Kenwood TS-590S User manual

TS-590S Review
TS-590S Review
a m t
New all mode transceiver from Kenwood
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March 2011 £3.50
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ISSN 0141-0857
ISSN 0141-0857

The TS-590S is the new high
requency . . an z
transceiver from Kenwood and
has been long awaited. It has been
several years since an h.f. radio has
emerged from the Kenwood stable
and there are quite a number of
dedicated Kenwood fans waiting for
this one! However, the International
nature of Amateur Radio came to
the surface when I was unpacking
it – as I found a selection of manuals
in six different languages to test my
linguistic skills!
The new TS-590S employs down
conversion for the first intermediate
frequency (i.f.), resulting in excellent
dynamic range when adjacent
unwanted signals are present. It is also
equipped with a 32-bit Floating-point
d.s.p. featuring advanced technology
that enables the rig’s unique i.f.
automatic gain control (a.g.c.). These,
plus other advanced features are what
h.f. enthusiasts all over the world have
been anticipating.
Typical Kenwood Styling
The TS-590S has a typical Kenwood
styling and appearance, with a large
liquid crystal display (l.c.d.). This is
adjustable in brightness and also colour
selectable, orange or green with a wide
viewing angle.
From an engineering standpoint, as
can be seen from the photographs, the
transceiver is really well put together.
There is a predominance of surface
mount technology so I would suggest
that servicing is not within the normal
Radio Amateur’s capability.
The main specifications are shown
at the end of this article.More details
are available on the Internet for those
wishing to see a full list. A wide variety
of accessories are also available.
The review transceiver was supplied
with the voice guide unit, which is
invaluable for the visually impaired.
However, I’m fortunate enough to have
good vision for my age!
There’s a wide variety of parameters
to set up. A comprehensive menu
system is used in conjunction with
multi-function front panel buttons. I soon
realised it would pay to spend some
time with these to become familiar with
the various selections that are available.
An important feature to start with is
the built-in automatic antenna tuning
unit (a.a.t.u.) with 32 frequency ranges
that automatically change as you
change the variable frequency oscillator
( f.o.) frequency. Three antenna inputs
on e rear pane a ow or wo ransm
antennas and one receive antenna. A
built-in multi-function c.w. keyer caters
for the Morse enthusiast. And for those
that enjoy remote operation, providing
you have two v.h.f./u.h.f. transceivers;
the TS-590S is equipped with Sky
Command II to enable this function.
Note:Sky Command is a system
that allows the operator to remotely
control and operate the ‘main’ rig via
Sky Command capable mobile or hand-
held rigs. Editor.
Like many modern transceivers,
the TS-590S transmit section uses a
die-cast aluminium chassis, together
with a large heat-sink to increase heat
dissipation efficiency. The cooling
system uses two large 60mm square
fans, which enables them to run at
a much lower revolutions per minute
(r.p.m.) while still providing more airflow.
Lower r.p.m. means less noise! This
careful type of design feature makes the
transceiver eminently suitable for DX-
peditions or during contests.
Control & Host Programs
The ARCP-590 Radio control program
and ARHP-590 radio host program will
It’s Here!
The Kenwood TS-590S
12
Roger Cooke G3LDI finally gets his hands on the latest offering from Kenwood.
The TS-590S has been a long time coming and has been eagerly awaited by
Kenwood fans!
Review
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13
be available as free download from
the Kenwood site. There’s a growing
interest in remote operation over the
Internet and I think that this is yet
another very different and new facet of
our hobby that has an appeal for some
operators.
It’s also possible to use the COM
port to a v.h.f. or u.h.f. radio and pass
the cluster spots to the transceiver,
which then moves to the spot frequency.
However, using a contest program such
as N1MM, it’s possible to do that with
the program connected to an Internet
Cluster Node, and it’s much faster. (The
same could apply to the TS-590S, of
course).
Main Attractions
One of the main attractions of the
TS-590S design, in my opinion, is
the receive side. At 21MHz and
below, the transceiver employs down
conversion. The first roofing filter at
6kHz bandwidth is directly after the
mixer and the second roofing filter is
a 2.7kHz wide device after the post
amplifier. This gives a good dynamic
range and enables the transceiver
to deal with strong adjacent channel
interference, enabling copy on weak
signals that wouldn’t be possible in
some transceivers.
