Posted: 12/24/2013 2:41:01 AM EDT
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You SOBs are about to cost me money. Not blaming AR-Jedi solely on this one. About to pull the trigger on a TS-590. Just a couple questions before I do.
Running HRD on Windows 8. How hard is it to get the computer and rig to talk to each other using the USB cable alone? I'm heavy into the digi modes. Any issues getting DM-780 to play with the USB interface? WSJT-X. Any issues getting that software to run with HRD at the same time? Through the same USB cable? Do have a Signalink box in my current setup. Transfer it over to the new rig or not? |
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I have a TS-590 and really like it.
The connection is a 10' USB printer cable I bought at WalMart for $20, which is addressed by the software as a virtual Com port. I downloaded Kenwood's Virtual Com Port driver, then Kenwood's ARCP-590 control software, and everything I use has worked smoothy. There is also a new firmware update (1.08) that just came out in early December that can be D/Led from the same site: http://www.kenwood.com/i/products/info/amateur/software_download.html I downloaded the free/older version of HRD (5.24.0.38) and have used it a little. All of the functions I have tried work, but I usually go back to the Kenwood control program due to being easier to navigate. I have not begun with digital work yet, so I cannot address your specific digital compatibility in various modes. All of the manuals (user manual, enhanced user manual and service manual) are available for free download, just have to do a quick search and multiple sources come up. Reading these manuals before buying the machine may help. |
Very simple to install. Get a standard USB printer cable, install comm port driver & away you go. Digital Master is built into HRD. You can use that for many modes without doing much of anything. For instance you can select BPSK31 mode from your favorites menu. HRD will switch rig to correct settings along with frequency in memory. I'm a noob & the 590 has been very user friendly. Radio doesn't have a boat load of menus to navigate. For JT65, I use WSJTX with HRD running for my logging mostly, not for rig control. Never had a problem. You won't need your Signalink. The 590 has it all built in. You can use the SignaLink if you want to run another cable, but there is no point. One USB cable from rig to computer is awesome in my book. The less cabeling the better I say. To be honest, I never use HRD for rig control. It's quicker & easier to just use the front panel of the 590. 
I did have an issue with DM crashing from time to time, but turning off a few settings in notifications corrected that for me. Take care, HS |
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As others have already pointed out, getting the 590 (and 990, and Icom 7xxx series, all of which have USB ports) running is fairly trivial.
The tricky part you mentioned is getting WSJT-X to coexist with HRD. This is one of those things that really is easy, but only after you've done it once, and takes longer to describe than to do. What you are going to do is to set up WSJT-X to control HRD, and HRD will in turn control the radio. To accomplish this follow these general steps: 1. Get HRD running and make sure it does rig control correctly, etc. 2. Close HRD. 3. Obtain VSPManager, a virtual serial port program, from K5FR here. You can use any virtual serial port software but VSPManager is, by far, the best virtual serial port program there is and it is so completely trivial to use. 4. Install VSPManager (or equiv.) and set up a virtual serial port pair. 5. Open HRD go to Tools>Hardware>3rd-Party-Serial-Port. Assign it to one of the pair of virtual ports you defined in VSPManager. Mode=Default. Speed=same as what you'll use in WSJT-X. Click "Enable" and "Connect when Ham Radio Deluxe Starts". Click "OK". 6. Make sure that DM780 is closed. (Only run one sound card program at a time, just to keep it simple. You can run more than one at a time, but that's beyond the scope of this discussion.) 7. Open WSJT-X and configure rig control to use the other virtual serial port of the pair you defined in step 4 above. Assign rig control as any sort of Kenwood rig. I usually use either a TS-480 or TS-2000. You may need to experiment a bit. (Important note for clarity: the HRD 3rd-party interface emulates a Kenwood rig and this has NOTHING to do with the fact you are controlling a Kenwood with HRD--if you had an Icom or a Yaesu being controlled by HRD whatever software is working through HRD via the HRD 3rd-party port must set the rig type to be Kenwood.) 8. In WSJT-X set your PTT method to "CAT". 9. Enjoy running your rig from HRD and WSJT-X simultaneously. Note also that you can use this exact method to run HRD and Fldigi, HRD and Winmor, or HRD and pretty much anything else you want. Yes, Virginia, you are no longer tied to the HRD logger or DM780
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you will have no troubles just pick up a decent USB-printer cable, I got mine from TARGET LOL The Kenwood TS-590 is an amazing radio Easy to operate, great ergonomics, excellent receiver, great selectivity I sold my signalink when I got my 590 the 590 is the best bang for your hard earned buck http://www.remeeus.eu/hamradio/pa1hr/productreview.htm http://www.sherweng.com/table.html some good 590 info here http://homepage.ntlworld.com/wadei/ts-590s.htm http://groups.yahoo.com/group/KenwoodTS-590/ |
