Kenwood TS 480SAT Review, Mobile Radio King? 

I've had my TS-480SAT for about 10 years now and I love it. Great radio - easy to use with a great interface design. I use it as a base with the head unit detached. So convenient to sit down at my desk and get the radio going while I work. Couldn't be happier with it. Thanks for the review.

I purchased the TS-480S thanks to your review!! I'm getting parts for install, a big chance up from my Boafeng UV5R+, & passed my Tech

I own a few of the TS-480SAT and like them, particularly with the 1.8 SSB filter and the 270 CW filter. Excellent rigs. I notice that a lot of reviews point to the absence of a notch filter on this radio. This radio has the beat-cancel feature instead which functions as an auto-notch. It would be nice to have a manual notch now and then, but the BC feature is a highly effective auto-notch. BC1 for continuous tones, BC2 for intermittent tones (CW). Doesn’t work in CW mode, but you can switch side bands if you have interference in CW mode. Actually a pretty cool DSP feature. Kenwood kept it on the TS-590SG. I usually try it before using the notch on the 590 and 99.9% of the time it removes the offending signal. It will even remove multiple beats simultaneously.

I have the HX. I got it in 2012. I have it as my main rig. I use it everyday. I would buy it again for sure.

Thank you for the video. I have an older 480sat that I use just for 6 meters. Did learn a couple of things about this radio from the video, informative thank you. 73's

Got the HX model, using RemoteRig, so the base unit is 450 miles away in Montana and the head of the rig is here in South Dakota in my apartment. Got the base attached to a triband beam and a delta loop, so I've got 80 through 10 meters to work with. I can monitor 6 meters but the SWR is too high of course!! Both antennas are nearly 1:1 SWR on all bands (except 6m), so I don't have to worry about an antenna tuner. So it's nice not to have light pollution overloading the front end of the radio, as the base unit is about 12 miles from civilization on the family farm. Personally, I like the hand mic. I've been licensed since 1992 and I've had Kenwood's for years, starting with the TS-440 and the TS-850. They all use the MC-60 hand mic, so for me, it's a comfortable fit. Purchased mine at an estate sale for about $800, and it was mint, so previous owner took really good care of it. Good review! I think you'll enjoy the HX as much as the SAT.

Great video! I have been looking at getting the TS-480HX now that I have 2 batteries in my truck. Billy Bob's Smart Car does have a great setup.

I got the ts 480 100 watt and love it..

Got excited because I thought you dropped 2 videos in one day. Watched it early on Patreon. Good to be King.

The Kenwood TS480SAT was the first big purchase after passing the exam. I love it. There are posts on forums that advise adding extra filters but I've not done that yet. The audio quality is great and I've had compliments on my TX audio as well. BTW, I use an external LDG Tuner which I find more accurate than the build in one. I had plans to put it in the mobile until I was offered a FT857 which uses less real estate than the 480. It's a great rig and would recommend it to anyone considering buying one. 73 de ZS6KB

Worked Japan from my truck in North Central Oregon with a TS-480HX and a Hustler 20m resonator. That's NUTS! Used the MFJ 3 magnet mag-mount. Rebuilt the crappy MFJ coax arrangement as soon as it showed up, with better coax, lugs, etc. This arrangement is a total keeper.

Long live the FT-857. Great review.

Josh, I bought a TS-480SAT on QRZ last weekend and it arrived the other day. So far I've used it on three POTA activations. Outside of the obligatory learning curve, it is a great rig. The seller didn't have the stand for the head unit, so I'm buying one from an after market reseller. I placed the main body of the transceiver on the passenger side floor of my car. I put the head unit on my dash. I noticed that stress relief is a must for the control cable between the head unit and transceiver. I draped the cable over the top of the head unit which is a jury-rigged solution. I'll use either electrical tape or a heavy mil heat shrink near the clip that goes into the head unit to provide some support for the cable at that point. The 480SAT is going to be my go-to rig for mobile work.

Very good review. I have two 480's. One is in the shack and the other is in the car. It's the best HF mobile radio I ever had. Once you set up the audio, working DX mobile is easy, as long as you have a good performing RESONANT antenna. Since working with all of the buttons on the radio while driving, I never realized the 480 did not have a notch filter. Barry, KU3X

Like the video and was suprised the this, somwhat aged radio still has a review made over it. I did own a TS480SAT for many years before I replaced it by a IC-7300 in the shack. It was used primaly in my car and replace a FT-857D. What a difference! The TS480 was showing me what a real HF radio could work like in a mobile environment. The thing I most liked about the TS480 is how calm and quiet the receiver is. Even in the shack with big antennas the receiver was easy on the ears. This is maybe a thing I did not hear this mentioned the review. Cheers, Ron

I own both the HX (mobile with screwdriver) and SAT (in shack). Love them both and prefer to my other radios (FT-891, IC-7300 & FT-450D).

