Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
James Benedict (N8FVJ)
on
December 21, 2003
View comments about this article!
It has been approximately a year since my last article on bargain priced HF transceivers. The market has changed and prices have increased on most HF transceivers. A new entry also replaces the rest of the transceivers mentioned last year.
Kenwood TS-520S -- 1st Place
Last year, the best bargain was the Kenwood TS-520S. Although the TS-520S was selling for $175 to $200 as a low price, the average price has increased to $250. This is still the best HF transceiver bargain. The TS-520S will load into a simple wire antenna at a SWR of 2.5 to 1. Additionally, the tank circuit output tuning range is 50 to 75 ohms, thus many bands of operation is possible without an extra cost antenna tuner. Further, additional savings is realized due to the built-in power supply.
The TS-520S may be the most reliable HF transceiver ever built. The noise blanker is very effective and set the quality standard to this day. The analog dial is a bonus as well. Older transceivers using a digital readout can and have failed without replacement parts being available. Power output is 100 watts using inexpensive 6146B finals and a 12BY7A driver. Unlike expensive TV horizontal output tubes used in many older transceivers, the 6146B are inexpensive and plentiful. The 12BY7A is available for a few dollars as well.
The receiver specifications are a MDS of -139dBm. The 100kHz blocking range is a respectable 116dB. The 20kHz IMD dynamic range is a rather low 63dB, however this figure stays the same at a close-in 3kHz spacing. The new FT-897 at 5kHz spacing is not much higher.
ICOM IC-718 -- 2nd Place
This new transceiver replaces all the other bargains including the IC-730 and the FT-747GTX mentioned in previous posts. Available used as low as $350 and an average of $400, I would not hesitate buying this HF transceiver. Being of new manufacture, replacement parts are available and failure is not an issue. I would prefer a radio with less operating time as opposed to the older units.
Performance is good for a mid-priced HF transceiver. The MDS is -139dBm. The 100kHz blocking dynamic range is 120dB and the third order IMD is 85-87dB at 20kHz spacing. Being a modern design, about every feature is available including an optional DSP unit.
Unlike the TS-520S, a 13.8 VDC power supply is required. Additionally, a 100-watt antenna tuner is needed to tune simple wire antennas on many bands and CW/SSB frequencies within a band such as 75 meters. If one can afford the cash outlay, this transceiver hits a 'home run' for the modern ham.
This article has expired. No more comments may be added.
|
Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by K6BBC on December 21, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
I owned a 520 in the 70s. A nice righ to be sure. Today I use the 718. A great value at 499 with DSP. I guess this article points out beautifully that I'm a real cheap skate.
K6BBC
|
| |
|
Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by WA2JJH on December 21, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
The ts-520S was my first ""REAL"" rig. I owned an Eico-753, also known as the driftomatic.
I remember that I should wait for a Kenwood TS-820. Supples were low for that new super rig.
Back then the only other choice for a shack-in a box, was the Yeasu FT-101. The 101 was cheaper and had AM.
However side by side the Kenwood performed and had a more professional look to it. The fact that it had 6146's instead of sweep tubes were nice.
I think I paid about $640 from HAM radio Center for it. I got the TS-520S right after the TS-520 became the S. They took out the 12 Volt power supply inverter in the back of the rig. However an Audio speech processor and other refinments made it a lot of rig for the money.
Never had one single problem with it.
I am sorry I sold it. I bought a 3erd party freq counter for it for $70 at a hamfest.
Kenwood boosted it's prices. So I ended up selling the radio for only a hundred dollar loss after 2 years of furious using. The 3erd party B&K freq counter made the sale price a good one.
Bought the new all solid state Yeasu FT-707. What a dog compared to the TS-520S. An all solid state mobile dog however.
The Yeasu may have been the first ""station in one Box"" maker, but the TS-520 was the prefered station all in one box dream rig.
73 DE MIKE
|
| |
|
Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by W9CW on December 21, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Having owned a TS-520S since 1978, I would have to agree on its reliability. Thousands of QSO's later, everything still works and only replaced the 12BY7A driver and 6146B finals last year - not because they were bad, just thought it was finally a good idea!
I've been seriously tempted on the IC-718, but have not opted for one as yet. Last weekend, a well-known dealer was selling the IC-718 with the UT-106 DSP module during their "ICOM Days" for $429.00 - now that's a deal.
The IC-718 certainly has its faults, but for a starter or backup rig, at that price you can't go wrong.
Don W9CW
|
| |
|
Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by N3AWS on December 21, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
In 1981 I used a friends TS-520S in Dominica (J73) to a Butternut verticle on the beach. Talk about pileups on both SSB and CW! But the rig always performed flawlessly. I have to agree: this rig is a winner!
|
| |
|
Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by WPE9JRL on December 21, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
About six years ago I volunteered to look at a TS-520 that was owned by a local ham who claimed low power output. The 520 was purchased by a begginer ham for the very reason that it was a good starter radio.
We opened the RF compartment to find that one of the 6146 final tubes had a hole (about 1/2-inch) burned right through the plate! We popped in a fresh set of tubes and the 520 worked great. The damage was due to the poor newbie trying to load up incorrectly into a bad antenna.
Here's living proof that the 520 may be near indestructable. The power supply should have melted down considering the amount of Plate Current pulled to blow a hole in a tube - - - it didn't. Repair cost of the tubes was about $45.00. Yes, great starter rig.
|
| |
|
RE: Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by KA4KOE on December 21, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Great starter rig for me was the Heathkit HW-8. No one told me it was "QRP". I was 16, had no money, and the 129.95 was attractive.
Made gobs of contacts on that one.
PAN
|
| |
|
Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by KI4AOB on December 21, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
When I got my General ticket a local ham loaned my a Kenwood TS-520S and it is a great radio!
|
| |
|
RE: Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by AG4RQ on December 21, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
I have both the IC-718 and the TS-520. I bought the 718 new with the DSP board in May 2002 for $550 at HRO. I paid $186 for the 520 on eBay in 2000. I'm happy with both. I would recommend an IC-718 to anyone either new or used. I had two IC-730s. They both failed. I wouldn't buy another one. I don't know what kind of reliability to expect from my 718 years down the road, but the 520 beats the 730 for reliability hands down.
A few things that I dislike about the 718 is that the AGC is preset and cannot be set for fast, slow or off like the 520; and the internal CW keyer only runs "B" type iambic keying and cannot be configured for "A" type iambic keying. A third dislike is that the manual doesn't tell you much about how to operate the rig and configure its bells and whistles. You are basically left to figure out most things for yourself. The noise blanker on the 520 is far superior to the one on the 718. Come to think of it, the noise blanker on the 730 wasn't any better or worse than the one on the 718. Despite my gripes, if I had it all to do over again, I'd still buy the 718.
|
| |
|
RE: Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by N8FVJ on December 21, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
The late Doug DeMaw actually designed a simular QRP radio before the HW-8 was released & noticed the HW-8 was about an identical copy. The radio is great for beginner QRP work and inexpensive now. I would like to view an article on QRP radios. How about it hams?
|
| |
|
RE: Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by KC7MM on December 21, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
My first rig as a Novice in 1981 was a TS-520SE. I also purchased the CW filter, the external VFO, and matching speaker, oh and the Kenwood digital readout over the next couple of years. What a wonderful radio! I wish I had held on to it. I am on the lookout for another one in good shape to keep and play with in my retirement years.
