TS-2000 users have a reason to rejoice, even though the AO-51 Satellite is gone you can in fact work the other FM Satellites that fall within the dreaded Kenwood Birdie frequency range by adding a High Sierra Microwave 435M7-BFBF down converter.
Some of the other TS-2000 users have been using Down Converters for some time and I was unaware of the availability of such a unit. With a little research I found the High Sierra unit. Its reasonably priced at $139 and appeared to be just what the doctor ordered.
We all know the TS-2000 has problems in the 436.800 range with a horrible birdie that virtually makes it useless on the AO-27 and SO-50 FM Satellites, with the demise of AO-51 that pretty much left the TS-2000 to operate on the SSB birds alone. I ordered up the 435M7-BFBF from High Sierra, I had to wait a couple of weeks while they completed a build up of the units.
Upon arrival I found a very nicely built unit that is small and compact in an all aluminum case. It has 2 BNC connectors and two pins for adding external power. It uses 9-14 volts and can also be powered by way of a T Bias adapter on the IF side of the unit for remote mounting. I opted to mount mine in the shack for ease of use.
The TS-2000 has a dedicated RX antenna port on the back of the radio via a RCA jack, I added an A – B switch to my UHF antenna and on the B side it goes to my Down Converter and then to this dedicated RX jack. The frequencies translate from 436.800 to 11.800 into the radio and this gets rid of the dreaded TS-2000 birdie.
Initial testing was wonderful, I can now hear the 27 and 50 Satellites, its awesome to still be able to dabble in the FM realm of things.
Anyway, all you TS-2000 guys need not despair, even if Kenwood wont fix the issue there is a work around, and you wont have to pay outrageous money for radios that are no longer in production.
Enjoy !!
Some of the other TS-2000 users have been using Down Converters for some time and I was unaware of the availability of such a unit. With a little research I found the High Sierra unit. Its reasonably priced at $139 and appeared to be just what the doctor ordered.
We all know the TS-2000 has problems in the 436.800 range with a horrible birdie that virtually makes it useless on the AO-27 and SO-50 FM Satellites, with the demise of AO-51 that pretty much left the TS-2000 to operate on the SSB birds alone. I ordered up the 435M7-BFBF from High Sierra, I had to wait a couple of weeks while they completed a build up of the units.
Upon arrival I found a very nicely built unit that is small and compact in an all aluminum case. It has 2 BNC connectors and two pins for adding external power. It uses 9-14 volts and can also be powered by way of a T Bias adapter on the IF side of the unit for remote mounting. I opted to mount mine in the shack for ease of use.
The TS-2000 has a dedicated RX antenna port on the back of the radio via a RCA jack, I added an A – B switch to my UHF antenna and on the B side it goes to my Down Converter and then to this dedicated RX jack. The frequencies translate from 436.800 to 11.800 into the radio and this gets rid of the dreaded TS-2000 birdie.
Initial testing was wonderful, I can now hear the 27 and 50 Satellites, its awesome to still be able to dabble in the FM realm of things.
Anyway, all you TS-2000 guys need not despair, even if Kenwood wont fix the issue there is a work around, and you wont have to pay outrageous money for radios that are no longer in production.
Enjoy !!
