The Kenwood's Back again, Out with the New, In with the Old.

The Kenwood's Back again, Out with the New, In with the Old.
The Kenwood TS-890 HF/50MHz Plus 70MHz Transceiver, in my book the best Radio money can buy.....I replaced the Kenwood 4 months ago with the Yaesu FTDX10 and now its time to take out the Yaesu and put the Kenwood back. The Yaesu is a fantastic radio but there is something that I cannot put my finger on that I am missing with not having my Kenwood, it maybe the sound that just sounds over processed to me but hay ho, ..... I have no issues with the FTDX10 it is a brilliant radio but to my ears I prefer the sound that my Kenwood TS-890 produces...
KZbin algorithm:
My uploads are not doing so well as they used to please watch to the end, like and sub.
thank you
Please subscribe and like.
Cheers
Mike - M0MSN
P.S. do not take my word for it, give it a go for yourself.

[@101jumpit]

Kenwood every time for me 🤩

[@TallyTechandTroubleshooting]

Thank you, Mike and "Happy New Year". Your channel has been a mainstay of my shack throughout the year. Take care! -KQ4KIO 73

[@mike-M0MSN]

Wow, thanks! HNY

[@lunarbluesmusic]

I always enjoy your vids Mike HNY.

[@alzeNL]

The one radio I regret selling was my first HF one, a Kenwood TS690S, fitted all the filters to it, got the DSP and loved the sound that came out of it. I'd get another, but theres no room in the shack for it. I know for one my next HF radio will be back to Kenwood, as much as I love the Icom 7300/9600 and 705.

[@Thomas-ZET]

Love the kenwoods

[@paulyp4541]

Another fine video Mike, I have enjoyed watching your content throughout 2023. Season greetings. M7COF

[@mike-M0MSN]

Thanks Paul, HNY

[@Andy2e0ree]

Look great having the Kenwood back in line hope you get a lot more QSO’s Happy New Year brother

[@mike-M0MSN]

Thanks! You too!

[@sandythompson4256]

Happy new year Mike, love your clips very helpful.

[@mike-M0MSN]

Happy new year!

[@m7trsradio]

Great video Mike. Loved the Christmas quiz that was so funny. Happy new year to you and the family 73

[@mike-M0MSN]

Thanks HNY

[@sveinfarstad3897]

Nice video, strong Kenwood! Have splendid new year 🌲🙂

[@mike-M0MSN]

Thanks, you too!

[@l.a.2646]

I still like superhets , IMHO they just sound better to my ears. I'm not knocking SDR rigs , I just like the sound of them. I own 2 old Kenwood TS-850s(at)s and they both have mechanical filters in them , for digital and CW they are extremely clean and excellent Superhets. They still hold their own against my modern rigs. Kenwood builds excellent radios.

[@kellypaws]

Sherwood tests are one thing, ears are another. On a day to day basis, the ears will always matter more. (Unless you’re mad I suppose.)

[@Joe-KN4IFI]

Glad to see the Kenwood back. Happy New Year Mike. 73 Joe

[@mike-M0MSN]

Thanks Joe. 😊

[@IanHopkins-g4wuh]

Brilliant review, Kenwood sounds amazing

[@mike-M0MSN]

Thanks Ian.. 😊

[@biltztom2685]

I do not have a TS890, but I do have a FTDX-10 in my small apartment in a rural area, working with a ATAS 120 yaesu mobile antenna and another comet also mobile antenna on my porch. I have to say it works so nice, great selectivity, sensitivity. I am working mostly CW and therfore less affected from the "metalic sound" of the digital filtering. A great transceiver.

[@mike-M0MSN]

Thanks for sharing, and yes the FTDX10 is superb .

[@sidecardriver95]

Ive only ever owned Kenwood transceiver's Ts570D then a TS 870 Twenty years using that ❤ and Ive just purchased a new TS890 😊 Blown away by the receiver 😮 Happy new year Mike 73 Ralph

[@mike-M0MSN]

Yep once you get a Kenwood.......

