FT-920 IC-756 TS-570
hope...@ctg.net
Hi gang,
I've been reading (with interest) all the banter on the
newsgroups about the new HF radios. And I have an
observation/question.
The IC-756 has HF and 6m and sells for $2200.
The FT-920 has HF and 6m and may sell for about the same,
although no one really knows for sure yet.
The TS-570S has HF and 6m and sells for $1850.
Where did Kenwood get the ability to build the same radio
as the other guys and sell it for so much less? Before you
say something dumb like "Kenwood sucks," I'd ask you to
compare the specs of each radio. The Kenwood holds its own
against the IC-756 and the FT-920. Sure, it doesn't have
that swanky purple (PURPLE?!) display with spectrum scope,
but its display is excellent and (I may add) readable from
virtually all angles. It has virtually the same features:
two antenna ports, built-in memory keyer, built-in RS-232
port, etc.
Yes, the Kenwood's DSP is in the AF stage. But so is the
ICOM's, I hear, and (it looks like) the Yaesu's. I own a
TS-570D (no 6m, but same features otherwise) and I've
spent a few hours fiddling with an IC-756. I don't see
what all the hype is about with the IC-756. Aside from
the display (which is not terribly clear and has a slow
refresh rate), it's a pretty basic radio with DSP tacked
on. The DSP controls have different labels, but they
work similarly to the ones on the TS-570. A few other
hams who were up at HRO at the same time I was, and had
their first "hands-on" look at the IC-756, also went
away wondering what all the hype was about
-- especially for $2200.
By the way, while playing with the IC-756, I tried really
hard to use the spectrum scope to target potential
contacts. But I found the refresh rate on it so slow
that tuning to one of the peaks was an almost futile
task. The only thing I can see it useful for is possibly
as an indication of band activity. Try it, you'll see!
I've had my TS-570D for two months now and worked quite a
bit of DX and stateside stations. The DSP is an incredibly
effective tool against QRM and such. It has frequently
made the difference between a finished QSO and no QSO at
all. In my opinion, the receiver (and everything else) in
the radio beats the pants off the TS-850SAT I used to own,
and the receiver specs (both Kenwood's and those measured
by ARRL) seem to confirm that. The fact that the TS-570
has a dual-conversion receiver doesn't seem to make a
difference in the real world or in the receiver specs.
So back to my question. How is it that Kenwood can build
and market a product equivalent to the IC-756 (and maybe
the FT-920) for so much less? What am I missing here?
Are there some incredible features on the IC-756 that I
haven't discovered?
If there are, I haven't missed them on my 570. I don't use
6 meters, and if any of you potential buyers out there
don't think you will either, I'd recommend taking a hard
look at a TS-570D. You can have an excellent radio and go
away with 700 bucks in your pocket. (Or if you want 6
meters, buy a '570S and still walk away $350 richer.)
Sure, I'm biased. I own the Kenwood. But I did a lot of
research before I made my purchase, and the IC-756, while
not type-accepted when I bought my 570, was on the market
and info was available. I compared its specs and price to
the 570 and wasn't impressed enough to shell out a few
hundred bucks extra. I'm still extremely happy with my
purchase, and I've talked to quite a few other TS-570
owners who feel the same.
Just my two cents' worth, to be taken as such. It's your
money; you may waste it as you wish.
73,
Meade, KA4RQB
Richmond, Virginia
e-mail: hope...@ctg.net
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Richard E Stealey
: Where did Kenwood get the ability to build the same radio
: as the other guys and sell it for so much less? Before you
: say something dumb like "Kenwood sucks," I'd ask you to
A few years ago there was a survey on netnews in one of these
rec.radio.amateur newsgroups regarding service from the major mfrs.
As I remember:
Ten Tec was tops
Icom was next
Yaesu was next and improving
Kenwood was last and deteriorating.
As I also remember there was almost nothing good said about Kenwoods
service, with lots of horror stories about rigs being sent back over
and over. Hams getting the runaround. Kenwood not performing.
