Kenwood TS-890S worth it in 2024?

[@AncientAviator]

Mark...thank you very much for your SUPERB review. THE BEST!

[@willtopower2158]

I love my 890, it does everything I want it to do. I keep finding new buttons to push, yesterday I found the MONI button. It enables me to hear my transmission through my speaker or headphones and it is adjustable! Fabulous radio!

[@dazzp2]

This is not only become iconic , but it's a fab investment, possibly the finest radio ever

[@RogerWilco486]

I've been rocking a TS-890 for almost 2 years now and couldn't be happier with it. Unlike some other brands, it's very obvious it was designed by engineers who are also active hams.

[@shuravko]

The best guy in ML. Highly recommended, awesome customer service.

[@Martin_Lynch]

Thank you. We do try :-)

[@m1icl827]

The trouble for me with a big money purchase of anything (this is big money to me) is to know how future proof the product is. Kenwood show nothing other than they are pulling out of the market - look at their range. The 590SG - 10 years old? The 990 - gone. They do a few mobile a few handhelds and have not produced any SDR stuff? This may be the best radio in the world but in my opinion it could become another DeLorean.

[@votisb]

The great thing about HF radio is there's not really anything to future proof. It receives and transmits JF radio signals. My TS830M still works just great as do 1960s boat anchors. As will this in 20 years time.

[@m1icl827]

@@votisb True of the older gear but not this stuff. Firmware updates, bespoke screens etc etc. Remember the Icom 756 Pro screen issues.

[@votisb]

​@m1icl827 doesn't *need* firmware updates. It has a display out so if in years to come the inbuilt one goes it'll still be usable. I'd happily have one if I could afford it. I'd use it and enjoy it. Not worry about what might happen in years to come :)

[@m1icl827]

You pays your money you makes your choice.

[@cyberia55]

Why do you say the TS-990 is *gone*? You can still purchase them, and get one shipped within 2 days if you can afford one.

[@richardj.constantine7891]

About time someone said just how good the TS-890s really is, well done . I've always regarded this radio as a, 'sleeper' that will be become appreciated as time goes by . For me the TS-990s was wonderful but true overkill and this is just right visually and operationally a real , users radio. .I'm a technical writer, reviewer and photographer and I love my TS-890s it's worth every penny . I've had it almost a year now and I still haven't run out of features and benefits to explore. The CW performance is phenomenal ! I love how you can set/limit the frequency span of the display. It's so useful on crowded bands or contests helping you to find the gaps . My favourite feature of all is that if you tune off the end of the display the radio will re set the cursor to the centre and ad just the tuning range on the bottom of the display to match so that you're never just reliant on the frequency counter once you've gone off scale. - You didn't include it but it also does RTTY . There's an on-screen clock for logging, and I love to set mine with bar graph display of ALC and SWR displayed just below the bandwidth display, top right really gives you confidence that all is well. - love it , love it ! Richard G3UGF

[@Martin_Lynch]

Fab to hear, it is a lovely Radio

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Mark.. First class review mate. Top Banana. Callum.

[@Martin_Lynch]

Thanks Callum - maybe good to attach to a Top Banana HF DX Antenna, now let me think....... :-)

[@CharlieChristie-g3s]

Love the 890, have the 990,890,590 available here, but for ease of use it the 890 every time. Two 890's in the shack one on HF/6/4m on Gemini DX 1200 with the other on 6/4m 300w amp, then they are paired up for our contest ops on HF. Thanks for your presentation.

[@Martin_Lynch]

Kenwood Factory take note, a very good customer here :-) Your collection is a great test of quality and consistency

[@lawrencestringer1262]

I bought my TS890 from ML and S in 2019. It really is the best radio I've had in 46 years on the air. The receive performance is stupendous and the more traditional design approach ( Superhet rather than SDR) pays off here. Even my K3 can't compete and nor could my Ten Tec Orion 2 which now has a new home. Recently I was looking for another second radio but really couldn't find anything to compete with the TS890 on an overall basis. I know its a lot of cash, but believe me its worth it because this is a true high end amateur transceiver.

[@davidrennolds969]

Great video. Had mine for about 3 years. Solidly built. Always get good audio reports. Learnt a few tricks from the video. 73.