The next rig was a TS-430S. Solid state and digital readout. The CW and SSB filters were a must, and to be honest, the only improvement really was the lack of having to retune every time one switched frequencies. Tough little rig.
After that, I bought a brand new TS-50s with the CW and SSB filters. Later on, I got the matching autotuner. To me, this is the real Kenwood sleeper. It worked beautifully and I made a lot of DX contacts on SSB, CW and the digital modes. If you can find a good TS-50, buy it! Very small surface area, hears and plays well. The prices are pretty good too. Everyone seems to want the all-in-one HF-VHF-UHF miniboxes at the moment. Time to get that TS50S!
I have have/had a few Yaesus, Icoms, and Ten Tecs, during that time, but always go back to Kenwoods for the primary station rig it seems. My prize and joy now is a loaded TS-850S. It may cost a bit more than the 520S or the Icom rig mentioned, but it certainly hears much better and is a real deal on the used market. Solid state, solidly built, and world class. The TF set button is invaluable.
For old times sake, I have just swapped a small amp and tuner for a complete Yaesu 107M station. Solid state, good power output and receiver, and boards big enough for me to work on if anything goes wrong. It also has both digital and analog read-outs so if the digital goes out, I can still use the rig. Besides, having one rig that isn't black or gray will be interesting for a change!
Cheap is good, but you typically get what you pay for.
Happy holidays to all.
Dale KC7MM
|
| |
|
RE: Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by AH6RR on December 21, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
I owned as my first rig a TS-520 I bought it from a Farmer for a hundred bucks and after cleaning out the mud dawbers nests from the finals and the band swtich and replacing the 11m crystals with the right ones for 10m it worked like a champ for over a year. I traded it for a Yaesu 707 (what a pile) and could not sell the 707 fast enough. I then bought a TS-430S (another great rig) moved to Hawaii the 430 got stolen so I was in active for 13 years. Well in July I upgraded my ticket and bought a 520 off ebay man what a great radio. I then picked up a 830 at a hamfest on a trade for a Davis weather station (the 830 is the best that Kenwood ever made) so I sold the 520 and I wish I had not. Last night I bought a 430 on ebay for under $250 and I will keep the 830 and use the 430 as a backup. If you want a rock solid super hard to kill and dont care about all the bells and whistles a 520,820 can not be beat.
The only reason I have not used any of the new rigs yet is they cost too much for a poor boy like me. I als would like to thank all the hams that replyed to my post for a rig for a new ham one of the guys on Oahu had what we were looking for. In a place where bread is 5 bucks a loaf milk 5 bucks a gallon and gas 2.35 a gallon the working man has to watch his pennys for more ham gear.
73's and Merry Christmas remember Jesus is the reason for the season.
Roland AH6RR
|
| |
|
Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by N0RTU on December 21, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Got a 520 while studying for 5 wpm code test. Used it to copy "real" qso's and W1AW code practice. Passed the 5wpm, 13 wpm, and finally the 20 wpm code tests using the 520 as my cw rig.
Still has the driver and 6146's that were there when I bought it from a ham who was helping a SK's widow sell equipment. Never had any problems with the rig. I did add a 500 hz cw filter and that's it. Some may call it a "boat anchor", but its been a dandy. I've loaned it out a few times to new ops and it comes back still working.
For $225.00 in 1991, I got a heck of a bargain.
520's, 520s(e)'s and 820's are tried and true rigs priced right.
A new op can't go wrong with one of these.
BTW, mine still does cw duty on Straight key night and other times as well.
It's here for keeps
73
Mike
N0RTU
|
| |
|
Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by WA9REW on December 21, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
IC718 was my replacement for a FT100D which i for
whatever reason did not like at all. The 718 is for
me by far a better radio easier to operate and more fun. thats what its about fun
thanks
wa9rew
|
| |
|
Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by W8GX on December 21, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
What is the difference between the TS-520 the TS-520S and the TS-520SE?
|
| |
|
Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by K0EWS on December 21, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
I have had a 718 for 3 years, and it's been a great rig. It was my first rig, and still functions as the main rig in the shack. For the money, as a new rig, it's a great buy. My brother still owns and operates the TS 520 that my Dad bought new in the mid 70s.(Dad has since gone on to more modern hardware) My brother still swears by that rig, although he says the WARC bands would be nice, but he tells me it's still as solid a performer as they come!
|
| |
|
RE: Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by CURMUDGEON on December 21, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
For the money, the IC-751 and 751A are probably better rigs than either of the recommended rigs and will still be outperforming most modern rigs for many years to come. You'll know and understand this after you progress beyond the neophyte stage.
|
| |
|
RE: Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by N8FVJ on December 21, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
As a note: The IC-751 & 751A are great radios, however rather expensive for older used equipment.
|
| |
|
RE: Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by K2WH on December 21, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Have 2 520's and 3 820's. For my money, the Kenwood TS-820s station with monitor scope and external VFO to round it out as a complete ham station.
|
| |
|
Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by ADAM12 on December 21, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Other radios of note in this category are the Yaesu FT-840 and any of the older Ten Tec rigs.
Having owned two IC-718s and two FT-840s at various times, I prefer the FT-840 over the IC-718 although I do agree that price-wise, the IC-718 is a much better bargain right now ($499 vs $699).
As far as the Ten Tecs go, I'm talking about the Tritons, Omnis and Corsairs; all excellent rigs that Ten Tec will still repair and all solid state.
I love tube radios but personally, I wouldn't be keen on operating a 30 year old tube radio with all the very high voltages and aging components unless it had been thoroughly gone through.
|
| |
|
Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by WA2JJH on December 21, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
To answer the O.M.'s question about what is the difference between the TS-520, the 520S, and te 520SE.
please correct if I am wrong, it has been about 27 years ago.
The TS-520 was the very first, it replaced the Kenwood
TS-511. The TS-520 was Kenwoods answer to the Yeasu FT-101. The war of the HAM station in a single box then started.
Yeasu notched up the heat with the FT-101E. Same radio, they just added an RF speech proc.
Kenwoods response to the 101E was the TS-520S.
A very clean audio speech processor was added. The DC-DC power converter was removed. A new RX front end pad added,smoother VFO and a slighlty lower price tag.
The TS-520/S became very popular rigs.
The TS-520SE was Kenwoods attept to keep selling it's hybride tube rig in a new mostly solid state world.
