I upgraded my Kenwood TS-590SG with TCXO and Military Look

The TS-590SG is a lovely radio. I felt it needed more accuracy on the higher HF bands, which could have been calibrated I suppose without this TCXO but at least now I am cock-on when it comes to frequency accuracy. Also the military looking side plates are a cool addition. Looking forward to getting out and about with this and seeing how it performs.
How a pro fitted this TCXO: • #301: How to install a...
Here are the side-plates: www.ebay.co.uk...
Regards, Callum.
More videos:
• Antenna Modelling Antenna Modelling
• Tips and Tricks Tips and Tricks
• Antennas Antennas
• Live Streams Live Streams
• Commander World My Stuff
• Foundation Training Ham Radio Training

[@tonyontrack1967]

I bought my TS590SG after watching your videos. 2 antenna inputs, Rx antenna input and the ability to feed an SDR Play as standard was a no-brainer 👍

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yep!

[@a120068020]

After many rigs, I have gone back to a TS-590SG. Its lovely going back to a non SDR / Touch screen radio. Managed to kit it out with an official SO-3 and VGS-1 despite them being largely unavailable (see my review written today on eham). Very happy. 73 DE Mike M0SAZ

[@dondonaldson1684]

The TS590SG is an awesome radio. I have been looking at its predecessor (570) and hope to get one soon. The AT is undoubtledly the best in the biz and with two antenna connections, it allows the user so much flexibility.

[@lawrencethompson465]

That is a gorgeous radio!

[@ae1tpa92gwtom2]

I like it, i am considering handles for my 590sg, i installed them on my 991a and my 897d, cant wait for the premier

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Oh - you did it too? Yes, I like :) Made a cock up of the TCXO though! Well, almost!

[@rico1319]

This is the most fun I’ve had in your shack in a long time! Great video! I’m hoping that 590 is my next radio! 👍👍👍😎🇨🇱 for having those large paws you did pretty damn good!! 73s W5PN

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Large paws.. Yes :)

[@sethlavinder]

Cal you did great buddy! What’s always bugged me is why that darned thing wasn’t included in the radio from the start! It’s not 1985 anymore when so many features had to be a user installed module and with all the digi modes it just makes sense to me that device should be standard

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yeah.. Probably cost.

[@dondonaldson1684]

But then hobbyists wouldn't have anything to do!

[@wfwtheradioguy3414]

You and I have had the conversation about adding the Kenwood TCXO to your TS-590SG before and I know you were apprehensive about it.....but I KNEW you could do it. Good job, Callum!! I ordered the TCXO when I ordered my TS-590SG and installation it wasn't that tough....and I can hear WWV on 10 MHz here (it's 300 miles away from my QTH). Brilliant work around on your part for getting it tuned in. I am sure you will be happy with the upgrade. Kinda diggin the side plates.....I see an upgrade in my future. 😁

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yeah tnx!

[@ohyeawhosurpoppy]

I like those "handles" but what I love about them is the protection they give your radio front panel and mice cord. They help keep the coax from bending to sharply and the power cords get a little room as well. Money well spent!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Good point!

[@ZeroHarry]

Hello Callum, some friendly advice if I may. Get yourself a LED magnifying lamp or something. Works a treat when you are trying to do some fine work. Thanks and Cheers mate!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Thanks for the tip!

[@erpece]

Arghh - the tiny bits!! I do a lot of soldering but SMD and the micro stuff is a pain... 😬 That Kenwood is a great and reliable radio and now it's even better - thanks for the video. Now you did a great job and I see you took care of the 'blobs'. The islands/holes for the TCXO were never tinned before, that's why that happens. As someone suggested, get a small bottle of soldering flux. Weller makes them (among others) and they come with a little brush inside. Flux will also make soldering go faster (e.g. connectors) and that means less heat to get the job done, which is always a good thing.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Flux is apparently my mistake.

[@erpece]

@@DXCommanderHQ 🙂 We're here to share knowledge, right? I've learned so much from channels like DXCommander... 👍

[@dondonaldson1684]

Flux in little hypodermic dispensers is a must😊

[@garyh8315]

Just a normal 'geezer'.... 😁 You have inspired so many folk. Hope you have a great weekend on a hill. Take plenty of fluid with you, it is going to be a tad warm.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Tnx Gary!