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I sold my signalink when I got my 590 Dug a bunch on da 'Net after I posted. Pretty much download the drivers from the Kenwood site and it should be easy enough to get them to connect. Read through the owners manual. A few things got my attention. Iambic A is now an option for paddles. If changing the character speed doesn't require a third level menu change and if access to preset CW strings is as easy as one button push then my beloved K1EL keyer may go off the desk. There's now a Tune button to TX a 10w carrier for tuning up the amp. Big help to relieve the 3 hands and a monkey method I'm doing now. A SSB-Data mode. Going there opens up the filters automatically. Automatic mode changing is cool. Say you start scanning for CW at 14050 moving up. When you hit 14070 it can automatically change to SSB-Data (default is FSK). Primary reason for the upgrade is to get a better receiver. Second to upgrade from the obsolete serial plug. The rest of it is lagniappe. Thanks. Will place the order on the 26th. |
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One caveat, the TS 590 has a power spike on TX, it damaged my THP 1.2Kfx (solid state). The rig is probably better now with some improvements and hopefully not a problem with a tube amp. I'd still have it if not for the Amp. Join the TS 590 Users group for more info! HTH 73, Rob |
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One caveat, the TS 590 has a power spike on TX, it damaged my THP 1.2Kfx (solid state). The rig is probably better now with some improvements and hopefully not a problem with a tube amp. I'd still have it if not for the Amp. Join the TS 590 Users group for more info! HTH 73, Rob FWIW there is a new firmware out. V1.08 dated 08 December 2013. http://www.kenwood.com/i/products/info/amateur/ts_590/ts590_update_e.html Oh, another tidbit of why the TS-590 over an Icom or Yaesu, I already know the layout of the TS-2K and know most of the frequently used buttons by feel. The 590 has a similar layout. Shorter learning curve. |
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Rig ordered. Software downloaded. Now the wait.
While waiting its time to make station improvements. Got antenna work to do. Since the TS-590 doesn't do 2m need to get a mobile rigged up. Get that LDG tuner that has been broke for months sent off for repair and eventual liquidation. Get the Palstar tuner in the mix. Yadda yadda. |
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Did note that in my web surfing. My amp is an AL-811 and shouldn't be a big issue if an issue at all. Apparently is was pretty bad in the beginning. The ARRL review stated they had to back their amp down from 1500w to 1000w because the spike kicked the amp offline. A firmware update to 1.02 fixed that. FWIW there is a new firmware out. V1.08 dated 08 December 2013. http://www.kenwood.com/i/products/info/amateur/ts_590/ts590_update_e.html Oh, another tidbit of why the TS-590 over an Icom or Yaesu, I already know the layout of the TS-2K and know most of the frequently used buttons by feel. The 590 has a similar layout. Shorter learning curve. Quoted:
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One caveat, the TS 590 has a power spike on TX, it damaged my THP 1.2Kfx (solid state). The rig is probably better now with some improvements and hopefully not a problem with a tube amp. I'd still have it if not for the Amp. Join the TS 590 Users group for more info! HTH 73, Rob FWIW there is a new firmware out. V1.08 dated 08 December 2013. http://www.kenwood.com/i/products/info/amateur/ts_590/ts590_update_e.html Oh, another tidbit of why the TS-590 over an Icom or Yaesu, I already know the layout of the TS-2K and know most of the frequently used buttons by feel. The 590 has a similar layout. Shorter learning curve. If your properly adjust the speech processor....the spike is not noticeable. I ran my TS-590S with a Elecraft KPA-500 amp for almost two years with no ill effect. |
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If your properly adjust the speech processor....the spike is not noticeable. I ran my TS-590S with a Elecraft KPA-500 amp for almost two years with no ill effect. Quoted:
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One caveat, the TS 590 has a power spike on TX, it damaged my THP 1.2Kfx (solid state). The rig is probably better now with some improvements and hopefully not a problem with a tube amp. I'd still have it if not for the Amp. Join the TS 590 Users group for more info! HTH 73, Rob FWIW there is a new firmware out. V1.08 dated 08 December 2013. http://www.kenwood.com/i/products/info/amateur/ts_590/ts590_update_e.html Oh, another tidbit of why the TS-590 over an Icom or Yaesu, I already know the layout of the TS-2K and know most of the frequently used buttons by feel. The 590 has a similar layout. Shorter learning curve. If your properly adjust the speech processor....the spike is not noticeable. I ran my TS-590S with a Elecraft KPA-500 amp for almost two years with no ill effect. Need to sign up for the Yahoo group for all the little tweaks and tips. |
Actually, slightly off-topic  : I'd like to run WSJT-X without HRD, but for some reason I can't set it up properly to send. It receives great, it activates PTT on my 590, but when it comes time to send, it only picks up my desk mic and not the USB sound card despite setting it up on there. Anyone have a quick guide or could help with this?
