
TS-480HX
Tailor-made for DX' ing, the new
TS-480HX HF transceiver raises the bar on portable performance. Despite its
compact dimensions, it delivers an astonishing punch: 200W with a DC 13.8V
supply. Yet its separate control panel is perfect for base station use. Sharing
virtually all the same powerful features is the 100W TS-480SAT, except that it
boasts a built-in antenna tuner. Whichever model you choose, you can be sure of
enjoying the best of both worlds - first-rate communications at home and on the
trail.
This product can be used with the 5MHz frequency band for the US market.
Features
- 200W output (50MHz: 100W) DC 13.8V operation
The TS-480HX is a highly portable rig offering 200W output (50MHz: 100W) -
making it ideal for both base station and DX' ing applications.
- 100W model
The 100W TS-480SAT is additionally equipped with a built-in automatic
antenna tuner.
- TX/RX AF DSP
16-bit AF digital signal processing offers such powerful features as noise
reduction, TX/RX equalizer, and AF filters.
- Separate LCD control panel with speaker
Sporting a large amber LCD with backlit keys, the standalone control panel
can be positioned anywhere up to 4 metres from the main unit.
- Continuous RX: 500kHz (VFO:30kHz) to 60MHz
- TX covers all Amateur bands 1.8MHz to 50Mhz
- Other features
quad-mixer that provides RX dynamic range in the TS-950 class, PSK31
compatibility, packet cluster tune (with TM-D700E/A), PC-based control, and
optional IF filters
Compact contruction with DC 13.8V operation
Outdoor use is facilitated by DC 13.8V operation and compact dimensions: the 3.2kg main unit measures 179 mm (W) x 61 mm (H) x 258 mm (D), while the 0.5kg control panel is 180 mm (W) x 75 mm (H) x 37 mm (D).
200W RF power output (TS-480HX)
The TS-480HX delivers up to 200 watts of RF output (50MHz: 100W).
Twin Final:
The heavy-duty TS-480HX is equipped with a twin final section; each section can perform 100W final output or be combined to deliver 200W.
Twin-Cooling Fans:
When a compact transceiver is used for extended periods, heat build-up can be a serious concern. The 200W TS-480HX, however, is equipped with a die-cast aluminium chassis and twin
cooling fans.
Spearate Power Sources:
The 200W TS-480HX features two power terminals (DC1, DC2) for separate supply to each half of the twin final section. Voltage balance is optimised to ensure stable output.
Built-in automatic antenna tuner (TS-480SAT)
For quick band changes, the TS-480SAT is equipped with an automatic antenna tuner with presets that covers all amateur bands from 1.8MHz to 54MHz. It can also provide up to 100 watts RF output
(HF/50MHz).
AF Digital Signal Processing (TX/RX)
Thanks to components of this technology such as a 16-bit digital signal processor offering double-precision arithmetic operations (equivalent to 32-bit processing), a 100MHz clock, and 24-bit A/D & D/A converters, the TS-480HX/SAT offers many powerful features:
1. Digital noise limiter (DNL): Offering three level settings, this is very effective in removing pulse noise and can be used in conjunction with a noise blanker for extra clarity.
2. Beat cancel (main band SSB/AM only): BC1 removes weak and/or continuous beat interference, while BC2 is designed to handle intermittent beat, like that of a CW signal.
3. Noise reduction: NR1 is a line enhanced filter with 10 level settings (including auto) that is good at extracting a target signal from surrounding noise; NR2 (SPAC) can suppress noise with the same frequency as the target signal, making it ideal for CW operations.
4. TX/RX equalizer: This offers flat (default), high boost (2 types), format path, bass boost (2 types), conventional and user settings, separately for transmit and receive.
5. AF filters: Slope tune can be used to move the target signal away from noise using hi-cut and low-cut filters (SSB, FM and AM); Width allows adjustment of the passband to avoid adjacent noise
(CW/FSK).
6. TX filter: Audio quality during transmit can be adjusted by switching between two passband settings (500-2500Hz and 300-2700Hz).
7. Speech processor: Available for SSB, FM and AM transmission, this enhances the clarity of messages for the reveiving station.
8. CW auto tune: This automates the tuning process during CW operations.
RX Dynamic range
A quad-mixer provides RX dynamic range equivalent to that of the TS-950 class.
Separate LCD control panel with speaker
The standalone LCD control panel --- featuring its own 6.6cm speaker (2W max. output) --- can be placed up to 4 meters from the main unit. The supplied tabletop panel bracket is convenient when using the transceiver at home on a desk, while the moble panel bracket is ideal for
DX'ing.
Ease of operation
In addition to the large, amber-coloured LCD, the standalone panel features 34 keys, each with white backlighting to enhance operating ease.
IF filters (optional)
Optionally available are 500Hz and 270Hz band CW narrow IF filters (YF-107C, YF-107CN), as well as a 1.8Hz band SSB narrow IF filter (YF-107SN), of which two can be installed inside the
tranceiver.
Memory Name function
Clear identification of each channel is possible with up to 8 alphanumeric characters, in 100 memory channels.
Multiple scan functions
Included among the many scan functions are program scan, VFO scan, memory scan, group scan, subtone scan and CTCSS scan.
PC-based control
The ARCP-480 radio control program enables simple control of the TS-480 from a PC.
Voice guide and storage (optional)
As the name suggests, the optional VGS-1 Voice Guide & Storage Unit serves two roles:
Voice guide: Vocal confirmation of frequency, key operation, etc.
Voice storage: Recording/playback of messages received by the transceiver and recording/sending of messages recorded via microphone.
PSK31 compatible (SSB/FM)
It is possible to switch CW narrow IF filters and adjust AF input/output levels (10 steps) during data communications.
Remote control (Kenwood Network Command System)
Use of the ARHP-480 radio host program* enables you to control the transceiver remotely over a LAN or via the Internet. The Kenwood Network Command System further enable VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) applications.
*Internet-linked operation and/or remote control of Amateur Radio products is subject to local licensing and legislation in the country of use. Ensure that you operate within the terms of your licence at all times. To use ARHP-10 requires global IP; any questions regarding IP addresses should be directed to your provider.

