Kenwood VS-3 Installation

It was my birthday a couple of days ago and I was bought a VS-3 for my Kenwood TS 570 D. I fitted it this morning. It was very simple to do and to illustrate this I am going to do a quick run through.

What is a Kenwood VS-3 ?

Firstly a Kenwood VS-3 is a voice synthesiser unit. It fits a number of Kenwood Transceivers including the ever popular TS 850, TS 2000 and my very own Kenwood TS 570D.

The VS-3 is very use full option for mobile, portable and partially sited sighted operators because it very clearly announces the frequency that you select and are either transmitting or receiving on. This is done without breaking the receiving audio which means that you can double check a frequency while still listening for a return to a CQ call etc.

The photograph above right shows the scale of the VS-3 against the upturned Kenwood TS 570D

How To Fit The VS-3

This task can be performed by a complete novice as I myself demonstrated today. The hardest part was finding the last of the 8 screws I took out so that I could put them back in.

Seriously it is that easy.

1. 
   
   Turn the transceiver over so that the bottom is uppermost as in the picture top right.
2. 
   
   Remove the 8 screws holding the case to the chassis 1 in each corner and 2 each side
3. 
   
   Remove the casing and place to one side
4. 
   
   Locate the slot for the VS-3, This is on the extreme right about 60mm up from the front face. It is clearly labelled VS-3 option
5. 
   
   
6. 
   
   Slot in the VS-3 board. Make sure that the components on the board face inwards and the black cushion towards the outer casing. Note, DO NOT REMOVE THE PLASTIC SLEEVE on the VS-3
7. 
   
   Make sure the VS-3 is fitted securely and replace the casing
8. 
   
   
   The VS-3 Securely Fitted
9. 
   
   Replace all 8 screws and turn the transceiver back to the correct way up
10. 
    
    Reconnect, Mike, Power lead, Earth and Aerials.
11. 
    
    Switch on and test. ( On the Kenwood Ts 570 D this is done by pressing the a/b button or the pf button on the top left of the front face.
12. 
    
    
    Job Done ( Kenwood TS 570 D )

That is the job completed, very simple. Congratulations to Kenwwod for making these things easy by clearly labelling where the add on components go. All I have got to do is get to grips with the additional features which are accessed via the MENU button and the Multi Channel Knob.

When the transceiver is correctly set the VS-3 can be used to announce the operating frequency, memory frequencies, the full operating menu and current settings and even the signal report from the S-Meter on the front Panel. A fantastic piece of kit for people with restricted vision either through radio location issues when mobile or the visually impaired or even on field days and for clubs when multiple operators are present.