If I remember correctly, Kenwood lowered the price and threw in the DC-DC voltage inverter that the TS-520 had from the get go. To power these rigs.
73 DE MIKE
|
| |
|
RE: Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by WB4QNG on December 21, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
I have had a IC-718 going on 4 years now. Very happy with it. It replaced a HW-101 I had used for about 20 years. You talk about cheap. That is me. I am sure there are better rigs out there but the reciever in the IC-718 seems to be Ok and a 100 watt clean signal is a 100 watt clean signal. No matter if it is a $50 rig or a $5,000 rig.
Terry
WB4QNG
|
| |
|
RE: Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by KD5UJX on December 21, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
<<and a 100 watt clean signal is a 100 watt clean signal. No matter if it is a $50 rig or a $5,000 rig.
Terry
WB4QNG>>
No truer words were ever written.
|
| |
|
Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by N2NFG on December 21, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Back in 1988 after a 15 year absense from ham radio,I was at a new neighbor's house.Sitting on a shelf in the basement was a 520S. It was the most beautiful,modern piece of ham gear I had ever seen. Old memories stirred;I thought back to my last station,a Lafayette HA350 and a very drifty homebrew single 6146 transmitter. Out of the hobby for so long, I had no idea that everything was now solid state and digital. It didn't matter, I wanted that 520S. A little haggeling, I came home with the 520S,MC50 and a MFJ 941C tuner. (BTW,to answer a former question, the 520S added 160 meters that was not on the 520) Hooked up a longwire antenna and was surprised that I could still copy CW about as good as when I was WB2BEF. Within two months I went from KB2MSB to N2NFG. For the next year, that 520S got played hard. I was back in college and had some weird hours to play radio. I found the external VFO for it and learned iambic keying. In less than a year I had WAS, over 200 countries confirmed and was well on my way to 5BDXCC.
Sadly, the "must have" digital and solid state bug bit. First, an ICOM745, a very nice radio,then an ICOM751A loaded with INRAD filters and PIN diode mods.(The contest bug bit hard)Tough choice between the new KENWOOD 850S and older design 751A, but the ICOM put a lot of contest paper on the wall, including 3 top ten World ARRL 160 contests.Added to the collection now are a KENWOOD 130SE (FUN,FUN,FUN!), a TEN TEC CORSAIR II (after reading all of the great reviews here, I had to get one. Great radio), and an ICOM 706MKIIG. Come and gone were a KENWOOD 930 and 940S. But the 520S always had a place in the shack until recently. I put it on the table at the local hamfest with a price of $150.00 Everyone wanted to know what was wrong with it for such a low price. NOTHING! So I changed the 1 to a 2 and let a guy jaw me down to $130.00. As soon as he walked away from the table, I had sellers regret. How could I let such an old and trusted friend go?
Soooooo....Anybody out there want to trade a 520s, 820s, or 830S for a very nice TS130SE? (Just gone completly over by Cliff ad AAVID)
|
| |
|
Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by AF0H on December 21, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
This article hits kinda close to home. I started out (once upgraded to General) with an old hand-me-down HW-16 and had fun with it. Later, I bought a TS-520 off of e-bay along with a VFO-520, SP-520 and a Shure 444 desk mic all for about $340 (with shipping). The radio and accy's were mint and everything worked like brand new. With the arrival of the 60-meter band, I needed something to work there as well as the warc bands. I didn't get the IC-718, but instead opted for the old reliable IC-735. This is a great tried and proven rig as well as affordable. It was not as pretty cosmetically, but functionally worked like new as well. I think I gave about $300 for it as well. But for a couple of inexpensive HF rigs that just won't quit, it's hard to beat the TS-520 or the IC-735 as well as the IC-718
73 de
af0h - Rob
|
| |
|
Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by KN4LF on December 21, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Adam12 Said:
Having owned two IC-718s and two FT-840s at various times, I prefer the FT-840 over the IC-718 although I do agree that price-wise, the IC-718 is a much better bargain right now ($499 vs $699).
KN4LF Says:
I think you can get an FT-840 new for $599, used for $400. The receiver on the IC-718 is a piece of crap and the FT-840 has a receiver equal to the FT-1000D & MP.
The IC-718 has more bells and whistles then the FT-840 but they mean nothing when you have IMD and VCO noise on the signal you are trying to copy.
I'm a DXer mainly on 160 meters and the FT-840 is my favorite receiver on that band.
73,
Thomas Giella, KN4LF
Plant City, FL, USA
|
| |
|
Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by VE3TMT on December 22, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
I still say the best used bargain on the market today is the TS850S. Sure they cost a little more than your hybrid counterpart, but they run circles around most of the other rigs on the market with and without DSP. I've seen them go as low as $650, which in my book for the features you get you can't go wrong. Fantastic receiver and tx audio are just two of the reasons to pick one up. You won't be sorry.
|
| |
|
Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by WA2JJH on December 22, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Sure VE3TMT is right sbout the KENWOOD TS-850sat. I own one. The going price is about $700. I bought mine broken for $350, minor repairs. Excellent deal.
Yes you do get 4X the rig for double the money with a used TS-850. The RF speech proc, dual PBT,dual sel I.F's, notch, and over 100 memory channels.
However I think the authors idea was which rig you could get into ham radio with the least amount of money.
With a TS-850, a 25 amp supply will run about $100.
So we are really dealing with $800.
What good rigs can you get for $300, power included?
Not much. The FT-101,e,ex cannot hold a candle to the TS-520S.The Drake TR-4CW is good. However I think the author had the whole station in a box idea. No seperate
power supplies to deal with
The Ts-520S was built as well as a ts-850 in terms of durability.
Someone New to ham radio might find all the extra features on the TS-850 confusing. Even experienced hams complain about the dual I.F. filter selection.
A new ham does not need to worry that his TX and RX are set for different bandwidths. With the TS-850, if one is not carefull with the dual IF, DSB modulation can come up.
Everybody was shocked that 27.5-97.995 MHZ is a built in menu fuction on the TS-850.
Yes, dollar for dollar the TS-85O is feature packed and a better radio.
I think the author was looking for simplicity, a good rig, and a dirt cheap price.
With all the good hype the TS-850 has been getting as the best Kenwood radio ever made, not too many hams are selling them off as much as the older hybrids
I know I am keeping my TS-850. The new TS-570 SERIES do not even come close with thier crummy audio DSP's
Ts-520' are around used all the time for about $300 or less. Ts-850's are around for $700, but more hams are catching on to hold on to a TS-850. Try to get a DSP-100 for a decent price, you will not.
Yes, the TS-850 is a bargain jewel, however is the jewel store open?