[@Martin_Lynch]

Thank you, a compliment indeed from a long standing owner.

[@PrecisionGroupYT]

Not having dual receive was the killer for me and no I couldn’t jump to the 990 a bit too much $$! But the 890s is a beautiful radio indeed thank you 73

[@darrenream6531]

The solution there is to buy a used TS-590S for $600-700 and pair it with the 890. I have the 590, now I just need an 890!

[@SSN515]

I have one. Best rig I've had. Just beware the auto tuners are eating themselves due to faulty caps. There is a TSB on it, and you have to ship the radio to them (expensive) AFTER it goes out, not before. I have a LDG external tuner on mine to save me from future headaches.

[@Martin_Lynch]

ML&S along with Kenwood try to ensure that we have happy Customers. We endeavour to see our Customers are not out of pocket for genuine warranty claims.

[@z3r0c00l2]

I've got a ts-590sg and thinking to upgrade to this one. Isn't the antenna tuner on this rig similar to 590sg ? I managed to tune antennas with 5.1 swr max. It's amazing

[@chrisb012]

That’s a gorgeous radio. If I decide to operate QRO, I might have to get me one of these.

[@andy2E0JIU]

Great review!!!! Buying a new radio next month and it was going to be the ftdx101 or 5000mp but this looks great so i will pay you a visit shortly:)

[@Martin_Lynch]

Yes, come and visit Andy, spend the day and test drive the radios.

[@BillCohron]

Great Video. Do you have an in-depth on the TS-990? I didn't see one in the list.

[@neilhenderson6602]

I don't know how good a radio it is but it has loads of buttons so that's a yes from me!

[@yamakawa511]

Good summary, the build quality and feel of the TS-890s is exceptional. Y

[@Martin_Lynch]

The quality is reflected inside also

[@doogsm6013]

TS-890 and the TS-990 closest I'll ever get is watching youtube videos and looking at advertising brochures. Heck I can't even afford a used TS-2000 which is my semi-affordable grail radio! (willing to take donations). I still caress my tired but loved old TS-520S though.

[@cbureriu]

Awesome radio, so ahead of its time, just like the icom-7851. I love a good superhet, in the era of SDR cheapos.

[@2E0VPF]

I loved mine, but the 990s I had off you was a step up..slightly. 890s is a fantastic bit of kit.

[@Martin_Lynch]

The 890 & 990 are both Radios that compel their owners to get on air

[@LeeShand]

I run one with an Elecraft 500Watt AMP and Tuner. I personally do not think there is anything better for this bracket of radio.

[@rubensanchez1797]

in 1979, when I got my first ham license KA2KXR & I bought the Kenwood TS520. lots of CQ dx....now AB4RB, but no longer active in ham radios, Internet killed it.. now to me, ham radios just like pastimes, hobbies for retire OMs...

[@vtradio]

That sure is a beautiful radio. Your presentation was fantastic! I watched the whole thing. Currently, I own the Kenwood TS-590SG and Kenwood TS-2000X. If and when I can afford the TS-890S, I will certainly do so. 73 Paul AA1SU

[@ivandubinsky1857]

I had one and it was the best rig I've ever used. I sold it to a friend who wanted it really badly and kind of regret it now.

[@Martin_Lynch]

Its a modern classic

[@mariusrusu5710]

Ultra superb !

[@dalependleton6420]

Don't care about all the glitz and glitter. Don't care about the audio EQ. I just want to work high speed CW. I have a pair of 590S and 590SG. These are excellent CW machines. Just a plain "meat and potatoes" CW rig! 73 W4AUV.

[@nyworker]

Still own my TS-940 and only occasionally operate but getting the bug for a new radio. 7610 looks impressive but I see the 890 was made to follow the 940. The case dimensions and weight are almost identical to 940. 7610 looks like quality rig but half the weight. For extra 900 dollars, you get a heftier device built to almost mil specs. BTW bought the 940 used in 1998 and almost flawless since it was used a lot for first ten years I had it

[@GarthWheeler]

I still use my T's 830s

[@robertdickson6317]

80% of transmission are ft8 in 2024 i think you are in la la land before commenting how crap the top radio are, use one for a while compare then comment .