[@chrisbartlett6022]

Tidy job Cal, I also have dropsy (not the illness, it is what I call the ability to drop tiny things in the most awkward places) good to see you doing it for real and your associated problems and the way you worked round the tuning. Due to you mentioning "the final upgrade" a couple of times I now have Europe, The Final Countdown as an Ear Worm 🙂 be interested to see your Expedition. Must look for some of those handles for my /P rigs.

[@jackK5FIT]

My ability to work with small items abandoned me several years ago so I know how you feel. I try to find disposable aluminum pans to sit stuff in if I need to remove small parts, screws, nuts and bolts. Otherwise I have to search the floor often. Interesting video. Thanks! Jack K5FIT

[@user-iv6bu6wl4k]

You are a wonderful character Callum…good man……73’s. Darren in Jersey….😂

[@fm71450]

Dear Commander Callum. Thank you for this. I would have been terrified to solder anything on my radio, but, after watching this, I will give it a try. You mentioned other upgrades to this radio. Please let us know what else you’d done. I just bought my TS-590SG thus week. Still reading the manual - preparing to try some DX on 20 and 40 meters. All the best from the west side of the Atlantic. KQ4IXD

[@DXCommanderHQ]

I've not done anything since this.. I am also terrified of opening a radio up!

[@DominicMazoch]

Doing the Friday 1200 utc show? H-Town more than likely Ghostbusters: I cannot hear you, on HF!

[@RookieLock]

Looks like some great upgrades Callum.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Thanks 👍

[@kenwood9401]

dont worry cal i have the same problem. seams like it is always hard to work on small things fingers get in the way cheers mate catch ya on the air

[@m7cov]

Good job 👍 Cal. Also just some advice. If you’re going up to Cleehill watch out because the road up the hill from the village has been closed just after the houses there a few times I’ve drove up.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yeah, well sh1t happens sometimes. Not much you can do about it.

[@acestudioscouk-Ace-G0ACE]

Nice to know I'm not the only one to struggle with tiny bits! Will be very interested to know how much difference it makes when used in earnest. We will soon find out, have a good trip! 😊

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Fingers crossed!

[@jeremyhall7495]

Great video, thanks!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

You're welcome!

[@maciejkowalczyk23]

nice job Callum😀 i have TS-590S and last weekend unlocked on 5 MHz and 27MHz.😁

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Nice 👍

[@TRIPPLEJAY00]

Lovely results.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Thank you! 😊

[@edcozart9916]

I really looked at the 590 before I bought my 7610 not sorry I did great radio Icom put out!!! W9US

[@db3mi]

hey Cal, i like the way you are open to tell about adhd. Wish you all the best. To calibrate the TRX you could have used CW on the reference TX. A CW line is nothing other than a frequency generator ... all the best, 73 de DB3MI Update: checked out how to do it: 10,110,440 on the TX (CW), 10,110,000 on the RX (USB) -> tuning a free guitar tuner app on your iPhone ;)

[@caerffili_callin]

Good job, I struggle with small fiddly bits with my sausage fingers. I learned never to do this type of work in the kitchen, because if you drop anything on the floor it is guaranteed to roll under the fridge and never be found again even if you move it.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yes!

[@mully89]

looks ace 👍

[@josemanuelperezrodriguez-hm8vw]

Ts590sg strong transceiver 💪💪💪

[@dwightkellams6065]

You take your Kenwood TS-590SG portable/out in the field. My Elmer advised me not to so I have been following his advice. I have the standard rig with no upgrades.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

I don't know why he would tell you that - I just can't work out why someone would think you couldn't? But anyway.. . TS-590SG will stand low voltage and performs fine. I take all my radios in the field.. I have even taken my TS-990s out /P along with my Acom 2000. You could take anything I guess.

[@RF_Burns]

Great upload, very helpful! BTW, did you know that your 590 was manufactured in April 2015?

[@DXCommanderHQ]

No idea when they made it. Could have been 25 years ago like my TS-2000.. But if you care, make me an offer! LOL Remember, it's a Kenwood - and it'll outlast me!

[@RF_Burns]

@@DXCommanderHQ I would if I didn't already have one. Mine doesn't have the voice recorder and they don't make those anymore. Serial number starting with B is 2010 onwards, the first number is the year of the decade, and the second number is the month. Thery're still making them, mine starts with the letter C for 2020 onwards....