73 DE MIKE
|
| |
|
RE: Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by K9KJM on December 22, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
I would like to see someone with the proper test equipment and experience do a back to back test of some of these rigs...... (The Kenwood TS 520S, the Great old Icom IC 735, The new Icom 718, etc)
Yes, The Icom 751A is in a different league.....Still
higher priced used than the 718 is brand new in most cases. Also up the ladder would be the IC 761, and the
all time great old "muscle" radio, the IC 765.... Also in this price range would be the newer IC 706 series, And for a few dollars more, One of the greatest
radios in the just over 1K price range, The IC 756PRO
I suggest that anyone thinking of a new/used rig read all of the reviews here on Eham. Great source of info.
|
| |
|
RE: Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by N8FVJ on December 22, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
Per post above- cheap radios is the focus of the article. A TS-850 is too expensive to be a 'bargain basement' priced radio. However, the TS-850 is one of the best high performance radios ever produced by Kenwood. The TS-850 is a best buy high performance used radio. Next would be the IC-765 with the passband tuning modification.
|
| |
|
Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by W9CW on December 22, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Re. K9KJM's comments on the IC-751A . . . yes, it is an excellent rig. But, everyone seems to forget one of ICOM's top-of-the-line rigs of the early 80's - the IC-740. Ham-band only 160m through 10m, including the WARC bands, solid 100W out, very stable VFO(s), cascaded SSB and CW filters over 2 I.F.'s with very elaborate switching versatility (by means of changing jumper positions within the rig. Note: you could even select two cascaded 250Hz CW filters in the SSB mode - for use with PSK31)!, quiet synthesizer design, fully-variable AGC decay time (as well as AGC off poisition), narrow and wide noise blanker widths with variable threshold control, separate I.F. Shift and Passband Tuning, I.F. Notch, built-in CW keyer, true FSK capability for RTTY, RIT/XIT tuning, optional FM unit and optional IC-PS740 13.8VDC built-in switching power supply, and the list goes on. Built like a tank, with extremely good receiver dynamics (blocking and IMD) - even at 5kHz spacing. This rig was only built for a very short time, and replaced by the IC-745 (a general coverage receiver design) due to market competition. But, the IC-745 was not even close to the performance of the IC-740. In fact, the IC-740 is superior to the IC-751A in some areas due to its cleaner synthesizer, and the inherent pluses from being a ham band-only design. These are available as low as $250 to $350. And, INRAD filters are available for all filter positions should you get one without any optional filters. An excellent rig for entry-level prices . . .
Don W9CW
|
| |
|
Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by N6HVP on December 22, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Anyone use a Heil Goldline with the 520S? This article has motivated me to dust off the old 520 and see what she can still do but I don't have a desk mic around. Would the Heil hand mic work well too?
Tnx-
|
| |
|
Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by WA2JJH on December 22, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
One piece of TS-520 trivia. Kenwood targeted the old Novice class licensee that was upgrading.
It was not until 1975 that Novice class hams could use VFO's or run more than 75 watts input power to the final.
That is why the TS-520 had 4 XTAL sockets. The proposed novice kit for the TS-520 was to have a set of novice freq crystals and a 6146 dummy/nuetralising cap.
This way a Novice could use the TS-520 in XTAL control. Also the power input to the final was limited to 75 watts.
However the law changed in either 1975 or 1976 to allow novices 250W input and VFO control. So the TS-520 novice acc. kit was never released or sold.
This was a nice gesture from Kenwood. I remember when I was a Novice, I had to buy a cheapo receiver and a cheapo XTAL 2 tube transmitter kit.
The Xtal sockets and AMP power reduction mod. meant that even a novice could get started on a state of the art TS-520.
Then after two years, hopefully upgrade to general.
for SSB and high speed CW.
However by the time the TS-520 was in full production
the FCC changed the law.
|
| |
|
Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by WA2JJH on December 22, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
You should not have a problem with a heil goldline mic.
I do remember the TS-520 as having a high microphone impedence(10-50K). The Heil I had, had a low and high impedence switch. If it does not, the mic. is a 600 ohm
mic.
You still should not have any problems wiring it directly to the 4 pin mic connector. If you find the Heil cannot drive the ts-520 well or you have a bad frequency responce, go to Radio shack. They should have
a low to high impedence transformer. Some are built inside an XLR to unbalanced line adapter. The transformer will also eliminate any hum.
73 DE MIKE WA2JJH
|
| |
|
Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by W8OKN on December 22, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
My 718 is a wonderful radio, for the price. I must admit, I have not compared it to a 756 PRO, but considering that I am not a contestor, only a casual operator, the 718 is just absolutely fantastic. I operated a 520 from the W8UM station in the mid 80s and found it to be equally good. With the DSP, CW filter and built in keyer, how can anyone complain about the 718?
|
| |
|
Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by AD3G on December 22, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
Let's not forget the trusty Heathkits..Hw 101 SB- 100,101 & 102...they can usually be had for somewhere in the 250.00 range with a power supply...while they're not the most technically advanced radio of their time,they will still get you on the air for little $$$. Get the builders manual with them,and with a little inclination,fix em' yourself when they go belly up.
|
| |
|
Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by WA2JJH on December 22, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
The Atlas rigs were good too. They tend to have more power output(200w). I have not seen one go for a good price however(250-$300). They are an older solid state rig. One would have to add a 35 amp 12 volt power supply. They were the first mobile sized radio's.
I would buy one at $250. I guess many keep them because they have the high output.
Atlas also did something of engineering brilliance.
Atlas kind of invented A.I.P. for a quieter RCVR.
Atlas would leave out the RF RCVR pre-amp.
After the antenna, and bandpass filters, the local oscillator would be mixed in. Atlas would make up for the lack of an active RF front end by putting the gain after the mixer. The Atlas had no synthesiser or DDS.
This made for an ultra quite RCVR with very low noise floor.
I have not seen any Atlas rigs for sale used for a good price. Not many were made. They were all solid state, when all solid state mobile rigs were rare.
Lets say you got an atlas for $300, add the $150 PS...You could do better with another rig.
I will admit the 200W and unique RCVR design makes them worthy.
73 DE MIKE
|
| |
|
Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by WA2JJH on December 22, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Just one more comment on the ATLAS. The 210 was 100W and the finals were not reliable. The excellent RCVR was offset by its drift factor. If you did not mind one hand on the VFO all the time, it was great.
they came out with a 250W digital rig. Too expensive.
|
| |
|
RE: Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by W0LPQ on December 22, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
W9CW mentions the IC-740. Bet VFJ willl not comment....turkey sold his...I bought it..! It is a good radio. FVJ has a neat shack also....in addition to some good stereo stuff...!
The 520S is a good little radio for the money. That is what Jim has tried to bring to the forefront in a well said manner.
Congratulations Jim, well written. Still have the 740 and now the compressor switch is acting up, but that is one of the hazzards.
73
Bill, WØLPQ
|
| |
|
Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by N2CKH on December 22, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Hello All,
The TS-520 series was great !
