Name: Kenwood TS-690S
Brand: Kenwood

160m – 6m

Bands

100 W

Output

1991

Introduced

Frequency	TX: 160–10 m (incl WARC) + 6 m, RX: 0.5–30 + 50–54 MHz
Bands	160m, 80m, 40m, 30m, 20m, 17m, 15m, 12m, 10m, 6m
TX power	100 W (100W HF (40W AM), 50W 6m (20W AM 6m).)
Modes	USB, LSB, CW, FSK, AM, FM
Weight	8 kg (17.6 lb) - ~8 kg (8.2 kg for the TS-690SAT with ATU). Desktop transceiver.
Connector	SO-239 (HF) + SO-239 (6m), two separate antenna ports
Year	1991

Connectors

antenna hf	SO-239 (HF bands)
antenna 6m	SO-239 (6m, separate port!)
mic	modular microphone
key	key/paddle
acc	accessory connector
cat	CAT control port
ext spkr	external speaker
dc in	DC 13.8V
power req	DC 13.8V.

Kenwood's HF+6m all-mode workhorse, TS-450S with 6m added, separate antenna ports TS-450S + 6m band coverage (same radio otherwise, shares manual and service manual) triple-conversion receiver (500 kHz-30 MHz + 50-54 MHz) 100W HF + 50W 6m, separate power levels per band group TWO separate SO-239 antenna jacks (HF + 6m, independent antenna systems!) AIP (Advanced Intercept Point), enhanced dynamic range with reduced noise floor IF shift + IF notch filter dual noise blankers 1 Hz fine tuning step + dual VFOs 100 memory channels with direct frequency keypad entry multi-scale digital meter RIT + XIT with frequency display split frequency operation VOX with delay adjust + anti-VOX control RF speech processor optional filters: YK-88SN-1 (1.8 kHz SSB) + YG-455CN-1 (250 Hz CW) TS-690SAT: factory-installed automatic antenna tuner for 80-10m bands IF filter indicators on display KSM (Kenwood Smart Memory) computer software compatible classic 90s Kenwood build quality, 'straightforward, reliable, still on the air decades later' VINTAGE. DISCONTINUED

Strengths

HF + 6m in one radio with separate antenna ports. A triple-conversion receiver, AIP, IF shift and a notch filter, 100W HF / 50W 6m, and (on the TS-690SAT) a built-in ATU. It has two antenna jacks (no switching needed) and KSM software support, $300-700 used.

Weaknesses

Vintage (1991). No DSP. No VHF/UHF (6m only). No color display or spectrum scope. The ATU covers only 80-10m (not 160m or 6m). No USB. The TS-450S is cheaper used (no 6m). 50W on 6m (not 100W).

Verdict

A TS-450S with 6m. The TS-690S adds 50 MHz coverage and a separate 6m antenna port to the proven TS-450S platform. For operators who need HF + 6m with independent antenna systems, it is the natural choice over the TS-450S. The AIP, IF shift, notch filter, and Kenwood build quality make it a reliable workhorse, $300-700 used (especially the SAT model with a built-in ATU).

The Kenwood TS-690S is a full-featured HF and 6-meter all-mode transceiver, essentially the well-regarded TS-450S with the 6-meter band added. Introduced in 1991, it covers 160 through 10 meters including the WARC bands plus 6 meters, with a general-coverage receiver spanning 500 kHz to 30 MHz and 50 to 54 MHz. It delivers 100 watts on HF and 50 watts on 6 meters, and provides two separate antenna jacks, one for HF and one for 6 meters.

It operates SSB, CW, AM, FM, and FSK, with dual VFOs and 100 memories, and was available with a built-in automatic antenna tuner along with options for a voice synthesizer and computer control. Compact and capable, it offered a tidy way to add serious 6-meter capability to an HF station in a single box, and it remains a practical vintage choice for operators who want both HF and the 'magic band.'

It is a discontinued model. Compare it with the HF-only TS-440S and the all-band TS-2000.