[@Rubedo777]

Mike, I’m returning to amradio ops after decades, re learning because of the advances, I find your channel educational and inspiring. I’m after a Kenwood 890 just not ready yet, my icom 706 is being dusted off and a dedicated radio “shack” being built at the back… 2024 will have me back on the wigglies ASAP… in the meantime keep doin what you do. Yerraguddun ! 😉 Best wishes to everyone. 💙 73

[@mike-M0MSN]

Thank you and welcome back 73.

[@matknight]

I'm glad you brought the 890 back out to play Mike. I love that radio. Have a great new yr mate, we need more videos from you. 73.

[@mike-M0MSN]

Thanks Mate HNY

[@paulwynneroberts1731]

Happy New year Mike. I have a Kenwood ts590s and I love it. 2W0IEP 73

[@mike-M0MSN]

Yes, The TS590 was my first Kenwood. Brilliant

[@markhill9912]

Hi Mike, happy new year! Last October, I purchased the Yaesu FTdx-101MP, most expensive radio purchase I have ever made before but have bought many sweet radios over the years! I boxed up my 3 year old Icom IC-7300 in its original box with all the styrofoam protectors, plastic bags then sealed it up and gave it to my dad. I then sent it through UPS to my dad in sunny Arizona, a 1200 mile trip. He's 81 and will really enjoy it after a bit of a learning curve. I would've bought the Kenwood TS-990S but the $8,000 - $8700 price tag made the look on my wife's face say it all, I'll just settle for the $4,900 yaesu!

[@David-km8in]

That Kenwood is a very nice tranciever. I wish Kenwood would bring out some new HF radio's. May a high end one and a budget unit. The FTDX10 is a little processed sounding using it noise cancelling. A very Happy New Year Mike. David M0DUU

[@aquapiranha]

Both great radios, I have an FTDX10 and have no complaints

[@mike-M0MSN]

I also have no complaints the FTDX10 is brilliant, just prefer the sound from the 890

[@624radicalham]

God that DSP is so watery sounding ... from another era when Noise Reduction was not perfected. I'd completely turn it off on the lower bands like 10 meters which you have no noise on anyway. Everything sounds like it's under water. Having said that, congratulations on this Christmas for getting a magnificent jewel of a radio! Enjoy it always my friend

[@garyh8315]

Nice to see Lord Callum pay you a visit to help. All looking good now. You will be taking part in the UKAC contests before you know it 😂😂, 73

[@mike-M0MSN]

😂😂

[@markr.1984]

I just got the new Kenwood TH-D75A handheld a week ago. What a nice radio! I love it, did not think it was over-priced at all. Unlike some people.

[@mike-M0MSN]

Good choice!

[@paultomlinson528]

My lord it sounds good! Hard to believe its ssb

[@janhenkins]

Interesting! By comparison, the Yaesu audio sounds digitised and muddy - almost as if it does aggressive noise reduction to eliminate all white noise (is there perhaps a menu where you can control the level of noise reduction on the Yaesu?). Unfortunately this also cuts out useful audio. The Kenwood doesn't seem to be doing this, and leaves in some critical high frequency audio that our brains need in order to process details like sibilants and plosives, as well as the mid-range sounds that gives a voice it's "nice-ness". The little bit of white noise that comes through with the Kenwood is easily ignored, because we can concentrate more effectively on what is being said. You can easily emulate this by taking a bit of audio recorded on a very windy day, and then use something like Audacity to get rid of all the noise. In the end you can get rid of the noise, but the audio that is left is rather unpleasant.

[@mike-M0MSN]

Spot on, I new someone would get what I was trying to get at... many thanks.

[@frankENZC]

Great shack and well-done video! 73 de WA3RSL

[@markramsay6399]

Hi Mike - great video as always. / Mark, 2E0MSR

[@mike-M0MSN]

Thanks Mark 👍

[@souta95]

I got started using a Kenwood HF radio, and they are definitely my preferred radios since I got used to their controls. If I had the money, I would get a TS-890 (or TS-990), but until then, I will keep my TS-940s front and center in my shack (I also have TS-480SAT, TS-430s, a pair of TS-440s's, and a broken TS-520s).

[@mike-M0MSN]

Kenwood all the way..