Optimum operation is again assured
by the use of the 32-bit floating-point
digital signal processing (DSP) at the i.f.
This controls a wide range of features
such as the a.g.c. function, channel
filtering and noise reduction.
The (already briefly mentioned)
pre-set type a.a.t.u. enables quick band
changing and it also operates when the
TS-590S is receiving. When the transmit
frequency changes, the requisite pre-
set is loaded into the antenna tuner
circuit to ensure that optimum matching
is rapidly achieved without having to
retune. The operator can configure a
maximum of 32 frequency ranges for
both v.f.o.s to change the operating
mode automatically as the v.f.o.
frequency is changed.
The Menu System
To use the menu system efficiently, I
had to keep referring to the manual, but
this is to be expected – the rule RTFM
(Read the Flaming Manual!) applies
here! Most transceivers are menu
driven these days and they all have a
different way of operating the menus.
However, after a few trial runs, I soon
got used to adjusting various menu
items. There are 88 menu selections
and these can be set up in two different
files, Menu A and Menu B.
The operator can choose to have one
menu for one type of operation and the
other menu for something completely
different, or even set up the transceiver
for two different operators! There are
also two programmable keys on the
front panel, PFA and PFB. There’s a
list of menu items that can be assigned
to these buttons, as well as four extra
buttons on the desk microphone, an
optional extra. Unfortunately, for the
review I had the fist microphone and
this doesn’t have that facility.
The menu number information is in
the main display area and in the sub
area is the menu item information. This
scrolls from right to left. Once the Menu
button is pressed the menu number
can be selected by using the MULTI/
CH control. It took me a while to get
used to the menu selections until I just
followed the orange arrows on the keys
concerned.
The USB/COM Ports
Thanks to the addition of a USB port,
the TS-590S can be hooked up to a
PC with a USB cable, enabling PC
control of the transceiver plus transmit/
receive audio connectivity. The
ARUA-10 software to control the USB
audio system line of the PC can be
downloaded from the Kenwood Internet
site.
Data can also be transposed from
one TS-590S to another or similar
Kenwood transceiver by directly
connecting the two transceivers by
using the COM RS-232 connectors on
the rear apron. The built-in firmware is
also upgradable on-line.
Repeater & FM Operations
For those that enjoy h.f. repeater
use, both narrow and wide frequency
modulation (f.m.) is available and
when propagation allows, the 28MHz
repeaters can be used along with
those on 50MHz. Tone access is
programmable with a selection of
frequencies as is an identifying scan
function.
It’s also possible to select a
Continuous Tone Controlled Squelch
The rear panel of the transceiver showing the h.f.
and 50MHz antenna inputs.
Product
The Kenwood FT-590S h.f.
and 50MHz transceiver
Supplier
Kenwood Communications
UK
Pros
The TS-590S is pleasant
and intuitive to use and
once the operator is
familiar with the controls/
menu, etc., it will hold its
own with any of the more
expensive transceivers.
Cons
As a mid-price range
transceiver the TS-590S
doesn’t have some of the
bells and whistles of a
transceiver costing more.
However, it does have
some bells and whistles
that the more expensive
transceivers don’t have!
Price: £1521
Accessories
HS-5 Deluxe Headphones,
HS-6 Lightweight
Headphones, MB-430
Mobile mounting bracket,
MC-60A Desk Microphone,
PS-60 Heavy Duty Power
Supply and P-23 External
Speaker.
Further Information
www.kenwood-electronics.
co.uk/products/comms

System (CTCSS) sub-audible tone to
concur with someone you only wish to
hear, rejecting all others. There’s also
the amplitude modulation (a.m.) mode
available for those who wish to occupy
large parts of the spectrum!
The VGS-1 Voice Guide Unit
The VGS-1 Voice Guide unit unit is
an option (it was supplied fitted on the
review rig), but is invaluable for the
visually impaired. It can be seen in the
picture as the small aluminium box on
the main printed circuit board (p.c.b.) at
the top left corner.
