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write your own review of the Kenwood TS-520S.
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K0PD
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Rating: 4/5
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Jul 3, 2009 15:05
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Very GOOD Radio Still.
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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It's to bad that E Ham does not allow us to give a 4.5 as this is where i would put these radios. I have had pretty much all the newer stuff and currently have a Icom Pro and a Mark2G and now a 520S that i bought from a person who aquired it at a ham fest and thought he would become a Ham. It came with the Transiever,DG5(digital readout) and Spkr with a nice D 104. Of course i figured there would be problems with a Radio setup this old but to my surprise all seems to be working like i had hoped. Now why did i buy it?Well i missed the sound of the older radios and not only am i pleased with my decision but i almost feel young again and playing with my first radios.Don't get me wrong as my Icoms are great but darn it feels good to dip the plate and hear stations almost as good as with my pro and this is with out DSP. I won't lie and tell you that i'll never let this station go but for now i'm impressed and in some ways realize that it was these type of radios that help to make Amateur radio exciting.Even tho my first radio days only go back to the Tempo ones and FT101's i can say this much the Kenwood should have been there with me as i overall believe the 520's beat out the 101's for stability and equal in build quality.I think a new Ham that has only used the newer digital stuff really need to own a KW 520,820 or 830 or a FT101 series radio just to have the experience and appreciation of todays radios.
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N7JI
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 12, 2009 12:23
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Great first rig
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Bought mine in 1984 when I had just gotten my Novice. Kept until 1994. Bulletproof, bulletproof, bulletproof. No abuse I could dish out during my tuning processes and impedance mismatches managed to do any hard whatsoever. In fact, in 1988 I bought a few spare pairs of 6146Bs and 6146Ws, which I turned out to never need.
I even took it portable. When one adds the generator needed to run it, that's something like 100 pounds. Not really recommended.
I eventually sold it to get on the WARC bands and get a general coverage receiver. I found the receiver quiet and relatively sensitive, although I had no CW filter...and if I did have one, there was no NAR/WIDE button, so you either had it or didn't.
Anyway, good times, good times.
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K6LO
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 10, 2009 09:54
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An honest radio
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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My first new HF radio was a TS-520S, back in 1978. It withstood all the abuse I, as a newly minted novice, could throw at it. You have no idea. That radio went through hell. Bad tune up procedures, hobbled together antennas with arcing transmatches, endless tinkering... Never failed. I sold it in the 90's, opting for a high tech radio. Recently I snapped a nice one up on eBay, partly for nostalgia, and also because I recalled that the TS-520S receiver was AMAZING for ten meter CW. Tons of sensitivity and very quiet. If you are looking for an honest, reliable, basic, HF radio, this is it.
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WB2JNA
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 15, 2009 16:54
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JUST PLAIN WORKS!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I got a TS-520S a year and a half ago to use primarily on CW, but to also have SSB as an option. I was used to Ten Tec rigs, but in my opinion the TS520S also does a fine job on CW. I find the semi-QSK is smooth through the VOX system and with the CW filter the receive is very sharp and clear. The radio also has a solid feel to it. I was very pleased.
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W3KI
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 23, 2009 14:22
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A keeper
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I bought it off eBay for less than $200 US about 3 years ago. I also bought, from another seller, a D-104 mic. I stripped out the amplifier circuit from the mic and rewired it, but the element was shot.
I gave up to pursue other things for a while...namely a beautiful wife and two young kids.
I got the itch to get on SSB again and rewired another LeJunque-Boxxe mic and now it works fine. I spoke with Cuba and Lithuania during my radio checks.
There are other radios I drool over, but this one is too much fun to consider giving up.
73,
W3KI
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N3AWS
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 25, 2008 17:19
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From the other side of the pileup
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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We had a 520S in Dominica in 1981-2. Between five hams, it was acive almost all the time. Using a Butternut verticle that was right on the beach, we literally worked the world daily. As the primary CW op, I thought it was a great CW rig, too. What are good clean 520S's going for these days?
N3AWS formerly J73JW
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WX4O
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 25, 2008 14:17
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excellent
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Bought a TS-520 about 1975, new. My first 'real radio', and I loved it. Owned a 520S about 3 years ago and it was even better.
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GM1FLQ
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 25, 2008 13:14
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Not for Nu-Ham Man
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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No DSP - great, non digital - great, no low quality TV screens - great, no flimsy VCR/DVD honky tonk build quality - great, no Chinese transistor PA - great, no unserviceable surface mount throw away circuits - great, not enough useless gimmicks & flashing lights for Nu-Ham man - great, no TS-520 models with pretentious names like "Pro" - great.
It is better to tell you what this radio isn't to describe how good it is - it isn't like the radios on offer today.
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WA7UHR
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 25, 2008 08:37
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Real Ham Radio
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Have to give it a fiver. Porbably the best Ham starter vintage transceiver around. This rig can give a new ham a better overall understanding regarding the evolution of modern day equipment while providing an excellent learning experience. The 520s allows the operator to interface interesting and useful options. Want a great rig and a real learning opportunity? Get a Kenwood TS-520s (not 520 or 520SE). My hat is off to the Kenwood engineers and folks that developed and marketed this marvel of Amateur Radio.
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K9AUB
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 20, 2008 13:48
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A workhorse!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I bought my beautiful old TS-520S new in 1978, so I've been running it 30 years now. It has worked over 300 countries. I had stored it away for about 15 years while I ran newer stuff, but recently dug it out and dusted it off. It shows a few dents, dings and worn spots, but cleaned up beautifully! It required some TLC, cleaning, squirt the wafer switches and pots, lubricate all controls, etc. I strongly recommend you take the time to carefully do a complete alignment on yours! It makes a BIG difference in a radio this old! This one had drifted off in alignment on several bands, causing around 5-6 S-units deterioration on some bands (particularly on 160 for some reason)! Once aligned and cleaned up, it quickly roared back to life, performing just as good as new on all bands! It still has the original S-2001 tubes, and they still put out full power on every band - amazing! Mine has the CW filter (STRONGLY recommended!), and the DG-5 digital display (REALLY great accessory!). It also has the rare DC power supply, making it great for Field Day or emergency use. No, it does not perform like a modern $3000 radio. But it is easy to use (no obscure computer screens to program), very sensitive, absolutely stable, RUGGED, and has great audio, both on transmit and receive. It gets many unsolicited rave comments about the audio on transmit. CW reports are great, too! The tube finals and rugged pi network easily handle moderately mismatched antennas. It would make a fabulous starter radio for anyone, and is still a very competent performer for anyone on any band. I am so thankful I hung onto mine all these years. I am certain it will long outlast me!
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