[@jimbagley3492]

Initially I had a Kenwood TS-590sg, then traded that in for an Icom 7610, thinking that would be an upgrade. Wrong the only improvement was the waterfall display! The audio and filtration wasn’t as good, ergonomically it wasn’t eight for me and the build quality wasn’t as good as the Kenwood. The controls were sloppy. So I traded it in for the Kenwood TS-890. What a beautiful radio. Everything is better in my opinion. It is a pleasure to operate, and looks good too. Thanks for the video. Keep up the good work. The reorg of the shack looks good too. (G4BDW).

[@mike-M0MSN]

Could not agree more.. HNY

[@kevlarnegative]

I struggled to understand why you'd box Kenwood for that Yaesu but I'm happy to see that you're back on track. I just passed my licence (full licence) and would love an HF rig but struggle financially at the moment (baby on the way). Will look at a used Kenwood ts590s from a local Ham. For now I'm stuck with Anytone 878 HT. Anyway have fun and 73. SP2HF

[@W3DRK]

I have both the TS-890 and a TS-590, you can't go wrong with the 590!

[@mike-M0MSN]

The 590 is a superb radio.

[@jptrade8575]

My TS 890 looks so nice on the desk!!! The receiver can't compete with my FTDX 101 or my FTDX 10. I prefer the looks of the 890. My ears prefer the Yaesu receiver.

[@mike-M0MSN]

Well that was my reason to replace the TS890 but........The TS890 is better for/in my ears

[@peterfulham3931]

Excellent setup now

[@mike-M0MSN]

Thanks!

[@johnnorth9355]

Agreed the Kenwood sounds much better. I am pondering what I am going to do with all the extra power coming my way shortly ? My 450D is up for it though lol. 73 & Happy New Year Mike .M7BLC

[@mike-M0MSN]

Yes, cheers John

[@2E0RME]

When it comes to ergonomics, build quality, and SWL pleasure, my FT-710, DX10, and 101D are no match for my 590SG. I can only imagine how great the 890 must be!

[@kaigarrels]

the TS-890 is much better, except that the multi button cannot be pushed...why this, @jvckenwood???

[@iu7qch]

⁠@@kaigarrels I don’t know if you own a ts890, but personally I’ve never had the need for a memtre multifunction button to use mine. The important adjustments you have on the potentiometers on the top right side together with a couple of buttons always in that area 😉. I’m not one to buy and resell radios just to test them, I only had one cartridge to shoot... and I hit the jackpot 😍

[@mphaan]

Internal speaker of the TS-890 is too small for use in noisy environments. During JOTA the scouts are unable to use the radio without an external speaker. I did not see the knob turn, how did you tune?

[@pd9rd]

It's clear that the Kenwood is by far better sounding and a gazillion times better looking, I do admit I'm biased owning a TS-990 😄

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Hey! Where did you get the ears for the 9700..????

[@mike-M0MSN]

3D printed. :)

[@999skipper]

@5.38 hi Callum 😂

[@owen6760]

Fab

[@gardeningfromscratch.]

Cheers Mike for the video, I also find the Yeasu sound a bit harsh on it's inbuilt speaker (FT991A this end) but much better with an outboard speaker which is how I run it. 73's de G4LEN.

[@Paul-Howell-M3EYG]

890 is definitely better sounding, but at that price it should be! 😂 FT-DX10 is certainly a nice radio though. Still need to convince my YL (and find the time) to set my gear up again. Hope you and the family are well Mike. Wishing you all the best for the New Year. Best wishes from "The Muff".

[@mike-M0MSN]

Hi Paul HNY to you and yours

[@ohyeawhosurpoppy]

The best part of switching back to the Kenwood, no dust bunnies to clean 😂

[@robertdickson6317]

Had the dx10 and icom 7610 all good radios got rid just love my ts890 suits my style the only other radio i have is a fully loaded icom 9100 happy now with station setup now

[@mike-M0MSN]

perfect.

[@chrisvernon960]

I agree the Kenwood audio sounds less processed, however, the FtDx10 is 1300 pounds where as the Kenwood 890 is 4000 pounds.

[@johnm7723]

Certainly a very valid point for many of us. We can't all justify that level of expenditure.

