Kenwood TS-870 - User Manual

TS-870S
HF TRANSCEIVER
© B62-1536-00 (K,P,E,X,M)(MC)
09 08 07 06 05 04 03 02 01 00
KENWOOD CORPORATION
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
Intelligent Digital Enhanced Communications System

Summary

Notice to the User

FCC WARNING

Describes potential interference and user modification consequences.

Information to the Digital Device User Required by the FCC

Details FCC compliance for digital devices and interference mitigation.

Precautions

Electrical Shocks

Warnings about potential electrical shock hazards.

Grounding and Polarization

Importance and method of establishing a good ground connection.

Damage Requiring Service

Conditions that necessitate professional repair.

Chapter 8 Rejecting Interference

Slope Tuning (SSB;AM)

Adjusting passband for interference reduction.

IF Shift (CW)

Shifting the receiver's IF frequency.

Changing Receive Bandwidth (CW;FSK;FM)

Adjusting the width of the receive passband.

Chapter 1 Introduction

DSP - Maximum Signal; Minimum Noise

Explains the benefits of Digital Signal Processing.

Features

Highlights key capabilities and functions of the TS-870S.

Chapter 2 Installation

Antenna Connection

Guidance on connecting antennas for optimal performance.

2 Installation

Ground Connection

Importance and method of establishing a good ground connection.

DC Power Supply Connection

Instructions for connecting the required DC power supply.

2 Installation

Accessory Connections

Details on connecting various accessories.

Front Panel

Description of front panel controls and connectors.

Rear Panel

Description of rear panel connectors and ports.

2 Installation

Computer Interface (COM)

Connecting a computer for transceiver control.

RTTY Equipment (RTTY and ACC 2)

Connecting RTTY equipment for digital modes.

2 Installation

Antenna Tuner (AT)

Connecting an external antenna tuner.

Accessory Equipment (ACC 2)

Connecting TNC, MCP, or other digital mode equipment.

Chapter 3 Getting Acquainted

Your First QSO

A simplified guide to basic operation for a first contact.

Receiving

Steps for setting up and listening to signals.

3 Getting Acquainted

Transmitting

Basic steps for making a transmission.

3 Getting Acquainted

Front Panel

Overview and description of front panel controls.

3 Getting Acquainted

Front Panel

Continued description of front panel controls.

3 Getting Acquainted

Microphone

Description of the microphone and its controls.

3 Getting Acquainted

Rear Panel

Description of rear panel connectors.

3 Getting Acquainted

Display

Explanation of front panel indicators and display elements.

Chapter 4 Operating Basics

Switching Power On;Off

How to turn the transceiver on and off.

Dual Digital VFOs

Explanation of the two independent VFOs.

4 Operating Basics

Equalizing VFO Frequencies ([A=B])

Copying frequency data between VFOs.

Selecting Mode

Changing the operating mode (SSB, CW, FM, etc.).

4 Operating Basics

Quick Changes

Moving through frequencies quickly.

Fine Tuning

Precise frequency tuning.

4 Operating Basics

Direct Frequency Entry

Entering frequencies directly via keypad.

Front Panel Meter

Explanation of the multifunction meter.

4 Operating Basics

Transmitting

Methods for transmitting signals.

Selecting Transmit Power

Adjusting output power.

Chapter 5 Menu Setup

What Is a Menu?

Introduction to the transceiver's menu system.

Menu Access

Procedure for accessing and navigating menu items.

Quick Menu Function

Customizing a quick access menu.

5 Menu Setup

Menu Configuration

Detailed table of menu items and functions.

5 Menu Setup

Cross Reference for Menu Functions

Table to locate menu functions by subject.

Chapter 6 Communicating

SSB Transmission

How to transmit using Single Sideband.

Slow Scan TV; Facsimile

Operating SSTV and FAX modes.

6 Communicating

CW Transmission

How to transmit using Morse code.

Zero-Beating

Matching transmit and receive frequencies.

6 Communicating

Semi Break-in

Transmit/receive switching for CW.

Full Break-in

Transmit/receive switching for CW.

