Kenwood: Kenwood TS-890S or TS-990S for a HAM starter

[McCarthy84]

So. It has been a few years since I first joined this forum. Back in the day, my idea was to buy the KENWOOD TH-D74A, just listen to whatever I can tun in to, then get my license. I was basically talked out of it with suggestions to get a $25 Baofeng instead.

Well, I bough that cheap and uninspiring Baofeng, and lost interest a couple days later because I didn't listen to myself. I was in love with the idea of getting that high quality handheld KENWOOD radio, and that love went down the drain with that cheap Baofeng thing.

Now I'm back, and this time for the real deal, the TS-890S or the TS-990S.

I love Kenwood, and I love the design and looks of those 2 radios. That alone is the starting point of my new passion. It may not make sense to you, that's ok. I work differently.

2 questions:

Now, I'm in central Florida. Are there any semi local stores that stock both and may offer a discount of some sorts?

What would be the best attic antenna for 20 meter, for one of those radios? I have 2 by 4s every 24 inches throughout.

 

[SA4MDN]

I have a 990 and love it to bits, i dont think you will find many shops that will have a 990 in stock, from what i hear they are only made to order now,

 

[AK9R]

Ham Radio Outlet has a store in Winter Springs, north of Orlando. I've never been there, but I'm sure they have many radios on display and connected to power and antennas so you can play around with them. Ham Radio Outlet Winter Springs, FL

Yes, the Kenwood TS-890 and TS-990 excel in the "the radio with the most knobs and switches" quotient. But, they may not be good starter radios in that they are expensive. If you drop a load of cash on them and later find that HF amateur radio isn't for you, you'll have money tied up in an asset that you don't use. If you are set on Kenwood, look at the TS-590SG. It's a very capable radio at a significantly lower price.

Another radio to consider is the Icom IC-7300. Not as many knobs and switches, but the spectrum scope and waterfall display are valuable features. And, you can find them for even less than the TS-590SG.

Attic antennas are always a compromise. They'll get you started, but the frustration curve may ramp up quickly. Take a look at HOA Ham on YouTube (HOA Ham). He lives in Florida and has antenna restrictions where he lives. He's done some pretty good stuff with antennas that fly under the HOA's radar.

 

[vagrant]

I have used the Kenwood 590 and Icom 7300 on the same three element tri-band Yagi. They performed great. I also used a 5 watt Yaesu 817 on the same antenna and had an operator interrupt my QSO not believing I was using a 5 watt radio.

What I would not do is purchase a sports car price and performance radio like the 890 or 990 and limit it with a heavily compromised (15 MPH) antenna in my attic. I would purchase a 590, 7300, or Yaesu 710 as a starter radio. I would also try various antenna types. With the money saved on the radio, I would spend it on a pneumatic lift as a mast and put a Hexbeam type of antenna on it and or a 40-6 meter end fed antenna. Raise that thing at night if you are really restricted.

 

[McCarthy84]

Ham Radio Outlet has a store in Winter Springs, north of Orlando. I've never been there, but I'm sure they have many radios on display and connected to power and antennas so you can play around with them. Ham Radio Outlet Winter Springs, FL

Yes, the Kenwood TS-890 and TS-990 excel in the "the radio with the most knobs and switches" quotient. But, they may not be good starter radios in that they are expensive. If you drop a load of cash on them and later find that HF amateur radio isn't for you, you'll have money tied up in an asset that you don't use. If you are set on Kenwood, look at the TS-590SG. It's a very capable radio at a significantly lower price.

Another radio to consider is the Icom IC-7300. Not as many knobs and switches, but the spectrum scope and waterfall display are valuable features. And, you can find them for even less than the TS-590SG.

Attic antennas are always a compromise. They'll get you started, but the frustration curve may ramp up quickly. Take a look at HOA Ham on YouTube (HOA Ham). He lives in Florida and has antenna restrictions where he lives. He's done some pretty good stuff with antennas that fly under the HOA's radar.

Thanks for the YouTube link - that will help a lot. A neighbor has a 25 feet tall flag pole in his front yard, so that is an option for sure. I'll make something work.

I'm also on the search list with my realtor for some 5 to 10 acres of land, outside city limits and any HOA - so eventually I will have no limitations regarding antennas.

I have no interest in any other radios but those 2 Kenwoods.

 

[McCarthy84]

I have used the Kenwood 590 and Icom 7300 on the same three element tri-band Yagi. They performed great. I also used a 5 watt Yaesu 817 on the same antenna and had an operator interrupt my QSO not believing I was using a 5 watt radio.

What I would not do is purchase a sports car price and performance radio like the 890 or 990 and limit it with a heavily compromised (15 MPH) antenna in my attic. I would purchase a 590, 7300, or Yaesu 710 as a starter radio. I would also try various antenna types. With the money saved on the radio, I would spend it on a pneumatic lift as a mast and put a Hexbeam type of antenna on it and or a 40-6 meter end fed antenna. Raise that thing at night if you are really restricted.

As mentioned, I have no interest in any other radios. I made that mistake once. Money is no objective. And yes, when I started getting into motorcycles, I bought a Ducati 1198 SP as my first bike. As I sad, I work differently. I own a car that goes well past 200 mph too, even though I can only legally go 70 in my state.

For a Hexbeam Antenna I would need to install a fence. Not going to happen on this property. Once I move, I'm free to do whatever I want but for now it needs to be within my Attic, or a tricked out flag pole.

 

[McCarthy84]

Well, I made a compromise... I spent 5k instead of 10.

Can't wait to sit down and listen to whatever I can find, while learning for tech.

 

[jwt873]

Congrats.. Great radio. If you haven't used a radio of that class before,you're going to find there's a steep learning curve.. But that's half the fun

 

[McCarthy84]

Congrats.. Great radio. If you haven't used a radio of that class before,you're going to find there's a steep learning curve.. But that's half the fun

That's exactly how I like it. I retired very early 10 years ago and challenges like these keep me going, and motivated, such as new passions like CAD design and 3D printing with engineering filaments, board level micro soldering, trading high momentum small cap stocks on level 2 or picking up another programming language.

 

[GlobalNorth]

Buying quality may be expensive, but it is often worth it.

 

[McCarthy84]

Buying quality may be expensive, but it is often worth it.

This is also my "happy purchase" for the year. I'm REALLY looking forward to the long process of learning HAM, discovering that radio and all the features.

 

[vagrant]

Looks like your delivery was for today. Are you enjoying your “happy purchase”?

What antenna solution did you choose?

 

[McCarthy84]

Looks like your delivery was for today. Are you enjoying your “happy purchase”?

What antenna solution did you choose?

Well, the retailer screwed up big time. I started anther thread in the same sub forum.

Kenwood: - New $4000 radio shipped like a ragdoll