I have the TS 480SAT in my "GO BOX" now. I replaced the Yaesu FT450D which worked well also in the "GO BOX". I think the simple access to all the features and the remote head capability makes a better choice. It may go in the mobile one day if the Alinco DX70 takes a dive.

I am one of those hams with a SAT and an HX. Both have their place. 200 W at home and AT mobile/portable. Great radios.

This radio sounds great! I have 2 HF rigs and one VHF, I mighT have to sell my HF/VHF/UHF Sat Base rig, thing is old but works great. Great review and I subscribed w/bell!!

I have the SAT, it drained the hell out of my van battery and had to get 2 jumps from AAA. I later found my van battery was the culprit as it was bad. Unfortunately I wrecked my van shortly after a battery replacement so it is now being used as a base because I didn’t want to mount an antenna to my Mercedes. It is my first and only hf radio and I love it, especially the built-in tuner

I have the ts-480hx in my 18-wheel mobile, I use it with resonant Hustler super resonators... And it really does a great job.

Just remember it has either a tuner or a second 100W amp. That is why you have a bigger box. This is a brilliant reliable radio. Yes I am biased as I worked for Kenwood for 32 years.

I love my TS480SAT.

I have a TS-480HX in the car, paired with a Tarheel. I use it for state QSO parties and county activations. It is a *fantastic* mobile radio. In October 2020, it produced more than 1000 QSOs on CW in the NYQP; in the 2021 NEQP, it produced more than 1500 QSOs on CW. It is simply a joy to use. I wish Kenwood had kept it around a bit longer, as it's no longer available new.

I have the TS-480HX. Best radio I've ever used and the 200w adds that extra punch. But you CAN'T use an auto-tuner with it at 200w, it will automatically bring the power down to 100w. You have to have resonant antennas or use a manual tuner to use it at 200w. I use resonant antennas and it rocks!

Great older radio still one of the best

I have the HX and it's the best radio I've ever owned. That extra 100w comes in handy as I don't want an amplifier.

I’m really cautious on using my 480SAT. Being it’s out of production, getting it repaired or replaced will be difficult. I’m lucky to have one, the radio is really awesome.

I appreciate the review! I've been tempted for quite some time...mostly because I've always had a soft spot for Kenwood. My first new rig was a TS-520S. I've also owned 2 different sets of 599D Twins plus some 2m rigs. Currently, I've got a Yaesu FT-817ND which I've used mobile, almost exclusively. (Yes, QRP Mobile...I'm a glutton for punishment! HiHi!) Though I would miss the '817's 2m & 440MHz capability, sure'd be nice to go QRO when the sunspots stink. I'll have to dig through your channel, to see what you're using for a mobile antenna. Again, tnx & 73/72! WB3CFN "Proudly contributing to the world's supply of QRN since 2006!"

I'm working that radio in the midst of posting this! Along with an INRAD desk microphone with the spring boom arm, and W2IHY 8 BAND EQ and EQplus effects processor. On thing with this rig; don't think you're going to work sideband without running the speech processors - I have my out processor at 100% and the in processor I float anywhere between 35 to 55 % depending on band conditions. And, I'm running all that from an apartment with an antenna mounted to the balcony railing on the 2nd floor and do just was good DX as somebody with 60+ feet of tower and beams, quads, or a 5/8 wave groundplane with just the 100 watts out of the radio! 73, KD8EFQ Good video! Whoops, forgot, as an external speaker I have the Kenwood SP 890 speaker, you know, so I can HEAR!

I owned the TS-480 HX, had a great RX and great TX audio even though its TX AUDIO BANDWIDTH selectivity was only 2.4khz wide. nuff said.

Thanks for the review, I need similar device but all modes and to be 200w if possible. Any recommendations??

Have you looked at the Icom 7100? Same form factor and an all in one.

what is the measurable ssb output? I have friends saying the max out at 135 w.

If you read the ARRL product review... things like Dynamic Range, and Third Order Intercept , IMD, and other stuff, show the specs are way better than "entry level" and came close to high end radios like Ten Tec Orion. Looks like an excellent candidate for use with a transverter on 2 Meters etc. The internet remote capability is nuts..I got mine "accidently" but have kept it for this reason. the tiny "phone" sized cord between the head and the radio..too swell.

Had one before I got the 7300. I miss a lot about the 480. Plus- great RX. Great nb. Works a treat with cw. Cons- 2.4k tx max bp. Mic can’t plug into the head. Speaker in the head sucks. ;)

Nice review Josh... I know so many people that own the TS480 and they love it. You can get a used one for a pretty good price too. 73 Noel W2MSA

The TS-480HX / tarheel II, is my choice for HF mobile, excellent ergonomics, and ease of use. Menus suck when driving

Terrific review.

how about the ic-7000 for a mobile K6LAD

I have the 480HX in my truck with a screwdriver antenna. It works very well but because of the buttons on the head are so small I have problems seeing them. Also I ordered the TCXO for the radio because it was unstable on the VFO and would drift. Why they didn't put in in the radio is beyond me. Also the same with the TS-590S. I also have a Ameritron ALS-500 that I used with the Icom 706MKII. Now that I have 200 watts I very seldom use the ALS-500. I installed a new Gel Cell battery fir the amp. So I am thinking of removing the AMP and putting it into the house with a 85 amp power supply until I get my Drake L7 back online. Great video.... Thanks W4DRA

Have you ever used a baofeng bf-t1

I have both the 480SAT and the FT-891. The 480SAT is so pleasant to operate, but the FT-891 being the newer model has way better noise reduction. Lots easier to pull out stations in the noise. For me being in the middle of the city, it helps.

