[Kenwood] TS2000 VS IC746

[Bill Roberts]

Charlie,

In March, 2002 I sold a 15 month old IC 746, added a few hundred bucks to
the pot, and purchased a TS2000 when they had them for $1599.  I am very
well satisfied with the change.

From the get go, I was not a fan of the '746.  Mine tended to drift,
particularly noticeably on 6 and 2 meters.  In my suburban environment (with
its typical electromagnetic garbage, strong broadcast signals, whatever) the
receiver just sounded 'noisy.'  I noticed that when I used it portable out
in the country, the receiver sounded a lot better.   Physical construction
also seemed 'cheap' ;  the cabinet, the controls, particularly the memory
channel rotary switch, the external speaker jack become unsoldered from the
board, etc.  Selectivity  and passband tuning was just OK with the standard
filters but nothing exceptional. (to be expected with the standard filters,
I suppose).   I will say that the '746's noise blanker was pretty good.

Anyway, the TS2000 is in a whole different league.  To me, it just seems to
be made better.  The whole thing is built on a large aluminum heatsink with
solid metal cabinet all around it.  Controls feel solid.  As to performance,
it holds its own very well along side my FT1000MP.  In all but the strongest
signal conditions, selectivity can be made comparable.  Of course, the
filtering is a lot more flexible (compared to the 'MP or the '746).  I have
been pleasantly surprised by the DSP noise reduction and the beat canceling
circuits.  The receiver just sounds quieter than the '746.

On 6 and 2, the receivers (aside from the lack of drift on the 2000) seem
about the same.  Both receivers have a few birdies but those on the 2000 are
fewer and weaker.  Both can/could usually copy the Dayton Ohio 10 watt 2
meter SSB beacon using the same antenna (Cushcraft 10X10 at 30 feet).

Both received and transmitted audio is better on the 2000.  In fact,
flexible is probably a better word.  The extensive use of DSP allows you to
do a lot more tailoring, right out of the box.

Other things...  The built in packet controller and 2nd receiver are fun.  I
have barely scratched the surface but it is easy to tune the 2nd receiver to
any of the local packet cluster stations and watch the spots come across the
lower right hand section of the display.  I understand from other owners
that the 2000 works well on satellite work.  I don't recall if it has a
transverter output but the display will show the actual receive frequency
while using a transverter.

One last thing...  the finals in the 2000 seem a lot more robust than those
in the '746.  On my '746, anything about 1.5:1 caused the power to be cut
back.  The 2000 doesn't cut back as soon nor as much.

As you can see, few of the above are scientific measurements...  just my
observations.  Like I said, the '2000 is in a different league than the IC
746.  Try it, you'll like it.  BTW... I think you can download the complete
TS2000 manual from Kenwood's amateur radio web site.

73 de Bill / K8DXX

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Hi, all!  I was wondering what the TS-2000 owners think of that radio,
especially those who had/have the IC-746.  I currently have that radio
(746), and while I like it, I was thinking of trading up to the TS-2000.
I would like to hear from those who use the TS-2000 in the following
conditions: EME, VHF contesting, transverter operation, roving, and HF
dxing and contesting.
  I have a couple of questions about it as well. A) Does it have a
transverter port? If so, what is the output?  B) Does the suband only
receive AM/FM?  I thought I heard someone say that.  C) Is it possible to
be operating on, say 432, and be using the sub or main for transverter
operation and hear both?  D) How well do the digital filters work?  E) Is
it better that the IC-746?  Thanks!
73,
Charlie N2IM