I've been rocking a TS-890 for almost 2 years now and couldn't be happier with it. Unlike some other brands, it's very obvious it was designed by engineers who are also active hams.
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!
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
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.
I bought my TS890 from ML and S in 2019. It really is the best radio I've had in 46 years on the air. The receive performance is stupendous and the more traditional design approach ( Superhet rather than SDR) pays off here. Even my K3 can't compete and nor could my Ten Tec Orion 2 which now has a new home. Recently I was looking for another second radio but really couldn't find anything to compete with the TS890 on an overall basis. I know its a lot of cash, but believe me its worth it because this is a true high end amateur transceiver.
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.
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 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 :)
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.
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.
TS-890 and the TS-990 closest I'll ever get is watching youtube videos and looking at advertising brochures. Heck I can't even afford a used TS-2000 which is my semi-affordable grail radio! (willing to take donations). I still caress my tired but loved old TS-520S though.
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
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 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!
in 1979, when I got my first ham license KA2KXR & I bought the Kenwood TS520. lots of CQ dx....now AB4RB, but no longer active in ham radios, Internet killed it.. now to me, ham radios just like pastimes, hobbies for retire OMs...
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.
Dude, press the "Fine" button left of the TS-890 tune knob and your life will be complete. (It now has the ability to tune at the 0.001 kHz. level in SSB.)
Still own my TS-940 and only occasionally operate but getting the bug for a new radio. 7610 looks impressive but I see the 890 was made to follow the 940. The case dimensions and weight are almost identical to 940. 7610 looks like quality rig but half the weight. For extra 900 dollars, you get a heftier device built to almost mil specs. BTW bought the 940 used in 1998 and almost flawless since it was used a lot for first ten years I had it
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..
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
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 💙
Hello Mark from Florida USA I just picked this radio up yesterday. Haven't even got it on the bench yet. I am looking forward to using it. I watched and I am sure it will help me with the radio. I got mine used for 2 months and I hope a good price, I gave him what he was asking because he was passing away with in 2 months. And I wasn't there to talk him down in price. I felt that $3,000 was a fair price so no haggle there. I also got the matching speaker along with it. Just a thought, should the Lid not be called a bonnet? 😉😉Kenwood kept the microphone and give us a handle.. lol AFTER WATCHING THIS GREAT VIDEO i AM GOING TO LIKE AND SUBSCRIBE... THANK YOU de W4DRA...
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 🙏
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)!
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.
I've got a ts-590sg and thinking to upgrade to this one. Isn't the antenna tuner on this rig similar to 590sg ? I managed to tune antennas with 5.1 swr max. It's amazing
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.
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.
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I've been rocking a TS-890 for almost 2 years now and couldn't be happier with it. Unlike some other brands, it's very obvious it was designed by engineers who are also active hams.
This is not only become iconic , but it's a fab investment, possibly the finest radio ever
The best guy in ML. Highly recommended, awesome customer service.
Thank you. We do try :-)
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!
I don't know how good a radio it is but it has loads of buttons so that's a yes from me!
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
Fab to hear, it is a lovely Radio
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.
Kenwood Factory take note, a very good customer here :-) Your collection is a great test of quality and consistency
Awesome radio, so ahead of its time, just like the icom-7851. I love a good superhet, in the era of SDR cheapos.
Mark.. First class review mate. Top Banana. Callum.
Thanks Callum - maybe good to attach to a Top Banana HF DX Antenna, now let me think....... :-)
I bought my TS890 from ML and S in 2019. It really is the best radio I've had in 46 years on the air. The receive performance is stupendous and the more traditional design approach ( Superhet rather than SDR) pays off here. Even my K3 can't compete and nor could my Ten Tec Orion 2 which now has a new home. Recently I was looking for another second radio but really couldn't find anything to compete with the TS890 on an overall basis. I know its a lot of cash, but believe me its worth it because this is a true high end amateur transceiver.
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.
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.
@@votisb True of the older gear but not this stuff. Firmware updates, bespoke screens etc etc. Remember the Icom 756 Pro screen issues.
@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 :)
You pays your money you makes your choice.
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.
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.
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.
Great video. Had mine for about 3 years. Solidly built. Always get good audio reports. Learnt a few tricks from the video. 73.
Thank you, a compliment indeed from a long standing owner.
TS-890 and the TS-990 closest I'll ever get is watching youtube videos and looking at advertising brochures. Heck I can't even afford a used TS-2000 which is my semi-affordable grail radio! (willing to take donations). I still caress my tired but loved old TS-520S though.
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
The solution there is to buy a used TS-590S for $600-700 and pair it with the 890. I have the 590, now I just need an 890!