In use the VGS-1 announces the key
function and frequencies each time the
operators presses a key. You can also
record two 30 second long messages in
memory channels one and two and two
15 second long messages in memory
channels three and four. It’s also
possible to store the last 30 seconds
of an incoming signal to the VGS-1 for
later playback.
The VGS-11 also ‘speaks’ an
extensive selection of menu items and
their settings, plus the receiver S-meter
and transmit power levels – which will
be very helpful for visually impaired
operators.
Data Modes
Regular PW readers will know that
I’m a keen RTTY operator and of
course, I was interested in trying the
590’s capabilities. However, reading
the manual it told me that an ‘MCP’
was needed for RTTY operation. I
wasn’t sure what this was, so I had to
search for it and it turned out it means
Multimode Communications Processor.
In practice, I think this could mean any
data interface as long as it’s connected
to the ACC-2 13 pin DIN connector on
the rear of the transceiver.
There’s a pin-out diagram on page
67 of the manual which should help with
the wiring of a connecting lead. Selecting
FSK from the front panel enables high
tones (the standard for FSK) to be used,
namely 2125 and 2295Hz, although
2175 is mentioned in the manual as the
high tone. However, as much as I’d have
liked to, I didn’t get the time to try the
transceiver on data modes.
Other data, audio frequency shift
keying (AFSK) modes are connected to
the same port, using the audio input and
output lines to either a Terminal Node
Controller (TNC) for packet, pactor,
PSK31, SSTV and so on. Bandwidth
settings are controlled and set by the
concentric controls Hi-shift/Lo-width on
the front panel. The roofing filter is set
automatically for mode and bandwidth
and cannot be changed.
Memory Functions
There are the usual features associated
with memory functions in modern
transceivers, 110 channels in total. 100
of these are for normally stored data,
such as skeds, DX monitoring, etc.,
and P0 to P9 are used for programming
tuning ranges and scan ranges. All the
usual functions are there, including
memory recall, transfer from memory to
v.f.o. and vice versa, so a study of the
book is called for to become familiar
with them all.
The operator can assign names
to each memory channel, up to a
maximum of eight alpha-numeric
characters. There’s also a scratch-pad
quick memory similar to that on the
Yaesu FT-1000MP, with a stack of 10,
the bottom one of which eventually falls
off.
Interestingly, there’s an extremely
versatile scanning function, which is
programmable and can cover either
the complete receiver, VFO Scan, a
Program Scan, using the memories in
whatever way you wish. Again, reading
the book is essential here.
Operating On CW
For the c.w. operator, there is a built-in
programmable electronic keyer which
is very nice to use and the paddle just
plugs into the socket on the rear apron.
It has a range of 4 words per minute
(w.p.m.) to 60w.p.m. I tried both and
will leave it to you to guess which one I
found easier! My normal chatting speed
of 25w.p.m. is quite adequate. However,
for those into contesting, an external
contest program would be better as the
built-in-keyer has no incremental serial
number facility.
The individual operator can, however,
program one of the four c.w. memory
channels to interrupt the playback and
insert their own serial number. The
transceiver came with a sidetone of
850Hz (a frequency which I found to
very unpleasant) so I quickly lowered
this to my usual 400Hz and it was fine.
The rise time is selectable in the menu
1,2,4 and 6 and I found 4 to be the most
pleasant. The dot/dash weighting is also
programmable and there’s provision for
either full break-in or semi-break-in.
I dislike full break-in for c.w.
operations and found there was a
distinct thump using that (as there is
on my own transceiver). I much prefer
semi-break-in with a time constant set
to just maintain transmit during a space
and again this is adjustable.
The four memories are also easily
programmed and each one can store
approximately 50 characters. Playback
is simple; just push the same memory
channel and off it goes! These can be
set to repeat if necessary, a ‘CQ TEST’
perhaps on one channel.
Additionally, if you really want to
make life difficult for yourself, you can
even use the Up/Down keys on the
microphone as a paddle! The usual
ability to swap paddle position is also
available, reversing dots and dashes
and there’s also a socket on the rear
apron for a straight key.
One nice thing I found when listening
to the c.w. end of the band in s.s.b.
mode, a menu setting will allow you
to use the keyer instantaneously if
you want. And it doesn’t matter what
sideband you are listening to either –
very useful indeed for busting a pile-up
without having to resort to changing
modes and retuning! Another neat
feature is the auto zero-beat, which is
selectable or not from the front panel.
