Thank you. I’m a few short months away from upgrading my 7300 to probably a 7610 Dual Receive is a feature that I really want but I like hearing the difference in the radios.
Incredible that with such a short time it achieves a very good review. Of the best I have heard. Straight to the point. With many doubts as usual for so little time. But fantastic review thanks for that. Everything good for you. 73 & DX
I like the 890 scope as far as showing the carrier point and then the sideband offset from it. It is what is actually happening frequency-wise on the band. The Icom distorts reality by centering the sideband on its display. To my ear, the side by side receive switching was inconclusive. Your experience probably depends on what frequency ranges your ears respond to. I generally avoid "rig A versus rig B" videos because all the weak, noisy signals sound alike to me. Compared to what I had in the '80s, both of these rigs are absolute dreams.
The 890 scope operates correctly. When you tune to a SSB signal, you're tuned to the lower edge (for USB) or the upper edge (for LSB) of the signal's bandwidth. You don't tune SSB to the middle of the signal.
Its over a year ago since this review I wonder which one you kept, I have just taken delivery of my new IC 7610 to replace my old MP1000 MK5. The variable pass band on the ssb filter and audio is great makes a big difference. I dont use the mouse prefer touch screen to jump frequency . The hidden filters be hind each appropriate key button has been logical lay out some thing I have got used to. Having played with the IC7610 I like it better than the MP 1000 MK5 old school radio.
11:30 Why would you want it centered? it is Side Band, so Kenwood representation is correct, icom is not.. ( you can change it in the menus). I remember that when i bought 7300, it was the first parameter i changed, because it was obviously a wrong representation. Thanks for video
I have a Kenwood 990S and absolutely love it. Even more buttons and knobs and covers everything I need. I use the touchscreen to quickly move through the band. I use the mouse with Kenwood’s PC app and 2 monitors to have full mouse control.
Thanks for an excellent review and comparison. I have the 7610 but seems that the 890 sounds little better by the weak signals. Happy New Year Jack! 73, Paul.
By using the ARCP-890 program you can control everything by mouse and keyboard. I did find in your video that the 890s has a clearer and brighter screen. It looks like the 7610 has a washed out look. It might be the closeness of the 890s to the camera.
Bruce Marcotte it’s the angle and technology used for the screens, one’s probably an IPS type, and the other’s STN or a variation... from the front, they likely look the same.
Hey jack great video, just the type i wanted to see. the rest all seem to be between, the 101d, and 7610, to me the 890 seems to be a real solid radio...probably one of the last big super hets. 73
It has been three weeks and the gang here is getting restless awaiting your decision on which one stays and which one goes. Personally, my K3/P3 combo is moving out of the main position in my shack so it will always be ready to run /P, /M, /R, take to FD or guest op at a MM etc. What a pain to disconnect and reconnect everything 10x/year. And the reason I mention that is because that main spot will be filled with either a TS-890s or IC-7610. I've been trying to decide since before Black Friday. And yes, I could do a K4. I even had a prepaid preorder in for a couple months but the delays were too much to take. So, all I'm asking is that you PICK ONE. I have no idea how that will help ME out, but what the heck. Might as well ask :-) 73, K2QO
I have the 7610 and I do like the ability to record with, in my case, an SDHC card. I don’t know about the 890 but that feature is kinda cool that I have used multiple times to figure out a weak signals call sign. Thx for the vid.
Thanks for that video, but! How a transciever A/B comparison becomes more usefull? - Use external, equal loudspeaker, on each transceiver. - Switch each 5 second, between A and B transceiver. - Switch during the same station is talking.! - Don't talk yourself during the test. May be you find some more facts? Best Regards Mark
I have the TS990S but some of the features are the same on the 890; I am fine with the menu setup for the 890/990 but I do have to agree with you that the menu in the 7610 sure looks easier to use. As for the mouse, "Boy do I agree !" When I received my 990 I wandered why no mouse feature? Dumb to leave it out. I do like that I can dial through a desired bandwidth and would not want to give that up. On the 990 there is an IF button and i can step through three preset bandwidths. I see to the right hand side of the 890's VFO there is a button titled, "IF FIL". I think this is the same as what's on the 990S. So you two choice on the Kenwood, step through three preset filter bandwidths or dial through. Both good radios but my vote is for the TS890S. Not that my vote matters. Hi Hi Barry, KU3X
Hey Jack. Great video. Hope you guys had a nice Christmas. All our snow is just about melted which is about normal for here. Jan and feb is more our snow getting time of year. Thanks for the video.