6 Communicating

Electronic Keyer

Features and operation of the built-in keyer.

6 Communicating

Multiple-Button Functions

Using keyer functions with button combinations.

Emulation Options

Mimicking other keyer timing characteristics.

6 Communicating

Storing CW Messages

Saving messages in memory.

CW Message Playback

Playing back stored CW messages.

6 Communicating

Erasing CW Messages

Deleting stored CW messages.

Inquiry Functions

Checking the current state of the keyer.

6 Communicating

Function Commands

Entering commands for keyer functions.

6 Communicating

Embedded Functions

Embedding functions within messages.

Serial Number Options

Configuring serial number sending.

6 Communicating

FM Transmission

How to transmit using FM mode.

FM Repeater Operation

Using repeaters for FM communication.

6 Communicating

Selecting Subtone Frequency

Setting CTCSS frequencies for repeaters.

6 Communicating

AM Transmission

How to transmit using AM mode.

Digital Operation

Overview of digital modes.

RTTY (Frequency Shift Keying)

Operating RTTY using FSK.

6 Communicating

Error-Checking Modes (AMTOR; Packet; PACTOR; G-TOR; CLOVER)

Using digital modes with error correction.

6 Communicating

Split-Frequency Operation

Operating with separate transmit and receive frequencies.

6 Communicating

TF-SET (Transmit Frequency Set)

Checking transmit frequency without changing receive.

Chapter 7 Operating Aids

Receiving

Improving receive performance.

RIT (Receive Incremental Tuning)

Adjusting receive frequency without affecting transmit.

7 Operating Aids

AGC (Automatic Gain Control)

Managing receiver gain automatically or manually.

Transmitting

Information on transmitting functions.

XIT (Transmit Incremental Tuning)

Adjusting transmit frequency without affecting receive.

7 Operating Aids

Speech Processor (SSB;AM)

Enhancing voice quality for transmission.

Transmit Monitor

Listening to your own transmitted signal.

7 Operating Aids

Customizing Transmit Signal Characteristics (SSB;AM)

Tailoring transmitted signal quality.

Changing Transmit Bandwidth

Adjusting signal bandwidth.

7 Operating Aids

Automatic Mode

Automatically selecting mode based on frequency.

Automatic Mode Boundaries

Setting frequency boundaries for mode changes.

7 Operating Aids

Automatic Antenna Tuner

Using the internal or external antenna tuner.

Presetting (Internal Tuner Only)

Storing tuner settings for quick recall.

7 Operating Aids

AT-300 External Tuner (Optional)

Installation and use of the AT-300 tuner.

Computer ↔ Transceiver Interface

Connecting and controlling the transceiver via computer.

Chapter 8 Rejecting Interference

DSP Tools

Overview of Digital Signal Processing features.

Slope Tuning (SSB;AM)

Adjusting passband edges to reduce interference.

8 Rejecting Interference

Changing Receive Bandwidth (CW;FSK;FM)

Adjusting the width of the receive passband.

Auto Notch (SSB)

Automatically removing interfering tones.

8 Rejecting Interference

Noise Reduction (SSB;CW;FSK;AM)

Reducing unwanted noise in the signal.

Noise Blanker

Reducing pulse noise.

Chapter 9 Memory Features

Microprocessor Memory Backup

Battery backup for memory.

Conventional Memory

Storing data in conventional memory channels.

9 Memory Features

Split-Frequency Channels

Storing split-frequency settings.

Memory Channel Recall

Retrieving stored memory data.

Quick Channel Search

Searching programmed or vacant channels.

9 Memory Features

Temporary Frequency Changes

Temporarily changing frequency without altering stored data.

Memory Channel Scroll

Reviewing memory channels without changing receive frequency.

9 Memory Features

Memory Transfer

Transferring data between memory channels and VFOs.

Erasing Memory Channels

Deleting data from memory channels.

Full Reset

Resetting all parameters to factory defaults.

9 Memory Features

Storing Scan Limits in CH 99

Saving scan start and end frequencies.

Programmable VFO Function

Restricting tuning within programmed frequency range.

