Kenwood TS-890S worth it in 2024?

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  • čas přidán 7. 06. 2024
  • In this video, Mark G1DX explores the Kenwood TS-890S to see if it still holds up in 2024. Spoiler alert: it absolutely does! Mark highlights the outstanding features and enduring quality of this classic ham radio.
    Watch now to find out why the TS-890S remains a top choice for ham radio enthusiasts. Ready to add this excellent radio to your collection?
    Purchase here: www.hamradio.co.uk/ts890
    Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more ham radio content!
    Running Order:
    00:00 - Intro
    01:00 - Front Pannel
    02:30 - Graphic Equaliser
    03:45 - Modern Features
    06:15 - Design
    07:08 - TS-590S Compatibility
    07:45 - Remote Control
    08:30 - Encoding/Decoding
    08:50 - Under the lid
    10:20 - CQ Parrot
    11:48 - Keying Options Linear
    12:40 - Built-in Tuner
    13:10 - Roofing Filters
    14:00 - Inputs/Outputs
    17:27 - Operating the Radio
    25:30 - Overview
    #HamRadio #KenwoodTS890 #RadioReview #2024 #HamRadioUK #Kenwood #TS890S
    Ham Radio Store: www.hamradio.co.uk/
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  • Věda a technologie

Komentáře • 69

  • @dazzp2
    @dazzp2 Před 16 dny +5

    This is not only become iconic , but it's a fab investment, possibly the finest radio ever

  • @shuravko
    @shuravko Před 22 dny +10

    The best guy in ML. Highly recommended, awesome customer service.

  • @willtopower2158
    @willtopower2158 Před 15 dny +2

    I love my 890, it does everything I want it to do. I keep finding new buttons to push, yesterday I found the MONI button. It enables me to hear my transmission through my speaker or headphones and it is adjustable! Fabulous radio!

  • @richardj.constantine7891
    @richardj.constantine7891 Před 21 dnem +8

    About time someone said just how good the TS-890s really is, well done . I've always regarded this radio as a, 'sleeper' that will be become appreciated as time goes by . For me the TS-990s was wonderful but true overkill and this is just right visually and operationally a real , users radio. .I'm a technical writer, reviewer and photographer and I love my TS-890s it's worth every penny . I've had it almost a year now and I still haven't run out of features and benefits to explore. The CW performance is phenomenal ! I love how you can set/limit the frequency span of the display. It's so useful on crowded bands or contests helping you to find the gaps . My favourite feature of all is that if you tune off the end of the display the radio will re set the cursor to the centre and ad just the tuning range on the bottom of the display to match so that you're never just reliant on the frequency counter once you've gone off scale. - You didn't include it but it also does RTTY . There's an on-screen clock for logging, and I love to set mine with bar graph display of ALC and SWR displayed just below the bandwidth display, top right really gives you confidence that all is well. - love it , love it ! Richard G3UGF

  • @m1icl827
    @m1icl827 Před 22 dny +21

    The trouble for me with a big money purchase of anything (this is big money to me) is to know how future proof the product is. Kenwood show nothing other than they are pulling out of the market - look at their range. The 590SG - 10 years old? The 990 - gone. They do a few mobile a few handhelds and have not produced any SDR stuff? This may be the best radio in the world but in my opinion it could become another DeLorean.

    • @votisb
      @votisb Před 21 dnem +5

      The great thing about HF radio is there's not really anything to future proof. It receives and transmits JF radio signals.
      My TS830M still works just great as do 1960s boat anchors.
      As will this in 20 years time.

    • @m1icl827
      @m1icl827 Před 21 dnem +4

      @@votisb True of the older gear but not this stuff. Firmware updates, bespoke screens etc etc. Remember the Icom 756 Pro screen issues.

    • @votisb
      @votisb Před 21 dnem +3

      ​@m1icl827 doesn't *need* firmware updates. It has a display out so if in years to come the inbuilt one goes it'll still be usable.
      I'd happily have one if I could afford it. I'd use it and enjoy it. Not worry about what might happen in years to come :)

    • @m1icl827
      @m1icl827 Před 21 dnem +2

      You pays your money you makes your choice.

    • @cyberia55
      @cyberia55 Před 20 dny +3

      Why do you say the TS-990 is *gone*? You can still purchase them, and get one shipped within 2 days if you can afford one.

  • @DXCommanderHQ
    @DXCommanderHQ Před 21 dnem +13

    Mark.. First class review mate. Top Banana. Callum.

    • @Martin_Lynch
      @Martin_Lynch  Před 18 dny +1

      Thanks Callum - maybe good to attach to a Top Banana HF DX Antenna, now let me think....... :-)

  • @user-bw3of4he5b
    @user-bw3of4he5b Před 21 dnem +4

    Love the 890, have the 990,890,590 available here, but for ease of use it the 890 every time.
    Two 890's in the shack one on HF/6/4m on Gemini DX 1200 with the other on 6/4m 300w amp, then they are paired up for our contest ops on HF. Thanks for your presentation.

