My New Toy - First Impressions - Kenwood TS-480SAT

[@robertmeyer4744]

That a great radio . always love the sound of Kenwood. Cheers from NY !

[@DXCommanderHQ]

It sure is!

[@petercook278]

Cal I’ve had a TS480 for several years now and personally think that so long as you don’t expect to much then you will be happy with the radio. Works great on digi modes and easily interfaced.

[@M7EUP]

Let’s be honest Cal, we’re all waiting for you to do an ICOM video 😂

[@petemillis4666]

I paid £400 for a TS480sat quite a few years back. Fantastic rig, so easy to operate and with the best display ever for mobile. Had it in my Jeep GC for years, and now need to get round to putting it in my Fiesta.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Do it :)

[@petemillis4666]

@@DXCommanderHQ I will be!

[@labcat73]

😂 ...some people are just very pleasant - and others aren't. 😆 I am sure it's all in my head. Enjoy the new old radio!

[@ThumpMaster6]

Cal', just chatting with Tony on the ML&S live stream about Kenwood's constant 'teasing'...they need to replace THIS with a small waterfall on the remote head and they would KILL the competition! Agree with Tony, too...'Come on Kenwood...Come on Kenwood!' Hahaha! Best always and thanks for working me on 17m the last live video...Your Pal, Thumpy de KN4HGI Al

[@DXCommanderHQ]

I know.. Kenwood are steady when it comes to launching products.. And when they do, they last 15-20 years, unlike everyone elses.. And they also weigh twice as much!

[@germanjohn5626]

Waterfall? for what? just more nonsense to break. Moreover, seeing how fast that type of LCD dies and how fast they become obsolete (ask icom users) the more basic the better.

[@mattdixon5299]

Fantastic buy for that price! Sounds flippin’ great!

[@derek45auto23]

I've been running the 200Watt version for several years, MOBILE. I run it with a TARHEEL II antenna. It's a wonderful mobile rig, super ergonomics, great sound, if it ever dies, I will cry like a child.

[@skreb9566]

I have exact same radio and it's actually my first proper HF Rig (so far HI). Absolutely love it! You can also purchase one of tahese things: Remoterig RRC-1258MkIIs and with that you can have remote control, meaning you have "head" unit at your location and base unit is at your home. Love these old radios! 73 from 9A1KR

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Good tip!

[@ChatGPT1111]

I've got the 480 as well as the TS990 and Icom 7300 like you. Love them all. I use the 480 in a Gator Case as part of a go-kit and the 990S, which I've had for 9 years is my favorite radio of all time.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Oh yes!

[@gtretroworld]

I bought one of these new in 2006 and remember it well as it skint me. It since went the distance but a Brilliant little radio.

[@lowrybrock8272]

Great little rig. I regret selling mine. Worked a lot of DX with it on 100 watts and an end fed half wave. Very easy to use with digital and works really well with Ham Radio Deluxe. Cheers!

[@notthatguy4515]

I run a TS-480SAT and have had great luck with it.

[@andrewbarron6374]

I can see the advantage in mounting the RF unit in the trunk (boot) of a car, or in a shed close to the antenna, and using the head unit up front of the car or in the shack... but the microphone plugs into the RF unit. I think it would be better if the microphone plugged into the bit you use to control the radio.

[@kc8tyk86]

tcxo is a must for these. I got the $20 version and it was spot on. 10 and 6 is all I use it for and it works great, but think its time to pull it and the tmd710 for new homes.

[@FjHenderson]

I like mine, I soldered the filters in it to. And I bought mine second hand all so. I've never had it mobile, I don't think the gentleman I got it from never had it mobile either and just did digital like I'm using it for. All the sound processors and filters besides the extra filters you can solder in really make the ts-480 a really good buy if you can find one.😮

[@mobiltec]

I love mine. I have the original manual with it too. It will put out 200 watts but you need to hook up both power leads and you need a big power supply. Mine is 60 amps. Works great. I can use it base or mobile. Need two batteries to get the 200 watts mobile.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Thanks for the info

[@enkokerbe]

I've had TS-480SAT since 2012, when I started my ham career. I'm now at 293 in DXCC, operating under 100 W and using DX Commander Classic. Just a fantastic radio for the price in the used market. But install TCXO, if you work digital modes. This radio is known for the frequency drift, when it warms up and the fan kicks in.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Good idea.

[@wc4j]

one of my favorite radios I have 2 HX models 1 SAT I run all 3 remote from the countryside as i'm disabled in a condo in town. Now DXE has the DX commander I need to start pinching my pension for a pair.

[@brianfields4479]

had my ts 480hx for yonks, great qrp/qro radio, home or portable, with filters its superb. I would buy another one tomorrow without hesitation.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Good choice!

[@libbyd1001]

I had one of those for a few years and It was ok, but I really don't miss it. Ended up selling it for an IC-7300.

[@IronHam-AF4O]

gets radio, pulls it out of the box, hooks it up and just starts hitting buttons and turning knobs.... what manual?? Love it! Enjoy the TS-480. Perhaps you can try getting it to crossband repeat HF to VHF/UHF on the TS-2000. There's a section in the manual about setting that up... just for kicks.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yeah, I'm going to try a few things!