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Actually, slightly off-topic : I'd like to run WSJT-X without HRD, but for some reason I can't set it up properly to send. It receives great, it activates PTT on my 590, but when it comes time to send, it only picks up my desk mic and not the USB sound card despite setting it up on there. Anyone have a quick guide or could help with this?Put the rig in "Digital Mode", this should set up the audio via the USB port. 73, Rob |
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Actually, slightly off-topic : I'd like to run WSJT-X without HRD, but for some reason I can't set it up properly to send. It receives great, it activates PTT on my 590, but when it comes time to send, it only picks up my desk mic and not the USB sound card despite setting it up on there. Anyone have a quick guide or could help with this?Do you have the PTT method as "VOX"? If so make sure rig is in VOX & Data modes. As always your PC timing must be correct. I use HRD selected as rig control & WSJTX uses that seemlessly. If you are NOT using HRD to control rig, then you will have to select the comm port(USB Audio Codec), & pick the Kenwood 590 from rig selection menu. HS |
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Do you have the PTT method as "VOX"? If so make sure rig is in VOX & Data modes. As always your PC timing must be correct. I use HRD selected as rig control & WSJTX uses that seemlessly. If you are NOT using HRD to control rig, then you will have to select the comm port(USB Audio Codec), & pick the Kenwood 590 from rig selection menu. HS Quoted:
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Actually, slightly off-topic : I'd like to run WSJT-X without HRD, but for some reason I can't set it up properly to send. It receives great, it activates PTT on my 590, but when it comes time to send, it only picks up my desk mic and not the USB sound card despite setting it up on there. Anyone have a quick guide or could help with this?Do you have the PTT method as "VOX"? If so make sure rig is in VOX & Data modes. As always your PC timing must be correct. I use HRD selected as rig control & WSJTX uses that seemlessly. If you are NOT using HRD to control rig, then you will have to select the comm port(USB Audio Codec), & pick the Kenwood 590 from rig selection menu. HS I don't use VOX. In all my other software, like fldigi, the sound card is set as MME -> Microphone (USB Audio CODEC) and MME -> Speakers (USB Audio CODEC), no problems. I'd rather not use HRD since I use different programs for logging, but I may try that path if I can't get WSJT to work... |
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I ran into a problem hooking WSJTX to my Signalink just last night. This was running Linux (you mention HRD so I assume you are talking Windows), but may it is something similar.
The software could not automatically change the sample rate of the USB sound card so I had to add a configuration file to manually set the sample rate and all was well. JLE Quoted:
Actually, slightly off-topic : I'd like to run WSJT-X without HRD, but for some reason I can't set it up properly to send. It receives great, it activates PTT on my 590, but when it comes time to send, it only picks up my desk mic and not the USB sound card despite setting it up on there. Anyone have a quick guide or could help with this? |
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I ran into a problem hooking WSJTX to my Signalink just last night. This was running Linux (you mention HRD so I assume you are talking Windows), but may it is something similar. The software could not automatically change the sample rate of the USB sound card so I had to add a configuration file to manually set the sample rate and all was well. JLE Quoted:
I ran into a problem hooking WSJTX to my Signalink just last night. This was running Linux (you mention HRD so I assume you are talking Windows), but may it is something similar. The software could not automatically change the sample rate of the USB sound card so I had to add a configuration file to manually set the sample rate and all was well. JLE Quoted:
Actually, slightly off-topic : I'd like to run WSJT-X without HRD, but for some reason I can't set it up properly to send. It receives great, it activates PTT on my 590, but when it comes time to send, it only picks up my desk mic and not the USB sound card despite setting it up on there. Anyone have a quick guide or could help with this?Rascan try using pulse audio and pavucontrol. wsjt-x settings were a pain at first. OP do you have the ptt method set to VOX or CAT |
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TS-590 was on my list for a new rig. I test drove it for several hours at HRO but did not compare it to a FT950. I switched antennas between a TS-590, IC-7600 and FTDX3000 and FTdx5000. The Yaesus were much quieter and sounded much better. I was also disappointed about DSP noise reduction on TS590. It sounded distorted and like the signal was coming from under running water. So I decided to go with a FT3000.
