Beautiful rig my friend. Make sure it can breathe... not much room above or to the side of the radio to let the air move inside the rig to keep it cool. That’s too much radio to lose my friend! Just a GORGEOUS RIG!!! Wow!
On what website did you order one from because they are very very expensive from where I am is there anyway you could tell me the place you bought it from?
The TS990S has a PTT connection on the back of the radio. It's on the DIN plug, the same place the ALC and Amp key line is. I have a foot switch connected to it. Barry
+Barry Kery Correct, look at 1:54 that's what I said, you have to go on the ACC port to get the PTT. The good thing about this is that you only need to do this once. 73
I wonder how the a.m. performance on the transmit side is. As compared with some of the Class E rigs that are made by Homebrew hams. Some of those are broadcast quality audio. What's the maximum Peak positive modulation this radio is capable of?
Hi there Pascal. Thankyou for a very interesting review on the TS-990. Very much enjoyed here has it apears to have been by many other Hams. 73 de John - G0WXU.
Hi Pascal, after looking into your MB1 and IC9610/7300/9700 reviews, would you still consider the TS-990s? I get the impression that the TS-990S offers the best haptic user experience, correct me if I am wrong please. Thanks for your help in my search for my HF-receiver! Best 73s, Pascal - Belgium
I'm thinking of buying this model of rig and was grateful for your walk through. Please can you say how it's worked out for you, now some years have the rig for a few years.
Thank you for sharing this video wth us. I've been waiting for a video like this on this radio. Lots of awesome features with this rig. Awesome video. 73's AA1US.
Hi Albin, Yes I'am, my current setup let me switch between different HF. See my latest shack video. 73 Pascal VA2PV th-cam.com/video/7PzPGd4n5SI/w-d-xo.html
So Pascal, after your 7610 Review way back when, I bought one and LOVE it. The 990 is twice the money. Is it really worth it? I guess you are partly paying for 200W but I have an Amp anyway. You mentioned some Ports missing on the rear compared to other Rigs, like the Amplifier Send. Aesthetics, I still love the 7610 better but thankyou for your excellent detailed Reviews.
Thank you for showing me that it’s speech I am blind, and that would be very helpful, What other radiospeaks to me! What are the radios have full imbedded speech like that?
+ForEverDubaiLover Hi, I can't say since I never operated the IC-7700. But what I can say is that the TS-990 was release in 2013 and the IC-7700 have been on the market long before. So I presume that it's probably better. You can compare receivers via this web page. www.sherweng.com/table.html 73
ForEverDubaiLover what I can't understand is why Kenwood would put the better receiver in the second receiver the main receiver doesn't have that good of a receive they put the 590 receiver in the second receiver and it sounds much better than the main receiver I cant understand that part. I would imagine the 7700 has better receive I know it's better than the 7800 better than the 7600, 7700 no slouch icon makes a pretty good radio.
Thank you so much for sharing! I am still using a Kenwood TS-940SAT, and it works FB; but I would really like to move into the twenty-first century. Most of all, as a wood aficionado, I absolutely LOVE your beautiful desk! It's gorgeous! How's life in Montreal? Ed, KI6DCB
Pascal, I have a Yaesu 3000. How do you like your Kenwood? Would you make the same choice? Why? I’m between the TS 890 and the Yaesu 101D as my next future hope for rig! Thanks in advance for your help! Blessings and 73 from K7HN!
Pascal - This looks like a great radio and you made a great video. While I was watching it, I noticed that it appears that you have an ICOM IC 7100 on your desk. If so, I was wondering how you liked it. I know these radios are not new, but I have read good things about them. However I have never spoken to anyone who owns one. I'm thinking about buying one and would like to know if you would recommend it as a 'shack-in-the-box' type radio. Michael VA6XMB
Hi Terry, glad you liked the video, thanks for watching. As for the IC-7100, it’s a great radio. This is definitely a shack in a box and a perfect radio for remote operation, see my video via the link further below. I sold it last year because I was not doing any remote anymore and I needed some extra $ to spend on something else, hihi. I highly recommend it as it covers all band all modes, and in HF the performance is very good, don’t judge it from its size. 73 Pascal VA2PV th-cam.com/video/ovUhJWiNLfs/w-d-xo.html
With all of these radios there is no bad one. The new Icom 7610 and 7300 are SDR new technology but the TS-990 is a state-of-the-art high rig from 2013. Since I didn’t try the ICOM yet, I can’t say for sure. But what I can say, all the bells and whistles in the TS-990 make this rig unique and probably more complete in features than the other two. I think it’s like comparing a 2013 Ferrari with a 2017 Camaro. The best advice is to go with your budget. Hope this help. 73 Pascal VA2PV
DRM mean "Digital Radio Modiale" a protocol that enables digital encoding over shortware broadcast frequencies...thus your radio receiver has to have the DRM decoder circuit/features to hear these broadcasts...