Following my HW-16 with external VFO, I bought as a Novice, I saved up and bought a new TS-520SE in 1980 along with the SP-520. Then as I could afford, I added a Fox Tango 250hz filter and VFO-520. Then just a few years ago I found a deal on the external digital display. My TS-520SE is still going strong on the original set of tubes (spares in the drawer may have gone bad by now though !) and is still part of my station. I did however upgrade to the TS-930S in 1984, however I have never relegated the 520SE to obsolesence.
/s/ Steve, N2CKH
www.n2ckh.com
|
| |
|
RE: Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by KG4PZZ on December 22, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Back in the days before part time jobs, dad bought me a FT-747GX as a birthday present, and as an incentive to upgrade. That little rig still sits proudly in my shack. In a corner, though, because I broke it trying to modify it from a remote-mount head to a single unit. Whoops. Other than that, super little radio, sell anywhere from $300 to $400. Probably can find some better deals, or maybe you can get one you like pretty cheap.
After that came (almost) an SB-102, but I was talked out at the last minute to get a TS-520SE. That rig kept my interest intact for a while, but it was awkward to use during contests. For ragchewing, it was wonderful.
However, I was bit by the contest bug, and after operating a Mark VI Field for a few hours, the TS-520SE was, at best, a simple little radio.
It did hold me over and keep me on HF, though, until I could save up for my FT-920. The little Kenwood did just what I wanted it to do, and when I was done with it, I sold it to a local ham, and he says it's a pleasure to operate CW with.
The TS-520SE just seems to be a rig that keeps on giving, hihi. Bought for $250, sold for $200. They have a built-in power supply, too, so all you need is coax and an antenna!
Fred
K4PZZ
|
| |
|
Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by N8FVJ on December 22, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Hi Bill. That IC-740 is a great radio as another post stated. I came close to posting it, however as a starter rig, the IC-718 would be inherently more reliable. The IC-740 has a superior receiver.
Another close contender is the Ten Tec Corsair. Great CW transceiver and excellent receiver as well. Some report the PTO requiring service though. Ten Tec does provide service for the Corsair, however the IC-718 is full of features the Corsair does not provide.
|
| |
|
RE: Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by KT8K on December 22, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
My first rig after moving up from novice was a TS-520 plain. I loved it. I ran it mobile on the passenger seat of my 77 Chevy Monza in the 1980 Field Day, using the built in DC-DC converter. It weighed a lot and took up the entire seat, as I remember it. I never felt it had as hot a receiver as my first rig, a Tentec Argonaut 509 (I still use almost daily), but rig-experiences since then have made me wish I still had the 520.
Good article, and lots of good input (except for Curmudgeon, who never progressed beyond the neophyte stage in etiquette and manners).
Thanks es 73 de kt8k - Tim
|
| |
|
RE: Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by K3UOD on December 22, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
I started in 1962 with a NC 98 receiver and a Globe Scout 680A transmitter. I added a Knight Kit VFO when I upgraded to general.
Sold that rig when I joined the Navy and was out of the hobby for about 3 years. Then I was assigned to a ship that had a ham station with a Collin's S line and got into running phone patches for my shipmates. Dave, WB5GAO, was one of my shipmates and he had built a HW-101 on the cruise just to have something to do. He sold it to me when it was finished and I used it for years.
I replaced that with a Drake R4B/T4XB combination. Excellent performer but it started showing it's age and I didn't have time to keep it up, so I gave it to a good friend who chased out all of the bugs and has it back on the air.
When the Drake twins started getting cranky I bought a TS-520 from a friend who had 2 of them (he refuses to sell the other). The 520's receiver couldn't compete with the R4B, but the only thing that I ever had to do to it was replace the finals. It still keeps chuggin' along. With an Electro Voice 638 mike, it gets great audio reports.
I now have a Yaesu MK V Field to replace the Drake twins, The 'Field is a very sweet rig, especially with InRad filters. However, the 520 sits on the bench next to it, always ready.
|
| |
|
Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by WA2KWP on December 22, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
In 1982, for many reasons, none of which had to do with Ham Radio, I left the HF Bands for almost 10 years. My last rig was a TS-520SE, SB200 and a Classic 33. I packed up the station well and made sure it was clean and dry.
In 1992, I was able to set up again and unpacked the TS-520. I have to say to my amazement it performed just as it had on the day I packed it up 10 years before. I tweaked it up with a quick alignment and used it for a year before I got bitten by a TS-850S. I don't care if it is 20 years old or 2 months old, there is no comparison with any other rig I have ever used. The TS-850S is a better rig by the specs, but you can't tell me you can leave it in a box for 10 years and it will work!
A great compliment to Kenwood reliability.
David
WA2KWP
|
| |
|
Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by KD2E on December 22, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Yes, IC751's, and Heathkit HW101s are nice radios.
But those as well as TR4 series are dumpster trash compared to the TS520s when it comes to the subject of Bargain Jewels.
I've had a lot of great rigs, but I agree with the author...the TS520S is in a league of its' own. In my opinion, the best value rig ever produced. I owned an 850, and it was a better rig than the 520, but I'd rather have an IC736!! The 736 has a built in supply plus 6 meters. Also a great bargain jewel. But again, not contest for the 520!!
|
| |
|
Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by HP1KL on December 22, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Hi:
I am glad that after 27 years I still own/operate my TS-520. It has the original tubes and still delivers a whopping signal. The controls could do with some cleaning, WWV is not quite on spot, but the rig has never been touched and I do not intend to "fix" anything in it if it isn't actually broken. Oh yes, one of the dial lights burned out years ago...
I just sold a FT-747, which I purchased mostly for shortwave listening. Good riddance! No more Yaesus or Alincos -- plan on sticking with Kenwoods and Icoms.
I just purchased a TS-50, and I'm very happy with it. My alternate choice was an IC-718. Has anyone noticed it is really an R-75 "in disguise" [and no 54 mHz]? Of course, it is much cheaper too.
Funny, but Ten-Tec also market their receivers the same way -- much more expensive than the equivalent transceiver.
Oh well, whose complaining! Yes, I do not plan to sell the TS-520. I know several "repented" sellers!
Happy Season's Greetings from "warm" Panama and all the best for 2004!
73's - Tony Conte/HP1KL
|
| |
|
Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by WA2JJH on December 22, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
One other nice thing about the TS-520(s,se). It was a very easy rig to repair, align, and modify.
The TS-520 boards were of high quality. If you were working on an I.F. board, just I.F. cicuirtry was one it.
I once blew out the FET front end, by having a jumper
wire/aligator clip touch the chassis.
Just looked at the over size board and schematic, and replaced the FET. Back in business. The service monitor showed identical sensitivity.
Wish the TS-570 was an all solid state version of the TS-520. Just add in the over rated " not so magical" audio DSP circuits.