I like both of these radios , a few things that stand out to me in my research....I like the 7610 display refresh rate better, animations look crisp though the 890 isnt bad, however the display failures on the 7610 concern me and I dont want to be sending the radio off to get it repaired ....as far as I can tell Icom still hasnt found a firm replacement vendor that has completely resolved this issue. I have yet to find any major reoccurring issues with the 890s, just a few early release models that had a failure here and there but the radio is still somewhat new. The 7610 having dual receive is something that doesnt appeal to me much, so it's not a requirement in my decision.....I dont know how to feel about the 890 having buttons to activate things on the screen, I assume some things work on the touch screen but others require buttons? not a major concern....I still yet havent seen reports on TX quality , I assume it's probably equal ....kenwood has a rep for quality tx but icom 7300 has surprised me alot with great reports
my first HF radio was a kenwood (and vhf) so ive always leaned towards them, when the 7300 came out I bought one ...went back and forth with my 590 trying to decide which one I liked better. I think a part of me didnt want to like the icom, operating the 7300 seemed to just "click" with me though so I stuck with it and hearing so many people on the air with 7300s made me think it was the radio to have and they all sounded great on air....now Im thinking about getting a more featured radio like the 890s -7610- also a k3s (which ive already tried out but wasnt overly impressed ) ....this is a big purchase so I am not getting in hurry so doing alot of reading and watching videos on these radios to help decide....there is a part of me that kinda feels like kenwood is falling behind a tad? I was hoping maybe they would drop a newer model replacing the 590 considering it's been on the market forever... When i read reviews I think there is some serious exaggeration when people compare receivers , one being "hands down" better than another, ive done alot of comparisons and there doesnt seems to be a huge difference between them imo....
The menu system in the Icom may be a bit easier to use but lets face it how often do you go into the menu unless you have to once its set its set. But the Icom is designed so that a lot of important functions are in the menu so you have to go into it a lot where I think the Kenwood a lot of those functions are located on the front panel. I like the display better on the Kenwood a bit better than the Icom to me its a little easier on the eyes also I am not much for touch screen it's ok I guess but how much effort really does it take to push a button or turn a knob not to mention it is one less thing that can malfunction. If your touch screen quits working your dead in the water. I know that the 890 is simply a better built radio it is almost like military grade what I mean by that is the controls switches and knobs this has been commented on all over the net many times in reviews and I don't know for me I want a radio not a radio that is half a computer. I am not knocking the Icom but I think the Kenwood in this case is a better radio what is important to me may not be to someone else so it's apples and oranges I guess. For the record I am a big Yaesu fan had them all through the years and I have had a few Kenwoods as well I am getting ready to buy a new radio and in this case I am going to pick the 890 over the new Yaesu FT-101DX. Yes it cost a little more but I like the layout better among other things frankly I don't like the screen on the new Yaesu. They are all very good radios but I want a radio for a radio not half a computer and half radio i guess I am just old fashioned.
Hello Jack, I have been thinking about the ts890 for a while now, my main radio these days is the ic7600, but really love all of my older kenwood radio's. My ts 940 s has been a solid radio for me for more than 15 years. It will be interesting to see how this goes for you as I may make the jump to the 890 myself. Anyhow you can find me on QRZ if you want to try a qso at some point. 73, Mark / NQ0A... btw I have had 3 other kenwood's and loved them all, guess I'm a bit bias...lol
The slow scope on the 890 is a kill-shot for me. Plus the higher price on the 890... and it is the end of the line for superhets. Once adjusted correctly, the Icom will give superb TX and Rx audio. It's RX audio will also be more articulated because it will have better fidelity to the original signal because of the signal chain being digital. The screen issue lands up being great because it drove the price down and Icom will replace any screens that have an issue...which only a few do.