[@assistantto007]

Blu-tac is great for holding many projects

[@hs0zcw]

When did Kenwood TS530 S came out OLD hands were amazed at the performance and some even dared to say the Kenwood was approaching the ELEcraft K3 receiver performance. This comparison really heated up when knowledgeable hams got their hands on TS-590SG. During that window of this offering there was a lot of whispered amazing appreciation at this radio. I have no sense to think that that perceived quality has gone away now that the radio is mostly on the used market. The cliquish quality of hams stack with the K3, what's the 590 SG surprised a lot of people.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yeah, that 590 is genuinely a fab radio, often passed by by folks wanting color screens and bells and whistles. They buy those - and quickly sell them. But 590s seem to "stick".

[@DominicMazoch]

That protector is good for Ecomm, POTA, IOTA type of out in the field rigs. Got purchase ideas from HR 2.0 Jason. First from you.

[@Broadercasting]

For a temporary third hand (or to retrieve screws and washers that have fallen into tight spaces) you might find a blob of Blu Tack handy. #TopTip

[@samla2404]

Please make sure to always get a PDF format of the manual. Press CTRL "F" and type the keyword of what you're looking for. Very Handy. Cheers.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Or in Outlook, CTRL SHIFT F

[@SeanOSullivan-zt9zq]

Good morning! I just want to say I very much enjoyed watching this informative video. Thank you so much for the way you present your video. Cricketboots ショーン・オサリバン

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Hey thanks. Nice to meet you!

[@arryfenton7668]

come on Calum - look to tuning using VVW signals ! 10.001 MHZ rx in SSB will give 1Khz audio - produce 1 Khz from the internet and listen for beat frequency... Great videos love them all matey

[@andye2005]

WWV is not very strong in the UK at times., but there are plenty of other standard signals. (BBC Radio 4 is very closely controlled) Be careful using SSB that usually switches in a fixed frequency BFO osc, so what you end up doing is using that as the frequency reference! See Alan W2AEW video number 58 for a generic method of checking a frequency counter against a standard signal, and number 301 for this same mod to a 590 including the calibration method.

[@rpquattrochi]

Great job OM ! 73 WQ1Z

[@z1100a2]

Callum you say that it's an official Kenwood part. May i ask was it supplied by the official UK Kenwood supplier ?

[@spuddyspud8178]

Isn't Lynch the main supplier ?

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yes ML&S.

[@straightpride451]

Nice 🪛 lil bud.

[@timothymaimone8611]

Collum... get yourself a small bottle of rosin flux to lightly brush on those solder pads to allow for better solder-wetting. A small cotton swap of isopropyl alcohol will remove the flux residue. 73 de KD6UYK (Tim).

[@killerbites3963]

Yeah it looked like the solder didn’t have flux in it

[@KeepEvery1Guessing]

Don't blow on it. It will cool plenty fast. Just wait a second of two. Blowing can make the solder move, leading to a cold joint. (Even cooling too fast can lead to stresses.) And aren't there frequency standards station in Europe that you can hear?

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Freq standards.. Couldn't find any no.

[@KeepEvery1Guessing]

​@@DXCommanderHQ Sadly, this WIkipedia article: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standard_frequency_and_time_signal_service ; isn't clear about whether the time stations also have atomic control of the carrier. That's certainly true for WWV. One would hope that other stations transmitting on the same frequencies would be scrupulous about assuring a zero beat with WWV, probably using atomic, or my likely, GPS disciplined oscillator (GDO) control. My guess is that if you can hear a time station on 2.5, 5, 10, 15, 20, or 25 MHz, that it's good enough to calibrating your TCXO (temperature compensated crystal oscillator). The Finland station at 25 MHz might be a good bet for you, but you also have Rome and Cadiz. If you hear one, you could dot your eyes and cross your Tees by seeing if they have a web site to check whether they think their carrier is precise. They probably at least use an OCXO (oven compensated crystal oscillator) and calibrate it regularly, maybe through a GDO circuit.. DCF77 from Germany probably has good ground wave to you, but I'm not sure whether 77.5 kHz works for your radio. They do use an atomic standard. The self setting "atomic" (bedside, wall) clocks in Europe probably use it. I keep wanting to build a GDO (GPS receivers are cheap) as a fun project (the commercial ones are too expensive). But here in the US I can always hear more than one of the WWV frequencies. so motivation is hard to come by. I assume that RSGB has technical aid contact points, as the ARRL lab does for me. You might ask about stations in Brittan usable as frequency standards. US analog TV video sub carriers used to be accurate. BBC foreign service stations are a possibility that you could contact the station's engineering department about. They may or may not have high accuracy carrier frequencies. And if you do figure out what you can rely on over their, that could be a worthwhile channel video, 73, Bill - KE1G