This ensures that you’ll be zero beat
with the station you’re calling.
Editorial note: David Wilkins G5HY
of Kenwood Communications UK up-
dated us on an important modification to
the TS-590’s internal electronic keyer:
David writes, “We asked Japan to add a
choice of Mode-A or Mode-B keying to
the internal keyer. Earlier models of the
transceiver were fixed in Mode-B, which
some operators took an intense dislike
to – so we regard this new feature as
being very much what the customer
wants!”
Other Features
One thing that’s not built-into the
TS-590S is a separate sub-receiver.
However, it also has split operation
with the two v.f.o.s. To listen on either
frequency would entail swapping,
so there’s no ability to monitor both
frequencies something I do a lot here at
G3LDI and I don’t think I would like to
be without a separate sub-receiver.
The multi-function metering
measures six parameters; signal
strength, power output, automatic level
control (ALC) status, standing wave
ratio (s.w.r.), compression and the i.f.
filter width.
There are several ways to selecting
the operating frequency. You can do it
the ‘old fashioned’ way, i.e. turning the
v.f.o. a few or many times, or you can
enter it directly from the keypad.
The keypad doubles as the band
change buttons. You just have to press
ENT first and ENT again to complete
the selection. You can also the MULTI/
CH control to change frequency in steps
of 1MHz. It’s also possible to select 100,
500kHz or 1MHz from the menu.
A quick QSY (change of frequency)
around the band is again possible with
14

15
the MULTI/CH control, using steps of
5kHz and again this can be changed in
the menu. Fine tuning is also available
in 10Hz steps, which is selectable from
the front panel. And, as we expect
nowadays, receiver incremental tune
(RIT) and transmitter incremental tune
(XIT) are both available with the offset
displayed. A clear button reverts back to
original setting.
Beeps are selectable on/off but again
these are useful to the visually impaired
and a lock function disables some
keys and controls to prevent you from
changing your favourite settings.
The band change buttons are also
triple band-stacking registers. Each one
‘remembers’ three settings of mode,
frequency and other settings. So, if you
wanted you could set up three changes
on each band, c.w., RTTY and single
sideband (s.s.b.) and just a push of the
band button would take you there.
Power is adjustable in 1W steps from
five to 100W and it would pay to set
this for 75W when using the transceiver
on data modes. This is because data
modes requires 100% duty cycle
operation.
To deal with interference, the TS-
590S is equipped with very good
digital signal processing (DSP) filtering
technology. The d.s.p. can control the
bandwidth, reduce the noise or take
out a carrier. For reducing interference
i.f. filtering is selectable from the front
panel specifying the bandwidth. This is
also shown on the meter display. Using
the LO/WIDTH and HI/SHIFT controls,
you can select suitable bandwidths for
all modes.
There’s an auto notch and a manual
notch filter, both of which are very
effective and deep. The beat cancel
function is also useful in s.s.b. mode
and it would pay to play with these for a
while to get used to them.
Two noise blankers, or ‘reduction
functions’ in modern parlance, are used
to reduce interference and a nearby
electric fence was certainly quietened
down by these. Electric fence are one of
the penalties of living in the countryside!
A pre-amplifier is also available from
the front panel, if needed. There’s also
a low output for use with a transverter.
On The Air
I completed some setting up of both the
audio tailoring and the c.w. keyer and
then let it loose on the air to get some
reports. My first test was to go onto
the Ex-G net that I attend every day on
14.337MHz using my Rhombic antenns
(I used the rig intensively on this net
during the time I had it on review), to
obtain some reports from those regulars
that know me well and would give me
an instant audio report.
Much to my surprise, there wasn’t
one comment, so I had obviously set it
up fairly well! However, when I asked
for comments, the same comments
came from two members of the net, that
there was a lack of bass. So, I quickly
made an adjustment to that and the
ensuing comments were favourable.
I also worked a number of USA
and Canadian stations, one in ZF1,
Grand Cayman Island, ZL50VK in New
Zealand and an OY and a UA9 on
1.8MHz. The Top Band QSOs were on
c.w. using a 1.8MHz inverted V dipole
with the apex at 90ft on my tower.
