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write your own review of the Kenwood TS-180S.
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W7KEY
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 24, 2011 20:11
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Classic radio
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I purchased my first TS180s in 1977 along with all the accessories. Upgraded it with the WARC kit and multiple modifications, including filters, etc. Unfortunately, it smoked on day...literally. I placed it aside and purchased a TS870s. But I missed the TS180s. Found one on craigslist and it now is my second station - and works great. Side by side comparison, if I use a Timewave 599 places it nearly on par with the best.
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VE3MCX
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 17, 2011 18:56
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Great Rig
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I purchased this rig and the PS-30 power supply new in 1980 when I was first licensed. Paid a whopping too much for it then, compared to what you can pick one up for today. I believe it was Kenwood’s top of the line rig back in 1980 and the first all solid state base rig. I had a good first year operating CW with the rig and got my advanced license one year later. I was in college at the time and have not been on the air since then. It’s still in mint condition and packed away in the box, but I’m finally starting to get back into ham radio and will be using it soon. I installed the WARC band kit about 6 months after I bought the rig. I’ve since acquired the SP-180, VFO-180- AT-180 and SM-220 scope on ebay so the station is complete.
About two years ago, I picked up the SSB and CW filters for 50 bucks, installed them, powered up the rig, and got about 15 to 20 watts output (about 6 amps current draw). Last time I used the rig, about 30 years ago, it was definitely putting out 100 watts. I left it for a few weeks while I thought about it. Finally, I decided the only thing different was the filters, so I placed the SSB filter switch and jumper wire back in their original positions, powered up the rig and it was back to 100 watts. After examining the solder points, with a magnifying glass, where I soldered the filters to the circuit board, I noticed a couple of cold solder joints. I touched them up, reversed the SSB switch and jumper positions, fired up the rig, and it was back up to 100 Watts output
The 180S has enough knobs for my liking and no menus. It’s simple to operate and easy to tune up (yes, it’s solid state, but still needs tuning – just the “Drive” control knob). Power is variable from QRP all the way up to 100 watts. Receiver is very quiet and IF shift works well. I’ve used the rig QRP quite often on CW and always had great results. I’m planning on keeping it for a long time even if I finally get one of those DSP rigs.
For the price you can find them for today, $200 to $350, they are worth every penny.
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KB3RJH
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 14, 2009 06:57
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Great rig! Great performance
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I am giving this rig an all around 5 for it's performance and simplicity. I have played around with several other rigs over the last year or so and none of them really compare to the singal tx/rx of this rig and the simplistic operation imho. Yes, there are better radios but, I like this one! I always get great signal reports. I use this rig mostly for digital modes with my Donner interface and once I got it set up, haven't had to touch the setting since.
The VFO does drifts a bit but, there seems to be a fix for it that I have seen from time to time. That will be next on the project plate along with finding the ssb/cw filters to install. I have the MC-50 mic, matching sp-30 p/s, and the sp-180 external speaker. What a great radio, i'm glad I bought it!
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PU4ASL
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 17, 2009 13:47
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An excellent equipment
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have a full line of the TS-180s to 7 years, I always keep it original and well maintained.
Recently he made a movement in the display, the Q20 is conclude that TMC-1000, not found for purchase, a friend has one for me.
It is an old equipment but of excellent quality in TX and RX.
I do not have the WARC KIT (CK-18) with new bands, there's no one Why do not we have information, who know us know.
I have the TS-180s + VFO-180 + SP-180 + PS-30 + MC-35S + YK-88s optional cristal filter.
Visit the site dedicated to Line in "Trio Kenwood Yahoo Group".
Lovers of the TS-180s, help us to maintain this precious lives, especially those living in the U.S.A. and has access to what is left of this line of equipment.
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KG4IZO
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 6, 2009 20:09
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One of kenwood's best!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I recently purchased a ts-180 off of ebay in mint condition.I hooked this baby up an was blown away by the quality tx/rx on this old timer.The radio drifted a bit until i performed a simple mod on the vfo and now she's solid as a rock!!I paid 385.00 for this rig and let me say it's worth more than that to me..This radio has the best noise blanker of ANY HF RIG i have ever owned and believe me i have owned my share..I now have the complete 180 station.The vfo speaker and tuner..One nice old rig..I recently set it side by side with a kenwood ts-2000 and on 10 meter i could hear stations on the 180 that i could not even copy on the ts 2000 due to the high noise floor!!Like i said this is the best kept secret i have ever found..If you can find one in good condition you will not regret it buy it and the sweet sound of analog will bring you back..Forget dsp as this one in my book tops them all!!
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W5WAA
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 6, 2009 09:42
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Best buy out there
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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The best $350 I ever spent on ham equipment. Solid state, old school design that you can work on if need be, solid reliable 100 watt output. Lots of knobs and adjustment for everything. With a G5RV antenna and a cheap mike most people accuse me of running an amp. Reports say it sounds as good as any radio on the air. If you can hear 'em you can work 'em. Excellent receiver. Unless you like programming and lots of menus, I don't know what else you need. Unless it gets hit by lightning this is the last HF transceiver I plan to own. The only minor ussue is the fact that it drifts a tiny bit for the first 20 minutes or so, but it predictable and does not detract from the day to day operation. If you find one and you want to get back to basics, get one.
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N6KYS
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 19, 2007 11:04
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Excellent!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I loved owning this rig. It was outstanding for its day, and would be a good, reliable rig to use today. Obviously, it won't have the intermod supression and DSP that modern rigs have....meaning don't get into a bidding war on ebay for one, unless you're a collector. That said.....this was definitely one of Kenwood's success stories.
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HB9FBJ
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 27, 2007 08:09
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Solid rig
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Selective, quiet, nice mellow sound on both Rx and Tx (w/ MC-50). No bells & whitles but a solid performer. If you find one in a good shape and like this kind of "vintage" radios, buy it. You will not regret.
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W0DKM
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 27, 2006 06:49
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Classic
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I found my ts180s on ebay. I had never used or even seen one. I have and use older kenwoods 520, 530, 570, 820, 830, 870. All great rigs and easy to use. The 180 is as good as any of these. I have yet to learn the memory items. thats a bit confusing. Mine is 100% working wise, and most of the time, gets through pileups.
For a new ham, this would be a good first rig.
The Drive is the only adjustment needed when changing bands. It matches the rigs mixer coils with the antenna used.
Tons of output 150-200 watts depending on the band.
I had a KB1 tuning knob, much better then the OE knob.
The only problem I have found is that the ALC meter starts losing its swing during prolonged transmit. But I never lose the output. There is a fix for this common problem, but I dont care, if she keep putting out.
Great $200-300.00 rig
Dave
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K0PD
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 1, 2006 18:59
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Really Enjoy My 180..
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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Bought this radio on E bay a few month's back with out a mic or manual. I wired my old reliable Shure 444D for it, and ordered a copy of manual. The audio report's have been really good and i find my self using the radio as much if not more than my two current yaesu's a 990 and 900.There is some drift for the first 30 minute's or so but afterward's quite solid. I find the recieve to be nothing short of excellent and as other's have said it is quite forward in operating.I plan to keep it for quite awhile as i just find it fun to use and remind's one of a more simpler time. My advice is if you can and the word is can find one that is clean and in excellent working condition buy it and then set back and enjoy....
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