Learning to finesse selectivity on the Kenwood TS-850s.
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- Опубліковано 19 вер 2024
- Slowly learning how to optimize my Kenwood TS-850s for CW. I describe my failure to find the Slope Tune function, or that it correlates with use of a PBT (Passband Tuning) knob or allows separate cut of low or high frequencies.
Also, I found the audio output of this rig to be rather weak, especially the side tone. After looking at the manual/schematic and finding the potentiometer for this rigs sidetone and turning it up, it was still hard to hear.
I needed an amplified speaker anyway for guitar and amplifier work, and until I get the Ten-Tec Radio I want...I intend to make the most out of the Morse on this KNWD. Best 73!!! KI4DBK
I have two TS-850s(at) they have a wonderful front end, i had to replace one of the rigs carrier board. The leaky caps wiped out a lot of traces, i have found out that a TS-450 will match up ( according to a a few friends that had the same problem) i had something similar where a fellow ham donated a good (almost new) carrier board that was a original TS-850s , i installed all new caps on the donated board as well. I hope that you got it fixed up by now. These old rigs are worth putting some work into. And they perform almost as good as my modern DSP equipped rigs. Actually i think that they actually sound better than the modern rigs when equipped with the mechanical filters installed. Sometimes they seem to be almost magical because they amaze me . I wanted a TS-850s when they were brand new, but i was in my early 20s and just didn't have the money. As for running CW , these 850s are dyed in the wool CW radios.
Yes. I don't have a lot of KNWD experience but so many friends are big fans. I have seen many TS-850S with missing fluorescent display sections, and am aware of that common failure.
The TS-520 with its solid state rx and tube finals does indeed feel magical. I'll probably buy another one in the future as I sold two parts 520 at Dalton, GA hamfest last year.
Just too many radios, too little time, plus mine lacked the cw filter. I reallyvdo enjoy bug sending on the 520 via grid block keying.
Happy hamming!
KI4DBK
@ki4dbk my primary rig is a Yaesu FTdx-3000d and is probably my legacy rig. It's amazing too, plus I have an now old Icom ic-746pro , I know what you mean about too many rigs, not enough time. All of these are plenty of radio for me. I started hamming with an old Heathkit HW101 and two Heathkit "lunchbox" rigs back in the late 70s & early 80s so these new rigs ( to me) are more than enough, especially my 3000 its like going from driving a car to flying the space shuttle lol! These older superhet receivers are ( to me) the bees knees. It's up to old goats like me to keep them running
@l.a.2646 : I am 50 years young this year, but I prefer boat anchor work now, as my eyes are already shot and prefer point to point soldering and pouring through 1940s RCA Victor tube manuals. I've built the schematics in the back, have a tube stash at home, and am a 100% self taught maker/engineer. Thank you for commenting. 😊
@@brettmiller5443that's fantastic! , I'm 54 and I know what you're saying about vision troubles. It's great that you keep those radios running. With my tube equipment, my troubles are finding and keeping the tubes at the ready , I lost most of my tube -radios& test equipment in a bad divorce, her brother wanted it. Tube gear was how I cut my teeth with electronics, plus my old man ( WW2 generation- he was 51 when I was born) was a self taught technician -radios and TVs had a lot of tube test gear and he had boxes full of parts, so I was able to learn from him and keep my stuff running. Keep it going! One Heartbreaker for me is, my kids have no interest in my radios or test equipment. 73
My 850S has lots of good audio. You may have some bad/leaky electrolytic caps in the audio section, which is a known issue with the 450S and 850S and likely other KW rigs from that era...
That is quite the audio upgrade from the apparent junk stock audio output of the rig.
Yeah, but I think there is something wrong with the audio on my individual TS-850S. It could be the CAR. Board or some part of the audio amp. Seems to clip very early, even with the external speaker attached.
With this Workaround, I can keep the knob at around 9 o'clock max and I have plenty of distortion free headroom (within the Yamaha's 40w power amp) plus bell like cw clarity.