Do you want to operate FT8, FT4, JS8Call, Winlink, or other digital modes with your Kenwood TS-2000?
This spotlight page is designed to help TS-2000 owners identify the correct interface for reliable audio and PTT operation with popular software, including WSJT-X, JTDX, Fldigi, and JS8Call.
 

TS-2000 Hints and Tips

There are some important settings that need to be configured on the TS-2000 to ensure reliable digital mode operation.

Important: To use the transmit audio input on the 13-pin DIN ACC2 accessory connector, the radio must be keyed using the ACC2 PTT line.

If you key the radio via CAT commands, the TS-2000 will enter transmit mode, but the audio presented to the ACC2 input will not be routed to the transmitter modulator. The radio will appear to be transmitting normally, but no significant RF power will be produced.

This behaviour catches out many operators when first setting up FT8, FT4, JS8Call and other soundcard digital modes.

There are also several TS-2000 menu settings that should be checked before using digital modes.

Go to Menu 50 and then press SUB to access the TNC sub-menu settings.

Now set:

• TNC Menu 50A: Packet Filter Bandwidth. Set to OFF

• TNC Menu 50E: Main/Sub Band External TNC. Set to MAIN

• TNC Menu 50F: Data Transfer Speed External TNC.  Set to 1200bps

 

These settings ensure the external interface is connected to the Main receiver and transmitter path, and that no packet-mode filtering is applied which could interfere with digital mode operation. With these options configured correctly, FT8, FT4, JS8Call and other soundcard digital modes can pass audio cleanly through the ACC2 interface.

Important: Incorrect Menu 50 settings can result in little or no received audio in the software, no transmit audio, or the interface being connected to the Sub receiver instead of the Main receiver.

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CAT Setup
The TS-2000 default CAT baud rate is 9600 bps. This setting can be accessed via Menu 56 (COM Port Communication Speed).

You may leave the radio at the default setting or increase the CAT speed to any supported rate up to 57600 bps. Higher speeds can improve CAT response times for frequency changes and mode switching.

Important: Whatever baud rate is selected in the TS-2000 menu must also be configured in your digital mode software. If the baud rates do not match, CAT control will fail and the software will be unable to communicate with the radio.

​​​Buy the Kenwood TS-2000 interfaces from our Kenwood shop here