I was own a 990 and changed to 7610 because it was too big and takes up to 45 seconds to start. Now after two years with Icom I'm happy but I miss the 70 Mhz band, I watched in videos in wich the 890 starts in a few seconds, I would like to test one. Really the 7610 is more agil than 890, and the touch menus, but as we say in spanish "soy un culo inquieto"
@@HamHomestead ,. I'm an Icom guy myself but Kenwood might pull it out with that extra filter for receive. My favorite is the IC-775DSP with the way I do filtering on receive is unreal. I can also widen my transmit by putting one filter in place of another, I can get about 2.9 on width. I also have the big guys IC-7800, IC-7700, 2 IC-775DSP's, IC-781, IC-9100. I like all of them.
Thanks. That was an interesting comparison. As far as I can tell, the Icom sounds a little bit sharp. The Kenwood audio sounds nicer. But what is up with that menu. Icom really wins here. And for that price, no dual receive on the Kenwood?
Can't wait to see which one you like better. I have had the 7619 for two years and love this radio. I got the IC-9700 for Christmas this year and I am having for with it. Art kb7fxj
Brad, you don't need a 2nd receiver to work split. Dual vfos is all you need and the 890 has that. Most of your better radios over the past 10 years or more come with 2 vfos.
@Brad Rich Main vfo listening on DX frequency. DX will send UP 1 means he's listening +1 khz. Only sending Up means 1 - 2. Find a hole near there and transmit with vfoB .
Hi from W2OT, I purchase my ken ts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
Thank you. I’m a few short months away from upgrading my 7300 to probably a 7610 Dual Receive is a feature that I really want but I like hearing the difference in the radios.
Incredible that with such a short time it achieves a very good review. Of the best I have heard. Straight to the point. With many doubts as usual for so little time. But fantastic review thanks for that. Everything good for you. 73 & DX
I like the 890 scope as far as showing the carrier point and then the sideband offset from it. It is what is actually happening frequency-wise on the band. The Icom distorts reality by centering the sideband on its display.
To my ear, the side by side receive switching was inconclusive. Your experience probably depends on what frequency ranges your ears respond to. I generally avoid "rig A versus rig B" videos because all the weak, noisy signals sound alike to me. Compared to what I had in the '80s, both of these rigs are absolute dreams.
The 890 scope operates correctly. When you tune to a SSB signal, you're tuned to the lower edge (for USB) or the upper edge (for LSB) of the signal's bandwidth. You don't tune SSB to the middle of the signal.
the nice part is that this is a setting. You can select either carrier or filter center. No distortion. Just change it if you like
You took the words right out of my mouth the Kenwood is showing a true representation of whats going on.
Its over a year ago since this review I wonder which one you kept, I have just taken delivery of my new IC 7610 to replace my old MP1000 MK5. The variable pass band on the ssb filter and audio is great makes a big difference.
I dont use the mouse prefer touch screen to jump frequency .
The hidden filters be hind each appropriate key button has been logical lay out some thing I have got used to.
Having played with the IC7610 I like it better than the MP 1000 MK5 old school radio.
Going to answer this on a video I am making today. Will use your comment in the video.
11:30 Why would you want it centered? it is Side Band, so Kenwood representation is correct, icom is not.. ( you can change it in the menus). I remember that when i bought 7300, it was the first parameter i changed, because it was obviously a wrong representation. Thanks for video
Agreed.
I also change the "CENTER Type display" to carrier point.
Refer to IC-7300 full manual page 5-6
Thank you.
I have a Kenwood 990S and absolutely love it. Even more buttons and knobs and covers everything I need. I use the touchscreen to quickly move through the band. I use the mouse with Kenwood’s PC app and 2 monitors to have full mouse control.
Thanks for an excellent review and comparison. I have the 7610 but seems that the 890 sounds little better by the weak signals. Happy New Year Jack! 73, Paul.
I have them both and the Kenwood is far ahead of the Icom. In my opinion. ICOM must be made by MFJ.
Thank you for your video, I had the TS-890 and end up getting the Ic-7610 but I had my doubts, this video made my mama mind.
By using the ARCP-890 program you can control everything by mouse and keyboard. I did find in your video that the 890s has a clearer and brighter screen. It looks like the 7610 has a washed out look. It might be the closeness of the 890s to the camera.
Bruce Marcotte it’s the angle and technology used for the screens, one’s probably an IPS type, and the other’s STN or a variation... from the front, they likely look the same.
