| Author |
Message |
    
Stepchild
Intermediate Member
Username: Stepchild
Post Number: 137
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Friday, October 22, 2004 - 10:18 pm: | 
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I have found a Kenwood TS 520 S and would like some feed back on this radio from anyone who is fimiliar with it.I'm planning on going back and looking it over and hooking it up this weekend.Is there any thing I need to pay close attn. to?All input is welcome,Thanks Stepchild |
Dan_in_wa
New member
Username: Dan_in_wa
Post Number: 2
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, October 23, 2004 - 12:08 am: |
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Stepchild,
I have owned a Kenwood TS-520 (before S) since 1976. It is a very good radio but difficult to work on if it has problems, a consideration when negotiating price. Hopefully, it has a manual so you can perform high voltage and current checks, otherwise assume the worst and pay accordingly. They were a hybrid, all solid state except a driver and two final output tubes (6146B). The VFO was very smooth, but mechanical and had to be calibrated (crystal tone sounded every 25 KCs when on). Hope this helps.
Dan |
Ft301
New member
Username: Ft301
Post Number: 1
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, October 23, 2004 - 12:58 am: |
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stepchild you from al |
Kilowatt
Member
Username: Kilowatt
Post Number: 69
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, October 23, 2004 - 1:40 am: |
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Hi Stepchild,
The Kenwood TS 520 S is one of the most popular hybrid (transistorized receiver/tube transmitter) transceivers ever produced. Lots of hams swear by them, and very few swear at them
;-)
These radios are great on SSB and CW. However, they don't have AM, and can't be made to transmit on AM without MAJOR surgery. Besides, SSB is so superior to AM....
These radios don't have any issues or weak-points that I am aware of. They were and are really nice SSB radios, and are much better than the Yaesu FT 101 series in my opinion. (I've owned them all, so I would know...)
The transmitter final and driver tubes are CHEAP to replace. The finals are two 6146W tubes, and the driver is a 12BY7A (I think). The 6146W tubes are true transmitter tubes, and are very tough. They will last of years with reasonable care.
To get it on the CB/Freeband, you'll need to pull some of the 10 meter crystals, and replace them with 11 meter ones. I'm not sure of the crystal frequencies, but if you'll do a Google search for "Kenwood TS 520 mod" you'll probably be able to find out easily enough.
Anyway, I love these radios! Maybe Bruce and some of the others will give you their opinion, too.
Good luck with it!
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Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 3907
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, October 23, 2004 - 5:22 am: |
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Dan in wa & Ft301,
WELCOME TO THE COPPER FORUM!
When you get a chance check out the Topic in the OPEN Section of the Forum Titled:
WANT TO JOIN THE CEF RADIO CLUB?
Lon
Tech808  |
Stepchild
Intermediate Member
Username: Stepchild
Post Number: 138
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, October 23, 2004 - 11:44 am: |
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Thanks guy's
Dan_in_wa I don't know if it comes with a manual but I already have the owners and the service manual downloaded.Also retuning shouldn't be a problem,I cut my teeth on a Siltronix 1011 D,What
can I say,I love a good challange!!!Thanks
Ft301
I'm in S.W. Arkansas
Kilowatt,
I know the previous owner(although we don't get along to good) and I'm asuming it has the 11 meter mod.I generaly hang out on ssb but I have some guy's on am that I can take care of with my RCI 2980.The asking price is $275 ans thought that was reasonable I could be wrong.
Anyways I also love Kenwood radio's and have been looking for one but couldn't afford one till now
Thanks and keep those comments comming!!! |
Co_786
New member
Username: Co_786
Post Number: 8
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, October 23, 2004 - 9:09 pm: |
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TS520......Great radio. The only bad thing I can say about the radio is that when the fan screen gets dirty it drifts a little. |
Lowpowerhal
Intermediate Member
Username: Lowpowerhal
Post Number: 347
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, October 24, 2004 - 9:18 am: |
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Hi Stepchild The Kenwood 520s is a good radio , Iv own one for about 25 years I just sold it at the Peroria Ill Superfest about month ago.The price sounds a little high to me.Iv seen kenwood 820 sell for that and its a much newer rig.
Hal |
