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kenwood TS480HX

Se7en

Se7en

Well-Known Member
Jun 27, 2010
4,573
223
73
Ca
i would like to know a little about this radio.
what i do know: it has 200w output. covers 6-160m.
questions: can it be mounted mobile, with a separation cable?
does it have a built in tuner?
likes and dislikes to those who have owned one?
can i get the dimensions....
 

The Kenwood TS-480 comes in two versions; the SAT or the HX. The SAT model is 100 watts and has an antenna tuner. The HX is 200 watts and doesn't have a built-in tuner. Either one has detachable faces. They make fine mobile radios; I have a friend that runs one ('HX') with a screwdriver antenna and it sounds great.
 
I had to HX model and ran it mobile, because of the distance from the radio to the battery I could never get the full 200 watts.

I used a "screwdriver type" antenna, Little Tarheel II is what I had.

So you will not need a tuner because the antenna adjusts to resonance from 3.5mhz to 54mhz

Either way the SAT or HX will be a fun radio
 
Oh boy, here's my chance to brag on Kenwood some more...

I have the 'SAT' model, not the 'HX'. I can tell you that either are nice radios, I didn't need an extra 100 watts but a tuner really comes in handy (especially for mobiles). The one thing that 'makes'/'breaks' a radio is having a good receiver. The '480 has a very good one. That DSP 'filtering' isn't my idea of the -best- way of doing that stuff, but considering the size, there really isn't enough room for a lot of mechanical filters. That's a personal foible, not all that important really. It works.
The other nice thingy is that the control head is large enough that the buttons are easy to to NOT hit two at a time, and the display is 'see-able' with my eyes! You'll understand those requirements the older you get, wait and see.
- 'Doc

And as everybody knows... If you ain't got Kenwood, you got squat! :)
 
does the radio have a sleep timer ?
is filtering possibly better then icom'mk2g...?
can display brightness be turned down for night use ( so its not blinding ) ?
is the unit acceptable installed mobile, QSO's possible while driving? icom 706 mobile too much sensitivity QRM :(
 
Last edited:
"does the radio have a sleep timer ?"

Yes, called a 'Time Out' timer. After so much time (setable) it turns it's self off.

"is filtering possibly better then icom'mk2g...?"

Possibly better? Don't know, but it's just as good anyway.

"can display brightness be turned down for night use ( so its not blinding ) ?"

Yes, several 'stages'.

"is the unit acceptable installed mobile, QSO's possible while driving?"

Yes to both. I've used mine mobile. There are several aspects that are debatable depending on your likes/dislikes. The mic connects to the main radio not the control head. I think that's a plus. It means there are a number of head placements that wouldn't be possible otherwise. Such as on the sun visor, above the mirror. I don't like dangling cords.
The operator's manual is downloadable from Kenwoods site. I'd recommend doing so and taking a look at the options/features/controls.
Kenwood's programming scheme is easier for me to understand than any of the other manufacturer's. that's another one of those 'preference' thingys, YMMV.
---

What, exactly, is a 'noisy' receiver? I don't understand that description. The more sensitive a receiver the more 'noise' it will receive. So, roll that RF gain back, or use the attenuator? Will you 'loose' some weak stations? Sure. But if the noise is louder than they are, you didn't 'have' them to start with. Just really don't like the normal 'pops', 'scratchy' atmospheric stuff, that sort of thingy? Sorry Charley, that's normal with SSB. There is a squelch control, BTW.
Is the TS-480XXX the best thing in the world? Nope, but it's a dam close runner up.
- 'Doc


Absolute best way of finding out if you'd like it is to get your hands on one and operate it. Yeah, right, easier said than done.
 
I usually can figure all the radios programming out but have to admit Yaesu and Kenwood are easiest to follow I zip right through my rigs. Now I have 1 Icom 2200H 2 meter radio at present I still dont really take out of the box but should start finding a use for so its not just sitting. That radio is a different beast I was told by Icom owners before I even had this 2 meter Icom that they are often a pain in the arse to get the hang of the programming.

I sometimes think I should box it up for shipping and sell it but it is programmed for all the repeaters on this side of Wisconsin and could be an easy hook up and go rig since its all setup. I can tell you it was a bit to figure out and Im sure since its been awhile Ill have to look at the book for a refresher on programming.
 
Since I dislike menus and almost never remember how to do things manually, I've found that it's easiest for me to do the programming/setup with a computer program. I do that with the Kenwoods tht I have, a '7800 that I used to have, and a Wouxun handheld. The yaesu and wouxun are really something with manual programming! As in get the dang program and a cable! Now, if 'redneck' was a programming language, I'd have it made...
- 'Doc
 

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