    • @Martin_Lynch
      @Martin_Lynch  Před 18 dny +1

      Kenwood Factory take note, a very good customer here :-) Your collection is a great test of quality and consistency

  • @PrecisionGroupYT
    @PrecisionGroupYT Před 16 dny +2

    Not having dual receive was the killer for me and no I couldn’t jump to the 990 a bit too much $$! But the 890s is a beautiful radio indeed thank you 73

  • @ThumpMaster6
    @ThumpMaster6 Před 22 dny +6

    I saw the preview and though "ML&S are teasing a big announcement at Hamvention"...and yet, here we are yet again. Sigh. Come on JVCKenwood...we all have thousands of $ and Ł to spend, ICOM has sold over 100 THOUSAND 7300's...and still you can't even give us a glimmer of hope in 2024. Sigh. Love you guys from across-the-pond 73 de KN4HGI - your pal, Thumpy

    • @Martin_Lynch
      @Martin_Lynch  Před 18 dny +2

      Well we did get the TH-D75, but yes new HF toys always welcome :-)

    • @ThumpMaster6
      @ThumpMaster6 Před 18 dny +1

      @@Martin_Lynch They did let slip at Dayton Hamvention that a tri-band mobile radio is in-the-works. So…hope against hope that we see something more solid after the big ‘fest in Japan this August. Great review guys!

  • @davidrennolds969
    @davidrennolds969 Před 21 dnem +2

    Great video. Had mine for about 3 years. Solidly built. Always get good audio reports. Learnt a few tricks from the video. 73.

    • @Martin_Lynch
      @Martin_Lynch  Před 18 dny +1

      Thank you, a compliment indeed from a long standing owner.

  • @frankjankovich3512
    @frankjankovich3512 Před 21 dnem +2

    Great video. Learned a lot and now able to use many features I was not aware of.

    • @Martin_Lynch
      @Martin_Lynch  Před 18 dny +2

      Its great to have a feature rich Radio that keeps delivering a journey of discovery.

  • @chrisb012
    @chrisb012 Před 2 dny

    That’s a gorgeous radio. If I decide to operate QRO, I might have to get me one of these.

  • @2E0VPF
    @2E0VPF Před 22 dny +5

    I loved mine, but the 990s I had off you was a step up..slightly. 890s is a fantastic bit of kit.

    • @Martin_Lynch
      @Martin_Lynch  Před 18 dny +1

      The 890 & 990 are both Radios that compel their owners to get on air

  • @Homer19521
    @Homer19521 Před 20 dny +2

    You missed the center scroll that Icom & Yaesu does not have. Also the Sliderule SWL screen is incredible well done. 👍 One adjustment I wished it had was the ability to tune at the 0.1kHz level. My Icom & Yaesu do.

  • @yamakawa511
    @yamakawa511 Před 19 dny +2

    Good summary, the build quality and feel of the TS-890s is exceptional. Y

  • @claudio6493
    @claudio6493 Před 21 dnem +2

    Bravo! clear and well-spoken Grazie!

    • @Martin_Lynch
      @Martin_Lynch  Před 18 dny +2

      piacere totale ed assoluto - I think thats correct?

    • @claudio6493
      @claudio6493 Před 18 dny +1

      Perfetto.... Grazie mille 👌👍👌👍👌👍

  • @SSN515
    @SSN515 Před 21 dnem +2

    I have one. Best rig I've had. Just beware the auto tuners are eating themselves due to faulty caps. There is a TSB on it, and you have to ship the radio to them (expensive) AFTER it goes out, not before. I have a LDG external tuner on mine to save me from future headaches.

    • @Martin_Lynch
      @Martin_Lynch  Před 18 dny +1

      ML&S along with Kenwood try to ensure that we have happy Customers. We endeavour to see our Customers are not out of pocket for genuine warranty claims.

  • @smiffykuk
    @smiffykuk Před 21 dnem +2

    Excellent review as usual…I’ve had the 990 and really liked it.. but it was getting old so I changed it.. unfortunately the 890 was out of my price range… for DX guys, it has no second VFO.. but great kit.
    Encode and decide is excellent as mentioned..

    • @wesstewart102
      @wesstewart102 Před 21 dnem +3

      It has a second VFO, it does not have a second receiver. In 65+ years of chasing DX I've never owned a transceiver with two receivers. If I can work Glorioso in the next week or so, I will have them all. N7WS

    • @smiffykuk
      @smiffykuk Před 19 dny

      Apologies, I meant to say decode and second RX. Answered before engaging brain 😂

  • @Rubedo777
    @Rubedo777 Před 21 dnem +1

    I’m going to have one of these… 😵‍💫 Lot of money yes, but better to get what you want than wishing you had 🤔 whatever your choice is. Thanks for the demo… can see you like this Kenwood because you had your arm around it all the time… 😊
    Best wishes to everyone.73 💙

    • @Martin_Lynch
      @Martin_Lynch  Před 18 dny +1

      Oh, could you tell ;-/ !, our stock is fresh in from the factory.

