Quote History Quoted:
What exactly didn't you like about it? Was the RX EQ set up all funky? I thought on CW the thing sounded fantastic. I didn't listen to one on SSB.
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Quote History Quoted:
Quoted:
Actually I went there to test drive a 590. It not for me. I did not like the receive quality.
What exactly didn't you like about it? Was the RX EQ set up all funky? I thought on CW the thing sounded fantastic. I didn't listen to one on SSB.
Stop by a store and thoroughly test drive one sometime. You may have a different opinion.
SSB is my primary mode of operation. I did not spend a lot of time listening to CW. I do some CW but good SSB audio is what really makes a good transceiver shine. This was my second time with the 590. I played with one in HRO in Virginia but they had lousy antennas and grumpy sales people to really form an opinion about any radio. I also assumed that something was set wrong and it was about closing time to go through the settings.
This time I had a manual and spent over an hour going through all parameters to make sure I did not miss anything. IMHO, the receiver seems too noisy when compared to others. Preamp was not on. Noise reduction is what really turned me off. It distorts audio quality quite a bit and sounds like you are listening underwater and it's audio sounded rasp with some ringing effect. I found this very annoying and disappointing. Some people don't care about noise and never use NR function. I always use it on my radios, even with low noise level at my QTH (less than S1 most of the time). I was really thinking about buying one based on it's advertised parameters and low price.
I also listened to a new TS-990. It does have a better receiver but not as good as Icoms and Yaesus (in the same class category). I only listened to the main receiver. TS-990 finish quality and ergonomics are superb. Kenwood engineers did a great job designing this radio. Everything looks in place and I wanted to put gloves before touching that marvel. I absolutely love the simulated analog VFO dial.
. I wish there was a radio with FTDX5000 guts and TS-990 body and interface.