Ts-2000 Program Cable
There are 2 different software packages available for the TS-2000. If you just want to program and/or backup memories, that software is a free download at Kenwood's web site. Look for MCP-2000.For remote rig control, Kenwood sells a software package called ARCP-2000. A friend of mine has it, and I wasn't very impressed with it. The interface is kind of kludgy, and most of the features can be implemented for free using something like HRD.The only thing the ARCP-2000 software does that is unique is allow the user to construct, save, and load various types of IF filter profiles for the DSP.
Kenwood Ts 2000 Software
However, the filter profiles depicted in the software often vary drastically from what you end up actually getting! So unless you verify the resulting filter profile (using something like Spectrum Lab) it's of very limited value.I would suggest downloading MCP-2000 first. If you find you still need to remotely access the rig's controls, try downloading HRD.Tom, KA1MDA. There are 2 different software packages available for the TS-2000. If you just want to program and/or backup memories, that software is a free download at Kenwood's web site. Look for MCP-2000.For remote rig control, Kenwood sells a software package called ARCP-2000. A friend of mine has it, and I wasn't very impressed with it.
The interface is kind of kludgy, and most of the features can be implemented for free using something like HRD.The only thing the ARCP-2000 software does that is unique is allow the user to construct, save, and load various types of IF filter profiles for the DSP. However, the filter profiles depicted in the software often vary drastically from what you end up actually getting! So unless you verify the resulting filter profile (using something like Spectrum Lab) it's of very limited value.I would suggest downloading MCP-2000 first. If you find you still need to remotely access the rig's controls, try downloading HRD.Tom, KA1MDA. I run the ARCP-2000 software - if that is what you are referring to.If you want to try it out, there are 'cracked versions' (software with unlocking code with it) on the internet.Bought the USB cable off of eBay - don't even bother with the cables that come from China. They are the wrong ones (my personal experience) and they take forever to get here and to return for credit. Wasted a whole month on that project.As far as the software itself, It works quite nice and most of it is fairly intuitive.
There is help on some private Ham websites that can give you loads of useful info for the parts that are less than intuitive.There is also a DSP modifier program by N3GX available for free to change TX audio curves on the fly to your own tastes and uses.Xlnt! I run the ARCP-2000 software - if that is what you are referring to.If you want to try it out, there are 'cracked versions' (software with unlocking code with it) on the internet.Bought the USB cable off of eBay - don't even bother with the cables that come from China. They are the wrong ones (my personal experience) and they take forever to get here and to return for credit. Wasted a whole month on that project.As far as the software itself, It works quite nice and most of it is fairly intuitive. There is help on some private Ham websites that can give you loads of useful info for the parts that are less than intuitive.There is also a DSP modifier program by N3GX available for free to change TX audio curves on the fly to your own tastes and uses.Xlnt!
Congrats on getting a TS-2000. It's a fine rig.
For rig (aka cat) control, it's s standard serial cable. If you don't have a serial port, most (though not all) USB to Serial adapters could work.
The rig control is the simplest of serial interfaces so most do work.As for software from Kenwood, the ARCP program they sell is ok. I personally wouldn't suggest getting it though, at least at first. Programs like Ham Radio Deluxe (HRD) and others are free and from what I recall when I briefly used ARCP, these programs do at least what ARCP does.
With programs like HRD and the others, you'll also getting logging software, digital mode software, etc all integrated so they will know the band/mode frequency. None would prevent you from using the knobs on the radio and all provide frequency, band, mode, control from the keyboard/mouse at a minimum.Try the free programs first would be my suggestion and good luck with the new rig!K2DSL - David. I just picked up a TS-2000 a few weeks ago and love it so far. Having trouble with 6m and the ant. But I'll get that sorted out.I'm using HRD v5 on Windows 7 with only one little problem displaying the secondary freq but it controls the radio great and I still can control everything from the front panel.For quickly adding channels to memory I use the MCP-2000 application from Kenwood. It's a little clunky compaired to the version for the D710 but it's fine for what it does.If you are using a USB to serial adaptor I would try to find one that doesn't use the Prolific control chip. It seems to have problems with windows 7 and I keep losing the COM port until after a reboot.
The one I'm using now is some generic one I picked up at HRO and it works great.