Kenwood TS-590 rx-current draw?

[nanZor]

I'm thinking of adding a 590 to my station, and I wonder if anyone has actually measured the *real* current draw on receive?

A lot of gear I've had over the years seems to have rx-current draw specs that only seem right when the backlight and audio is at full blast, etc.

Any ranges of current draw under more normal use would be appreciated since I like to run long term under emergency power.

 

[RBMTS]

My current draw seems to be running at about 1.5A with 50% backlight while receiving a signal with volume about 50%. Obviously turning off the display backlight will reduce down the draw.

Hope this helps you.

 

[SCPD]

Yep I haven't really looked hard at the number but I was going to say around 2A. If I think of it I'll double-check when I get home and update my post later today.

 

[nanZor]

Thank guys - I brought one home! Oh man, what a rx! And it is only drawing a little more than my portable Yaesu 897D, and as much as I loved it, I needed something a bit larger as time goes on.

On my Fluke 87V, I measured an average of about 1.2a in normal use and normal audio. 160m averaged about 1.1a, whereas at 6m, the draw was about 1.35a.

I was pleasantly surprised with the backlighting. There seems to be only about a 250-275ma difference between off and full brightness, and while I'm happy with it being totally usable with the backlighting off, I can easily sustain it with a backlight on sipping at the 1 or 2 brightness setting.

I have only played with it for a few hours, but what boggles my mind is WHY isn't Kenwood releasing this in a receive-only format? I understand the limited market for receivers, but boy, this would help retire a lot of Icom R75's!

 

[SCPD]

Good deal. Yeah I think you'll love the Rx -- it's really sensitive. Be sure you're on the latest firmware but the receive performance is very good overall.

The DSP NR can get a little weird at times though I find myself not having to use it much. I can just narrow the b/w setting and that seems to resolve most issues.

BTW, the 590s specification says 1.5A or less with *no* signal.

I love the green backlight display as it matches my nearby V71A.

 

[nanZor]

I'm loving it already. The S/N is addicting. We'll see how it goes tonight with preamps off.