Kenwood TS-2000
Encyclopedia
The Kenwood TS-2000 is an amateur radio
transceiver manufactured by the Kenwood Corporation. Introduced in the year 2000, the radio has come to be very popular among hams for its "all-in-one" functionality. It can transmit on all amateur radio bands between 160 meters
and 70 centimeters
, with the exception of the 1.25 meters
and 33 centimeters
bands, and the "X" model also has built-in 23 centimeters
band capability (which can be added to other models after purchase as an accessory).
As of October 2009, the TS-2000 is the most reviewed HF transceiver on the popular Product Review section of eHam http://www.eham.net/reviews/products/14, with 439 reviews and an average rating of 4.5 (out of 5).
, 6 meters
, and 2 meters
bands, 50 watts on 70 centimeters
, and, with the TS-2000X or the optional UT-20, 10 watts on the 1.2 GHz or 23 centimeters
band. The (American version) radio's main receiver covers 30 kHz through 60 MHz, 142 MHz through 152 MHz, and 420 through 450 MHz (plus 1240 through 1300 MHz with the "X" model). The sub-receiver tunes between 118 and 174 MHz, and from 220 to 512 MHz (VFO ranges). http://www.rffun.com/catalog/hamhf/1978spec.html
On the radio's main receiver, Kenwood chose to use DSP
at the IF
level, so a very flexible selection of bandwidths are available without the purchase of mechanical filters, as was necessary on past radios. Users can adjust the low-cut and high-cut frequencies to arrive at the desired bandwidth.
Some of the more novel features are backlit keys, a built-in TNC for receiving DX Packet Cluster information, and the Sky Command II+ system (found on the K-Model), which allows for remote control of the transceiver using Kenwood's TH-D7A handheld or TM-D700A mobile radio.
Some users have complained of a "noisy receiver" on the high frequency portion of the radio. This has tended to be disputed between various reviews on the eham.net site. Though there has been a modification developed that addresses this issue, it involves the replacement of 24 band switching diodes.
ARCS II registered users may use Command and Control to provide voice control of over 27 basic functions of the TS-2000. You can talk to your radio and it responds (Microsoft SAPI 5.1 or higher is necessary to use the voice commands).
Registered users can also experiment with APRS and its graphics, the satellite functions of the radio or capture a few current radio settings to the ARCS memory database. These features are in development. The satellite operating features include the ability to change the satellite frequencies from the PC.
Memory Control Program MCP-2000 Version 0.00 Beta - Free http://www.kenwood.com/i/products/info/amateur/mcp_download.htm
Radio Control Program ARCP-2000 Version 1.10 - Free Update for older versions of ARCP-2000 (~$80 USD/Free with TS-B2000) http://www.kenwood.com/i/products/info/amateur/arcp2000.html. This program is supplied by Kenwood for the TS-B2000 "Silver Bullet" radio with no front panel. It has all the front panel controls and allows change of all of the menu parameters that define how the radio operates. Control of the TS-2000 and the TS-2000X is the same as the TS-2000.
Amateur radio
Amateur radio is the use of designated radio frequency spectrum for purposes of private recreation, non-commercial exchange of messages, wireless experimentation, self-training, and emergency communication...
transceiver manufactured by the Kenwood Corporation. Introduced in the year 2000, the radio has come to be very popular among hams for its "all-in-one" functionality. It can transmit on all amateur radio bands between 160 meters
160 meters
Just above the mediumwave broadcast band, 160 meters is the lowest radio frequency band allocation available to amateur radio operators in most countries. Seasoned operators often refer to 160 meters as the Top Band...
and 70 centimeters
70 centimeters
The 70-centimeter amateur radio band is a portion of the UHF radio spectrum. This band is used by amateurs engaged in emergency communications where portable and mobile radios are frequently used. Many such radios have dual-band capabilities, operating on both the 70-centimeter and 2-meter bands.-...
