TS-850 / TS-450 difference?

[W7EJT]

Anyone know any significant difference between the Kenwood TS-450s and the Kenwood TS-850s (both with AT built in)?

I think they were both introduced in the early nineties.

I have the 450s and have a chance for a 850s and would appreciate your opinion(s)... thx

73
Alan
Myrtle Beach

[N4NYY]

I had an 850 on my bench for a dead display. It was a nice radio. I'd take one. The only problem was those faulty caps traced to some factory. But I really liked it.

[AC5UP]

Anyone know any significant difference between the Kenwood TS-450s and the Kenwood TS-850s (both with AT built in)?

The TS-450SAT was the standard radio from Kenwood, the TS-850SAT was their top of the line offering. In function they're essentially the same. Both are desirable in clean used condition, but the TS-850SAT borders on being a cult radio. Excellent receiver and the SSB audio quality is considered as one of the best. From what I understand finding someone willing to part with theirs is not that easy.............. ?

BTW:  I've owned a TS-690SAT for about 15 years and it's a perfectly capable radio. Same as the TS-450SAT but with the 6 Meter module.

[WB2WIK]

Anyone know any significant difference between the Kenwood TS-450s and the Kenwood TS-850s (both with AT built in)?

There are some substantial differences.  I own a TS-850S/AT since new in 1990 and have owned the TS-450S/AT also (but no longer).  Observed differences:

850S has 3 AGC settings, plus "OFF."  450S has no provision to turn off AGC.
850S has full CW QSK (if you turn off the amplifier keying relay); 450S does not offer this.
850S has a modulation monitor so you can listen to your own modulation on SSB; 450S doesn't.
850S has an IF notch filter; 450S notch filter is AF (audio) only.
850S has high-cut/low-cut IF slope tuning; 450S lacks this feature.
850S has built-in CW keyer standard; 450S doesn't.
850S has an optional plug-in digital voice recorder; 450S doesn't.
850S is easier to integrate with external VHF-UHF transverters, if you wish to.

As I recall those are the main differences.

[AF5C]

If one is looking for a used TS850, Radio City in MN has 2 or 3 nice ones for sale for around $600.  See www.radioinc.com and click on the used equipment webcam link.

73 John AF5CC

[W8JX]

As I recall the 450 is actually newer than 850 and while you cannot turn AGC off you can chose fast/slow and AIP which actually shuts preamp off.  As far as voice recorder I am not so sure as 570 supported it and it replaced 450. But voice recorder for these models including 850 is very pricey when you can have one for a 480 for abt 60 bucks.

[AF5C]

Or a voice recorder in a Yaesu FT450 for free!  The TS450 does not work with the DRU 2 recording unit.  However, it will work with the DSP-100 as will the TS850, but those are really pricey today.

John AF5CC

[WB2WIK]

As I recall the 450 is actually newer than 850 and while you cannot turn AGC off you can chose fast/slow and AIP which actually shuts preamp off.  As far as voice recorder I am not so sure as 570 supported it and it replaced 450. But voice recorder for these models including 850 is very pricey when you can have one for a 480 for abt 60 bucks.

The advantage of shutting AGC "off" entirely is for working full QSK CW.  Turn down the RF gain to adjust "volume," turn off AGC, and you can hear someone breaking between dits at high speeds.  The 450 won't do that.  The 850S also has AIP on/off.

The 450 did not support the digital voice recorder (no place to plug it in) -- although with some homebrew mods it could probably be made to work.

Having owned both, I kept the 850S.   But the 450S is a good rig.