Kenwood TS-570S (—2005)

Little is documented about the Kenwood TS-570S in the enthusiast press, but the manufacturer's own service documentation covers most of it. It's a compact HF all-mode transceiver covering 1.8 to 29.7 MHz. It's built around a 16-bit DSP section that handles audio-frequency processing, including noise reduction, beat cancel, and transmit/receive filtering. Kenwood's service manual describes the receiver as a double-conversion superheterodyne in all modes except FM, where it adds a third conversion stage. First IF is 73.05 MHz, second is 8.83 MHz, and the 455 kHz third IF is for FM only. A built-in automatic antenna tuner is standard. The radio runs on DC 13.8V ± 15% at roughly 20.5 A on transmit.

The TS-570S shares its manual and much of its design with the TS-570D, and Kenwood's documentation treats the two as a pair. The RigPix database describes the TS-570S(G) as an updated version of the TS-570S, though the sources we could find don't record what changed between the two. The line was discontinued on 12 January 2005 and eventually replaced by the TS-590S. Original MSRP is listed at $1,300, and eHam.net carries 64 user reviews.

Beyond the manuals, the record is thin and mostly owner-reported. A recurring complaint is a power dip somewhere between 20 and 25 watts, and at least one unit has surfaced for sale with a broken knob. The receiver is generally regarded as competent but not exceptional, and one owner wished for a bit more sensitivity. The small footprint and light weight make it a reasonable mobile set. The verified record has no dimensions, weight figure, or production start year. A Japanese-language manual dated 1996 is the earliest concrete date we can attach to the model.

Known Specifications

Frequency range: 1.8–29.7 MHz
Modes: J3E (LSB/USB), A1A (CW), A3E (AM), F3E (FM), F1D (FSK)
Circuit type: double conversion superheterodyne; triple conversion in FM
Intermediate frequencies: 73.05 MHz (1st), 8.83 MHz (2nd), 455 kHz (3rd, FM only)
DSP: 16-bit, audio-frequency processing
Antenna tuner: built-in automatic
Supply: DC 13.8V ± 15%, approx. 20.5 A transmit / 2 A receive
Dimensions: 270 × 96 × 270 mm (main unit)
Weight: approx. 6.8 kg
Memory channels: 100
MSRP: $1,300
Discontinued: 12 January 2005