Salut Pascal, je ne suis pas hanté par les boutons mais le prix d'accès. Pour le moment et à condition qu'il arrive à bon port je me contenterai d'un Yaesu FTDX1200; see soon ... Thanks for demonstration.
Bonsoir Alain, le FTDX1200 est un excellent radio moderne. Il faut rêver et si on croit ça fini par arrivé. J'ai saisie l'opportunité lorsqu'elle ses présenté, mais ça faisait déjà 3 ans que je contemplais le radio ;-) 73 et merci pour les visionnements. Pascal VA2PV
Laboenligne.ca ok thank you. I've been watching a lot of the 990s videos. As I am looking to upgrade very soon to this radio. Awesome rig. This is buy far one of the best videos to explains the general operation. Thanks for a quick reply. 73 AA1US.
Laboenligne.ca absolutely. I'm glad you did. I'm hopefully soon will have this radio. There is a nice one I've been watching on QRZ and eBay that I'm almost ready to buy. Just doing my homework first. What an awesome radio.73s AA1US
1 x TS-990 or 2 x TS-590SG ? I own 590SG, but since it's impossible for me to afford a 990, perhaps a second 590SG on the bench could compete this set, lol, great video, 73
That is indeed a very good option. You take one and proceed with TX inhibit, you can then Y your PTT connection and mute the second receiver while you transmit, make sure there's no power output. I did this trick when I had the FTdx3000 + the FT-950. See my previous video for the setup. You need to protect your second radio, receiver, with the DX Engineering RTR-1A, I could transmit at the same frequency than the other radio with 1.3kW and the second receiver would be receiving it at only S9 ! Be careful not to blow your radio, take your time building the setup. 73 Pascal VA2PV
Good idea. However, 590SG models offer now the so called 'DRO' port, which means that a second receiver can share the same antenna with the 590SG through an on-board splitter (3dB loss, really minor). On the transmit mode the 590SG has a 20dB isolation towards the receiver, so it keeps the receiver 'safe'. Haven't checked whether the TS-990 has something similar (DRV terminal?), although I am sure it does. Good DX, 73, Kostas.
Wow...$6,700.00 radio (new with discounts). Man is it nice but good lord that's a lot of money to spend just for chatting up a person which usually lasts 1-2mins. Aside from that, excellent video presentation and quality. I wonder if a rig like this is becoming obsolete with the new SDR gear that is coming out?
Hi Matts, thanks for your comments. Well the TS-990 is a great radio, I bought it used and had a good deal, so it's not that bad on the wallet, hihi. SDR are very good but this radio performs very well too, the best advantage over a SDR is that everything’s is accessible via the front panel, no mouse and very fast / easy access directly to features. Those rigs along with IC-7700 and IC-7851 are still the choice of many DXers because of the ease of use in contest. SDR seams to depreciated faster since not all ham’s (especially older ones) are willing to use a computer. The game changer will be the "in between", like the Icom IC-7300 and the IC-7610. I like new technology, but if I ever get a SDR radio it as to have a standalone interface like my ELAD FDM-DUO QRP. 73 Pascal VA2PV
Due to my Linguistic Limitations i am not self assured as to whether i have or have not been intiddimated. Maybe this topic could be covered more thouroughly on Alien abduction focused youtube shows
At least he has a better command of his SECOND language than you do of your first (and only). Plus, instead of being a troll, he actually contributes to the collective knowledge.