[@mike-M0MSN]

Point taken Chris, I'm guessing that the 101MP would sound better. that said I'm not knocking the DX10 it is fantastic.

[@PrecisionGroupYT]

Allot of HAM’s rush to get what’s new but don’t take into consideration what they really like about the radios they already have! The only Kenwood I own is a TH-D74 which I really like but as far as HF I own Icom 7300 & 7610 and I do love my Icom 9700 and 705. When I first got in the Hobby I never planned on being so heavily into Icom’s but it’s just where I ended up! Plus I loved my 7300 so much after operating it for 5+ years and tried a Flex 6400M and while it did have a nice display I just didn’t like it over my Icom’s! 73 and thanks for the video!

[@RobB_VK6ES]

So much for Sherwood reports:) I suggest you make the most of the Kenwood, I can't see them remaining committed to AR. Here in VK Kenwood is no longer available from local sources following Kenwood's withdrawal from the admittedly small VK market

[@mike-M0MSN]

HNY

[@W3DRK]

Out here in the States many dealers can't keep the TS-890 on the shelf for very long. MTC Radio in Texas, where I got mine, sells skids of them every year. Likewise for the TS-590SG... Rumors of Kenwood getting out of amateur radio have been around since I became a ham. Since then I've owned a TS-450, TS-850, several TS-2000s and currently run a TS-890 and TS-590SG. I think the rumors are BS.

[@BLACKHEAT1028]

Thinking about making the upgrade from Yaesu FT-991a to the TS-890S, but still keeping the 991a

[@mike-M0MSN]

Go for it, simply love my Kenwood!

[@M0JHN]

M0MSN, any chance you could or already have a video on your 9700 how you set that up on D-Star in UK?

[@mike-M0MSN]

No not yet as I have only had the IC9700 for a couple of months but perhaps 🤔 one coming soon.

[@blugoose86]

I am normally a yaesu guy, but comparing these two, side by side, I choose the Kenwood.

[@mike-M0MSN]

Thanks, HNY

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Mike.. are you sure you haven't got the digital NB switched on 890 ..? Or is that your phone on the recording....?

[@mike-M0MSN]

not sure what you are asking there is no NB switched on so I guess it was the iPhone's lapel mic!! unless you mean at the end part when I'm band jumping when it is switched on.

[@Feakre]

Hey Mike, at 05:35, there's a protective cover on top of the 890, is this something you made yourself or is it something commercially available? Can you give me more details please as I just have an old mouse mat on top of my 890. Thanks.

[@mike-M0MSN]

Hi, it’s an old very large mouse mat, I cut it to size and use it to protect the top of the radio. 🤪

[@gtretroworld]

Both sounded a bit garbled to my ears but that maybe just the Mic you were recording the video with. I quite enjoy my DX10 but i couldn’t understand you switching from that fantastic 890. 😂

[@NgakpaW]

Question: You have the external speaker for the DX10, but seem to be recording from the internal speaker. Did I miss something?

[@mike-M0MSN]

no you missed nothing, used the internal as both have the same sized int speaker

[@g0fvt]

I used an FTDX10 for a while, basically liked it but the ergonomics ground me down, now happily using an FTDX101MP. The noise reduction does do an impressive job but can be tiring to listen to. It is unclear whether DNR was active on your Yaesu or how the AGC parameters etc were set, all in all they are all great performing rigs and it is all down to user preference. 73 and Happy New Year

[@mike-M0MSN]

Both the rigs had Beat on and NB on but no DNR or DSP

[@johnblake4503]

Puzzled why you had the 890 boxed ? I have an FTdx10, I think it’s ok but nothing super great. I’d like an icon 7610.

[@mike-M0MSN]

I had put the TS890 away when I put the FTDX10 in the shack, love the IC7610..

[@johnblake4503]

@@mike-M0MSN do you have a 7610 Mike ?

