Kris, TF3KX, inquired:
> Do you have any comments on these or others as contesting rigs? Performance
> under strenuous operation, ease of use (not requiring too much menu browsing
> for common functions), contest functionality (such as a button for listening
> on the TX freq).
I didn't see the Kenwood TS-480S (or HX version) on your list. Others
might find this info useful, so am posting here.
IMHO, this is the *** coolest *** rig for portable contesting, and I plan
to buy a 2nd one for SO2R portable. The separate control head and display
are absolutely fantastic...easy to reposition to any angle as
needed. Here's how I had it positioned in the CQP operating portable in a
5x8 trailer in San Benito County this weekend:
http://www.k6vva.com/cqp2005/dinner
Sometimes I will set the control head on the front of my notebook
computer...directly in front of me, just behind my external mini-keyboard
and X-Keys banks. Unfortunately, in the rush to get packed up after the
CQP, I pulled on some cables and yanked the control head off the table by
mistake and it crashed on the floor ;-( It will be interesting to see if
it still works!
Yes, there are actually two button you an push to listen to the TX
frequency in 'split' mode. A tech guru friend of mine modified my TS-870S
rigs to be able to also do this function with a foot switch (Kenwood
claimed this was "impossible"), and plan to have him try to this with the
TS-480S as well when I get around to it.
My only complaints about the TS-480S is that the CW sidetone is a bit
'wimpy' sounding, and the internal keyer is 'squirrelly' compared to the
one in the TS-870S. But using a contest logger keying the rig, the latter
is a moot issue.
I absolutely love the TS-480S, OM, and it may turn out to have set a new
CQP "County Record" for me this weekend :-)
FYI & 73...
Rick, K6VVA
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