I know of a local here in NJ who was told by Kenwood after he sent
his 940 back about a half dozen times that he should "consider buying a
950 since the 940 was ten years old it was OBSOLETE !!!!"
The ratings made a big impression on me. I wouldn't even consider a
Kenwood until they get their act in order. I wonder if the thread was
started over now if the story would be any different?
I do hear they make good stereos !!!!
Rick K2XT
Robert J. Nagy
OK, I hit the send by mistake on that last post...but you got the
gist.
Bob
AB5N
Robert J. Nagy
All very interesting Meade-
Yup, the 570d is a super radio. I spent a few
hours on it at the local ham store. I fully expect it to be
the Monte Carlo/Cutless/Skylark of the the late 90's.
It's swank looking, great display, very good DSP,
All the features you would need, and priced very aggressively.
It's a dam good buy.
Thing is , I ...as you know...bought the IC-756...moving also from the
TS-850sat...and I think I made a good choice. The thing the 756 and
570d have in common is that they have sencitive receivers...similar
DSP (although the 756's DSP is closer to the IF)...They have similar
tuning feel and ratios...and both have unique displays...and even are
similar in color.
The differences are (in my humble opinion) that the Spectral Display
IS actually usable. It adds a dimension to the radio that is comparable
to gaining ones sight for the first time, Now, its a little fuzzy,
not as good as 20/20 (CRT) vision, but its vision none the less.
Just watch the baseband noise level float up and down in relation to
several signals on 9mhz in the evening and then tell me how superfluous
the display is. Very good HF radios can ALL pull out signals just above the
noise these days...and all are using similar crystal filters...and even
the same japaneese active devices in the circuity. My little Alinco DX-70
can work 99.9% of the signals out there...using crappy little Murata
IF filters...because HF just is not that challenging to todays technology.
Another difference is that the NR mode DSP is slightly superior on the
756....also the degradation of the recieved SSB audio is less on the 756's
auto notch. The 756 also has a second RX channel...not incredable but a
definate advantage. You also get to add filters in both IF's and have much
more flexibility in choosing them.Another thing that you pay for on Icom is
the robust-ness of the construction. I didn't look inside the 570d, but the
entire 756 is constructed inside a cast alluminum frame. Its totally
commercial looking inside. Kenwoods have traditionally used stamped metal
chassis.(that yellow colored metal). Oh yea, the alphanumeric labeling
on the memory list is really cool...just scroll down the page and hit SET
and you are there.
Lastly, the 570d's RX sounds good...beautiful Kenwood audio in and out as
usual. The Icom has a very different sound. It, in a word, is "Clear".
The clarity of the SSB and AM reception is a real eye-opener. It is clearly
better than the generation before it. Like I said in a previous review on it,
it is like the difference between records and CD's. Records sound really good
and warm...and we were used to them...but put on a CD...and it is obviously
Clearer..and for the same basic reasons. I'm not even making a real judgement
here, I like warm "record" sound, but for short duration- high intensity
use, I like CD's.
So, is the 570 a great deal? Yes it is. Is it a better value? I think so.
Is it a better radio than the 756...No.
So-$350 bucks more...for a better. Twin RX's
radio?..some of us will;
Phil Clements
.....snip...
> >
> > The ratings made a big impression on me. I wouldn't even consider a
> > Kenwood until they get their act in order. I wonder if the thread was
> > started over now if the story would be any different?
> >
> > I do hear they make good stereos !!!!
> >
> > Rick K2XT
All the horror stories you have heard are probably worse than you know!
You are mistaken about the stereos...they make mediocre stereos, and semi-kit
amateur radios. To my knowledge, Kenwood has never won a shoot-out against any
other brand in any area.
(((73)))
Phil, K5PC
hershman
DSP autonotch but I heard it is AFTER the AGC. So you see your S Meter
pegged by a strong "tuner upper" and it is affecting your AGC!!
David Ho
That's why they have to plan to sell their radios at CB shops and
outlet stores. Along with their car stereos, I guess.