[@PrecisionGroupYT]

The Kenwood TS-890 is really nice! I love my 7610 and still like to go between my 7300 and 7610! With my BHI DSP noise cancellation in-line the audio on both sound great. I like to use the 7300 allot when just wanting to listen as it uses less power than the 7610! 73

[@nicholastaylor7737]

Hi Mike I agree that the Kenwood audio is less processed, but we listen to digital audio all the time on 2m "D-Star, DMR, & C4FM" so the digital sound is becoming the norm I had a Kenwood TS690 which had no noise reduction and most of the time I couldn't listen to HF due to all the back ground noise it was just to wearing for me. Just for the record I now own a FTDX10 so I may be a bit biased, In my opinion the FTDX10 is a fantastic radio. On a strong HF ssb station it's like listening to FM just zero background noise. as you can minimise the amount of digital noise reduction by reducing the RF gain. On weaker signals you do require more Digital Noise reduction which does sound over processed, but I can live with that to reduce the noise. One last point there is a massive price difference between the 2 radios The TS890 is around £4000 and the FTDX10 is around £1300 not everyone can afford a TS890 and to my ears there not £2700 of sound difference. Watch all your videos and the best radio is the one that makes you want to use it.

[@mike-M0MSN]

True.

[@davidc5027]

It's whatever your preference is.

[@thebritishblink9541]

If you wanna pay almost 4 times the price of the FTDX 10, then we would all have a 890 .

[@tlebryk]

Yaesu has more DSP filter "ringing" or harshness, especially on sudden, loud changes in voice amplitude.

[@markgriffin2285]

I understand that you were comparing SSB Audio between the Yaesu and the Kenwood. I just wonder if you were listening to CW whether you would feel the same way? Mark KB3Z

[@mike-M0MSN]

Possibly not Mark, the FTDX10 has some great filters for CW...

[@smiffykuk]

I use the TS990S, excellent, most flexible on the market but not the best RX, however, I don’t do Dxing so it doesnt need to be. Also have nice analogue radios and prefer the audio… but the Kenwood range are my preferred modern radios.. TS 890S, reported to be slightly better in RX..

[@Scif64]

I will be moving to Italy in September and will finally be able to get to erect some form of HF antenna. If all goes well I will be looking for a new radio. I have had my eye on the TS590SG but seeing the TS890s in operation I am not so sure now. 73 de G0LQP

[@mike-M0MSN]

Both great radios

[@1OFGODSOWN]

I can’t believe anyone would replace the 890 with the Yaesu? I’m a Diehard ICOM MAN and I have heard several guys that got rid of their TS-990 and replaced it with the 890 because they said it’s overall a better radio.I have never operated either but they both look very nice.I Love very large radios and the ICOM 7851/7850 would be my Dream Radio for sure.Smart move on your part with putting the 890 back on the desk.👍👏🎙

[@davidinger7252]

Current US price (at DX Engineering) for the TS-890S is $4,330. The FT-DX10 is offered at $1,600. I would hope you would get "something" more for a radio costing 2.7 times more. It is not clear to me if the RX settings (filters, equalizers, DSP levels) are set more or less equally in this comparison. There is no doubt about it, the Kenwood sounds a lot better and would be much easier listening over a long period. That big 7" display is certainly easier on the eyes.

[@mike-M0MSN]

Yep, prices are about the same here, just shows how good the FTDX10 is, really holds its ground against the 890.

[@paulshockieuk2651]

Hi Mike.. I got the ftdx10 brand new from Martin lynch..I had it one month and got rid I did not like it whatsoever it was a bad sound splattered with digital processors...it sound rubbish..I now use my icom 7410 again old school but it sounds a lot better than the dx10..over rated if I was asked for the price. £1500

[@RSwrightMD]

The Kenwood has much better audio. The dsp on the Yaesu makes the background noise less. Kenwood has poor, substandard noise reduction compared to the other Japanese OEM’s in my opinion. Congratulations on owning two fabulous HF rigs.

[@pa3hgt]

TS890 sounds a little overprocessed ....NR too high ?

[@mike-M0MSN]

Maybe!

[@extreme978]

That dx10 don't compare to the Kenwood's, but they aren't in the same price range. I have the 990, and it blows most radio's out of the water.

