I have wanted to implement a panadapter setup for my TS-590SG essentially since the Icom 7300 came out. I hope this entry will help anyone who wishes to embark on a similar project. This page will be updated; as of this writing, I am only interfacing between the SDR and the TS-590SG. I have the desire to interface with Ham Radio Deluxe as my logging software, so I will need some additional work to make that happen. As of now, I am happy with simply being able to utilize the SDR and the TS-590SG in isolation.

The materials you will need:

  • SDR unit - I went very basic. For my purposes, the SDRplay RSP1A works just fine.

  • Kenwood TS-590SG

  • DRV to UHF connector, UHF-52-DNN from Ham Radio Outlet

  • Coax jumper - In my setup, I used a UHF male to SMA Male coax jumper - 23316-SM-PL-3 from Ham Radio Outlet

  • Two USB B cables - One to interface the TS-590SG to the computer, and one to interface the SDR unit to the computer.

Setup is rather simple, although I did have one moment of frustration. I followed the steps below and it worked out just fine.

  1. Download SDRUno software - I know there are multiple variations of software for SDR available, but I went with the basics. Go through usual install procedures.

  2. Ensure the SDR is working in isolation from the radio. Connect it to the computer, and connect the antenna directly to the device.

    1. When you don’t see anything on the waterfall, don’t panic. In the “Main” screen that pops up, hit the “Play” button. This will enable the waterfall and enable the SDR.

  3. Download Omnirig - This is going to let the SDR interface with the TS-590SG as a rig control.

  4. Check settings in the TS-590SG - Menu item 68 will tell you your baud rate, and menu 85 needs changed to ANT.

  5. At this point, make all connections to the system. The SDR will connect to the TS-590SG through the DRV port on the back of the radio. Connect each USB B cable to the computer, and to the radios. The antenna system will now be running form the TS-590SG to the SDR.

  6. Open Omnirig and input the necessary information. There won’t be any indication that the connection was successful until you get into the SDRUno software.

  7. Open the SDR software. Check that the TS-590SG is connected to the software by going to the “Main” window, and clicking on settings. Under the heading “ORIG” it should indicate “RIG 1” as TS-590, and it is “On-line”.

  8. Above the band select buttons on the TS-590SG, press and hold the “METER” button. This was my initial failing. An asterisk will appear on the right side of the display. This means the DRV output is active.

  9. Hit the “Play” button on the SDR. At this point, everything should sync, and you should be good to go.

  10. Start playing around. There are a million different settings on the SDR to play with. I won’t attempt to describe how to set it up here, as there will be differences of opinion on how you operate and your setup. In all honesty, this has been setup less than an hour for me, so I still haven’t figured out how I like to look at things myself.

  11. Have fun and enjoy a panadapter with no soldering, modifying of the TS-590SG, or any other nefarious things that might lead to big problems.