After you spend your hard-earned $7,795.99 for this TS990 transceiver and get it on the air, you will notice that the band conditions are horrible, and have remained so for many years. In 2021 we expected the 11-year sunspot cycle to improve, however this 11-year sunspot cycle is at it's lowest part of the larger cycle of cycles, so operating conditions will be poor for quite a long time, regardless of how much you $pend on gear. Spend less and get the same results. 'Sorry to say that Mother Nature is controlling the air waves.
Hi Timothy, The TS-990 is not on top of the list but most of the difference between radio, in the top 20, with better result are not audible by the human ears. The advantage of the TS-990 is all the bell and whistle that are accessible easily at a touch of a button, that’s why this type of rig is still very popular among serious DXers. SDR technologies present better performance, but in a contest the mouse is for most a slower procedure… This is starting to change with rigs like the IC-7610. It also all depends of the operator operation. My ELAD FDM-DUO (see my video review th-cam.com/video/4twI8nu3hnA/w-d-xo.html) is very good, especially when using a computer, maybe a bit better than the TS-990. But I still prefer the TS-990 over it, much better experience for me. At the end of the day, it’s something personal, performance for the buck it’s maybe not the best deal. But look at my recent video with two matching speakers (th-cam.com/video/_bFUySGKzHs/w-d-xo.html) on each side, WOW, my shack is the best place to be for me, all because of the massive rig that makes me feel like a king, hihi. This is as important for me as it represent the accomplishment of my dream shack. 73 Pascal VA2PV
Excellent demonstration buddy! 73 from PT2VHF, Brazil
Merci Alex ! Thanks for watching, 73 Pascal VA2PV
Hi, do you consider the Kenwood TS-990 to be the best HAM base station for 2020 ?? Thank you!
what a beautiful radio, almost make me want a license. love kenwood
Beautiful rig my friend. Make sure it can breathe... not much room above or to the side of the radio to let the air move inside the rig to keep it cool. That’s too much radio to lose my friend! Just a GORGEOUS RIG!!! Wow!
That's awesome that you can remote into it from anywhere in the world.
You sold me on it. I just ordered one :)
+petbytes You won't regret it ! 73 Pascal VA2PV
On what website did you order one from because they are very very expensive from where I am is there anyway you could tell me the place you bought it from?
How are you finding the Rig?
The TS990S has a PTT connection on the back of the radio. It's on the DIN plug, the same place the ALC and Amp key line is. I have a foot switch connected to it.
Barry
+Barry Kery Correct, look at 1:54 that's what I said, you have to go on the ACC port to get the PTT. The good thing about this is that you only need to do this once. 73
I wonder how the a.m. performance on the transmit side is. As compared with some of the Class E rigs that are made by Homebrew hams. Some of those are broadcast quality audio. What's the maximum Peak positive modulation this radio is capable of?
Hi there Pascal. Thankyou for a very interesting review on the TS-990. Very much enjoyed here has it apears to have been by many other Hams. 73 de John - G0WXU.
Thanks for watching John, I guess since this video is the most popular one on my channel. 73 Pascal VA2PV
Excellent video, many thanks for a great insight into this rig. 73`s from VK2NDY
Excellent review of a transceiver with many, many features. Thanks!
Hi Pascal, after looking into your MB1 and IC9610/7300/9700 reviews, would you still consider the TS-990s? I get the impression that the TS-990S offers the best haptic user experience, correct me if I am wrong please. Thanks for your help in my search for my HF-receiver! Best 73s, Pascal - Belgium
Beautiful piece of equipment
I'm thinking of buying this model of rig and was grateful for your walk through. Please can you say how it's worked out for you, now some years have the rig for a few years.
Very good, representative review, thanx, 73!
Thank you for sharing this.
Thank you for sharing this video wth us. I've been waiting for a video like this on this radio. Lots of awesome features with this rig. Awesome video. 73's AA1US.
Overall do you like your IC 7610 over the Kenwood TS990S?
Thanks Mark KD9OZC
In center mode there is the auto-scroll option and this keeps the waterfall on screen.
+flexairz Your right, see my updated video, th-cam.com/video/d1kTXPIvcu4/w-d-xo.html 73
Excellent presentation. Thanks so much, just need to start saving now hi.73 and take care Pascal.
Do you regret getting rid of this Kenwood rig, now that you have a full suite of Icom transceivers? How does the 7610 compare to this in your view?