Have you considered looking at a FTDX1200 or IC7410? They are in the same price range as the Kenwood. I have not used a ft1200. IC-7410 is a great rig. It's performance is close to IC-7600. |
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Rascan try using pulse audio and pavucontrol. wsjt-x settings were a pain at first. OP do you have the ptt method set to VOX or CAT PTT is CAT. Well, it turns out it was a combination of things, including using the MME sound card for the TS-590's USB audio, setting PTT to CAT (not VOX), and FINALLY setting the "Data/Mic" radio button to Data.
Thank you for the help! |
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PTT is CAT. Well, it turns out it was a combination of things, including using the MME sound card for the TS-590's USB audio, setting PTT to CAT (not VOX), and FINALLY setting the "Data/Mic" radio button to Data.
Thank you for the help! Quoted:
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Rascan try using pulse audio and pavucontrol. wsjt-x settings were a pain at first. OP do you have the ptt method set to VOX or CAT PTT is CAT. Well, it turns out it was a combination of things, including using the MME sound card for the TS-590's USB audio, setting PTT to CAT (not VOX), and FINALLY setting the "Data/Mic" radio button to Data.
Thank you for the help! Yeah my 2000 has the data/mic option toom that was my next guess. However wsjtx wont key unless I am using a usb to serial converter, there are a few kinks in the program |
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TS-590 was on my list for a new rig. I test drove it for several hours at HRO but did not compare it to a FT950. I switched antennas between a TS-590, IC-7600 and FTDX3000 and FTdx5000. The Yaesus were much quieter and sounded much better. I was also disappointed about DSP noise reduction on TS590. It sounded distorted and like the signal was coming from under running water. So I decided to go with a FT3000. Have you considered looking at a FTDX1200 or IC7410? They are in the same price range as the Kenwood. I have not used a ft1200. IC-7410 is a great rig. It's performance is close to IC-7600. Right because DSP is magic fairy dust and improves receiver performance.
Doesn't Sound Pretty is the actual acronym for the meaning of DSP. None of the big three ham manufacturers have perfected DSP to the point that it really does all that much. Noise that is either man made or atmospheric is the great killer of weak signals. Nobody makes a radio that can pull a signal out of garbage....I don't care how "quiet" their DSP sounds. DSP is the equivalent of "snake oil" and may make it more pleasant for you to listen to, but I have yet to see DSP pull something out of nothing. If you want to hear what a quiet HF rig sounded like, you have to go back several generations and listen to something like an old Drake TR4CW or similar. The old rigs had a much better (subjective opion inserted here) receiver than today's rigs. 
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Bump back to top
I am trying to configure my TS-590 for JT-65 but need to install the VSP program first. I am having the problems with the mike, the radio is going into a intermittent transmit mode if I have the mike volume turn up beyond zero. I suspect that HRD and WSJT-X are not playing nice together. Once I get VSP installed then I can determine once and for all if this is the problem or not. |
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Got to the G3NRW website and read the digital how to PDF.
G3NRW Digital How To PDF link Read to learn how to set up your radio for digital operation. Come back after reading this if you have trouble and I will try and help you out. |
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I am trying to configure my TS-590 for JT-65 but need to install the VSP program first. I am having the problems with the mike, the radio is going into a intermittent transmit mode if I have the mike volume turn up beyond zero. I suspect that HRD and WSJT-X are not playing nice together. Once I get VSP installed then I can determine once and for all if this is the problem or not. yep Don't use HRD with WSJT-X I'm no JT-65 expert, but this works for me.... 
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Got to the G3NRW website and read the digital how to PDF. G3NRW Digital How To PDF link Read to learn how to set up your radio for digital operation. Come back after reading this if you have trouble and I will try and help you out. I used that How to Guide to originally set up my radio for PSK and Olivia. I started using WJST but after awhile the intermittent transmit issue developed. Then I did a search and found this thread. |
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yep Don't use HRD with WSJT-X I'm no JT-65 expert, but this works for me.... <a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/derek45/media/RADIO/wsjtx590_zps02fa743f.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v488/derek45/RADIO/wsjtx590_zps02fa743f.jpg</a> Quoted:
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I am trying to configure my TS-590 for JT-65 but need to install the VSP program first. I am having the problems with the mike, the radio is going into a intermittent transmit mode if I have the mike volume turn up beyond zero. I suspect that HRD and WSJT-X are not playing nice together. Once I get VSP installed then I can determine once and for all if this is the problem or not. yep Don't use HRD with WSJT-X I'm no JT-65 expert, but this works for me.... <a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/derek45/media/RADIO/wsjtx590_zps02fa743f.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v488/derek45/RADIO/wsjtx590_zps02fa743f.jpg</a> Ok Derek45 your setting worked for me but maybe K9-Bob can tell me how to get HRD and WJST-X to work together. |