New Kenwood TS-590 HF Rig

nt9k

Active Member
About time Kenwood came out with a new HF rig. From what I hear, this one will also do 6m.
It appears to be an upgraded TS-570, and a mid range priced radio.
An updated the TS-870 would be great. Here is a picture I found of the new 590:
 

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Hiya Bill

I also thought that it appears to be an upgraded TS-570, but then I had a phone call at work from a guy asking if we could "expand his TS-570D to allow 6m use just like the TS-570S".

I had a look around the web, having never heard of a TS-570S before, and found to my surprise that the TS-570S does HF+6m (see reviews on eham).

So maybe the 'new' 590 is not so new after all. Possibly a TS-570S with a face lift and better DSP?

We've been waiting for months to take stock of the 590s' but as yet no signs from Kenwood of any arriving :(

By the way, if you look at the photo of the TS-570S, and then the photo of the 590, I would say that it is the same chassis inside, and Kenwood have just used rectangular buttons on the 590 as opposed to the older rounded style on the 570.

Oh yes, and swapped the amber leds for green ones!

Working 'in the trade' you get the feeling that all of the radio manufacturers are struggling with the global recession, and that it will be a good number of years before any REALLY new models appear, apart from MFJ who seem to make 30 new models a day hi hi.


Best 73, Mark.
 
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Greetings,

I finally got to have a quick 'play' with one of the new Kenwood TS-590s

As far as all of the functions are concerned the set performed well, but the matt black finish is a real dirt magnet.

The smallest amount of grease on your fingers and it leaves marks all over the covers, and the front panel too (the front panel is also matt black).

I have a feeling that the top and bottom covers on the set will not be too scratch resistant either. To be honest, the finish on the paintwork reminded me of radios I have seen that have been resprayed by their owners. You get the feeling that what you're seeing is an undercoat layer, and that the radio is unfinished.

Was it worth the wait? :unsure:


73, Mark.
 
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