Hi John, performance is very similar and I regret every rig I sold. Unfortunately I can't keep them all... 73 Pascal VA2PV
Very good video just wondered if you are still using the 990s
Hi Albin, Yes I'am, my current setup let me switch between different HF. See my latest shack video. 73 Pascal VA2PV
th-cam.com/video/7PzPGd4n5SI/w-d-xo.html
Sweet shack, Pascal!
Does this pascal device allow you to talk to the extraterrestrial beings? Looks pretty complex
Excelente comentario o especificaciones del funcionamiento del kenwood ts 990 agradecido saludos
So Pascal, after your 7610 Review way back when, I bought one and LOVE it. The 990 is twice the money. Is it really worth it? I guess you are partly paying for 200W but I have an Amp anyway. You mentioned some Ports missing on the rear compared to other Rigs, like the Amplifier Send. Aesthetics, I still love the 7610 better but thankyou for your excellent detailed Reviews.
I know it's been a while since you did this review but curious to know if you still use the TS-990?
Super radio, merci pour la demo de Va2pg Gérard. 73
Thank you for showing me that it’s speech I am blind, and that would be very helpful, What other radiospeaks to me! What are the radios have full imbedded speech like that?
Hi Chad, the IC-7610 also has a speech function with similar features. Still it's for frequency and mode only. 73 Pascal VA2PV
How could you change this radio with an Icom toy?
Thanks man for the nice video. I want to ask... how you compare it will IC-7700? 73
+ForEverDubaiLover Hi, I can't say since I never operated the IC-7700. But what I can say is that the TS-990 was release in 2013 and the IC-7700 have been on the market long before. So I presume that it's probably better. You can compare receivers via this web page. www.sherweng.com/table.html 73
+Laboenligne.ca Thanks man I will keep this in my mind. what's the main CON and PROS?
+ForEverDubaiLover CON=Expensive, PROS=Amazing machine ! 73
how do you rate this to the ts2000,????
ForEverDubaiLover what I can't understand is why Kenwood would put the better receiver in the second receiver the main receiver doesn't have that good of a receive they put the 590 receiver in the second receiver and it sounds much better than the main receiver I cant understand that part. I would imagine the 7700 has better receive I know it's better than the 7800 better than the 7600, 7700 no slouch icon makes a pretty good radio.
Very nice, I dream of owning one like that someday, hopefully I will find a used one on sale someday
73 de VE3___
Amazing equipments
Thank you so much for sharing! I am still using a Kenwood TS-940SAT, and it works FB; but I would really like to move into the twenty-first century. Most of all, as a wood aficionado, I absolutely LOVE your beautiful desk! It's gorgeous!
How's life in Montreal?
Ed, KI6DCB
I also run a TS-940SAT Ed, Great Transceiver along with the TS-830S 👍
Pascal, I have a Yaesu 3000. How do you like your Kenwood? Would you make the same choice? Why? I’m between the TS 890 and the Yaesu 101D as my next future hope for rig! Thanks in advance for your help! Blessings and 73 from K7HN!
I don't have the TS-990 anymore, I loved this rig but I needed the extra $ to try something else. It's a very good radio. 73 Pascal VA2PV
How does this compare to 7610? In terms of sensitivity, selectivity basic front end stuff.
Since I don't have the TS-990 to do a side by side comparison, I would have to say that it's very similar. 73 Pascal VA2PV
Pascal - This looks like a great radio and you made a great video. While I was watching it, I noticed that it appears that you have an ICOM IC 7100 on your desk. If so, I was wondering how you liked it. I know these radios are not new, but I have read good things about them. However I have never spoken to anyone who owns one. I'm thinking about buying one and would like to know if you would recommend it as a 'shack-in-the-box' type radio.
Michael VA6XMB
Hi Terry, glad you liked the video, thanks for watching. As for the IC-7100, it’s a great radio. This is definitely a shack in a box and a perfect radio for remote operation, see my video via the link further below. I sold it last year because I was not doing any remote anymore and I needed some extra $ to spend on something else, hihi. I highly recommend it as it covers all band all modes, and in HF the performance is very good, don’t judge it from its size. 73 Pascal VA2PV
th-cam.com/video/ovUhJWiNLfs/w-d-xo.html
beautiful radio :-)
So true ;-) Look at my recent ham shack video, with two matching speakers on each side :-O 73 Pascal VA2PV
does it come with build in DRM decoder?
