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| Reviews Summary for Kenwood TS-700 |
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Reviews: 17
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Average rating: 4.1/5
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MSRP: $799
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Description: Mid-70s 2m multi-mode transceiver, 10W on TX. Completely analogue (although the S model did sport a digital display), one of the choice 2m rigs of its day.
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VK5KEE
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Rating: 4/5
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Apr 29, 2005 06:02
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Stable Rig
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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This is a rig I picked up from a local amateur for a reasonable price. The thing that inspired me to this purchase was the all mode capability. Unfortunately I have not used any other mode than FM on this rig. A small function I like about this rig is the meter centre function, in which I can calibrate the VFO to our local repeater.
The only issue I have had with this rig is its output is heavily bassy. This may be due that it is overdue for a general tune-up (as this rig has been sitting dormant for 2-3 yrs) although the solution has been to install a capacitor in line with the microphone. This has helped matters immensly, as I am starting to sound more legible. Finding the right capacitance is a trial and error task.
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N1VBL
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Rating: 4/5
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Jan 7, 2004 22:59
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Gift that keeps on giving
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I recieved the TS-700 from my father in-law as my first rig. He received it from a silent key. This was a great first radio before I had learned enough to make my first purchase. This radio gave me experience after I got my first license. Reliable, Quality audio, rugid and fun to learn on. I tried to add PL to it without success, but I chalk that up to my experience. It has now been given to another family ham and is being used as a 2M base FM.
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KG4LFZ
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 14, 2003 22:11
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Good tough rig
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I got the TS-700A as a gift. I like the rig. Since I have no other 2 meter allmode rig to compare it with, it sounds good and receives very well with a 10 element cushcraft beam. I don't use a pre-amp or amp with it yet but getting an amp is very near in the future. The RX is like on my HW-8, but just a little better than it. Over all I think this rig is a good starters rig to get on 2 meters allmode. I have heard a few SSB station on 2 with this rig but not enough power to go back to them. But it works well into the no PL tone repeaters. I think it is a very good working rig. If I could I would buy another one and put it at my portable station in Pennsylvania. 73's to all de KG4LFZ Ed
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KU4QD
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Rating: 3/5
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Sep 3, 2002 11:07
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Great in it's day, a bit deaf by modern standards
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Years ago I ran a TS-700A with a Janel preamp for 2m SSB/CW as well as FM and loved it. I recently, after a long period of unemployment, picked one up locally from a friend in the area at a very nice price, so I have renewed my acquaintance with this venerable radio. It's still an OK rig, and it's certainly better than the even older and more limited KLM Echo II it replaced, but it's not up to modern standards.
The previous reviewer did a good job describing the rig. Given a choice between a Yaesu FT-221R, an Icom IC-201, a KLM Multi-2000, and the TS-700A, the Kenwood is probably the best of the bunch in terms of performance. It was also the most popular of the lot. The receiver is crunch proof, but that's mostly because it doesn't hear very well. A preamp can make it tolerable. A Mutek replacement front end can make it very good indeed, and I may look into one again for my new-to-me old rig.
I should point out that a stock TS-700A (the American version) only offers repeater offset capability above 146 MHz. The rig had to be modified for repeater splits below that.
Some positives: the TS-700A has great transmit and receive audio regardless of mode with the now ancient stock Kenwood hand mic. I've received complimentary reports through the local repeater. The rig is built like a tank. While the TS-700A and TS-700G (the European version) predate the use of PL on repeaters there is a TONE switch for the old European tone burst that can be utilized to turn on and off an aftermarket ComSpec board. The rig is designed with the weak signal SSB/CW op in mind, is quite stable, and has an RIT control.
Overall, if you're on a tight budget, a TS-700 isn't a bad way to get on 2m SSB/CW and it will also serve for repeater use. If you can afford better there are certainly better choices out there.
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VK3BRZ
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Rating: 4/5
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Aug 11, 2002 23:55
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A classic rig, still good today
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I bought my TS-700A several years ago, second-hand. The rig was in near-pristine condition, and the asking price only $120. What a bargain! It only needed new dial lamps and a re-alignment of the IF stages.
The TS-700A is a straight analogue-VFO tuned 2m all-mode, solid-state transceiver dating from the mid-'70s. No memories (unless you count the crystal-locked channels as such, but who would buy all those crystals today?!). It features a built-in AC supply, but will also operate from 12V DC. It is really a base-station rig primarily intended for SSB/CW operation, but can be taken portable if you want. FM, including +/- 600kHz repeater offset is included. It was Kenwood's competitor to the Yaesu FT-221R.
The rig covers the full 2m band in 1 MHz bands, with 1kHZ dial resolution. Operating the TS-700A is much like using a HF radio of its era.
Transmit power is 10W output, very light on for a rig of its size, but then we've come a long way since it was made. It's enough to drive a 100W brick amplifier. The receiver is, well, deaf by modern standards, and definitely requires a pre-amp for serious work. However, it is about as crunch-proof as you're likely to encounter in any modern rig, and probably better than most. This is due to the very good front-end filtering and the very clean VFO (no noisy synthesizers in this baby!).
I keep my '700A mainly as a stand-by rig, but I often put it on air for serious work because it's just such a nice radio to operate, and performs so well. For anyone wanting a cheap 2m SSB rig, I can thoroughly recommend it. Forget the lack of modern bells and whistles - just enjoy the rig for what it is, and what it can do.
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K9ROD
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Rating: 4/5
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Dec 10, 2001 12:43
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Excellant 2m Starter Rig
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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If you are looking for a good 2 meter starter rig....this is the one. I love this rig. It doesn't have all the bells and whistles of newer rigs, but the price is right. I got mine from eBay and see others quite often for sale. Built in power supply, SSB, repeater off-set, and excellent audio out ... what more do you want? No tone board for repeater operation though. Matching speaker is the SP-70, vox unit is rare to find, and I recently purchased a TS-600 6 meter rig to go with it. Looking for a good used rig .. get one of these.
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HB9DRD
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Rating: 4/5
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Dec 9, 2001 15:44
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Good basic rig
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have owned two TS-700s in my time. I owned a TS-700 in the mid-80s and it was my workhorse 2m DX radio, and I now own a TS-700G. I am currently using the G as a tunable IF for satellite work where its sensitivity is not an issue (thankfully). What stands out is the feel of the VFO knob, it is so silky, and the cleanliness of the receiver. Its a pleasure to use, but definitely not up to modern band conditions without a new front-end, e.g. Mutek.
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