I tried out a TS-570, I was not impressed at all. I felt that the TS-520 was constructed better mechanicaly and had better laid out circuit boards. WHY KENWOOD did not use the identical noise blanker to the TS-520 is beyond me. The TS-520 could be used mobile because of the second to none noise blanker.
For those that do not have the back of the rig inverter, I have seen it's simple schematic everywhere.
I think if EHAM took a poll, it would be found out that the TS-520 has been owned or used by atleast 1/4 of HF hams. Next to Collins and Drake, the TS-520 is a classic and a legend.
Sorry for the rant 73 DE MIKE
|
| |
|
Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by K1MKF on December 23, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
I'll skip the 520, just too old to be a bargain in my book. A good price for a vintage rig, yes. bUt, thats all.
Now the IC-718 is a great bargain for a new rig and with DSP, too. But the Yaesu FT-857 is more feature packed and with current rebates a real steal. Check it out!
My all time favorite was the FT-840. Wish I never sold it. It did everything well and only lacked a narrow SSB filter. Great prices now on barely used ones. The FT-900CAT is a close second for a few more bucks. Had them both.
|
| |
|
Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by KC8HXO on December 23, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Well, I can echo the praise of the 520 series.... ever wonder if Trio/Kenwood would be here today, if the rig had been a flop?? I bet most of us would never had heard of them! The TS-520 was 1st in the series, and as mentioned, covered 10-80M (No WARC ;-), and included the mentioned DS-1a DC-DC adapter. (The adapter can be added to the -S, and -SE, if desired). The TS-520S was next in the lineage, and added a speech compressor, and coverage of the 160M band, in lieu of the DC-DC adapter. There were some differences other than those, including the fact that most of the original 520 models had wiring harnesses completely hand made, and hand wrapped. (Or so I am told). The TS-520SE model replaced the heater switch with a narrow/wide switch, to allow selection/bypass of the narrow CW filter, (if installed).
GREAT rigs.... I've owned 4 or 5 ... keep one in the shack at all times. Use an old Shure 444/444D/450 mic, and expect some unsolicited "great audio" comments! Receive audio you can listen to for HOURS! Thanks for the bandwidth.
|
| |
|
Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by ON6AB on December 23, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
I'm a ham since 1975.
The main thing I can remember about the TS520 was that the receiver part was , even at that time, far below average.
I then had a Kenwood TS515 and a friend of mine, ON6KE had a TS520.
The 520 was useless on 40 and 80, compared to the 515.
Even a HW101 and SB102 where far more IMD proof.
Remember this also was the time of a lot of other fine HF rigs that are available for "peanuts" today.
The R4b,R4c, Atlas 210 to name a few.
Although I am a Kenwood man (I have a TS930s and a TS570s), I think a rig should be more than just reliable to own first place...
|
| |
|
RE: Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by N8FVJ on December 23, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
As for receiver performance of older radios, go to eHam links, then 'Commercial (Filters)', then 'Sherwood Engineering', then 'Receiver Test Data' for viewing other radios in the same era & newer radios for receiver performance.
|
| |
|
RE: Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by W3LOW on December 23, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Yes, the IC-718 is truly a great radio for the price. Thinking about buying a spare/replacement so I have another one when this rig is worn out! About $489 now w/ the UT-106 DSP mod included. What a steal. Sure you could pay $700, $1000, $5000 for a rig, but if you looking for a no nonsense rig, the IC-718 is it. SSB and CW performance is great, even without the CW filters. Also, it does not have FM, and I don't use FM on HF anyway, so no loss. Audio quality and frequency selectivity is awesome for a rig this price. Sensitivity is right up there with rigs costing much more. Personally heard many hams with the IC-718 sound better/cleaner than with a Yaesu Mark V. 10 out of 10 for the IC-718
David
W3LOW
|
| |
|
RE: Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by K2PH on December 23, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Bought my TS-520S from Long's back in the 70's. Just sold it to a neighbor a few months ago --- still using same set of S-2001's, full power out. Added the CW filter some years ago, otherwise untouched.. This was one indestructible radio!
I still have most of the accessories; tuner, vfo, transverters, etc. This was one of the first commercially available complete "systems" that were "plug and play" with each other,within the existing technology.
As I remember, the changes between the S and the SE were made because the S had the possibility of the DC inverter being attached to the back, while the with the SE the plate/terminals for the DC adapter had been removed, therefore there was no longer any need to save your car battery by turning off the heaters of the S2001's
Compared to the Yaesu FT101 series, there are many more of the 520's showing up on the auction sites and at hamfests. Not bad for a 25 year old radio.
|
| |
|
Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by K7VO on December 23, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
Earlier this year I was unemployed and did a massive sell off of the expensive toys in the shack. I bought a much maligned Icom IC-701 with the matching power supply/speaker and desk mic. You know what? It's not bad at all. These rigs are available in the $150-$175 price class if working perfectly WITH the supply and mic. in very good to excellent condition. They're all solid state, cover 160-10m (except the WARC bands), have passband tuning (PBT) and a very decent narrow CW filter standard. To me, that's up there in the best bargain category.
|
| |
|
Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by KE4ZHN on December 23, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
For the ham on a very tight budget you cant beat an old trusty 520. But if you have more cash to spend, the 850 is one of the best bang for the buck older rigs you can buy. I agree with the other posters that the 850 will still hold its own against any rig made today dsp or not. Even its little brother the 450 will do a respectable job against many rigs costing over twice as much.
|
| |
|
Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by WA2JJH on December 23, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
I was pondering this. The Yeasu FT-101/e/ex back in the late 70's cost the same and had the same features as everybodys favorite, the TS-520(s,se).
In fact the FT-101's went for a little less money.
I spent months reseaching between the 101 and the 520, before I bought the TS-520S.
A few things stuck out for me. The TS-520 had the quieter RCVR. The VFO on the TS-520 was silkey smooth.
The FT-101's VFO felt course, and fine tuning was harder.
The TS-520 just plain looked better. More of a mil. look.
The FT-101 was known be a snap to get it to work on CB. The FT-101 had AM to boot. So my 16 year old brain
thought the TS-520 had to be better because it cost more, and you could not turn it into a 100W CB.
Everyone also talked about the fact that the TS-520 had 6146 tubes. The Yeasu had 6DQ6 sweep tubes.
Some have said you will never see or hear the difference using sweep tubes.
When all was said and done I bought the TS-520S. I know I bought the better rig. If I was into freebanding the FT-101 would have been the clear choice.
So, what does everyone else think? For the same money used, the FT-101 might be known as the HF classic too.
Instead(IMHO) the FT-101 is known as one of the best /first, full featured 100W bootlegger rig for the money(hi hi)!
Kenwood may have made a very good decision to leave AM out of it's earlier hybrid rigs.
73 and holiday cheer DE MIKE
|
| |
|
RE: Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by N0RTU on December 23, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
To answer W8GX
I believe this is the way it goes.