DRM decoder ? It does decode RTTY and a few other.
Is this radio better then the IC-7300 or the IC-7610? Just wondering
With all of these radios there is no bad one. The new Icom 7610 and 7300 are SDR new technology but the TS-990 is a state-of-the-art high rig from 2013. Since I didn’t try the ICOM yet, I can’t say for sure. But what I can say, all the bells and whistles in the TS-990 make this rig unique and probably more complete in features than the other two. I think it’s like comparing a 2013 Ferrari with a 2017 Camaro. The best advice is to go with your budget. Hope this help. 73 Pascal VA2PV
Where is the cheapest place to the kenwood ts990?
Probably your local dealer since it's a 65 pounds box! I bought mine used at a good price couldn't pay less. 73
Great video and lovely radio. Guess I will have to wait for a few years till the price comes way down.
A few years later, and the price went up;(
Excellent!
Thanks, great video!
DRM mean "Digital Radio Modiale" a protocol that enables digital encoding over shortware broadcast frequencies...thus your radio receiver has to have the DRM decoder circuit/features to hear these broadcasts...
Thanks for the info, the answer is no. Unless it's hidden in there... 73
Nice review mate
Tonight when I win the powerball I will buy one.
Same here too, when I win the lottery hi
Salut Pascal, je ne suis pas hanté par les boutons mais le prix d'accès. Pour le moment et à condition qu'il arrive à bon port je me contenterai d'un Yaesu FTDX1200; see soon ... Thanks for demonstration.
Bonsoir Alain, le FTDX1200 est un excellent radio moderne. Il faut rêver et si on croit ça fini par arrivé. J'ai saisie l'opportunité lorsqu'elle ses présenté, mais ça faisait déjà 3 ans que je contemplais le radio ;-) 73 et merci pour les visionnements. Pascal VA2PV
Can you record someone live an then replay it live. Retransmitted the audio recorded back over the air for others to hear. AA1US
It's possible if you loop the optical port in the back. See this video th-cam.com/video/fNmQrs1I1-w/w-d-xo.html
Laboenligne.ca ok thank you. I've been watching a lot of the 990s videos. As I am looking to upgrade very soon to this radio. Awesome rig. This is buy far one of the best videos to explains the general operation. Thanks for a quick reply. 73 AA1US.
Thank you, I made it because I was looking for something like this as well ;-) 73 Pascal VA2PV
Laboenligne.ca absolutely. I'm glad you did. I'm hopefully soon will have this radio. There is a nice one I've been watching on QRZ and eBay that I'm almost ready to buy. Just doing my homework first. What an awesome radio.73s AA1US
1 x TS-990 or 2 x TS-590SG ? I own 590SG, but since it's impossible for me to afford a 990, perhaps a second 590SG on the bench could compete this set, lol, great video, 73
That is indeed a very good option. You take one and proceed with TX inhibit, you can then Y your PTT connection and mute the second receiver while you transmit, make sure there's no power output. I did this trick when I had the FTdx3000 + the FT-950. See my previous video for the setup. You need to protect your second radio, receiver, with the DX Engineering RTR-1A, I could transmit at the same frequency than the other radio with 1.3kW and the second receiver would be receiving it at only S9 ! Be careful not to blow your radio, take your time building the setup. 73 Pascal VA2PV
Good idea. However, 590SG models offer now the so called 'DRO' port, which means that a second receiver can share the same antenna with the 590SG through an on-board splitter (3dB loss, really minor). On the transmit mode the 590SG has a 20dB isolation towards the receiver, so it keeps the receiver 'safe'. Haven't checked whether the TS-990 has something similar (DRV terminal?), although I am sure it does. Good DX, 73, Kostas.
Go for the new ts 890.
Turn off low power setting in the advanced menu in the 990 it turns on in seconds no boot up screen just boom on
That thing is a monster
Can't believe you got rid of that beautiful radio 😞
I know, but I can’t keep them all :-(. 73
@@Laboenligne lol that's true.
Waaaoooow 👍👍👍👍👍
Thanks for sharing this de KF4ZNL
Pascal is now a SDR Man.
