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Message |
    
Foxhunter
Junior Member
Username: Foxhunter
Post Number: 42
Registered: 4-2008
| | Posted on Saturday, July 19, 2008 - 1:20 am: | 
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Was hoping any of our members who are familiar with Kenwood products might share their opinion or anything else even maybe to beware of / look out for with either of these radios.
I recently acquired my first Ham radio(s) and was posting just to see if any other owners thought either of these were decent first Amateur transceivers?
The base unit Kenwood TS-940S-----I'm unsure the difference between the 940S and the 940S-AT (???) I first thought the "S-AT" meant it had AutoTuning but it would seem from the manual for the 940S that this one also has Autotuning (I believe the previous owner had it installed he wrote it in his manual). Does anyone know the difference between the "S" and "SAT" models ? I'd really like to know what makes them different.
I read (AFTER buying it) to watch buying the early serial #'s because of certain problems with them. My serial # is in the 6 million range. Anything else to watch for with these? From what I could read there were many Kenwood factory service bulletins issued for this radio because there were many possible defects in the lower serial # models. The seller only could power it on for me he had no antenna (it is 200 miles away). I do trust him he is a Christian man that I got to know who's Ham Father recently died (true) and he saved only the two radio's here that I purchased. He said he put out well over a dozen other radios out for trash pick-up as he was unsure of their operating status and really didn't want to chance selling radio's he didn't absolutely know his Dad was using and worked. Anyway---did I buy "a known lemon" type radio that is notorious for problems basically?? I have no big base set-up or appropriate antenna yet (not to mention license yet either) to test this radio. So was asking for anything anyone might have to add or say please. Also is this radio also capable of 11-Meters or is it somehow blocked and needs to be modified?
Mobile (2M) Kenwood TR-7625----My first 2Meter radio and would this be considered a fairly decent radio or is this going to be another "problem child" for me? Any comments would be really appreciated as I have never had any Kenwood products before and am unsure which ones to stay away from and which are really good. |
Tech237
Moderator
Username: Tech237
Post Number: 1032
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, July 19, 2008 - 11:17 am: |
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Yes the AT means factory installed auto-tuner (or at least it used to).
LIke any used radio you can buy one that runs like a steam train or one that is a lemon. Mostly with Kenwood I have always found them to be the former. Over the years (licenced in 71) I have had several used Kenwoods (520, 520s, 7625 just to name a couple) and have been nothing but happy with them.
The 7625 is a nice radio, especially if you have the optional RM-76 remote interface unit. The reason I say that is the basic radio can only remember 1 channel/frequency at a time, but with the RM-76 added you get 4 memory channels, scanning direct frequency entry from the key pad and MARS capabilities. Also the 7625 was made before it become common to build the CTSS tone boards into the radio and if your local repeater uses a Tone Squelch you may need to add an after market one. I was lucky in that the secondhadn 7625 I obtained had both..
By the way I paid only $40 for it, and intend to install it in the MGB since if it gets "borrowed" I did not pay a large amount. The radio itself will mount behind the seats with the RM-76 and an extended mic cable bringing then up front.
So yes you have two reasonable used radios and I suspect, that like me, you'll get a lot of use and ejoyment from them.
Simon
Tech237
N7AUS
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Foxhunter
Junior Member
Username: Foxhunter
Post Number: 44
Registered: 4-2008
| | Posted on Saturday, July 19, 2008 - 1:45 pm: |
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Again Simon thanks for starting me with some information on them. Although the TS-940 is only an "S" model (and not "SAT") it's instruction manual states that the 940S may or may not contain the tuner-----yet the owner hand-wrote that it has one. I guess I'll have to try and find out how. A radio like this is a very big step for someone who's transitioning from 10M-11M radios (!).
I don't believe the TR-7625 had the remote or optional interface-----most likely thrown out with everything else this gentleman could not identify. It makes me sick that he did that and threw out an old man's lifelong collection of gear. Who knows what he may've had.