[@G7GTI]

In my opinion the Sherwood reports are useless to an individual shack, it wouldn't surprise me if he gets freebies from yaesu 😅. Im icom and Kenwood all the way and after my experience and also what friends have experienced i would never ever buy another yaesu, they don't have the quality of their older equipment. Yes icom and Kenwood are more expensive but there's good reasons behind the price difference. Just my opinion, some people love them but probably have never tried anything else. I went full circle in the last 2 years, now back with an ic-7300 and 9700 and couldn't be happier. 73

[@JamesJ7851]

In Mr. Sherwood's defense. The main issue, individual amateurs place too much emphasis on the information provided by Rob Sherwood. Mainly, because they don't understand the information being presented. Rob simply performs rigorous testing of each transceiver, to compile typical industry standard results. If people would actually take time to view his powerpoint presentations. They would learn that he is not pushing any particular transceiver brand over another. He is only presenting unbiased factual data. He says up front, "don't use the RMDR figures presented on the transceiver table, to base a purchase of a transceiver." As a matter of fact. Rob Sherwood's personal transceivers are IC-7610 and TS-890S. He enjoys contesting, and those are his weapons of choice.

[@G7GTI]

@@JamesJ7851 and that sir, concludes my thoughts. I wish you a happy new year and all the best in 24

[@keithedwards2e0xsz56]

Another great video Mike, my only bug bear would be that these two radios are not in the same price band, the ts890 costing 3 to 4 times the cost of the ftdx10, i wonder how the ts890 would fare against the ftdx9000???

[@johnk8091]

The Kenwood is just a far classier, more refined looking radio. From build quality perspective it seems like comparing a Rolls Royce to a Ford. The Yaesu looks cheap with no thought given to the aesthetics. And yes, I own a FTDX-10 so I'm not a Kenwood fanboy. Regarding receive audio, I also prefer the Kenwood

[@stevelondon1679]

At 3 times the cost, I would hope the 890 was better.

[@mike-M0MSN]

Yes good point, you would hope so.

[@GM5DDX]

A not so fair comparison given the price of the Kenwood over the dx10

[@mike-M0MSN]

True, but it was not supposed to be a comparison in that way just an explanation of why I put the 890 back in my shack. :)

[@Team-fabulous]

You'll take a bad price for the Yaesu!?!

[@mike-M0MSN]

I'm keeping the FTDX10 still a great radio

[@WU3Shamradio]

The Kenwood 890 sounds so much better than the 10 it’s making me seriously consider trading my 101 to get an 890

[@markusm.lambers8893]

Do you now sold the Yaesu-TRX, for only 1 € as a "late x-mas present"? Please take my vote for the Yaesu for 1€ 'only'! (HI HI!) 😊 73 de Markus, es happy new year! (JN39fq - 5km/3miles east of LX)

[@mike-M0MSN]

Happy new year Markus, I'm keeping the FTDX10.. 😊

[@markusm.lambers8893]

Oh, I am so sorry to hear this, ... ! Good to know, when it is only a joke! 😅 I am 'still in love' with my FT-991 (non 'A') ! My second TRX is an old TR-130V with only 10W. I'm an 'old-school' guy, prefearing a good cw-TRX. 73 de Markus - db9pz - (since 1989)

[@thuff3207]

I always thought Kenwood radios sounded better. At least the Kenwood radios I own. Now my favorite HF Radio is my Elecraft K4 and that is a different discussion.

[@W-733_KWX]

The 10 looks and sounds like a cheap toy compared to the 890.

[@cqdx1677]

Expensive toys for amateurs

[@Chris-sc3rf]

I don’t know why but my 890 sounds way better 🤔

[@mike-M0MSN]

lol 👏👏👏

[@Fuzzydufflebag]

TS890 is overrated.

[@mike-M0MSN]

Maybe, but not in my eyes.

[@Paul_M1BLX]

Kenwood has a great sound, but not convinced it pulls signals out of the noise like others for the price! Sold my TS890 this year...not sure I regret it, just not sure what to buy next. Never been a Yaesu fan and the 990 discontinued 😢

[@skoda8761]

Radioamateurs with lote of money are very picky, and sound in your ears is very personol saids nothing about real quality...

[@mike-M0MSN]

True

[@Roadglide59]

I put my Yaesu speaker back in the box. The audio is much better from the radio. DV7/K6TEX 🇵🇭 🇺🇸