TS-570SG Operating Hints - k0emt Last Revised: 2002 Oct 01 * Audience This text has been written to facilitate use of the Kenwood 570 series of transceivers by either the proud new owner wanting to get on the air now or a guest operator at the station. Secondary audience would DX Listeners. However, I rarely use the AM mode so can't offer much in the way of experience to Broadcast Band Listeners. * Author Bias This text is written from the viewpoint of an operator that mainly works phone and is still CW "green". * This Document This document was created in emacs and can be viewed in outline mode for easier navigation. * Use the DSP capabilities ** Noise Blanker Removes engine/power source related noise Usually not needed. However, it can be also be handy for knocking out external QRM. (I haven't tried operating mobile with the 570.) ** Beat Cancel Does an excellent job of removing heterodynes and carriers. You may also lose CW signals. However, you will likely hear "key clicks." This is the delay before the DSP kicks in to get the CW. It is my understanding that BC2 of the G models does a better job of eliminating CW. You may also notice a "stair step" sort of sound if you change frequency using the "multi" knob. ** Filter Settings *** SSB For SSB use wide/normal. However, on a crowded band using the narrow setting (requires optional 1.8K filter) can cause the stations to the side to drop off dramatically. Very nice for phone contests. *** CW Normally set to 600hz. (The G model adds several more bandwidths.) The CW auto-tune function only works when the bandwidth is set to 600. Having become more familiar with CW and using it under a variety of conditions I have decided that the CW filter is simply a must. The CW filter now lives in the rig, with the SSB relegated to the shelf, waiting for the next phone contest. Without the CW filter strong stations will really pump the AGC and you'll lose the weak station that you're working. (HINT: change bandwidth to 1k when tuning around the band.) ** IF-Shift Can be used to get het's out of the pass band. Or to get rid of the "mickey mouse" of a nearby station. Likely to use in combination with the band-pass settings. (Make sure you have a narrow filter set, before dinking with combinations of IF-Shift and Band Pass settings.) ** Band Pass Settings Most of the time leave high pass set to 9 o'clock and low pass set to 3 o'clock. If you find a buzzing on freq you might want to tighten the high pass anywhere from 10-12 o'clock. If you find you are hearing a "mickey mouse" from a nearby station you might want to adjust the low pass filter to 2 or 1 o'clock. You will want to use this in combination with the IF-Shift. Try the IF-shift first. (You will likely also want to set the filter width to "narrow.") ** Noise Reduction Settings For the G model noise reduction follows the mode setting. For the straight D/S models noise reduction DOES NOT CHANGE with mode. *** NR1 For the non G model this is probably best left off for all but the stronger signals. It can impart a watery sound to the audio and you can lose weaker signals. With the G model you can adjust the NR Level. If you have a G Model, leave your menu on item #51. Now you will be able to quickly change the amount of NR on the fly. *** NR2 Use this setting for cleaning up received CW audio sometimes this helps out in SSB. * Use the Memo Pad You may find yourself using this feature quite a bit in a contest. When you come across a station you want to work but they are busy hit Quick Memo M.In to put them in "Quick Memory". There are 5 quick memories. They are organized as a Queue. When you hit M.In for the 6th time, you lose the 1st frequency you stored. Quick Memo MR puts you in Quick Memo Memory Recall Mode. The "multi" knob is used to switch between Memo Pad memories. M>VFO to copy the tuned Quick Memo freqency to the VFO. Quick Memo MR again puts you back in MR or VFO mode. * Direct QSY QSY Directly to a frequency by: pressing the ENT button keying in the frequency with the numeric pad pressing the ENT button again * Use the CW Tune feature Must have 600hz bandwidth set. Works best with fast and strong CW. In the non G model this links directly to the VFO so it will change your frequency. (The G model optionally links to the RIT). You may opt to use the RIT to tune in CW. * Initial things to do ** Operating Position Make sure the rig is positioned such that you can easily reach the VFO and other controls. If the VFO seems too loose or stiff adjust the VFO brake. (It's the slider under the VFO.) ** Adjust the mic gain Front panel MIC button. (Adjust with multi knob.) There is a procedure for setting MIC gain outlined in the manual. Make sure you aren't overdriving your audio. If you are splattering mush out on the band you'll have a hard time working stations. ** Compression Turn speech compression on with PROC on front panel. (Turn it OFF for FM.) There are different equalizations that can be set in the menu. Usually set for C which is conventional. ** PreAmp Turn it on and leave it on for 6 meters. You will probably also want it on for 10 meters. Use on the HF bands is debateable. It seems to bring up the "S-Units" quite a bit, but it also brings up the noise quite a bit. Most likely would need to use Noise Reduction if the preamp is on. An S-5 without preamp seems to copy just as well as a s-9+ w/preamp & NR. ** Set up for CW Make sure the paddle is hooked up correctly. Set your speed. KEY on front panel. (Adjust with multi knob.) Set your delay. DELAY on front panel. (Adjust with multi knob.) This is where you can set the rig to "full break in." Set your sidetone level & pitch (menu items) VOX should be on to TX. IF VOX IS OFF YOU ARE NOT TRANSMITTING. Set up the 3 CW memories if you wish (see manual). The CW memories can be a bit finnicky and unreliable. You may opt to use an external keyer. ** Adjust tuning parameters Adjust how far you want the "multi" knob to move you in SSB mode. Set frequency rounding on or off to your preference. Make sure "fine" tuning mode is set. Without it on you will find you are probably moving up/down the band much faster than you want. Also, without it on it is very difficult to zero in on a frequency. ** RF Transmit Power PWR button on front panel. (Adjust with multi knob.) ** Filters If you have a crystal filter installed make sure to specify which one it is in the menu settings. There is one filter slot and there are several bandwidth SSB or CW filters that can be had. ** Antennas I am currently using a HB HF/VHF beam on Antenna 1. On Antenna 2 I am using a multi-wire half-sloper. with tuner this works 160-6. I have this on an AB switch with an Antron 99. The 570 will tune a SolarCon/Antron 99 antenna quite nicely. The A99 is useable from 6m-17m with the 570 when the antenna has been properly adjusted. Not bad for a $50 antenna. ** Menu Settings Enter/Exit the menu with the front panel Menu button. Select menu item with the Multi knob. Change selection with the up/down band buttons. Pausing on a menu item will start a scrolling "long name" of the menu item. ** Misc I have the WWV frequencies stored in memory. You may be able use them to give you a feel for what the bands are doing. 28.885 is the 10meter coordinating frequency for 6meters. It is also stored in memory. CB channel 38 (27.385) LSB is stored in memory. When the bands are coming up you can be sure to hear CB'ers. Get around quicker using the band up/down buttons. There is also a 1Mhz button by the VFO that lets you tune in 1Mhz steps. The 570 has very nice facilities for using a 2m or 6m transverter. The manual is great about providing Computer Aided Control info. From reading the manual, hooking up a db9 serial cable & using a terminal program I was able to easily control this rig. My 570S received extensive use during the 2000 ARRL Field Day and performed/held up quite well. The fan and heat sink worked well. Granted, the operating station was located in an air- conditioned mobile response vehicle. * Feedback If you have found this document useful please send me an email. Let me know if you found anything particularly useful, confusing, etc. Thanks & 73, Bryan k0emt@dbbear.com