Anything else anyone might know or be willing to add would certainly be greatly appreciated. Thanks again Tech237 |
Hyperno_1979
Advanced Member
Username: Hyperno_1979
Post Number: 689
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, July 27, 2008 - 2:12 am: |
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Simon is the man to see on ham transceivers. I only wish either he still lived in Toronto (AUS) or i lived in Oregon as i have a beautiful 820S that due to my stupidity is only a receiver. I know he likes to play with hybrids. I used to live in the next street to him and didn't know.
Regards,
Bob.
CEFFFCEF
Bob
CEF703/CVC26
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N8fgb
Junior Member
Username: N8fgb
Post Number: 46
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, July 27, 2008 - 2:17 pm: |
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The 940s was Kenwoods top rig it its day.YOu will be amazed how much better the receive is on a real radio like that.
Rich |
Tech291
Moderator
Username: Tech291
Post Number: 511
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, July 27, 2008 - 8:55 pm: |
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Foxhunter,
I have a TS-930Sat(sn.5xxxxxx) with the autotuner already installed and find it is an excellent rig.Just as the 940's ,you have to watch out for early serial #'s.both had similar problems with the power supply regulator boards and the 930's have a 3x AA battery that were usually corroded in older radios.Mine does the usuall hf band with WARC included.And the continuous coverage reciever rivals most any swl recievers I have used.it does NOT have the 11 meter transmit unlocked and no intention of doing so.Thats my .30 cents worth.
Tech291
cef291/cvc6
kc8zpj |
Foxhunter
Member
Username: Foxhunter
Post Number: 65
Registered: 4-2008
| | Posted on Monday, July 28, 2008 - 3:02 pm: |
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Hey thanks guys. I haven't used the Kenwood(s) yet until I'm licensed. I do worry about the 940 particularly because of all the "Kenwood Bulletins" put out by the manufacturer about fixes and upgrades often needed for the transeiever. I can't wait to see how it performs, but with buying any used electronics anymore------I'm starting to get quite used to the word "disappointment". Will hope for the best.
To you guys from Australia-----is it true what I've always heard that the ratio is 11:1 for women to men there? 11 women for every guy? If that's true sounds like heaven.... |
Hyperno_1979
Advanced Member
Username: Hyperno_1979
Post Number: 692
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 30, 2008 - 5:10 pm: |
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Not exactly true Foxhunter.....lol. My town of Muswellbrook was showcased on a morning tv show here a couple of weeks ago about that thing. Apparently someone said that there are more men in town than women. What they failed to reveal is that the Hunter Valley is predominently a mining area and there are a lot of contractors that blow in and out to either work in the mines or in mine support industries. I suppose it works like that all over the world. Some places will have a higher female population than others and vice versa. In saying that these same blow ins come from somewhere so i suppose their homes towns are a bit depleted in testosterone....lol.
Regards,
Bob.
CEFFFCEF
Bob
CEF703/CVC26
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Foxhunter
Member
Username: Foxhunter
Post Number: 75
Registered: 4-2008
| | Posted on Thursday, July 31, 2008 - 1:56 am: |
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It's been called "the great Australian man-drought"---and it's told repeatedly back here in the United States that the ratio is 11:1. I've read tonight that there is one but not as bad as the above ratio. I tried reading the Australian Bureau of Statistic and several other sites....still sounds good to me though! 73's |
Teham
Intermediate Member
Username: Teham
Post Number: 135
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Monday, November 21, 2011 - 7:24 am: |
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The philippines has a ratio of about 3 - 1. If u want a lifelong partner that is the place to go.
As far as the radios go I think you'll be happy with them. The guy with the 820, look tyo see if the resistor hooked to the bottom of the finals is ok. If it is then replace the finals and driver. Make sure u neut. the finals before transmitting or they'll be gone. tony/n5jva/cef 259 |
