[Kenwood] Kenwood Suspends R&D

[Steve Rutledge]

The question was posed to a Kenwood employee manning the Kenwood booth 
at a hamfest.  I don't think it was hearsay.  I commend the fellow for 
his honesty.

Kenwood is certainly not out of the amateur business.  They just don't 
appear to have a "big box" on the immediate horizon.  The TS-480S has 
received quite favorable reviews in terms of performance.

If land mobile is where the money is, they are going to have to go 
there.  I would rather see them make sound business decisions vs. go out 
of business.

As far as reliability, I think Kenwood has done a better job than Icom 
in terms of quality control.  There have been some significant problems 
with the IC-910 as well as the 746PRO.

I am currently using a TS-850S with a full compliment of CW fitlers.  My 
back-up rigs are a TS-450S with filters and a TS-690S.  So, I am 
committed to Kenwood.

I am always looking at used TS-870's and TS-950SDX's but I just can't 
seem to make the leap.

If anyone would care to compare the 850 to those rigs, I would like to 
hear your stories.

73,

Steve, N4JQQ