Kenwood TS-890S

Kenwood TS-890S firmware

Kenwood · TS-890S · TS-890S · HF transceiver

Latest firmware for the Kenwood TS-890S is v1.07 (March 12, 2025).

Specifications

TS-890S specifications

Type
Amateur HF/VHF transceiver
Frequency range
Europe / TX: 10-160 m + WARC and 60 m / 6 m / 4 m / RX: 0.03-74.8 MHz / USA / TX: 10-160 m + WARC and 60 m / 6 m / RX: 0.03-60 MHz
Modes
AM / FM / SSB / CW / FSK / PSK
Show the full specification

General

Mode
AM / FM / SSB / CW / FSK / PSK
Type
Amateur HF/VHF transceiver
Weight
15.8 Kg (34.83 lb)
Power supply
13.8 VDC ±15%
Tuning steps
Down to 1 Hz
Other features
7" color TFT with bandscope and waterfall. Auto-ATU. Two 32-bit DSP's. VOX. Equalizer. DVI-I output. USB audio. Ethernet, USB and RS232C ports. Clock/timer. Voice guidance. Digital record & playback. CTCSS/PL.
Frequency range
Europe TX: 10-160 m + WARC and 60 m / 6 m / 4 m RX: 0.03-74.8 MHz USA TX: 10-160 m + WARC and 60 m / 6 m RX: 0.03-60 MHz
Dimensions (W*H*D)
396*141*340 mm (15.59*5.56*13.38")
Frequency stability
±0.1 ppm @ 0° to +50°C (+32° to +122°F)
Repeater shift/offset
No dedicated. Use VFO A/B split instead.
Channels/memory management
100 regular 10 scan ranges 10 expanded Alpha tags Non-volatile EEPROM storage
Antenna impedance/connector
50 ohm (16.7-150 ohm with ATU on) / Two SO-239
Current drain/power consumption
RX: 2.5 A (No signal) TX: Max 22.5 A

Miscellaneous

Manufactured
Japan, 2018-202x

Receiver Section

Selectivity
AM 6 KHz (-6 dB) 12 KHz (-50 dB) FM 12 KHz (-6 dB) 25 KHz (-50 dB) SSB 2.6 KHz (-6 dB) 4.4 KHz (-60 dB) CW/FSK/PSK 500 Hz (-6 dB) 1.2 KHz (-60 dB)
Sensitivity
AM (10 dB S/N) 0.13-0.522 MHz: 6.3 uV 0.522-1.705 MHz: 31.6 uV 1.705-24.5 MHz: 2 uV 24.5-30 MHz: 1.3 uV 50-54 MHz: 1.3 uV 70.0-70.5 MHz: 1.3 uV (Europe) FM (12 dB SINAD) 28-30 MHz: 0.22 uV 50-54 MHz: 0.22 uV 70.0-70.5 MHz: 0.22 uV (Europe) SSB/CW/FSK/PSK (10 dB S/N) 0.13-0.522 MHz: 0.5 uV 0.522-1.705 MHz: 4 uV 1.705-24.5 MHz: 0.2 uV 24.5-30 MHz: 0.13 uV 50-54 MHz: 0.13 uV 70.0-70.5 MHz: 0.13 uV (Europe)
Image rejection
HF: >70 dB 6 m/4 m: >60 dB
Receiver system
Double conversion superheterodyne 1st IF: 8.248 MHz 2nd IF: 24 KHz (Except FM), 36 KHz (FM)
AF output power/speaker
1.5 W at 10% distortion / 8 ohm
External speaker connector
3.5 mm, 4-8 ohm

Transmitter Section

RF output power
HF6 m4 m (Europe) AM:5-25 W5-25 W5-12.5 W FM:5-100 W5-100 W5-50 W SSB (PEP):5-100 W5-100 W5-50 W CW (DC):5-100 W5-100 W5-50 W FSK/PSK:5-100 W5-100 W5-50 W
Max FM deviation
FM: ±5 KHz NFM: ±2.5 KHz
Modulation system
AM: Low power FM: Reactance SSB: Balanced
Spurious emissions
HF: Better than -50 dB 6 m: Better than -63 dB 4 m: Better than -60 dB
Microphone input level
? mV
Microphone impedance/connector
600 ohm / 8-pin (Metal locking ring connector)

Changelog

TS-890S firmware changelog

  1. v1.06 v1.07

  2. v1.05 v1.06 Adds E2 type model support and fixes Audio Peak Filter restoration and CW power meter display issues.

  3. v1.04 v1.05 Bandscope now stores settings separately by mode; fixes CW keying and audio filter issues.

  4. v1.03 v1.04 Fixes startup display issue when LAN mode is enabled and transceiver boots immediately after power-on

  5. v1.02 v1.03 Reduces TX monitor minimum volume and TX/RX switching noise; fixes WSJT-X software compatibility issue.