The stock mic has a big dynamic cartridge in it and sounds great ! I have heard it from recordings and everyone complements the audio , been compared to a D104 hi-Z , yeh , it looks hokey but its just looks ………It also has 88 programmable channels which is great for 6 & 10M repeaters and anything else you want to put in there ...... The down side is the internal speaker when in the mobile , too soft for me , I had to use an amplified speaker .

The Nissan Leaf has a 100 Amp 14 volt inverter. Connect to that...never the 12v battery ( which has sensors you don't want to mess with). No problem running the HX or a ALS 500 amp). BTW this also means you can connect a 1200 watt 120v ac inverter and run your refrigerator when the power goes out !

The mic looks a lot like the MC42/MC43 models. They have a great reputation for sound quality. I use them on my TS-940S/AT and TS-711A.

Can you comment on what appears to be the FCC rule banning the sale of Beofeng type radios?

i have one ts480sat its very good radio. cw filter and 1.8 ssb filter its very nice. this radio can scan cw frequency.

Kenwood hasn't learned to put the mic on the head like Icom does. NB ain't that good, you are right on the notch filter. For my wants I'd go the IC-7100 as I do vhf/uhf ssb and its speaker is on the head too. The touch screen is nice as well and it has a notch :-) plus D-STAR built in.

Hosh, What do you think of this a a 1st HF base station with digital modes in mind like FT8? I have read a few places that you need to add the tcxo module or the signal drifts too much for digital modes.

I have the 100W version (FT-480SAT). Going from 100W to 200W is 3dB. That is ONLY an additional 1/2 S-UNIT on the receive side. Its simply not worth getting the 200W version (FT-480HX) for that super small 1/2 s-unit difference and you also lose the antenna tuner!

Thank you for your review of the TS480's. Unfortunately, these radios have failed at our local radio camp. The radio was stantby and only because of a strong radio signal from a fellow amateur did the amplifier stage around Q2 become defective. The first time it was shortly before my vacation and I quickly bought a new one. The same has happened with the new one. One radio has been repaired, I am still working on the other one. Furthermore, it is a nice radio to take with you on vacation! 73, Henk PA3BQS.

That radio would be my wish list, no luck here though :-(

I have the HX, I can't get 200 watts out of it, best it does is 130 watts ssb, 160 watts Fm, feeding it with a 60amp Manson PSU at at 14.5v current ssb 26amps, FM 33 amps, would I buy another, NO.

Great review! Thanks! 73 de K2CJB

I would keep my ft891 for now and probably in future get a base rig, an IC7300 or something higher, and put ft891 in a mobile or just as a backup.

Billy Bob at HRO

NorthStar batteries. Made in the USA and 100% virgin lead. Highly recommended for a upgrade to any vehicle battery. I guarantee it will handle that 40 amp draw. KE0QFF

I don't think Kenwood makes any bad radios.

Hi Josh, Great review of a fine radio! While I don't own one myself, I have a friend nearby who does (also an SAT model), he has his mounted on his trike motorcycle. It does a very nice job. Hey, I didn't know you have an EV, what type? As far as if you put a high power tx on it, I think you'd be wise to consider getting a high power capable lithium-iron-phosphate (bioenno) to buffer the power needs. Another idea; there's that guy in your area who's also a youtuber; jehugarcia, he builds custom battery units all the way up to pseudo powerwalls. I think it would be interesting if you two got together on a shared video and built a custom, LOW-NOISE, high power - 13.8 volt - battery pack specifically for us ham types since most of out prefers 13.8 v rather than the standard 12 v car battery.

Holy cow - is this real? Josh actually reviewing a Kenwood?? :)

Hay I need help with an antenna

I would buy it if it had 6m

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hope ts590+ts480＝ts580

The Kenwood 480 is just a dual conversion radio like a CB and the receiver sound noise and no notch filter no txco crystal stabilizer to keep it on frequency in cold weather i thought the Yaesu 891 was a much better radio triple conversion 32 bit dsp at the if stages not a dsp on audio just before speaker like kenwood maybe you just like the Kenwood name all the lighted buttons looks pretty how does the receiver sounds you can send the 891 to me i would love to have it he,he !!!

Why not 11 meters included?

good review, but 15 years to late :-) 73 Mark

Amazon has it for $915

Tnx for the review Josh. One admonishment, please stop using the term "tuner." It is an auto-match network. Seriously starting to drive me nuts. It doesn't tune a bugger thing, it simply matches impedance