[@conorturton]

I can't believe you've never had one before. They're one of those radios that are almost required as a rite of passage to own. Originally it comes with two head unit cables, the long one and a short 6 inch or so one for when you have the head bolted onto the big mounting bracket with a carry handle that you can bolt both the head and base to.

[@RichardDePas]

Kenwood makes a great radio but I'm an Icom fanboy. Both awesome pieces of kit. Enjoy the new radio!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Good to know!

[@Taras-Nabad]

I have the HX, incredible radio. Very simple to use.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Good choice!

[@JohnStruemph]

Nice rig for little money! Good score Cal!

[@DG3ACM-Marc]

The 480 is all you need for a HF Radio with high quality. Hopefully I will get up my remote station again with this radio and the remoterig boxes. Really fun to compare my local TS-2000x with my 200km remote TS-480SAT having the display standing right beside the 2000. But I can totally agree, unpack the 480, hook up to power and Antenna and you are in the air. Thats how a radio should behave. 73 de DG3ACM / Marc

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Agreed!

[@DG3ACM-Marc]

@@DXCommanderHQ Hi Cal, I would be interested if you could compare all three devices 480/2000/990 in terms of the basic functions reception and transmission quality as well as signal correction with the DSP options. 73 de Marc / DG3ACM

[@Obeeewaan]

my TS480-SAT is my main hf rig, had it since the early 2000's... still working fine.. 😁

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Perfect!

[@Ray_M0MXN]

I’m just loving that chair!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Haha!

[@John2E0GTU]

I love my TS480! All the right buttons on the front.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yes!

[@M0JSX]

I won’t take it personally Cal! 😂

[@DXCommanderHQ]

HAHA Jonathan!

[@902Steeler]

I’ve been out of the dx commander loop for a while. Looks like a new shack

[@KO4VNX]

Way fast setup! Nice rig!!!

[@larryprice6195]

I own one and love it !!!!!

[@mobiltec]

Me too.

[@kema3607]

Cute little toy !😊

[@joekrepps]

Often thought about dumping my FT-891 for a 480SAT. The “menu” system of the 891 drives me mad. If I wasn’t 76/100 towards Mobile DXCC with it, I’d swap it today. (Hoping for a little love from Yaesu when I get DXCC.) 400£ is CHEAP! Can’t touch one here in the states for less than $700. Enjoy!!

[@toby000000]

Still really nice radio, AF DSP, filters are expensive. SSB audio low on output, I have owned the HX and SAT models over the years. Would buy another on the second hand market if the price was right (I.e less than a TS590)

[@VE1PS]

They are still going for what I paid in 2007. Wow. Doubt the XYL’s sewing machines hold value like that. 😂😂

[@DXCommanderHQ]

HAHA

[@Will_N4WIL]

I like the Icom controls on the screen. I get lost in all the buttons on a Kenwood!😂

[@rufusrizzo78]

That's a REALLY good price! I paid over $600 2-3 years ago, and I thought that was a good price

[@don_n5skt]

I had one (TS-480SAT) in the car for a while but the ATAS 120 is easier to get than the TARGet is. And the Tarheels were hard to get at the time. I have 5 Yaesu radios that will run the ATAS. But I do like the 480 and I still have it.

[@M0RMY]

But ....you have to use a Yaesu 😀

[@merseyradar6881]

The TS-480 is a cracking radio Callum. Check the firmware version and update is straight forward enough. v1.00 > v1.01 was a big change . Latest is v1.07. I will pop in the post to you a 20cm short lead for the front panel when using bigger/traditional base bracket mount (Modular 6 pin equiv to Kenwood part E30-3500-05), I have a few spares here.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Woo-Hoo!

[@merseyradar6881]

@@DXCommanderHQ No problem Callum, I have sent you an email with some more info. Mike.

[@jertres2887]

How do you upgrade the firmware?

[@DesmondsDonders]

My favourite rig.

[@ronleblanc9832]

Nice little radio.. my brother gave his kenwood 820S matching speaker and antenna tuner very little used pretty much mint..i had same setup wound up selling it i know have an ICOM 718..doeant have power cord but will make one have manuel

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Thanks for sharing

[@renevertommen7669]

This is my backup radio i like the sound from it i think it sounds better than my yeasu ft710

[@BeavistheLizard]

My Mate Darryl has the 200watt version and I work it remotly for him! But he only ever runs is at legal limit ;)

[@on4mgy_radioamateur]

Great radio, love mine

[@2E0VPF]

I’m curious as to why you bought one, Tom has one and i saw TM Tim asking for one on MLS’s live feed on Friday… there must be something in the pipeline? I’ll be dragging my mint 480 out of the box, in my wardrobe….. what’s coming?

[@DXCommanderHQ]

As I said in the beginning, all my friends had one - and I saw a deal and nabbed it..!

[@M0RMY]

If you have a mint one let me know !!!

[@M0RMY]

@@DXCommanderHQ It is a demonstration that none of the "big 3" make a modern flip off front 100W radio - and this one meets the spec.

