[Kenwood] TS-850S vs TS-480 - 480 Big Picture

Mon Dec 1 09:01:48 EST 2008

Have you tried the 480 reflector with your question?
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TS-480/

Also some of the following information will give some of the big picture for 
the 480.
73 from Bill - WD8ARZ
http://hflink.net/qso/
================
When ever I purchase a HF ham rig, if it doesnt use standard automotive
power / batteries to run it, I dont buy it. Even if intended just for fixed
base use. The FT-1000MP used here has the internal power supply, but is
configurable for external dc operation. Not knocking the non auto power
standards, just wanted to keep as many of the options open I could for
operating under all conditions that I could. I understand the need for the
higher voltages on the finals for the benefits it brings, just havent wanted
it.

To get the Sky Command and HF performance, consider the following package:

TS-480HX, Six Meters through 160 Meters, 200 Watts, remotable head, stand
alone package for base, mobile or portable operations to cover voice and CW
needs. Sky Command Compatible, meaning no computer required to interface to
other compatible gear. Unique power requirement of this radio easily met by
a power supply package. Additional applications of this radio include the
ability to access / use it over remotable control head from a few feet to
several hundred feet by cable. Computer accessible locally or remotely for
full operation of the radio for voice and digital modes, using local area
lan, the internet or direct plug in of computer / laptop. Access and control
of the radio over radio links using compatible dual band mobile and dual
band walkie talkie. Excellent cooling package for hot mobile and summer
environments when air conditioning is not available. TS-480HX 200 watt radio
can be operated at 100 watts or less at near full duty cycle for long
periods of time (hours, not minutes) due to extra cooling fan and design not
available in most 100 watt radios. Yes, it has a digital interface
connector.

Other kinds of interfacing to radios these days is made a huge challenge due
to the various kinds of cable connectors, and multi connectors meant to
handle more cables than you can put on that connector! That is why I have
the LDG RCA-14 breakout box for the accessory jack on my TS-480HX.
The RCA-14 comes with a DIN-13, DIN-8, DIN-7, Mini DIN-8 and Mini
DIN-6 cables. .
http://www.ldgelectronics.com/products.php?cID=6&pID=21&v=1

TM-D700 / D710 Two meter and 440 FM mobile. 50 Watts with APRS and Sky
Command Compatible. Can crossband. Easy interface to the AvMap G5 for GPS
and Navigation Displays that includes APRS display / tracking. No Computer
required to interface these two items.

TH-D7AG Two meter and 440 FM Walkie Talkie. Data communicator is equipped
with a built-in TNC and APRS. Sky Command Compatible.

AvMap G5 Navigator has built-in highly sensitive 20 channel Sirf 3 GPS
engine, has a ultra bright, non-glaring, 5 inch, TFT Touch Screen, and comes
with cable to interface to the Kenwood D700 / D710. See those APRS stations
on your display map!

End result is a selection of individual gear that operate totally as
separate units, Base, Mobile or Portable. However they can be configured to
give the HT remote control access to the dual band mobile leaving the HF rig
alone, or using the dual band mobile as an interface to the HF radio, the HT
has remote control and transmit / receive access. Due to Katrina, the FCC
granted legality for using Sky Command for such HT to HF operation.

As a bonus, in combination with the AvMap G5 Navigator, GPS information can
be fed to the D700 / D710 or the HT as needed. APRS info is sent to and from
the G5 making for a seamless interface that doesnt require a computer.  It
is nice to have received APRS stations displayed on the 5" screen with out a
separate computer being used!

Why go with the individual pieces rather than say the TS-2000?? Two reasons.
1) Flexibility to use each radio independent of the other, or together as a
system.
2) HF performance. Yep, it turns out HF rigs 'with out' two meters and four
forty perform better due to front end design. HF radios, even those that
include six meters, can have tighter filter front ends that have to be given
up to support the higher bands. Down load the TS-480HX/SAT In Depth Manual
at the link below, and read it right from Kenwood experts.
http://www.kenwood.com/i/products/info/amateur/software_download.html

Links:
=======================================

TM-D700 / D710
http://www.universal-radio.com/CATALOG/fm_txvrs/0710.html
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TM-D700/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TMD700A/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TMD710A/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TM-D710_TM-V71/

TH-D7AG
http://www.universal-radio.com/CATALOG/ht/4211.html
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Kenwood_TH-D7/

TS-480HX
http://www.universal-radio.com/CATALOG/hamhf/0480.html
http://www.kenwood.com/i/products/info/amateur/software_download.html
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TS-480/

Sky Command System:
http://www.universal-radio.com/CATALOG/ht/4211sky2.html
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/skycommand/

AvMap G5 Navigator
http://www.universal-radio.com/CATALOG/fm_txvrs/50630710.html
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Avmap_G5_APRS/

Link700 Support for TH-D7, TM-D700 , TM-G707,  TH-F6/7, TS-480 and TS-2000
radios. Link700 is offered as shareware.  It is totally functional, but has
"nag" screens when you perform certain operations.  In order to remove the
nag screens, it is necessary to register Link700.
http://www.wa3hrl.com/link700/

For the software with the D700, I like both the Kenwood and the Link 700.
The Link 700 has a great features when doing multiple radios. Such as
TM-D700 / TS-480HX & TH-D7AG. I can build a file that contains the memory
and menu settings of the D700 for example, and then copy it to a D7 file
format. Upload it to both radios and they then are the same, matching memory
locations etc.