, with the exception of the 1.25 meters
1.25 meters
The 1.25 meter, 220 MHz or 222 MHz band is a portion of the VHF radio spectrum internationally allocated for amateur radio use on a primary basis in ITU Region 2, and it comprises frequencies from 220 MHz to 225 MHz...
and 33 centimeters
33 centimeters
The 33-centimeter or 900 MHz band is a portion of the UHF radio spectrum internationally allocated to amateur radio on a secondary basis. It ranges from 902 to 928 MHz and is unique to ITU Region 2. It is primarily used for very local communications as opposed to bands lower in frequency...
bands, and the "X" model also has built-in 23 centimeters
23 centimeters
The 23 centimeter, 1200 MHz or 1.2 GHz band is a portion of the UHF radio spectrum internationally allocated to amateur radio and amateur satellite use on a secondary basis. The amateur radio band is between 1240 MHz and 1300 MHz...
band capability (which can be added to other models after purchase as an accessory).
As of October 2009, the TS-2000 is the most reviewed HF transceiver on the popular Product Review section of eHam http://www.eham.net/reviews/products/14, with 439 reviews and an average rating of 4.5 (out of 5).
Variations
- TS-2000, the standard base station model, with the regional versions
- K-Type for the Americas;
- E-Type for Europe;
- E2-Type for Spain;
- TS-2000X, same as the above with the addition 1.2 GHz (23 cm band) capability;
- TS-B2000, a sleek "black box" unit requiring a computer or an optional mobile control panel for control
- TS-2000LE, limited production TS-2000 with a black finish to celebrate Kenwood's 60th Anniversary
Features
The TS-2000 is a feature-rich transceiver designed to appeal to users who want a high amount of capability and versatility in a single radio. As an "all-band" transceiver, the TS-2000 offers a maximum power output of 100 watts on the HFHigh frequency
High frequency radio frequencies are between 3 and 30 MHz. Also known as the decameter band or decameter wave as the wavelengths range from one to ten decameters . Frequencies immediately below HF are denoted Medium-frequency , and the next higher frequencies are known as Very high frequency...
, 6 meters
6 meters
The 6-meter band is a portion of the VHF radio spectrum allocated to amateur radio use. Although located in the lower portion of the VHF band, it nonetheless occasionally displays propagation mechanisms characteristic of the HF bands. This normally occurs close to sunspot maximum, when solar...
, and 2 meters
2 meters
The 2-meter amateur radio band is a portion of the VHF radio spectrum, comprising frequencies stretching from 144.000 MHz to 148.000 MHz in International Telecommunication Union region Regions 2 and 3 and from 144.000 MHz to 146.000 MHz in ITU Region 1...
bands, 50 watts on 70 centimeters
70 centimeters
The 70-centimeter amateur radio band is a portion of the UHF radio spectrum. This band is used by amateurs engaged in emergency communications where portable and mobile radios are frequently used. Many such radios have dual-band capabilities, operating on both the 70-centimeter and 2-meter bands.-...
, and, with the TS-2000X or the optional UT-20, 10 watts on the 1.2 GHz or 23 centimeters
23 centimeters
The 23 centimeter, 1200 MHz or 1.2 GHz band is a portion of the UHF radio spectrum internationally allocated to amateur radio and amateur satellite use on a secondary basis. The amateur radio band is between 1240 MHz and 1300 MHz...
band. The (American version) radio's main receiver covers 30 kHz through 60 MHz, 142 MHz through 152 MHz, and 420 through 450 MHz (plus 1240 through 1300 MHz with the "X" model). The sub-receiver tunes between 118 and 174 MHz, and from 220 to 512 MHz (VFO ranges). http://www.rffun.com/catalog/hamhf/1978spec.html
On the radio's main receiver, Kenwood chose to use DSP
Digital signal processing
Digital signal processing is concerned with the representation of discrete time signals by a sequence of numbers or symbols and the processing of these signals. Digital signal processing and analog signal processing are subfields of signal processing...
at the IF
Intermediate frequency
In communications and electronic engineering, an intermediate frequency is a frequency to which a carrier frequency is shifted as an intermediate step in transmission or reception. The intermediate frequency is created by mixing the carrier signal with a local oscillator signal in a process called...
level, so a very flexible selection of bandwidths are available without the purchase of mechanical filters, as was necessary on past radios. Users can adjust the low-cut and high-cut frequencies to arrive at the desired bandwidth.
Some of the more novel features are backlit keys, a built-in TNC for receiving DX Packet Cluster information, and the Sky Command II+ system (found on the K-Model), which allows for remote control of the transceiver using Kenwood's TH-D7A handheld or TM-D700A mobile radio.