Hey jack great video, just the type i wanted to see. the rest all seem to be between, the 101d, and 7610, to me the 890 seems to be a real solid radio...probably one of the last big super hets. 73
It has been three weeks and the gang here is getting restless awaiting your decision on which one stays and which one goes. Personally, my K3/P3 combo is moving out of the main position in my shack so it will always be ready to run /P, /M, /R, take to FD or guest op at a MM etc. What a pain to disconnect and reconnect everything 10x/year. And the reason I mention that is because that main spot will be filled with either a TS-890s or IC-7610. I've been trying to decide since before Black Friday. And yes, I could do a K4. I even had a prepaid preorder in for a couple months but the delays were too much to take. So, all I'm asking is that you PICK ONE. I have no idea how that will help ME out, but what the heck. Might as well ask :-) 73, K2QO
The video is being filmed this weekend...which one do you think will stay on the desk?
I have the 7610 and I do like the ability to record with, in my case, an SDHC card. I don’t know about the 890 but that feature is kinda cool that I have used multiple times to figure out a weak signals call sign. Thx for the vid.
my christmas present will surely be a kenwood 890
The 890 just as the 990 you set up three presets for the filtering
The ts-890s DSP noise reduction is awful. The 7610 is good and the 101d is superior hands down.
Thanks for that video, but!
How a transciever A/B comparison becomes more usefull?
- Use external, equal loudspeaker, on each transceiver.
- Switch each 5 second, between A and B transceiver.
- Switch during the same station is talking.!
- Don't talk yourself during the test.
May be you find some more facts?
Best Regards
Mark
We trust you bro!
I cannot afford the radios you have, but I have the same guitar that you've hung on the wall behind. Seagull entourage rustic, great guitar!
I have the TS990S but some of the features are the same on the 890;
I am fine with the menu setup for the 890/990 but I do have to agree with you that the menu in the 7610 sure looks easier to use. As for the mouse, "Boy do I agree !" When I received my 990 I wandered why no mouse feature? Dumb to leave it out.
I do like that I can dial through a desired bandwidth and would not want to give that up. On the 990 there is an IF button and i can step through three preset bandwidths. I see to the right hand side of the 890's VFO there is a button titled, "IF FIL". I think this is the same as what's on the 990S. So you two choice on the Kenwood, step through three preset filter bandwidths or dial through.
Both good radios but my vote is for the TS890S. Not that my vote matters. Hi Hi
Barry, KU3X
Hey Jack. Great video. Hope you guys had a nice Christmas. All our snow is just about melted which is about normal for here. Jan and feb is more our snow getting time of year. Thanks for the video.
I like both of these radios , a few things that stand out to me in my research....I like the 7610 display refresh rate better, animations look crisp though the 890 isnt bad, however the display failures on the 7610 concern me and I dont want to be sending the radio off to get it repaired ....as far as I can tell Icom still hasnt found a firm replacement vendor that has completely resolved this issue. I have yet to find any major reoccurring issues with the 890s, just a few early release models that had a failure here and there but the radio is still somewhat new. The 7610 having dual receive is something that doesnt appeal to me much, so it's not a requirement in my decision.....I dont know how to feel about the 890 having buttons to activate things on the screen, I assume some things work on the touch screen but others require buttons? not a major concern....I still yet havent seen reports on TX quality , I assume it's probably equal ....kenwood has a rep for quality tx but icom 7300 has surprised me alot with great reports
my first HF radio was a kenwood (and vhf) so ive always leaned towards them, when the 7300 came out I bought one ...went back and forth with my 590 trying to decide which one I liked better. I think a part of me didnt want to like the icom, operating the 7300 seemed to just "click" with me though so I stuck with it and hearing so many people on the air with 7300s made me think it was the radio to have and they all sounded great on air....now Im thinking about getting a more featured radio like the 890s -7610- also a k3s (which ive already tried out but wasnt overly impressed ) ....this is a big purchase so I am not getting in hurry so doing alot of reading and watching videos on these radios to help decide....there is a part of me that kinda feels like kenwood is falling behind a tad? I was hoping maybe they would drop a newer model replacing the 590 considering it's been on the market forever... When i read reviews I think there is some serious exaggeration when people compare receivers , one being "hands down" better than another, ive done alot of comparisons and there doesnt seems to be a huge difference between them imo....