[@ThumpMaster6]

I saw the preview and though "ML&S are teasing a big announcement at Hamvention"...and yet, here we are yet again. Sigh. Come on JVCKenwood...we all have thousands of $ and Ł to spend, ICOM has sold over 100 THOUSAND 7300's...and still you can't even give us a glimmer of hope in 2024. Sigh. Love you guys from across-the-pond 73 de KN4HGI - your pal, Thumpy

[@Martin_Lynch]

Well we did get the TH-D75, but yes new HF toys always welcome :-)

[@ThumpMaster6]

@@Martin_Lynch They did let slip at Dayton Hamvention that a tri-band mobile radio is in-the-works. So…hope against hope that we see something more solid after the big ‘fest in Japan this August. Great review guys!

[@hl1sb_Philip-Yu]

I'm using it. Good TRCV^^

[@elanpaim33]

Great review you doing great job thank you vy73 elan ❤

[@tonyd6884]

I’ve had an IC 7610 for 4 years. I wish I had gone with a Kenwood

[@Martin_Lynch]

The Ic-7610 has dual receivers, the TS-890s has the build quality, 4M, included remote software, 18 Band Graphic &.....

[@claudio6493]

Bravo! clear and well-spoken Grazie!

[@Martin_Lynch]

piacere totale ed assoluto - I think thats correct?

[@claudio6493]

Perfetto.... Grazie mille 👌👍👌👍👌👍

[@oe5pop320]

I such a while in the internet and i didn´t find any Keypad with a 3,5 Klinke Cable. To you have any Products? Mny tks. 73 de ED. Btw. Great Video

[@Martin_Lynch]

Please contact us via email; [e-mail]

[@PaulBaur]

Many radios limit the IF bandwidth which of course is usually desirable; however, this hamstrings (pardon the pun) digital modes like FT8. My favorite '890S feature is the 15kHz roofing filter -- you get a bigger waterfall (you can see more stations)!

[@Martin_Lynch]

Interesting, thank you

[@Vietnam_Vet_67]

Hello Mark from Florida USA I just picked this radio up yesterday. Haven't even got it on the bench yet. I am looking forward to using it. I watched and I am sure it will help me with the radio. I got mine used for 2 months and I hope a good price, I gave him what he was asking because he was passing away with in 2 months. And I wasn't there to talk him down in price. I felt that $3,000 was a fair price so no haggle there. I also got the matching speaker along with it. Just a thought, should the Lid not be called a bonnet? 😉😉Kenwood kept the microphone and give us a handle.. lol AFTER WATCHING THIS GREAT VIDEO i AM GOING TO LIKE AND SUBSCRIBE... THANK YOU de W4DRA...

[@BLACKHEAT1028]

I just got my TS-890s a few months ago, upgraded from Yaesu FT-991A(keeping it for the UHF/VHF) I wanted a real full size base station with buttons and not menu driven. I paired this with a Heil PR-10 microphone (why doesn't Kenwood include one for the price) and I use the standard eq settings for TX/RX and adjusted mic gain and ACL, nothing but great reports of how clean and clear my audio is. I was looking at this and the Yaesu 101, I am glade I chose the TS-890s. I had the extra filter installed, I like how High Cut and Low Cut helps reduce interference from other station that is close. Now just looking for a screen protector.

[@Martin_Lynch]

There are some excellent Owner reviews of the TS-890S on KZbin that I would encourage watching, that have more depth and detail.

[@Rubedo777]

I’m going to have one of these… 😵‍💫 Lot of money yes, but better to get what you want than wishing you had 🤔 whatever your choice is. Thanks for the demo… can see you like this Kenwood because you had your arm around it all the time… 😊 Best wishes to everyone.73 💙

[@Martin_Lynch]

Oh, could you tell ;-/ !, our stock is fresh in from the factory.

[@Kibwunga]

Does it have a built in sound card?

[@Martin_Lynch]

Yes it does.

