Kenwood TS-890S Setup Guide | Panda Radio Institute

Quick Reference

USB Connection	USB-B - single cable for CAT + audio
Hamlib Rig Number	2041
Baud Rate	115200 (unique!)
Audio Device	USB Audio CODEC
PTT Method	CAT (recommended)
COM Port	Use Standard COM port (not Enhanced)

1. USB Connection Overview

The TS-890S features a USB (B) connector that provides both audio and CAT control in a single cable:

Audio exchange: Transceiver-to-PC and PC-to-transceiver
PC control commands for digital mode operation
No additional audio cables required when using USB audio
Two virtual COM ports created: Standard and Enhanced
Use the Standard COM port for fldigi

2. Driver Installation

Windows 11

Download Silicon Labs CP210x driver from Kenwood software download page
Install BEFORE connecting the TS-890S to USB
Verify in Device Manager: "Silicon Labs CP210x USB to UART Bridge" (appears twice)
Note the COM port numbers assigned (Standard and Enhanced ports)

macOS

Native macOS USB serial support may work. Test with ls /dev/tty.SLAB*

If not detected, download macOS drivers from Silicon Labs

Linux

Linux kernel includes native CP210x driver support - no additional driver required.

Device appears as /dev/ttyUSB0 or /dev/ttyUSB1

Verify: dmesg | grep cp210x

Add user to dialout group: sudo usermod -a -G dialout $USER

3. fldigi Configuration

Rig Control Settings (Hamlib)

Open Configure → Rig
Rig Control Method: Hamlib NET rigctl or Hamlib
Model: 2041 (Kenwood TS-890S)
Serial Port Settings:
- Port: Your assigned COM/USB port
- Baud Rate: 115200
- Data Bits: 8
- Stop Bits: 1
- Handshake: None
PTT Method: CAT
RTS/DTR: Set to "None"

Hamlib command line: rigctld -m 2041 -r /dev/ttyUSB0 -s 115200

Audio Device Selection

Configure → Sound Card → Capture: USB Audio CODEC
Configure → Sound Card → Playback: USB Audio CODEC
Sample Rate: 48000 Hz

4. Radio Menu Configuration

DATA Mode Activation

Press MENU button
Select "DATA Mode On"
Set Modulation Source to USB Audio

Critical Menu Settings

Menu	Setting	Value
[7-01]	Baud Rate	115200 bps
[7-03]	USB:MOD Select	USB Audio
[7-05]	USB:Mic Select	Off
[7-06]	USB Audio Input Level	50-70
[7-08]	USB Audio Output Level	30-50
[6-12]	Filter Control	Configure for digital mode

Audio Level Guidelines:

[7-06] USB Input: Start at 50, adjust if TX audio too loud/quiet
[7-08] USB Output: Aim for ~30 dB when no signal present

TX Method Configuration

Audio Input → Check "Rear" for "DATA SEND (PF)"
Transmit Audio Source → Set to "USB Audio"
Mode → Set to "Data/Pkt"
PTT Method → Set to "CAT"

5. Common Issues and Troubleshooting

No CAT Control / Rig Not Responding

Verify correct COM port (Standard port, not Enhanced)
Confirm baud rate is 115200 in both radio Menu [7-01] and fldigi
Use high-quality USB 2.0 cable (avoid USB 3.0 cables with ferrites)
Restart Hamlib/rigctld: killall rigctld then restart fldigi

No Audio / Audio Distorted

Verify Menu [7-03]: "USB:MOD Select" = USB Audio
Adjust Menu [7-06] USB Input Level: 30-70 range
Adjust Menu [7-08] USB Output Level: 20-60 range
Windows: Control Panel → Sound → USB Audio Codec at 70-80%

PTT Not Working

Verify PTT method is CAT in fldigi (RTS/DTR = None)
Check TS-890S PTT settings: PTT Method = CAT
Test CAT commands: rigctl -m 2041 -r /dev/ttyUSB0 -s 115200 then tx 1
Verify DATA mode is active on radio

Hamlib Version Issues

Update Hamlib to latest version
Check Hamlib support: rigctl -l | grep 890 (should show: 2041 Kenwood TS-890S)
Do NOT use --vfo parameter with newer versions

6. Official Documentation

Pre-Flight Checklist

Silicon Labs CP210x driver installed
TS-890S connected via USB cable
Virtual COM port appears (use Standard port)
Menu [7-01] Baud Rate = 115200
Menu [7-03] USB:MOD Select = USB Audio
Menu [7-06] USB Input Level = 50
Menu [7-08] USB Output Level = 40
DATA Mode enabled on radio
fldigi: Hamlib 2041, 115200 baud, CAT PTT
fldigi: USB Audio Codec for input and output
Test CAT control (frequency syncs)
Test TX with low power

Kenwood TS-890S + fldigi Setup Guide