I think now he's running a MB1, right?
@@DJChrisArgueta ,. Yep
@@DJChrisArgueta , he has the 7610 toooo
My grandpa has one like this.
Wow...$6,700.00 radio (new with discounts). Man is it nice but good lord that's a lot of money to spend just for chatting up a person which usually lasts 1-2mins. Aside from that, excellent video presentation and quality.
I wonder if a rig like this is becoming obsolete with the new SDR gear that is coming out?
Hi Matts, thanks for your comments. Well the TS-990 is a great radio, I bought it used and had a good deal, so it's not that bad on the wallet, hihi. SDR are very good but this radio performs very well too, the best advantage over a SDR is that everything’s is accessible via the front panel, no mouse and very fast / easy access directly to features. Those rigs along with IC-7700 and IC-7851 are still the choice of many DXers because of the ease of use in contest. SDR seams to depreciated faster since not all ham’s (especially older ones) are willing to use a computer. The game changer will be the "in between", like the Icom IC-7300 and the IC-7610. I like new technology, but if I ever get a SDR radio it as to have a standalone interface like my ELAD FDM-DUO QRP. 73 Pascal VA2PV
Another thing, this beast look fabulous in my shack, hihi. I bought two matching speakers for it... look at my QRZ page. 73
I agree, that radio and along with the rest of your setup looks absolutely amazing (and professional). You have my sub, keep doing your thing. cheers!
Wow, what a radio! See why you sold the Yaesu and went to this one.
Hi Tim, it is a fine radio for sure, check out my other video, another cool rig ;-) 73 Pascal VA2PV
th-cam.com/video/yVGXVrP8trM/w-d-xo.html
a proud moment
Due to my Linguistic Limitations i am not self assured as to whether i have or have not been intiddimated. Maybe this topic could be covered more thouroughly on Alien abduction focused youtube shows
At least he has a better command of his SECOND language than you do of your first (and only). Plus, instead of being a troll, he actually contributes to the collective knowledge.
Awesome job! Will be ordering one next week! 73 NZ4Z
Very good but i don't have money
After you spend your hard-earned $7,795.99 for this TS990 transceiver and get it on the air, you will notice that the band conditions are horrible, and have remained so for many years. In 2021 we expected the 11-year sunspot cycle to improve, however this 11-year sunspot cycle is at it's lowest part of the larger cycle of cycles, so operating conditions will be poor for quite a long time, regardless of how much you $pend on gear. Spend less and get the same results. 'Sorry to say that Mother Nature is controlling the air waves.
Great movie 73 LB7VI
73 a toi du 14MDX060 TU VAS BIEN TU NE FAIS PLUS DE VIDÉO
PTT + ALC: Remote Port!
too sigital, too complicated, too Mercedes disco like, now looking for a good vintage Kenny....but enjoy, have fun if you’re pleased with it
$8K CAD and no VHF/UHF. no thanks... Icom 9100 for the win.
the guy has equipment worth a new mercedes car in his shack ;)
Maybe not that much, but that's why my car is a Hyundai ;-) 73 Pascal VA2PV
very jealous
Might want to consult the Sherwood Engineering list.
www.sherweng.com/table.html
Hi Timothy, The TS-990 is not on top of the list but most of the difference between radio, in the top 20, with better result are not audible by the human ears. The advantage of the TS-990 is all the bell and whistle that are accessible easily at a touch of a button, that’s why this type of rig is still very popular among serious DXers. SDR technologies present better performance, but in a contest the mouse is for most a slower procedure… This is starting to change with rigs like the IC-7610. It also all depends of the operator operation. My ELAD FDM-DUO (see my video review th-cam.com/video/4twI8nu3hnA/w-d-xo.html) is very good, especially when using a computer, maybe a bit better than the TS-990. But I still prefer the TS-990 over it, much better experience for me. At the end of the day, it’s something personal, performance for the buck it’s maybe not the best deal. But look at my recent video with two matching speakers (th-cam.com/video/_bFUySGKzHs/w-d-xo.html) on each side, WOW, my shack is the best place to be for me, all because of the massive rig that makes me feel like a king, hihi. This is as important for me as it represent the accomplishment of my dream shack. 73 Pascal VA2PV
cough cough in-ti-mi-da-ting