tons of fun to use. Mine is primarily used on 2/432 SSB and it performs great. I am thinking about a second one soon. Mike KC2PLJ
K2DER Rating: 2010-04-20
Kenwood TS-2000 Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I bought the second TS-2000 simply the best multimode.
VE2AYX Rating: 2010-04-09
Miss an IF Shift Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Too bad Kenwood did not offer an IF shift.
The DSP does NOT do the job of reducing interference from a strong station nearby.

Got rid of mine for that reason.
N1MIE Rating: 2010-03-26
Great Radio Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've been using mine since March 2007 when I purchased it new. It is my primary base station radio. I have it connected to my computer using MacLoggerDX. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in a mid-level HF radio.
W9GDH Rating: 2010-02-17
Sky Command Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Had the TS-2000 over 3 years. Picked up a used TH-D7(G) to use Sky Command. Had some trouble getting Sky Command to work. I found info on the internet that the internal TNC needs to be manually reset via the comm port using a computer.
Now Sky Command works. Nice to walk the dog and still able to use the TS-2000.
I hope that any new Kenwood HF transceiver and Dual Band HT incorperate SKY COMMAND.

----------------------
Earlier 5-star review posted by W9GDH on 2009-04-26

Owned over two years. Remember this was the first DSP unit made. Over 9 year old design. Yes there are better transceivers out there. It is still one of the best in transmit audio. For the money, the best shack in the box equipment. It takes a licking and keeps on ticking.