  • @ivandubinsky1857
    @ivandubinsky1857 Před 22 dny +1

    I had one and it was the best rig I've ever used. I sold it to a friend who wanted it really badly and kind of regret it now.

  • @brianspilsbury8953
    @brianspilsbury8953 Před 21 dnem +1

    excellent review. Brian VE3gue

  • @PaulBaur
    @PaulBaur Před 19 dny +1

    Many radios limit the IF bandwidth which of course is usually desirable; however, this hamstrings (pardon the pun) digital modes like FT8. My favorite '890S feature is the 15kHz roofing filter -- you get a bigger waterfall (you can see more stations)!

  • @Bernard-John
    @Bernard-John Před 21 dnem +2

    Hi,good interesting video, well explained, it seems all the flagship models, in day to day operation,there's properly not much in it regarding tx/rx perceived performance, if so I think it boils down to the aesthetics,or how it looks, and not of course forgetting the price, maybe after operating one I might think differently, but I am very happy with the Icom 7610, well that's my 2 cert worth, 73s from Rotterdam 🙏

  • @ICEDoTDK
    @ICEDoTDK Před 18 dny +1

    Beautiful radio

    • @Martin_Lynch
      @Martin_Lynch  Před 18 dny +1

      TS-890s is the 'looker' out of all of the Base Station HF Radios in current production

  • @tonyd6884
    @tonyd6884 Před 21 dnem +2

    I’ve had an IC 7610 for 4 years. I wish I had gone with a Kenwood

    • @Homer19521
      @Homer19521 Před 20 dny +1

      Just get the 890. You'll then have the best of Icom & Kenwood. I am blessed to have both.

    • @Martin_Lynch
      @Martin_Lynch  Před 18 dny

      The Ic-7610 has dual receivers, the TS-890s has the build quality, 4M, included remote software, 18 Band Graphic &.....

  • @taylorlavata2837
    @taylorlavata2837 Před 21 dnem +2

    I would hope it would be quality at that price

    • @Martin_Lynch
      @Martin_Lynch  Před 18 dny

      I agree, though compared to some items that only have short lives (CellPhones), it's a bargain.

  • @BLACKHEAT1028
    @BLACKHEAT1028 Před 19 dny +2

    I just got my TS-890s a few months ago, upgraded from Yaesu FT-991A(keeping it for the UHF/VHF) I wanted a real full size base station with buttons and not menu driven. I paired this with a Heil PR-10 microphone (why doesn't Kenwood include one for the price) and I use the standard eq settings for TX/RX and adjusted mic gain and ACL, nothing but great reports of how clean and clear my audio is. I was looking at this and the Yaesu 101, I am glade I chose the TS-890s. I had the extra filter installed, I like how High Cut and Low Cut helps reduce interference from other station that is close. Now just looking for a screen protector.

    • @Martin_Lynch
      @Martin_Lynch  Před 18 dny +1

      There are some excellent Owner reviews of the TS-890S on CZcams that I would encourage watching, that have more depth and detail.

  • @LeeShand
    @LeeShand Před 22 dny +1

    I run one with an Elecraft 500Watt AMP and Tuner. I personally do not think there is anything better for this bracket of radio.

  • @brianmoss5483
    @brianmoss5483 Před 21 dnem +1

    I want one

  • @rogertuffin6881
    @rogertuffin6881 Před 22 dny

    Noted your comment about the acceleration facility of the main tuning control. I have a 7300 (supplied by you) which has that and one feature I would hate to lose is not acceleration, but the ability (on Mhz) to move across the whole of the display area in just over half a turn of the dial. Can the 890 be configured to do that with the main tuning control or do you have to use a separate control for that purpose please?

  • @M0RMY
    @M0RMY Před 22 dny +1

    I love my 990 (from you guys) in fact the only thing the 890 does better is that you can have the "analogue" signal meter alongside the waterfall option - the 990 doesn't allow this! Build quality is superb as you say Mark. Thanks for the good video.

    • @Martin_Lynch
      @Martin_Lynch  Před 18 dny

      Thank you for the info, I did not know that.

  • @christerpstra6032
    @christerpstra6032 Před 21 dnem

    It has TS-890 on the front and not the TS-890S, why the S?

  • @Drpepper99uk
    @Drpepper99uk Před 21 dnem +3

    I have this radio and it's fantastic. Been a long time Kenwood radio fan. However I'm not so impressed that they have nothing new to offer at Hamvention this year...pretty poor show. The 990 is discontinued and has been around since 2013 so anyone looking for a top spec, dual VFO radio is out of luck when looking at Kenwood for this, then you have the shack in the box TS2000 which was a great starter radio for those wanting something that does everything...that's been discontinued after a very long run(18 years) and there's no replacement for that. Then you have mobile 2/70 digital....nothing for that. Seems to me as if Kenwood are winding down their amateur radio efforts bit by bit. I was really hoping we'd see a flagship SDR based HF radio announced this week from them to compete with the Likes of Yaesu and Icom and others.

  • @pa3crl
    @pa3crl Před 20 dny +1

    Thanks !! PA3CRL