The menu system in the Icom may be a bit easier to use but lets face it how often do you go into the menu unless you have to once its set its set. But the Icom is designed so that a lot of important functions are in the menu so you have to go into it a lot where I think the Kenwood a lot of those functions are located on the front panel.
I like the display better on the Kenwood a bit better than the Icom to me its a little easier on the eyes also I am not much for touch screen it's ok I guess but how much effort really does it take to push a button or turn a knob not to mention it is one less thing that can malfunction. If your touch screen quits working your dead in the water.
I know that the 890 is simply a better built radio it is almost like military grade what I mean by that is the controls switches and knobs this has been commented on all over the net many times in reviews and I don't know for me I want a radio not a radio that is half a computer. I am not knocking the Icom but I think the Kenwood in this case is a better radio what is important to me may not be to someone else so it's apples and oranges I guess.
For the record I am a big Yaesu fan had them all through the years and I have had a few Kenwoods as well I am getting ready to buy a new radio and in this case I am going to pick the 890 over the new Yaesu FT-101DX. Yes it cost a little more but I like the layout better among other things frankly I don't like the screen on the new Yaesu.
They are all very good radios but I want a radio for a radio not half a computer and half radio i guess I am just old fashioned.
Hello Jack, I have been thinking about the ts890 for a while now, my main radio these days is the ic7600, but really love all of my older kenwood radio's. My ts 940 s has been a solid radio for me for more than 15 years. It will be interesting to see how this goes for you as I may make the jump to the 890 myself. Anyhow you can find me on QRZ if you want to try a qso at some point. 73, Mark / NQ0A... btw I have had 3 other kenwood's and loved them all, guess I'm a bit bias...lol
The slow scope on the 890 is a kill-shot for me. Plus the higher price on the 890... and it is the end of the line for superhets. Once adjusted correctly, the Icom will give superb TX and Rx audio. It's RX audio will also be more articulated because it will have better fidelity to the original signal because of the signal chain being digital. The screen issue lands up being great because it drove the price down and Icom will replace any screens that have an issue...which only a few do.
I had both....890 stayed
I was own a 990 and changed to 7610 because it was too big and takes up to 45 seconds to start.
Now after two years with Icom I'm happy but I miss the 70 Mhz band, I watched in videos in wich the 890 starts in a few seconds, I would like to test one.
Really the 7610 is more agil than 890, and the touch menus, but as we say in spanish "soy un culo inquieto"
Well, which one do you like?
The video is being filmed this weekend! Any bets?
@@HamHomestead ,. I'm an Icom guy myself but Kenwood might pull it out with that extra filter for receive. My favorite is the IC-775DSP with the way I do filtering on receive is unreal. I can also widen my transmit by putting one filter in place of another, I can get about 2.9 on width. I also have the big guys IC-7800, IC-7700, 2 IC-775DSP's, IC-781, IC-9100. I like all of them.
Thanks. That was an interesting comparison. As far as I can tell, the Icom sounds a little bit sharp. The Kenwood audio sounds nicer. But what is up with that menu. Icom really wins here. And for that price, no dual receive on the Kenwood?
The winner for me is the ICOM....the Kenwood just lacks some important features!
Can't wait to see which one you like better. I have had the 7619 for two years and love this radio. I got the IC-9700 for Christmas this year and I am having for with it. Art kb7fxj
I would like to see how split is worked with a single receiver specially working a DX station.
Brad, you don't need a 2nd receiver to work split. Dual vfos is all you need and the 890 has that. Most of your better radios over the past 10 years or more come with 2 vfos.
@Brad Rich Main vfo listening on DX frequency. DX will send UP 1 means he's listening +1 khz. Only sending Up means 1 - 2. Find a hole near there and transmit with vfoB .
Nice video,subscribed, thanks. 73
ICOM 7610 is much better.
Nice mandolin
The TS-890 is an overpriced radio, I would not waste my money on it, my new Icom 7610 comes next week from Italy I can't wait...
I'm convinced the FTDX-101D is my next radio.
Hi from W2OT, I purchase my ken ts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
No. DX101
Many issues
Blah blah please test rx .
Watching your review, I think you would be better off with a true "black-box" SDR transceiver...