That’s a gorgeous radio. If I decide to operate QRO, I might have to get me one of these.
I loved mine, but the 990s I had off you was a step up..slightly. 890s is a fantastic bit of kit.
The 890 & 990 are both Radios that compel their owners to get on air
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
Well we did get the TH-D75, but yes new HF toys always welcome :-)
@@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!
in 1979, when I got my first ham license KA2KXR & I bought the Kenwood TS520. lots of CQ dx....now AB4RB, but no longer active in ham radios, Internet killed it.. now to me, ham radios just like pastimes, hobbies for retire OMs...
Good summary, the build quality and feel of the TS-890s is exceptional. Y
The quality is reflected inside also
Great video. Learned a lot and now able to use many features I was not aware of.
Its great to have a feature rich Radio that keeps delivering a journey of discovery.
I'm using it. Good TRCV^^
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.
Its a modern classic
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.
Dude, press the "Fine" button left of the TS-890 tune knob and your life will be complete. (It now has the ability to tune at the 0.001 kHz. level in SSB.)
Still own my TS-940 and only occasionally operate but getting the bug for a new radio. 7610 looks impressive but I see the 890 was made to follow the 940. The case dimensions and weight are almost identical to 940. 7610 looks like quality rig but half the weight. For extra 900 dollars, you get a heftier device built to almost mil specs. BTW bought the 940 used in 1998 and almost flawless since it was used a lot for first ten years I had it
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..
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
Apologies, I meant to say decode and second RX. Answered before engaging brain 😂
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 💙
Oh, could you tell ;-/ !, our stock is fresh in from the factory.
Hello Mark from Florida USA
I just picked this radio up yesterday. Haven't even got it on the bench yet. I am looking forward to using it. I watched and I am sure it will help me with the radio. I got mine used for 2 months and I hope a good price, I gave him what he was asking because he was passing away with in 2 months. And I wasn't there to talk him down in price. I felt that $3,000 was a fair price so no haggle there. I also got the matching speaker along with it.
Just a thought, should the Lid not be called a bonnet? 😉😉Kenwood kept the microphone and give us a handle.. lol
AFTER WATCHING THIS GREAT VIDEO i AM GOING TO LIKE AND SUBSCRIBE...
THANK YOU de W4DRA...
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 🙏
Both good radios, one is the Looker :-)
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)!
Interesting, thank you
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.
There are some excellent Owner reviews of the TS-890S on TH-cam that I would encourage watching, that have more depth and detail.
Bravo! clear and well-spoken Grazie!
piacere totale ed assoluto - I think thats correct?
Perfetto.... Grazie mille 👌👍👌👍👌👍
I’ve had an IC 7610 for 4 years. I wish I had gone with a Kenwood
Just get the 890. You'll then have the best of Icom & Kenwood. I am blessed to have both.
The Ic-7610 has dual receivers, the TS-890s has the build quality, 4M, included remote software, 18 Band Graphic &.....
Beautiful radio
TS-890s is the 'looker' out of all of the Base Station HF Radios in current production
I run one with an Elecraft 500Watt AMP and Tuner. I personally do not think there is anything better for this bracket of radio.
I've got a ts-590sg and thinking to upgrade to this one. Isn't the antenna tuner on this rig similar to 590sg ? I managed to tune antennas with 5.1 swr max. It's amazing
I would hope it would be quality at that price
I agree, though compared to some items that only have short lives (CellPhones), it's a bargain.
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.
Thank you for the info, I did not know that.
excellent review. Brian VE3gue
Appreciated, thank you
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.
I want one
I such a while in the internet and i didn´t find any Keypad with a 3,5 Klinke Cable. To you have any Products? Mny tks. 73 de ED. Btw. Great Video
Please contact us via email; sales@hamradio.co.uk
I was given a old short wave radio, that had great reception in fm and sw. It finally failed, what is a good sw radio, not ham. Thanks
Tecsun PL-330 or Qodosen DX-286. Superb radios. The DX-286 is fantastic on FM, too.Check out youtube reviews of them.
@@SSN515 thanks, since that comment, I've ordered a tecsun pl880 should be here today.
@@user-wr1yh2zw6l Cool. That's a good radio, too.
Is it an 890S or an 890?
890S. There is no 890 even though the panel says "890". All the paperwork says "890S".
I thought Kenwood was getting out of the Ham Radio business.
Nope. Rumor has it they are cooking up another HF rig. The "getting out of the Ham Business" has been around for years and years.
It has TS-890 on the front and not the TS-890S, why the S?
Thanks !! PA3CRL