A pair of slow running 60mm square fans assist the cooling on the TS-590S.
The main r.f. and filter board. The main board has space for the optional speech unit
(top left in the aluminium box).
The TS-590’s high contrast main display.

Using the processor made a
considerable difference too, although
care should be taken on the level
of processing. I was using the fist
microphone, so other microphones
would need adjusting too and would
probably provide a better response
for DX working. I was using the radio
with the built-in speaker, and whilst
this is quite adequate, I think an
external speaker would enhance user
satisfaction.
Morse Mode Nice!
Operating in the Morse mode was quite
nice to use, a pleasant side-tone (once
lowered to 400Hz!), and I had quite a
nice surprise on 1.8MHz. I used the
transceiver on this band to compare the
noise level with my own FT-2000. At the
time I tried it, I was pleasantly surprised
to find an S-3 noise level. I thought
that ‘Mr. Murphy’ must still be on his
Christmas holiday!
I worked two new countries, 4L4O
(Georgia) and Gabriel Mardiros
OD5NJ in Lebanon. Using semi-
break in makes for a seamless Morse
experience and coupled with the ability
to filter down to 50Hz if necessary, with
minimal ringing, makes the TS-590S a
very worthy c.w. transceiver.
I think that the TS-590S, with a
price of £1521, is a mid-price range
transceiver and as such it doesn’t have
some of the bells and whistles of a
transceiver costing a few hundred more.
However, the TS-590S does have
some bells and whistles that the more
expensive transceivers don’t have! I did
a few tests to compare it with my Yaesu
FT-2000 and to be frank it was difficult
to tell any difference at all. The TS-590S
is pleasant and intuitive to use and once
the operator is familiar with the controls/
menu,etc., it will hold its own with any
of the more expensive transceivers. My
thanks go to David Wilkins G5HY from
Kenwood Communications for the loan
of the radio.
PW
16
Manu acturer’s Speci cations
General
Receiver coverage: 130kHz to 30MHz, 50-54MHz.
Transmitter coverage: All Amateur bands including 5MHz.
Modes: a.m., c.w., s.s.b., f.m.,f.s.k.
Sensitivity <0.2μV.
Selectivity 12, 6, 2.2kHz, 500Hz.
Frequency stability ±5 p.p.m.
Minimum-maximum power output 5 to 100W (low output available for transverter).
Amplitude modulation pow output Max. 25W minimum 5W.
Power supply 13.8V d.c. (±15%).
Current consumption 20.5A max on transmit.
Receive (no signal) 1.5A or less.
Antenna impedance 50Ω
Antenna tunable impedance
auto-tune range 16.7 to 150Ω
Dimensions 108x280x335mm (HWD)
4.2H x 11W x 13.2D
Weight 7.4kg (16.3lb)
Transmitter
Modulation type: s.s.b. balance modulation, f.m. reactance modulation, a.m.
low power modulation.
Maximum freq. deviation (f.m.): Less than ±5kHz (wide).
Less than ±2.5kHz (narrow).
Spurious responses: 1.7 to 40MHz less than -50dB.
40MHz or more less than -60dB.
Carrier suppression: More than 50dB.
Unwanted sideband suppression: More than 50dB.
Tranbsmit freq. response: -6dB 400Hz to 2.6kHz.
Microphone impedance: 600Ω.
Variable XIT range: ±9.999kHz.
Receiver
Circuitry design: Double superhet
1st intermediate freq: 11.374MHz.
2nd intermediate freq: 24kHz.
Triple Superhet
1st intermediate freq: 73.095MHz.
2nd intermediate freq: 10.695MHz.
3rd intermediate frequency: 24kHz (except f.m. which is 455kHz).
Fitted items
SO-3 Hi-stability Crystal Oscillator Fitted.
VGS-1 Voice Guide and Storage unit Fitted (supplied with review model).
Optional extras
HS-5 Deluxe Headphones
HS-6 Lightweight Headphones
MB-430 Mobile mounting bracket
MC-60A Desk Microphone
PS-60 Heavy Duty Power Supply
P-23 External Speaker
Manu
f
acturer’s Speci
fi
cation
s
General