  6. v1.01 v1.02

  7. v1.01 first tracked Fixes modulation signal distortion, Split Transfer A sub-receiver function, and SF display.

Firmware history

All versions below were published by Kenwood on kenwood.com. Third-party and modified firmware is never listed.

  1. Version 1.07 Latest Released Mar 12, 2025 First seen Sep 6, 2026

    Source: kenwood.com

    Show release notes

    The following sym​ptom is revised.

    1. The Transmit Power Limit screen ​may not be displayed correctly. (E2 type model only)
    Release notes & download
  2. Version 1.06 Released Feb 18, 2025 First seen Sep 6, 2026

    Adds E2 type model support and fixes Audio Peak Filter restoration and CW power meter display issues. — summary by updatemystuff.com

    Source: kenwood.com

    Show release notes

    The following feature is ​updated.

    1. Supports E2 type model.

    The following symptoms are revised.

    1. After turning the power OFF and ON, the Audio Peak Filter settings may not be restored correctly.
    2. The TX power digital meter may ​not display correctly during CW semi break-in operation under certain delay time settings.
    Release notes & download
  3. Version 1.05 Released Sep 25, 2023 First seen Sep 6, 2026

    Bandscope now stores settings separately by mode; fixes CW keying and audio filter issues. — summary by updatemystuff.com

    Source: kenwood.com

    Show release notes

    The following features are updated.

    1. Changes the default​ value of the Menu No.6-12 "Filter Control in SSB-DATA Mode (High/Low and Shift/Width)" from "Shift & Width" to "High & Low Cut".
    2. Changes the default value of the Clock Menu No.1-01 "NTP Server Address" from "Blank" to "time.nist.gov".
    3. Stores the bandscope span frequency separately for SSB/AM/FM mode, CW/FSK/PSK mode, and DATA mode.
    4. Stores the bandscope marker shift position separately for SSB/AM/FM mode, CW/FSK/PSK mode, and DATA mode.
    • Please also refer to the revised Instruction Manuals .

    The following symptoms are revised.

    1. The PC control command "KY" (CW text keying) may​ not work correctly under certain conditions.
    2. Center frequency of the APF (Audio Peak Filter) is not corrected when IF SHIFT is varied.
    Release notes & download
  4. Version 1.04 Released Jul 28, 2021 First seen Sep 6, 2026

    Fixes startup display issue when LAN mode is enabled and transceiver boots immediately after power-on — summary by updatemystuff.com

    Source: kenwood.com

    Show release notes

    The following ​symptom is revised.

    1. When the KNS Menu No.0 "KNS Operation (LAN Connector)" is set to "On (LAN)", and the transceiver is turned ON immedia​tely after the external DC power supply is turned ON, the startup screen may not display correctly.
    Release notes & download
  5. Version 1.03 Released Mar 12, 2020 First seen Sep 6, 2026

    Reduces TX monitor minimum volume and TX/RX switching noise; fixes WSJT-X software compatibility issue. — summary by updatemystuff.com

    Source: kenwood.com

    Show release notes

    The following features are updated.

    1. Reduces the minimum volume ​of the TX monitor.
    2. Reduces TX/RX switching noise in CW full break-in operation when using the optional 270Hz roofing filter.
    3. Revises the expanded memory channels (E0~E4) default values according to the band plan.(K type model for USA and Canada only)

    The followi​ng symptom is revised.

    1. When using with the WSJT-X software, "Fake It" function may not work correctly.
    Release notes & download
  6. Version 1.02 Released Jan 30, 2019 First seen Sep 6, 2026

    Source: kenwood.com

    Show release notes

    The following symptom is revised.

    1​.

    The position of the bandscope RX frequency marker​ becomes incorrect when transmission is started under certain conditions.

    Release notes & download
  7. Version 1.01 Released Sep 28, 2018 First seen Sep 6, 2026

    Fixes modulation signal distortion, Split Transfer A sub-receiver function, and SF display. — summary by updatemystuff.com

    Source: kenwood.com

    Show release notes

    The following symptoms are revised.

    1.

    "Split Transfer A" function might not work correctly when using the TS-890S as a sub-receiver.

    1. When using the PC control command "SF" with parameters out of range, the operating mode may not be indicated on the screen correctly.
    2. Modulation signal distortion may increase under certain conditions.

    Applicable units :

    The firmware update is applicable to the following units.

    Model: TS-890S

    Serial numbers: From S/NO.B87XXXXX through S/NO.C52XXXXX approx.

    Notes

    :

    You can find the serial number imprinted on the rear panel model name label; it consists of an 8-digit number beginning with "S/NO."