[@chucklesuk]

I might be going crazy lol getting old but I do not remember having to solder that Crystal. Maybe it was I got one that was on the board already knows.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yes, the aftermarket ones I believe don't need my tinkering..

[@NICKGAR7]

Always amazes me that a TCXO isn’t fitted as standard. In essence, a lot of manufacturers basically sell an ‘average’ £1000 radio and then you have to dip in with better filters, better oscillator specs and so on (much of which is too daunting for the average person to fit… more service engineer charges etc)… kinda crazy! Yep, same happens with cars except for a few brands where there is good spec or nothing.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yep.. All about cost..

[@dwightkellams6065]

My Elmer advised me that I did not need the TXCO upgrade for the Kenwood TS-590SG. Your thoughts? I do mostly voice but want digital for excomm and plan to do much more digital in the future and maybe CW but currently struggling with learning that.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

I wanted it because further up the bands, my freq was out a whisker - I could have probably solved it another way.

[@BasHeijermans]

Wrong, I have installed the Chineese cheap TCXO a few times and they work fine. No problems at all. There is no reason at all to spend a lot of money on it. If you don't have one, don't worry, it doesn't do that much. For most stuff it's not needed at all. The stability of the 590 is so good, I doubt you notice it ever, if at all.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Well I'm not actually wrong.. The very detailed report I read had some TX issues..

[@BasHeijermans]

@@DXCommanderHQ I have seen you soldering. I never needed soldering for the Chinese TCXO. Maybe you had a bad one, it worked for me. But still, there isn't much use for it as the Kenwoods are stable on their own. Even with WSPR, I have not seen them drift much, if at all. Most of the receivers at the other and drifted a lot. And the TXCO didn't make a difference there. I'm sorry, I can not confirm your statement.

[@jimjungle1397]

My old IC-718 had a TCXO available and I think it might have helped with RTTY. My current IC-7300 seems more on frequency and more stable than the old IC-718, but so far I only use CW and phone. Maybe I'll try some of the RTTY computer stuff at the new station. I was surprised how on frequency the out of box IC-7300 stays.

[@Bass-guitarist]

Hi Callum, the link to ebay for the side plates is broke, no seller on uk ebay? Any clue where they came from? Was it a fellow ham?

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Erm.. You may have to do a google search.. OK, I found him.. The maker is sp6gvu.. Maybe track him down on QRZ..?

[@Bass-guitarist]

@@DXCommanderHQ thank you Callum! Regards graham

[@spuddyspud8178]

Good job cal,I'm the same,fatty fingers and someone who wear's glasses to,

[@KI5OLVRADIOACTIVE]

I traded my TS590SG plus $200 for a Yaesu FTDX10 and its' amazing, you won't go back just saying great receive. like day and night difference. 73

[@forgetyourlife]

I went back, sold that cramped kludgy mess of a dx10.

[@2E0RME]

DX10 audio gives me listener fatigue. 101D, less so. 590SG - not one bit!

[@KI5OLVRADIOACTIVE]

as long as you like that's all that matters :)@@2E0RME

[@bondubasher]

Looks the business that mod!

[@REKlaus]

Hate using that European no lead solder. Never looks like you get a proper connection and needs considerably more heat than the good old 60/40 stuff we can still use here in the states. Thanks for another good video (actually froze on Rumble while you where soldering but I prefer coming over here any how.) Good luck on the portable operation, I'll try to listen for you here in Montana U.S.A. K1AUS.

[@andye2005]

Lead free is rubbish stuff. Fortunately you DO NOT HAVE TO USE IT. you only need to worry about that if you sell a product commercially. For home construction and such, Lead/Tin solder is fine.

