Kenwood TS-B2000 (1999–2001)

The TS-B2000 is the "silver box" variant of Kenwood's TS-2000. It was sold without a front panel, as a headless unit meant to be driven from a computer. Kenwood's own manual for the TS-2000(X)/TS-B2000 treats the two as one platform with a single spec sheet. The B2000 is the version built around the supplied ARCP-2000 Radio Control program instead of the front-panel controls of the TS-2000. Add the optional RC-2000 Mobile Controller and it becomes a mobile rig. Otherwise it sits on a desk tethered to a PC. On the used market it's often called a "headless TS-2000," and sellers have called it rare.

Electrically it's the same all-mode, multiband transceiver as the TS-2000. It covers HF through 50 MHz, 144 MHz and 430/440 MHz, with 1240-1300 MHz available only if the optional UT-20 1200 MHz unit is fitted. Kenwood notes the UT-20 must be installed by a qualified technician. Output is 100 W on HF, 6 m and 2 m, 50 W on 70 cm, and 10 W on 23 cm with the UT-20. Modes are SSB, CW, FSK, FM and AM. The manual highlights dual DSP units for IF and AF processing, adjustable DSP filter frequencies, high-speed AGC, and a built-in antenna tuner for HF/50 MHz. There's also a built-in 9600/1200 bps TNC, DX Packet Cluster Tune, Sky Command II+ for remote operation from a handheld, and a sub-receiver covering 144 MHz and 430/440 MHz in FM and AM. It runs on 13.8 V DC ±15% from an external supply. Kenwood specifies a supply capable of 20.5 A peak or more, and it is not included.

The record leaves a lot open. No production years, original price, dimensions, weight, or receiver sensitivity figures turned up in the sources surveyed. A Russian listing asking 90,000 ₽ exists, but that's a current asking price, not a historical one. Some of the more colorful claims floating around, a built-in GPS receiver for instance, don't appear in Kenwood's own feature list and should be treated with caution. The practical facts are the ones above: it's a TS-2000 without the face, it needs a beefy 13.8 V supply, and the 23 cm band only works with the UT-20 installed.