    :

    You can check the firmware version of your TS-890S by pressing [M.IN] + Power ON. After startup, the Firmware Update screen appears and shows the firmware version.

    Firmware updating procedure using a USB flash drive

    1)

    Download the firmware file "TS-890_V107.zip" onto your PC.

    1. Save the downloaded firmware file "TS-890_V107.zip" to a USB flash drive's root directory without extracting the zip file.
    • You must store the firmware zip file in the root directory of the USB flash drive without extracting the zip file, otherwise the firmware cannot be updated.
    1. Press and hold the [M.IN] key, then turn the transceiver ON. The transceiver starts up with the Firmware Update screen after the start screen appears. You can verify the current firmware version.
    2. Insert the USB flash drive containing the firmware zip file in the USB-A connector on the front panel. The firmware updating pr​ogress bar appears on the screen. Upon completion of the firmware updating, "The firmware update is completed" appears on the screen.
    3. Turn the transceiver OFF.
    4. Remove the USB flash drive.
    5. Turn the transceiver ON again.

    The transceiver restarts with the new firmware enabled.

    Firmware updating procedure using a PC connected via a USB cable

    1)

    Download the firmware file "TS-890_V107.zip" onto your PC.

    1. Connect a USB cable, extended from your PC, to the (USB-B) connector on the rear panel.
    • The firmware cannot be updated even if a PC and the COM connector was connected using an RS-232C cable.
    1. Press and hold the [M.IN] key, then turn the transceiver ON.The transceiver starts up with the Firmware Update screen after the start screen appears. You can verify the current firmware version. Upon detection of the transceiver by your PC, the transceiver is distinguished as a removable memory device named "TS-890".
    2. Drag and drop the firmware zip file onto the "TS-890" removable memory device without extracting. The firmware updating progress bar appears on the screen. Upon completion of the firmware updating, "The firmware update is completed" appears on the screen.
    3. Turn the transceiver OFF.
    4. Turn the transceiver ON again.

    The transceiver restarts with the new firmware enabled.

    Notes

    :

    Depending on the number of CPUs being updated, the time necessary for updating may vary. It can take 20 to 30 minutes to update the firmware.

    :

    If a message notifying you of an update failure appears during the firmware updating, refer to the Instruction Manual page 18-9.(Error Messages)

    Downloading

    Only if you agree to the following "Usage Notes", click "Agree" and download the file. (If you do not agree, you will not be able to download the file.)

    Usage Notes

    ・

    JVCKENWOOD Corporation does not warrant that quality and functions of this software comply with each user's purpose of use of this software, and unless specifically described in this document, JVCKENWOOD Corporation shall be free from any responsibilities to any defects and indemnities to any damages or losses.

    Selection and installation of this software shall be done by the user's own designation.

    The user shall take full responsibility for the use and effects of this software.

    ・

    JVCKENWOOD Corporation shall be free f​rom any responsibilities for any incidental losses or damages, such as missing communications or a call opportunity, caused by a failure or performance error of this software.

    ・

    The software embedded in the product consists of a multiple number of and individual software components.

    Title to and ownership of copyrights for each software component is reserved for JVCKENWOOD Corporation and the respective bona fide holder.

    Any copying, reproducing or disclosing on an Internet website of the JVCKENWOOD Corporation copyrighted software components is strictly prohibited.

    Furthermore, any reselling, assigning or transferring of the JVCKENWOOD Corporation copyrighted software components is also strictly prohibited without embedding the software in the product memories.

    ・

    The software employs the software component in accordance with the End User License Agreement (hereinafter referred to as the "EULA") stipulated by JVCKENWOOD Corporation and/or the respective bona fide holder.

    There is free software stipulated and governed by the "EULA", and this, a distribution condition of the software component in the executable format under the terms and conditions contained in the GNU General Public License or Lesser General Public License (hereinafter referred to as the "GPL/LGPL"), requires to make the source code for the relevant software components available.

    Access the URL below for details of the software component stipulated in the "GPL/LPGL". https://www.kenwood.com/gpl/e.html Please note that we are unable to answer any inquiry relating to the contents, etc. of the source code.

    Please note that any software component licensed under "EULA" which is not subject to "GPL/LGPL", and those developed or created independently by JVCKENWOOD Corporation shall not be subject to the requirement for provision of the source code.

    ・

    Important notice about software can be displayed in the transceiver's menu below. Advanced Menu No.25 "Important Notices concerning Free Open Source" The GPL/LGPL license agreement can be displayed in the transceiver's menu below. Advanced Menu No.26 "About Various Software License Agreements"

    TS-890_V107.zip : 105MB download

    TS-890_V107.zip : 105MB download

    (The latest version includes all previous updates.) TS-890S Firmware Version 1.07 (March / 2025)

    Global Site

    Release notes & download

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