[@mariusrusu5710]

Foarte frumos!😊

[@Bernard-John]

Hi,good interesting video, well explained, it seems all the flagship models, in day to day operation,there's properly not much in it regarding tx/rx perceived performance, if so I think it boils down to the aesthetics,or how it looks, and not of course forgetting the price, maybe after operating one I might think differently, but I am very happy with the Icom 7610, well that's my 2 cert worth, 73s from Rotterdam 🙏

[@Martin_Lynch]

Both good radios, one is the Looker :-)

[@alessioschiavone3898]

a rare thing today: something built wel en designed for customers use and enjoyment. ( no crappy menu s in menu s thing) Can I congratulate the team of engineers?

[@garysmith8455]

Built in honorable JAPAN, thank you very much. (not China). Love mine, and it gets HEAVY use 4 nights a week for my net control duties. Not one issue.

[@Thoreau-e4l]

I was given a old short wave radio, that had great reception in fm and sw. It finally failed, what is a good sw radio, not ham. Thanks

[@SSN515]

Tecsun PL-330 or Qodosen DX-286. Superb radios. The DX-286 is fantastic on FM, too.Check out youtube reviews of them.

[@Thoreau-e4l]

@@SSN515 thanks, since that comment, I've ordered a tecsun pl880 should be here today.

[@SSN515]

@@Thoreau-e4l Cool. That's a good radio, too.

[@brianspilsbury8953]

excellent review. Brian VE3gue

[@Martin_Lynch]

Appreciated, thank you

[@robwill9649]

Is it an 890S or an 890?

[@SSN515]

890S. There is no 890 even though the panel says "890". All the paperwork says "890S".

[@M0RMY]

I love my 990 (from you guys) in fact the only thing the 890 does better is that you can have the "analogue" signal meter alongside the waterfall option - the 990 doesn't allow this! Build quality is superb as you say Mark. Thanks for the good video.

[@Martin_Lynch]

Thank you for the info, I did not know that.

[@ICEDoTDK]

Beautiful radio

[@Martin_Lynch]

TS-890s is the 'looker' out of all of the Base Station HF Radios in current production

[@BikingChap]

A simply stunning radio that Yaesu and Icom still can't surpass. Such a crying shame that Kenwood have given up on bringing new HF radios to market, I'm sure this will be seen as the last of a breed and when they're gone the choice or top quality transceivers from the main players will be very limited.

[@alessioschiavone3898]

wow real copper torroid filters. it still cointains the good old real filtering

[@TheAppalachianWay]

I could barely afford my IC 7300. Just window shopping

[@christerpstra6032]

It has TS-890 on the front and not the TS-890S, why the S?

[@Drpepper99uk]

I have this radio and it's fantastic. Been a long time Kenwood radio fan. However I'm not so impressed that they have nothing new to offer at Hamvention this year...pretty poor show. The 990 is discontinued and has been around since 2013 so anyone looking for a top spec, dual VFO radio is out of luck when looking at Kenwood for this, then you have the shack in the box TS2000 which was a great starter radio for those wanting something that does everything...that's been discontinued after a very long run(18 years) and there's no replacement for that. Then you have mobile 2/70 digital....nothing for that. Seems to me as if Kenwood are winding down their amateur radio efforts bit by bit. I was really hoping we'd see a flagship SDR based HF radio announced this week from them to compete with the Likes of Yaesu and Icom and others.

[@brianmoss5483]

I want one

[@frankwc0o]

I thought Kenwood was getting out of the Ham Radio business.

[@SSN515]

Nope. Rumor has it they are cooking up another HF rig. The "getting out of the Ham Business" has been around for years and years.

[@brunobeckers4702]

Well, you asked a question as the title of your video but you don't answer it! Is such a radio worth it in 2024? The answer unfortunately is a firm NO! Why on earth would you need all these bells and whissles just to do FT8? I don't understand how the big three manage to keep on manufacturing these huge SSB/CW "monsters" . 80% of all ham communication in 2024 is FT8! The CW bands are empty and so become the SSB segments. 20 years ago, it would have been a usefull investment, but not in 2024... An FT450D will work exactly the same amount of FT8 stations as a Kenwood TS990, an FTDX101MP or an Icom 7760. And if you 're still interested (like me) in CW and/or SSB, there are radios performing better than the TS890 at 3000 Euro's cheaper. But you're right, the TS890 is a beatuful radio....

[@pa3crl]

Thanks !! PA3CRL