It is a successful symbiosis of the best of the two worlds, SDR and classic mixer. I must say, it is the best transceiver I ever had.
TS 990 CW DECODER MANUAL
The lack of a "real" manual RF control and the toxic AF outputnoise (at least in my ears) in the absence of a rf-signal with the SDR receivers, caused me to buy the TS-890. During 6 years the IC-7600 then for the last 2 years the IC-7610. I had in the last 50 years different transceivers. I can confirm all the positively mentioned features of my prewrites 100%. If I had to chose one radio to stick with, of the several that I've been blessed to have then I would stick with the Kenwood TS 890S and before I ever tried, or obtained it, I would have never thought I would make that statement. Another con is that this is only one receiver and although it's a great one the price point you pay for this is in the company of other manufacturers dual receivers models such as the FTdx101d and IC7610 but given how great that single receiver is it's well worth consideration by any operator looking for a premium radio but if you really must have a dual receiver the TS890S is designed and set up where you can add that second receiver capability by adding and coupling a Kenwood TS590SG to it. The complaints are simply that the manual is quite complex and could be simplified but what you get is not only very complete and detailed but there is even a downloadable Extremely detailed manual you can get if the included one isn't enough to keep you busy. The reception quality of this radio is unmatched by the other radios I've tried and the display and layout of the controls along with the functions make this radio a keeper and frankly I chose to keep it and not seek an IC7610.Īre there some cons or dislikes? Yes, but they are extremely minor compared to what you get with this radio.
![ts-990 cw decoder ts-990 cw decoder](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/xFOv08XrVXs/mqdefault.jpg)
The build quality is every bit as good as many indicate it is and the many adjustments and settings you have on the radio enable you to adjust it to your every need/desire. Naturally, when I obtained the TS890S I hooked it up to try it and was blown away by the quality of this radio. I had planned on getting an ICOM IC7610 to try given that I really liked the IC7300 so when the TS890s came up for sale/trade from someone wanting an FTdx101D I jumped at it with the intent to trade the TS890S for an IC7610 feeling that the TS890 would trade better to my advantage. I was sad to find that my FTdx3000 actually had a better-sounding receiver and yes I'm aware of the Sherwood ratings but to my ear, the FTdx101d didn't compare to the FTdx3000. Over the last year, I decided to try a few of the newer radios so started trading around and obtained a Yaesu FTdx101D with high expectations given that I like the FTdx3000 so well. I also obtained a new Icom IC7300 & IC7100 which are also great radios but none of them matches the Kenwood TS890S for the total operating experience.
TS 990 CW DECODER SERIES
I've had many radios over the years starting with a Kenwood TS520S to start and have had radios such as a TenTec Omni-D Series B, Kenwood TS 120 & TS440S and Yaesu radios such as the FT101E, FT901 & FT902, along with the newer Yaesu radios like the FTdx3000 which I've been extremely impressed with. This radio totally surprised and delighted me. It's obviously shares similar DNA and doctrine to the 890S.
TS 990 CW DECODER UPGRADE
I've just completed a hyper performance upgrade to my TS940S with the inbuilt filters all upgraded as well as all optional filters.
![ts-990 cw decoder ts-990 cw decoder](https://data2.manualslib.com/first-image/i17/82/8106/810599/kenwood-ts-990s.jpg)
Cost wise, sadly with no Kenwood presence in Oceania, the landed price after GST, freight, imposts, and non descript fees was AUD$6299, approx half the price of a new IC7851, and after seeing it working, its a keeper! Head to head with an IC-785x, the SSB NR of of the Kenwood was noticeably better, my leanings are strong to the 890s, with a more comfortable receive audio. What really impressed, the Noise Reduction and Noise Blankers that really do dig out those weak signals.
![ts-990 cw decoder ts-990 cw decoder](https://www.hamshop.com/media/catalog/product/cache/c2f908ce78fa8316dfcaf74a6e282ec0/k/e/kenwood-ts990s.jpg)
Setting the radio TX audio up according to Bob Heils's lecture "intelligibility" advice was straightforward, and great to see a Formant filter selection on RX! Figured I'd see how intuitive it was leaving the manual on the shelf, and it was surprisingly straightforward to operate on SSB. Just added a Feb 2021 build TS890S + YG-82CN-1 to my kit for my birthday.