Some users have complained of a "noisy receiver" on the high frequency portion of the radio. This has tended to be disputed between various reviews on the eham.net site. Though there has been a modification developed that addresses this issue, it involves the replacement of 24 band switching diodes.
Radio Control Software
There are several sources for radio control software for the TS-2000 from Kenwood and other suppliers. The alphabetical list below generally describes each and has references to the web site of each program to allow more research and downloads:Amateur Radio Control System for the Kenwood TS-2000 by WB5KIA
ARCS II 1.42 is a free CAT program that controls most of the features of the TS-2000. It includes a logger for the visually impaired (Accessibility>ArticulateLog), an improved Remote Control panel for experimentation, an improved PSK interface, ARCSaprs, a module to monitor and transmit APRS packets with the internal TNC of the TS-2000 and to post station locations on maps and a SpiderDX and AR-Cluster modules to access DXClusters. The software is designed for Windows 95 and above. Some features only work in Windows 98 and above.ARCS II registered users may use Command and Control to provide voice control of over 27 basic functions of the TS-2000. You can talk to your radio and it responds (Microsoft SAPI 5.1 or higher is necessary to use the voice commands).
Registered users can also experiment with APRS and its graphics, the satellite functions of the radio or capture a few current radio settings to the ARCS memory database. These features are in development. The satellite operating features include the ability to change the satellite frequencies from the PC.
Commander
Commander allows you to control your Alinco, Elecraft, Flexradio, Icom, JRC, Kachina, Kenwood, TenTec, or Yaesu radio from a PC running Windows 95, 98, NT, 2000, XP, Vista, or 7. Commander is free, and contains no advertising; commercial use is expressly forbidden.Ham Radio Deluxe
Ham Radio Deluxe (HRD) is a suite of free Windows programs providing computer control for commonly used transceivers and receivers. HRD also includes mapping, satellite tracking and the digital mode program Digital Master 780 (DM780). HRD is designed for Windows 2000 or higher (XP, Vista, 7), also Internet Explorer 6.0 (or higher) is required. It may work with Windows 98 but this is not supported. The policy is to support Windows versions which are supported by Microsoft. HRD is free for Radio Amateurs, Shortwave Listeners (SWLs) and charitable organizations. Use by commercial organizations and government institutions requires a license from Simon Brown, HB9DRV.HamStationUltra
This software is supplied by Callsign Software based in Merrimack, N.H. Cost of the software on eBay (eBay seller is red_ella ) is $124.99 including world wide shipping. CallSign Software was first developed in year 2000 for the Ten Tec Pegasus. It has been in continuous development since then with about ten different versions available for Yaesu, Kenwood, Icom, and Ten Tec, radios. Each software set is compiled from C and C++ 32 bit language code specifically for the radio model listed. Currently all software products are being shipped as the 27th tested and released versions of HamStationUltra for transceivers and ScopeStationUltra for receivers. The software base has had 4 major changes in structure with the current 4xxx series delivered to customers for over three years. Over 1300 CallSign software sets have been sold to 25 countries on all continents. The software base is constantly being tested and improved by feedback from customers. The TS-2000 version is one of CallSign Software's best selling products.Kenwood
Firmware Update - Free http://www.kenwood.com/i/products/info/amateur/pop_ts2000.htmlMemory Control Program MCP-2000 Version 0.00 Beta - Free http://www.kenwood.com/i/products/info/amateur/mcp_download.htm
Radio Control Program ARCP-2000 Version 1.10 - Free Update for older versions of ARCP-2000 (~$80 USD/Free with TS-B2000) http://www.kenwood.com/i/products/info/amateur/arcp2000.html. This program is supplied by Kenwood for the TS-B2000 "Silver Bullet" radio with no front panel. It has all the front panel controls and allows change of all of the menu parameters that define how the radio operates. Control of the TS-2000 and the TS-2000X is the same as the TS-2000.
External links
- TS-2000 at KenwoodUSA.com
- May 2009 QST "Short Takes" software review of CallSign Software's TS-2000 HamStationUltra program see http://www.callsignsoftware.com/man/QST.pdf