Considering the D710 my self, but I have not heard if the Link700 will work
with the D710 and its changed communications protocol. Does any one else
know? I would hate to lose the cross sharing of memory files.

Note that the D7 walkie talkie can remote control the D700/D710 dual bander,
and the D700/D710 can interface with the TS-480 HF, allowing remote control
of the 480 over HF by the D7. All using Sky Command. Very Cool! Other radios
can do the sky command codes, but it is more awkward to use than a rig that
is already compatible.

For the antenna I bought the Hi-Q 5/160. The best adjustable, most efficient
mobile HF antenna out there. I went with the stainless steel, silver wire
coil, top hats, and some accessories.
http://www.hiqantennas.com/

To provide quick auto tuning of the HiQ antenna (with out having to bottom
out the antenna first when changing bands I might add too) N2VZ Turbo
Tuner for the Kenwood TS-480HX. Just push a button on the radio and
the antenna self tunes from six meters through 160 Meters. Sweet!
http://www.n2vz.com

For mobile digital automatic band tuning switching, I use a long whip and a
auto tuner, such as the LDG AT-200PC, but you could use the PRO version. A
screwdriver antenna is not fast enough and you will burn out the motor
trying. LDG AT-200 PC auto tuner is intended for program control. Software
control can select memory settings after the atu has been trained with
frequencies of interest. This means relay operations occur with out RF
arcing on the relay contacts. Once a frequency is pre-tuned, it goes into
memory and is reselected the next time in a fraction of a second. The AT-220
AT is the same auto tuner but no computer interface. Both models needs to
have each frequency you will transmit on trained once, and get added to the
memory of  the unit for that frequency. PC controlled version means no RF on
the relay contacts in the atu as the relay selection process takes place
before transmitting.
http://www.ldgelectronics.com/products.php?cID=1&pID=4&v=1

Higher cooling capacity of the HX version of the TS-480 allows for longer
transmit duty cycle in hotter environments, especially for the long rag
chews and digital operations. Turn down the power to 100 watts, and it is
almost a 100% duty cycle radio (those are hard to find!). Cant think of a
more challenging heat environment than an hf installation in a car in the
hot sun all day and you want to fire it up for a long rag chew with out
blowing finals.

This is one heavy duty tough built radio. I am going to get a second one
before they stop producing them.

How about this for a power supply? Cost effective too, especially if you
prefer the transformer power supplies like me ...hi

Over the years I have tried a variety of ways to operate on external dc
sources, and have now settled on the following arrangement to operate from
the base, mobile or portable and power the repair bench. This single package
is easy to move from location to location, and is cost competitive to AC
supplies when compared to the non standard power supplies. As a benefit, it
powers all the other dc power needs in the shack and even mobile.

Almost any standard power supply that can do about ten amps continuous can
feed the power gate PG40S. Feeding high current drain devices direct off the
battery also provides good isolation from those starting transients in the
mobile.

=====================================
Charging batteries for in-use power and backup power.
Or how to eliminate large and multiple AC power supplies.

Power gate PG40S backup power system to provide dual auto switching power
and charging of a Gel Battery, mobile or base. Doesnt get hot.
http://www.westmountainradio.com/SuperPWRgate.htm

Rigrunner 4008 (comes with battery case package) using Anderson Powerpole
connectors for power distribution to multiple equipment. Note that all
outputs are also RF filtered from each other, and fused.
http://www.westmountainradio.com/RIGrunner.htm

Sealed Gelled 73 Ah Battery to go into the DCtoGo Battery box.
http://www.westmountainradio.com/MKbatt.htm
http://www.westmountainradio.com/rigrunner/M24SLDG.htm

Powerpole Crimp Tool for making more cable to rig hook ups with spare
connectors.
http://www.westmountainradio.com/PWRcrimp.htm

Battery Fuse & Terminal Kit to protect vehicle cable feeding the
distribution system.
http://www.westmountainradio.com/rigrunner/battfusetermkit.htm

Couple Power Pole Connector to HF Radio Fused 6-Pole Connector. Beats
making up these manually! hi hi
http://www.westmountainradio.com/rigrunner/ppl-24.htm

On the base, I even use a large UPS to feed the charging power supply.
================

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bob Arenella" <rja12 at comcast.net>
To: <kenwood at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Sunday, November 30, 2008 10:46 AM
Subject: [Kenwood] TS-850S vs TS-480S

Anybody ever do a side by side comparison with these two rigs? Would be very 
interested in Rx performance comparison.

Tnx & 73
Bob
N2OAM 