My observations tell me that it is the "fan fair" that keeps Kenwood
alive. Sorry that I have to say such thing but please don't take it
offensively. It's just my personal thought and not targeting anyone
out there.
73!
de AF4BH aka VS6UE/W4
David Ho
dav...@one.net
Jim Nance
I don't think it is the same radio. Remember you get what you pay for and
from what I have seen over past years hams will pay less for less and try
not only their best to convince themselves their cheaper rig is as good as
the more costly rig with better features and better quality components but
will try to convince everyone else it's better.
73 de KE4WY Jim
Richard E Stealey <r...@cmprime.cis.att.com> wrote in article
<5g79gs$p...@anchor.cis.att.com>...
> : Where did Kenwood get the ability to build the same radio
> : as the other guys and sell it for so much less? Before you
> : say something dumb like "Kenwood sucks," I'd ask you to
>
> A few years ago there was a survey on netnews in one of these
> rec.radio.amateur newsgroups regarding service from the major mfrs.
> As I remember:
> Ten Tec was tops
> Icom was next
> Yaesu was next and improving
> Kenwood was last and deteriorating.
>
> As I also remember there was almost nothing good said about Kenwoods
> service, with lots of horror stories about rigs being sent back over
> and over. Hams getting the runaround. Kenwood not performing.
> I know of a local here in NJ who was told by Kenwood after he sent
> his 940 back about a half dozen times that he should "consider buying a
> 950 since the 940 was ten years old it was OBSOLETE !!!!"
>
Gary Fiber
On Wed, 12 Mar 1997 08:51:42 -0600, hope...@ctg.net wrote:
>
>By the way, while playing with the IC-756, I tried really
>hard to use the spectrum scope to target potential
>contacts. But I found the refresh rate on it so slow
>that tuning to one of the peaks was an almost futile
>task.
>>>>> The only thing I can see it useful for is possibly as an indication of band activity. Try it, you'll see!
The above statement hits the NAIL on the HEAD. That is exactly what
the display does, no more no less it is designes to display band
activity. It is not a pan adaptor, it is not designes to show
trapzoid patterns, flat topping etc. Now with the other radios on a
quiet band you will need to tune around, with the 756 you can see +-
100 kHz around you.
Gary
Steven Umbach
I don't know which QST review you read, but the TS850 "beat the pants
off" of the TS570. In the dynamic range department alone the TS850 had a
35db! performance advantage over the TS570 in blocking performance. Maybe
you had a bum TS850. I bought mine brand new and it sits atop my new
FT1000MP. The TS850 holds its own very well compared to the FT1000MP . It
just does not have dual receive, dsp, incredible flexabilty via menu
settings, and all the other bells and whistles which I have come to love
very quickly. I have heard that the the TS570 is a great rig, but please
give the TS850 it's due respect. --- Steve N9ROU
Don Rasmussen WB8YQJ/6
Hi guys,
In my opinion, the 570 is not in the same class as the 756, it's
one class lower. There is no six meters for petes sake, not to
mention all the other new features you're missing. You've saved
yourself some money, but you've gotten less in features and
service for it.
73's
Don Rasmussen WB8YQJ/6
Igor S Sokolov
hope...@ctg.net wrote:
>Hi gang,
>I've been reading (with interest) all the banter on the
>newsgroups about the new HF radios. And I have an
>observation/question.
>The IC-756 has HF and 6m and sells for $2200.
>The FT-920 has HF and 6m and may sell for about the same,
>although no one really knows for sure yet.
>The TS-570S has HF and 6m and sells for $1850.
>Where did Kenwood get the ability to build the same radio
>as the other guys and sell it for so much less? Before you
>say something dumb like "Kenwood sucks," I'd ask you to
>compare the specs of each radio. The Kenwood holds its own
>against the IC-756 and the FT-920.
570 has no dual watch.
David Ho
If I am not mistaken, the TS-570S is 6 meter ready. The TS-570D,
however, covers only HF.
de AF4BH
David Ho
dav...@one.net