I have owned a couple of TS2000s in the past and have been hearing this "deaf on VHF/UHF" comment before and don't know where it comes from. I have used a TS2000 with no problems on the sats, for tropo, and meteor scatter, and it hears just fine on 2m and 70cm with the internal preamp. The QST review of the radios support this. It measures the MDS on 2m at -141dbm for the TS2000 and -142dbm for the 910H. Not sure that you could hear that 1 DB difference. There is a bit more difference on FM in favor of the 910H.
Like another person stated, you can catch the end of the AO27 and SO50 pass with the TS2000 when the downlink moves away from the birdie. I also heard that an external mast mounted preamp will put the sats signal above the birdie.
ALso, given the prices for each one, the 910 probably becomes as expensive if not more expensive once you add a CW filter, TXCO, and DSP board, so it is similarly equipped as the TS2000, and the AF DSP in the Icom radios (706, 718, etc) isn't very impressive.
Plus with the TS2000 you get 6m, which makes it a great VHF/UHF weak signal and contesting rig, and as a back up or primary HF rig. The crossband repeat feature is neat also, where you can work HF or 6m using an HT.
73s John AA5JG
--- On Mon, 11/30/09, Perry Yantis py41@att.net wrote:
From: Perry Yantis py41@att.net Subject: [amsat-bb] Icom 910H vs Kenwood TS2000 To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Date: Monday, November 30, 2009, 11:29 AM
I am always amazed when I hear someone say the TS 2000 does not have a good receiver, mine is great!!!
The TS 2000x I have hears all satellites very well.
Remember there is an internal preamp on the TS2000.
On hf it just seems to amplify the noise level so I leave it off.
But I leave it turned on all the time on vhf, uhf and it automatically comes on when you turn on 1.2.
The last time I used an external preamp was on the KLM Echo 2 back in the 70's.
Since then I have used a Kenwood TS700, TS790, and now the TS2000x.
The TS2000x receives (with the internal preamp on for vhf, uhf) about the same as my old TS790 did (it did not have an internal preamp).
With M2 antennas, computer tracking and tuning, low loss cable, and cable lengths between 50-70 ft I have never had a problem receiving any amateur radio sats.
Perry WB8OTH
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