TS-520 Was the first. 80 thru 10 Not sure if the DC was and option or not.
TS520 S. Next generation. A great speech processor on this rig.
Added 160 Meters and I'm not sure if these had the "blue" gas type digital frequency display.
TS 520 SE. I believe(not real sure) that the tube driver was done away with and more solid state added. Definately digital freq display on this model along with some other goodies.
Still hear grand comments on the audio quality of the 520's and 820's. Just as many as the 850 S and SAT.
Hope this clears some of the mud away
73
Mike
N0RTU
|
| |
|
Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by K4JHL on December 23, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
I bought a Kenwood 520 from a friend of mine about ten years ago. It was old then! But---it's one of the best rigs I've owned. Its only drawback is that it does not have the WARC bands and general coverage receiver.
In my estimation it's a better rig than the Collins
KWM2.
I'll keep mine until everything freezes over.
K4JHL
|
| |
|
Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by KE4DRN on December 24, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
My ts-520 is used, bought it on ebay as a package with the speaker, ext vfo, mc50, at 200 and an interesting digital display from henry the dfd/k that has nixie tubes !
Only thing wrong was the shorting plug for the vfo was lost, picked up a pair from kenwoodparts.com
It looks real retro on the table, just added one of those classic Dazor lamps circa 1977 and I am back in time !
Learned a lot by listening and using the radio
(xmt only with my elmer !) cw and general tests soon.
drive/plate/load easy to tune and sounds great.
|
| |
|
RE: Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by KT3K on December 24, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
I really like my IC-718. I've had it for over a year, and no problems. I installed the FL-52A CW filter since that's primarily what I do. I have used it for SSB, and it did fine there too, with the handheld mic or the SM-20 desktop mic. The optional AT-180 antenna tuner though was a little limiting though.
The AH-4 tuner is better, but for the money I've changed to an MFJ tuner, with built-in antenna switch and dummy load. I like this configuration much better, and I get more power out controlling my antenna match this way.
Nice to hear the 718 is getting good reviews. For once I didn't get screwed...
73 KT3K
|
| |
|
Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by W4LGH on December 24, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
The TS-520 was a great radio, but if one is looking for a true bargain and would like a more modern radio, with a very HOT receiver, and a honest 100watts out, I would suggest the Yaesu FT-840. Don't have the specs in front of me, but we did some receiver tests, NOT using testing equip, but instead using people ears and hooking various radios the the same antenna and tuning the same signals. Hi-tech testing equip. is great and necessary, but the truth comes when people listen and agree that the most bang for the buck was the FT-840.
I bought mine slightly used (6months old) w/FM for $350. Great radio, and Just food for thought.
73 de W4LGH - Alan
Happy Holidays
Vist my website.. Http://www.w4lgh.com
|
| |
|
Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by K8DXX on December 25, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
This has been a most enjoyable read through. A lot of good stuff has been said. A few things I'd mildly disagree with. Here goes:
The 520 is without a doubt, a true classic. I'd still prefer the '820 simply because it has more QRM fighting features. It also works great with an SM220/BS-8 station scope!
The FT 840 is one of the best kept secrets of our hobby. I used to take mine out camping and had a lot of professional engineers try it out. They couldn't believe how (relatively) quiet the receiver was; how great the IF shift worked and how great both TX and RX audio was. Wish I hadn't sold mine, too.
Can't say I am as enthusiastic about the HW-100/101. With only a 4 pole filter, receiver was a bit broad. TX audio was lacking. Reliability on mine and several others I've seen was poor.
One rig that so far has not been mentioned is the Kenwood TS180 (with DFC). It did not use a synthesizer so it was somewhat quieter. If fully optioned, it would have 8 pole xtal filters at both ends of the IF strip. This made for a really selective receiver. Its RF speech processor was great, too. I'll bet you could get one for $300-$400, only since they're vintage 1980 or so. At the time, they were Kenwood's top-of-the-line rig. Quality was tops. They DO require a little (20 min) warm-up for absolute stability. Again, wish I hadn't sold mine. A complete transceiver, speaker, ACPS, speaker and external VFO (the latter not really needed due to tunable memories) looks really cool on the operating table.
One guy's opinion de K8DXX
|
| |
|
Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by AC7NA on December 26, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
I inherited my Dad's 520 that he bought used in 1979. It was truly a great rig, but I always wanted a digital display. I searched in vain for the upgrade kit (at a reasonable price) for years. Finally, I purchased a 520S w/ the DG-5 display from a local SK estate sale. The old rig still put out 100W when I sold it on eBay w/ the original tubes. I love the 520S! One feature I liked was that they moved the meter function switch to a more logical location and changed the plate tuning to a vernier mechanism to simplify tuning.
I also have a 440SAT that I use on the WARC bands, but whenever I sit down to scan the bands, it's the 520S I fire up first. I think the receiver is top notch, even on 40M and 80M. I use the stock MC-50 mike, even though I have a Heil Goldline I use with the 440SAT. You can use the Goldline w/ the 520, but you have to crank up the mike gain quite a bit. I tried it, but I prefer the MC-50. I've never had to replace the finals and worry that my spares will go bad in their boxes before I have a need to use them.
I can't imagine ever getting rid of my 520S. It's a fun radio!
Brian AC7NA
|
| |
|
Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by VK5CC on December 28, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Yes ts 520s is a great rig as is my ts -820s, the 820s being slightly better than the ts-520s. I disagree with K4JHL, the TS-520S doesn't hold a candle to the KWM-2 Series Transceivers but they cost a fortune compared to the 520.( I own both!).The 706 mk 1 is also becoming good value on the second hand market and the IC-751A doesn't have the spectral purity on tx like the valve final rigs!When you compare the rigs of today with rigs like the ts-820s and kwm-2a's etc we really have not come a long way at all and the tx spectral purity has gone backwards in modern rigs!
Cheers from chris VK5CC.
|
| |
|
Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by M3GID on December 30, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Hi Guys, compliments of the season and all that!
Very interesting debate for discussion, personally I have no experience of either the 520 or the 718 but I would like to add the following:-
I started off on HF with an old pre-war ANGRC-9 in 1981, which I believe was american (although I was serving in the french army) it was a seperate Tx and Rx and a bloody nightmare to work on. I got hooked anyway and became a ham, my first civvie rig was a Sommerkamp FT707 - it was a starter rig and it came second hand with a full line-up of VFO, ATU, Ext Speaker and power supply which I bought for 5000 francs in 1982 (about $800 I think). It was "ok" but gave no real quality of performance in neither receive nor transmit and what a tight fit in that box if you neede to open her up. I part-ex'ed it for a 757GX which was even worse in my view so I kind of fell out of love with Yaesu. My latest rig was an Icom 737 with built in ATU, good rig but pretty average in every respect and it had an intermittent fault that we couldn't trace or rectify. I've just sold it and bought myself a FT1000MP MkV Field, plugged it straight in to the old set-up and what a difference, UNBELIEVABLE! I understand that not everybody can afford one, and it might be a bit of a shock for a starter / novice but show me a rig that can do what this rig can and I'll buy it!! Bells and whistles aren't everything for sure, but what this rig can pull out of nothing I don't believe any other rig can!!!