[@richerich853]

Kenwood's miss on this rig is the microphone jack isn't on the head.. 😢 otherwise it would be a fantastic mobile rig..

[@Chris_KI4WCO]

Gould be extended with a phone plug and some wire and an RJ11

[@landytravels9427]

Head unit is RJ12 (standard phone cable and plugs) and the Mike is RJ45, 3m extension cable about £8.00 from Amazon.

[@richerich853]

@@Chris_KI4WCO I understand that but it's still a miss on Kenwood. I have enough cables running through my truck. 😂

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yeah.. They changed that with the RC-2000. Or did they? Now I can't remember! No wait, that's also back to the base as well.

[@smiffykuk]

@@landytravels9427Not screened though…

[@fm71450]

Dear Commander Callum, thanks for the interesting video. I bought a used IC-718, and it is similar to the ease of use straight out of the box. Could use more filtering, but, a very decent unit - for a fairly new Ham. Best - KQ4IXD

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Nice

[@va2boy]

It's the cousin of my IC-706MKIIG. And controled with my PC. Just great...

[@martinheritage1904]

I have 2 of them and I love them

[@tommiehinman1349]

Love mine🎉

[@japautosalon]

Tried to buy one from eBay and offered 500. Guy said worth a lot more because of cw filter so thought ide wait. Missed end of the auction and it sold for £460!😂 Now looking for another one 😊

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Agh!

[@japautosalon]

@@DXCommanderHQ bought another one now 👍

[@patrickwall8517]

4:19 Maybe it's tape, but the cable sticking up above the back of the radio looks like the insulation is melted.

[@stigflambard9799]

Bull in a China Shop comes to mind LOL

[@DXCommanderHQ]

You'll get over it.

[@stigflambard9799]

I must of done I watched the entire video lol

[@AdamSWL]

Yaesu might. But Kenwood. Icom and see you later! 😉

[@2E0VPF]

Got a 480sat, and a 990s, I need a ts2000 now!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Do it!

[@luissousa9251]

I got mine from an old ham operator for 500€ of course it needs new plastics and all but it's holding on together so lets qsl

[@g0fvt]

A lot of radio for the money, I paid half of that for an FT707 but that was 40 years ago!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

FT707! Oh I remember those too! Another big (small) lump!

[@g0fvt]

@@DXCommanderHQ mine is badged FT767DX (Sommerkamp). Had a lot of fun with that in my Cortina with two batteries and two alternators. You are a bad influence, you have me looking at various new rigs for HF mobile...

[@QRPCW]

Felicidades 👏🏻👏🏻 Tuve uno, es buen equipo 👍🏻 73/72

[@miker7962]

Back in the mid 1990's I built a K2 and later traded it even up for a TS-480HX. Still own it today and you couldn't convince me to sell that rig. de WE0H .. 🤠

[@newsles2]

You didn't say "Is the frequency in use?". Tut tut, bad example to a newbie like me 😏 That looks and sounds great. Enjoy!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

You have absolutely no frigging idea. Would you like and come and do the edit for me?

[@jondv5278]

going old school? next you will going back to the 901(dm)? 😁

[@DXCommanderHQ]

I had the 902DM, working 120kHz split to USA was fun on 40m.

[@jondv5278]

@@DXCommanderHQ soz, I knew it was a 90(sumfink) dm, just 1 kc out! 🙃

[@EC1DJ]

TS480 have two menus for 2 differents setup.. I use Menu A for voice, and Menu B for digitals, usin the CW filter on SSB, absolute great radio. I miss a NOTCH filter, but is a peccata minuta. This video was made in spanish, but you can use the auto translate... kzbin.info/www/bejne/jmKsd52nrriVsKc

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Thanks!

[@PhillRobinson]

Do you not think it comes over a bit cheap and plasticy looking.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Maybe in the pics.. But as soon as you touch it, there's a totally different quite heavy feel to it.

[@ke4qfb]

If you have any interest in selling that mobile bracket, let me know…

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Oh..!

[@wildbill1]

Nice rig especially for mobile, I like the HX model 200 watts

[@g4lmn-ron401]

I was offered one and turned it down. I am an idiot!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Ah!!!!

[@W2QH]

Typical, new toy move. No manual needed.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

HAHA!

[@germanjohn5626]

I don't knw, it kinda looks ugly. Kenwood 's design engineers need to go back to the drawing boar with that one.

[@M0RMY]

It is 18 years old as a design, and still one of very few 100W radios on HF with a separate front. There is nothing on the market "new" that does this. IC7000, IC7100 (if Toblerone is your favourite form factor), IC706 - all are older models that allow ease of mobile install with the base unit in the trunk or under the seat.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

@germanjohn5626 - I think they did pretty good 20 years ago!

[@jameswagoner3309]

I have the 200 watt version of this.... I run it in my 18 wheel mobile.... it's a great bit 'o kit!!!

[@Lafri1]

I sold minę a few months ago, and regret it 😢 Have fun with the nice radio 73 de Lars DH1LL

[@jameskaras4345]

nice ...73 de sv9tap