9 Memory Features

Quick Memory

Using quick memory for temporary storage.

Storing into Quick Memory

Saving current VFO data to quick memory.

Recalling from Quick Memory

Retrieving quick memory data.

Chapter 10 Scan

Program Scan

Scanning between programmed start/end frequencies.

Scan Hold

Temporarily stopping scan.

10 Scan

Memory Scan

Scanning through memory channels.

Busy Frequency Stop

Automatically stopping scan on busy channel.

All-Channel Scan

Scanning all memory channels.

10 Scan

Group Scan

Scanning a selected group of memory channels.

Memory Channel Lockout

Skipping specific memory channels during scan.

Setting Scan Speed

Adjusting the scan speed.

Chapter 11 Operator Conveniences

Microprocessor Reset

Initializing the transceiver and memory.

Full Reset

Resetting all parameters to factory defaults.

Switching Ant 1; Ant 2

Selecting the active antenna.

11 Operator Conveniences

Assigning Functions

Customizing programmable function buttons.

Lock Function

Disabling buttons to prevent accidental changes.

11 Operator Conveniences

Quick Data Transfer

Transferring data between transceivers.

11 Operator Conveniences

DRU-3 Digital Recording System (Optional)

Using the digital recording unit.

Message Playback

Playing back recorded messages.

11 Operator Conveniences

VS-2 Voice Synthesizer (Optional)

Using the voice synthesizer unit.

Continuous Multi-Channel Playback

Playing back multiple messages sequentially.

Chapter 12 Maintenance

Service

Procedures for returning equipment for repair.

Cleaning

Instructions for cleaning the transceiver.

12 Maintenance

Internal Adjustments

Procedures for internal adjustments.

Reference Frequency Calibration

Calibrating the transceiver's frequency.

12 Maintenance

Troubleshooting

Common problems and their solutions.

Optional Accessories

AT-300 Automatic Antenna Tuner

External antenna tuner.

DRU-3 Digital Recording Unit

Optional digital recording unit.

VS-2 Voice Synthesizer Unit

Optional voice synthesizer unit.

Chapter 14 Installing Options

Removing the Case

How to open the transceiver case.

DRU-3 Digital Recording Unit

Installing the DRU-3 unit.

14 Installing Options

VS-2 Voice Synthesizer Unit

Installing the VS-2 unit.

SO-2 Temperature-compensated Crystal Oscillator (TCXO)

Installing the SO-2 TCXO unit.

Specifications

Transmitter

Transmitter specifications.

General

General transceiver specifications.

Specifications

Receiver

Receiver specifications.

Appendices

Appendix A: Learning About DSP

Explains DSP features and benefits.

Appendices

Appendix B: Propagation Information

Information on radio wave propagation.

NCDXF;IARU Beacon Network

Information on propagation beacon network.

Appendices

Appendix C: General Coverage Receiver for SWLing

Using the transceiver for shortwave listening.

Appendices

Appendix D: COM Connector Protocol

Details on computer interface protocol.

Command Description

Explanation of command syntax.

Appendices

Parameter Description

Explanation of command parameters.

Parameter Table

Table detailing command parameters.

Appendices

Types of Commands

Classification of computer commands.

Computer Control Commands

Library of commands for computer control.

Appendices

Command Tables

Detailed tables for computer commands.

Appendices

Reading Command Tables

How to interpret command tables.

Command Tables

More detailed command tables.

Kenwood TS-870 Specifications

General

Frequency Range Receive	0.1-30 MHz
Receiver Type	Double conversion superheterodyne
Antenna Impedance	50 ohms
Power Supply	13.8 V DC ±15%
Receiver Sensitivity AM	2 µV (10 dB S/N)
IF Bandwidth SSB	2.4 kHz
IF Bandwidth CW	500 Hz
IF Bandwidth AM	6 kHz
Modes	SSB, CW, AM
RF Output Power	100 W
RF Power Output AM	25 W
Current Consumption	20.5 A (transmit)
Receiver Sensitivity SSB/CW	0.16 µV (10 dB S/N)
Image Rejection	>70 dB
IF Bandwidth FM	15 kHz