Happy new year to you folks!
73's de Geoff.
|
| |
|
RE: Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by K7VO on December 30, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Curmudgeon neglected to note the trimmer cap failures in the IC-751/75aA and the volatile RAM issue (radio goes brain dead). Sure, there are fixes for both problems and the IC-751A is a great rig IF the mods are done or if you are technically inclined.
Curmudgeon also neglects to mention that the Icom IC-740, which is not general coverage, had one of the quietest synthesizer designs ever. The IC-740 receiver is the only one which will outperform the IC-751A in an A/B test on the same antenna.
Finally, the IC-751/751A performance, while probably among the best in its day, has been surpassed by newer, more expensive rigs like the IC-756PRO/PROII. The idea that an old rig, even a great old rig, will outperform any and all newer rigs is absurd. Time and technology do march on.
Is the IC-751A relatively expensive compared to a TS-520S, and close in price to a new IC-718? Yes, but it is well ahead of both rigs in features and performace. While the receiver sensitivity may not be better than a TS-520S and the noise floor is somewhat higher, the filtering, and therefore the selectivity, is better. Bottom line: you will copy more marginal signals with an IC-751A than either of the "best" values listed here. Sometimes you do get what you pay for.
I would argue that some of the best of the '80s (Icom IC-740, IC-751A, Ten Tec Corsair and Corsair II, NCG 10/160M, Drake TR-7A, etc...) are worth as much as an IC-718 and more than a Kenwood TS-520S because you simply get more out of them.
73,
Caity
K7VO
|
| |
|
Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by KA7BTV on January 1, 2004
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
Well, I might as well join in. After a few years of using a Heathkit DX-60B/HR-10B combo and various military surplus rigs, in 1979 I bought my first "real" radio: a used Kenwood TS-511s. Very fine rig, made hundreds of contacts on CW and SSB with it. Time marches on, I sold the TS-511s to another ham friend to help finance a really expensive girlfriend (Pretty stupid thing to do BTW!). Along comes 1982. Dumped really expensive girlfriend(Pretty smart thing to do BTW :)). Bought myself a used Kenwood TS-520s/VFO-520 combo. VERY good radio. I was traveling alot then and used my TS-520s mobile in a 1964 Chevrolet pickup truck with a Swan antenna, and also in the shack. Was in my 20s then so lugging 30+ pounds of rig around was no problem at all. Well, I used my faithful TS-520s until sometime in late 1984 when a fit of craziness posessed me to trade it streight across for *Gasp* a Yaesu FT-101!!!. Well, I liked the '101 too, but it didn't take me long to discover that it was no TS-520s. Time went on and I was inactive for a few years but continued to buy-sell-swap rigs. Had several Collins, Drake, Icom, Yaesu, and other assorted HF Rigs. Always missed my old '520 though. It just seemed to me to be a more solid performer than alot of other rigs. But I found also that I wanted some of the then "newer" features, such as general coverage receive. I found my answer in another Kenwood rig: The TS-430s. What a winner of a rig! Has all of the TS-520s features and quality and more, is rugged, and is smaller and much lighter than the '520. I'm quite surprised that the TS-430s didn't get a mention here. I still have and use my TS-430s daily, and in 16+ years haven't had a single failure. Now that's reliability. In fact I own two of them. They work just as well as most of the newer rigs, and get audio complements alot. But my heart still holds a special place for yesteryear and the TS-520s. It is a good choice for anyone, and certainly qualifies as a "Bargain Jewel". I hope that these radios hang with us hams for a good long time to come.
|
| |
|
Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by WA2JJH on January 3, 2004
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Just did some ebay shopping. Seems like there are plenty of TS-520(S) to be had for $175. That is as good as it gets. Who says ham radio is an expensive hobby.
Picked up a DRAKE TR-7 for $350. Never had the money for that near mil spec. rig when it came out.
Also for those that do not want to use the audio speech processor in the TS-520(s), There are these new in line RF speech processors.
They go between the Mic and the rig. Your mics audio is converted to 455KC RF, processed, then converted Back to audio. The cost for the module is $70.
One can also pick up the old AUTEC audio RCVR processors. They are not DSP. However for about $70, you will get Mock notch and passband tuning.
73 DE MIKE
|
| |
|
Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by K0TEX on August 26, 2004
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
I have to disagree, I hightailed it into the local Ham shop with $600 burning a hole in my pocket and salivating at the image in my mind of an IC-718 hanging under the dash.
After several hours working both local and DX HF I opted for the used IC-735 instead and was quite pleased I did especially when a fellow Ham and I were camping near each other and I walked over to introduce myself, we then decided to work the late night 75 meter band.
I could pull out signals w/o the level of noise his 718 couldn't get rid of, and the sensitivity of the 735 won out also, BOTH with High-Q antennas, similar models.
The 718's a cutee alright, but not the rig the good old 735 is, I.M.O.
73 & enjoy whatever you have!
Joe
|
| |
|
Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by M5TXJ on September 17, 2004
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Hi all,
I have used all the radio's mentioned apart from the '718 even the atlas 210. IMHO the value for money choice has to be the IC-735 it's a keeper! works well and is reliable too. That's not to say if anyone would care to donate a IC-7800 to the shack that I wouldn't use it ;-p
73 Dave
|
| |
|
Bargain Jewels II -- HF Radios
|
|
|
by N7JS on December 30, 2004
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
The Kenwood TS-520S was my first radio. I remember my father buying it at a Lafeyette store back in 1976 for $649.00 plus tax. At that price, he had to tell me it belonged to the family and not just me. No one ever used that radio again but myself. As a 12 year old, I had done alot of research on it vs. the FT-101E. Ultimately, the looks of the Kenwood won over my adolescent mind. That radio took such a beating by me learning to tune it, etc., and it never failed me. I remember I was always proud to say I was using a 520S back then because nothing sounded like them. Anyway, later in my teenage years, I stupidly sold the radio (it didn't have the slightest scratch or mark....I treated it like fine china) for $400 with the CW filter and MC-50 Mike. I've regretted it ever since, and I've always missed that radio. Now at the age of 40 I have gone through a Kenwood TS-940S and ended up with a TS-2000, but none of them hold the flame like that old 520. Just last week, I found an Ebay auction for a 520S in mint condition going off at 7AM in the morning on a weekday. It was $132. I thought for sure it would be bid well past $200 but apparently no one was around. I got it! It arrived in the mail yesterday, and I almost thought my old radio had made itself back to me like it was yesterday. A pure jewel in mint condition and working in every way. Call me crazy, but I'll probabl | |
