Kenwood TS-2000

The Kenwood TS-2000 is an amateur radio transceiver manufactured by Kenwood Electronics. 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 band, 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 May 2008, the TS-2000 is the second most reviewed HF transceiver on the popular Product Review section of eHam [http://www.eham.net/reviews/products/14] , with 387 reviews and an average rating of 4.5 (out of 5), second only to the IC-706 line of radios from ICOM, with 360.

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 or 23 cm 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 HF, 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-D7000A 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.

See also

* Amateur radio
* Kenwood Electronics

External links

* [http://www.kenwoodusa.com/products/ListProduct.aspx?k1=3&k2=9&k3=9&pr=909 Official Website]
* [http://www.rigpix.com/kenwood/ts2000.htm RigPix Database Entry]
* [http://www.arcticpeak.com/radiopages/kenwood_ts-2000_12_khz_if_output.htm 12 KHz IF Output modification]
* [http://www.icycolors.com/nu9n/mods_Kenwood_TS2000.html ESSB Mod from N3GX]
* [http://sparqi.blogspot.com/2007/12/ts-2000-remote-control-w-audio.html W6DTW article (w/ diagrams) on running a TS-2000 remotely]