[@REKlaus]

@@andye2005 Here in the states it is only required for water service not electronics.

[@cypher526]

63/37 is the way.

[@GaryPSmithII]

Found them on eBay !!!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yes, you can pick them up cheap. Just watch the reviews though..

[@timprice1284]

Another great video sir! DE ND4A

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Tnx Tim!!

[@frankhovis]

Makes me wonder WHY that TCXO isn't supplied ready soldered onto a PCB so its plug and play... you know like almost every other TCXO is.

[@KutWrite]

With those side pieces, does it now fit in a 19" rack?

[@DXCommanderHQ]

It's small for 19 inch.

[@RookieLock]

I've always wondered, what tank do you have on your Geekvape? I had a Geekvape Aegis legend 2 but just got a DNA 250 mod. So far loving it.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Oh heck, I don't know.. My good friend owns a fancy Vape Shop and is always giving me new stuff. Right now I'm on "Drag"

[@RookieLock]

Oh right on! whatever keeps you off the smokes!

[@M0XFXUK]

Cal I have a lot of respect for you and I hate having to say this. In my opinion the TXCO module add on will make little or no difference. LOL you need a standard and not another unknown radio for calibration. Just saying. ;-D The plates look good BTW.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yes John, however no it's in, Mike M0MSN can do that for me. He's a lot cleverer than me!

[@andye2005]

Using an off air signal is fine It does not matter if the receiving RX is in calibration or not. ()you are only using it to detect a beat note) Tune to the signal in CW mode. Inject your sig-gen into the antenna on the same freq and watch for the beat once at zero beat, you sig gen is at the same freq as tyhe standard, so you can feed that into the equipment you want to test I've mentioned Alan W2AEW videos number 58 and 301 elsewhere that shows in detail how to do this.

[@M0XFXUK]

@@andye2005 Thank you for your reply I understand what you are saying however, the point I am trying to make is that if you require accuracy then don’t calibrate to another radio as it may also be off. Also the only real benefit of fitting a TXCO is not frequency accuracy it’s frequency stability. The problem is that the specs state that the internal osc is 5ppm and opt is 0.5 ppm over -10 to 50C. I think you will find based on the ts-590sg specification / limitations and normal operating temperatures, fitting the optional TXCO will give very little noticeable difference.

[@andye2005]

@@M0XFXUK Providing we are on the same wavelength :-) If you are using a standard frequency transmission as the reference, then the RECEIVING radio does not matter as all it is doing is listening to the beat of the Standard transmission against the rig / sig gen you are calibrating. Checking against another Rx will of course just match whatever that Rx calibration is.

[@DannerPlace]

LOL, should have gone to the instruct s first. Still, I enjoy your videos, 73 W5SRT

[@j204ever5]

Now, you hear better with your Upgrades??

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Well.. It's on frequency now :)

[@d1sc0verer]

What is the functionality of TCXO?

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Stability.

[@Chriswilliams-lx9mx]

Giving me a soldering iron to do something like that would be like giving a monkey a machine gun 🤪

[@DXCommanderHQ]

HAHA

[@DominicMazoch]

How many kilos is that rig? Might be easier to handle with those handles

[@DXCommanderHQ]

It's quite a heavy rig anyway..

[@grahamkent2868]

Great video, rig looks good, whereabouts are the handles available? Cheers

[@dalependleton6420]

Does not look ok....Solder is beaded up at the end of the legs of the tcxo

[@DominicMazoch]

Hams do not read bloody manuals

[@nortonics5745]

I always assess the technical competence of a technician by whether they observe and utilize a static free work environment with a properly grounded static matt and attached wrist cuff. Yet another fail right here... 🙄

[@DXCommanderHQ]

And it still works!

[@robertallbright]

Yes, don’t use that Chinese TCXO thing, a definite nono

[@TedDead1]

You are a danger to your and your radio :-) Leave this kind of thing to the professionals. Why would you install an accurate frequency reference and not calibrate it properly? Anyway, I really did like your video.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

It works.

[@stevenyemc]

For flux sake dude 🤣

[@edk4590]

Looks like a surgeon preforming surgery 😳

[@M0RMY]

Err....no 😀

[@DXCommanderHQ]

HAHAHA TOM!!!

[@ncphotos]

Great video! de W2CSI

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Thanks!