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write your own review of the Kenwood TS-50S.
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VA3GRP
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 20, 2008 13:52
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Great little radio
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I've owned my TS-50s for 18 years now, and it just keeps on workng and working and working. The only problems I ever encountered over those 18 years is a bad solder joint in the audio section, and two mini light bulbs in the display burnt out from long use. I added the bhi industries DSP module to the inside of this radio about a month ago,and this little trooper receives better than some of the more expensive rigs I've heard. It now sounds more like an FM receiver, than a noisy AM receiver, it's so quiet, with hardly any white noise to be heard,and the signals are just booming through from anywhere around the world. What I hear I can contact without use of an amp. (although I do have a Yaesu 2100b amp sitting next to it in my shack) I use a G5RV with a 1.5kw MFJ-926D roller tuner, and with both their help, this little radio sings it's signals anywhere I wish it to go, with no trouble at all.
Great little radio. I grade it a 5 out of 5 against any more expensive radios I have ever heard or worked. I'll never part with mine. This has become my baby, and I have pride using it.
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WA6MOW
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 24, 2008 09:58
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Simplicity at its best!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I have been using an FT-950, FT-857D, FT-817, Icom 703, and IC-718, so I definitely have something to compare it with. I forgot how much fun it is to use a simple rig! No deep menues to wade through every time a change is needed. The cw filter is definitely a must if you are a serious cw operator. This little radio is built like a tank. The receiver seems quiet and works quite well. I did have to search around for my old Lil Bugger Curtis K5 keyer, which I put away 20 years ago as this rig has no built in keyer. To my surprise, using an external keyer was also a real treat. The TS-50 is selling for about $400 to $500 putting them in competeition more modern rigs which may suit your needs better. This little rig has a cult following and will most likely hold its value for a long time to come.
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N4FDG
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 31, 2007 19:52
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Great Rig
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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One of the best HF rigs on the market for the money, if you get it for $400-$500. I've used one in the shack for 8 years, mostly CW. I've also got an Alinco DX-70TH in the shack and they are equal in performance. Can't be beat for the money.
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WB4TJH
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 15, 2007 14:30
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Tried, true, and simple to operate.
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I just picked up the 3rd TS-50 I have owned over the years. I still kick myself for trading off the other two. But this one is like new out-of-the-box and it is a real jewel. I have teamed it up with my Timewave DSP-9 and an external speaker, and now I have all the flexibility I really need for nets and everyday rag chewing. The TS-50 is sitting on top of my TS-570Sg, but I seem to be using it more than the larger rig. I will especially enjoy this one for operating picnic table portable with a big battery. The only thing I plan to add is a CW filter. It's just a good, solid, easy to use, reliable radio with outstanding audio. I think it's a shame Kenwood dropped it. It's so simple to use and a real pleasure to operate. I won't make the same mistake again...this TS-50 is for keeps.
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KK6AS
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Rating: 4/5
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Aug 7, 2007 16:07
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KK6AS
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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We just got are TS-50 on a trade situation. I am very pleased with simplicity of operation. Kenwood built a very simple reliable radio.
I have owned many radios and repaired and modified them. but I must say the TS-50 is a really good radio. Right up there with the TS-430S. I made my first 160 meter contact using a raingutters set up a while back.Very pleased with just the simple operation of the radio. Great as a mobile. Which we will be doing soon. So all in all the radio forgiving and reliable. Very similiar to a marine HF SSB transceiver. Which has to ruggedized because of stupid operators.
Trust me I was a radio officer on oceanagraphic research and cargo container ships for six years.
I would give it a 4.5 on 5 scale. Sorry kenwood discontinued it.
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IK1QLD
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 10, 2007 05:31
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A great radio!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Sono siddisfattissimo del mio RTX TS-50, che ho dal 1995. I am very pleased on my TS-50 I have since 1995. I can suggest it to everybody. Lo consiglio a chunque incondizionatamente, leggero, perfettamente trasportable, con il suo accordatore dedicato è l'ideale per tutti i luoghi e per tutte le occasioni. With its dedicated tuner is useful in every place and for all pourpose.
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N8MRC
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 26, 2007 20:05
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Awsome Radio
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Awsome radio for the price I paid for it($420). I use it with a G5RV and a LDG Z-100 Autotuner and talk all over the world. Looking for another one to put in the mobile, if you can get one for around $450 get it you will not be disapponited.
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ZS5J
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 24, 2007 05:25
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fantastic hf radio
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Yes this radio doesn't have all the cw features that a current production "do-all" radio has, and neither does it have DSP....but this radio was designed more than 16 years ago !!!!! It is not fair to compare it to an IC-7000, IC-706MK11G etc....however for casual ssb hf work, this radio is fantastic. I prefer the sound of the rx and tx audio of this rig, to my IC-7000 IC-706MK11G or my FT-100D.
It is thanks to the Kenwood engineers that designed this radio - at the time, it was groundbreaking....having an HF radio as small as a 2 meter radio....and this paved the way for other manufacturers to build similar sized radio's. It was way ahead of it's time in 1991, and deserves this recognition. I have a used one, and a new one in an unopened box that I am keeping for posterity.
73
John ZS5J
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KE5C
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Rating: 3/5
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Feb 22, 2007 20:04
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Not for CW & not for contesting
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I always wanted a TS-50s for a backup radio. The small size and basic functionality appealed to me, but little did I know how limited was that basic functionality. Most CW operators don't operate using a sidetone of 830 Hz. While you can adjust the CW transmit offset, you cannot adjust the CW sidetone. Most modern rigs track those two - CW offset and CW sidetone. If the offset is 500 Hz, so is the sidetone. I found it very annoying to copy code at 500 Hz and hear sidetone at 830 Hz. The only way to change the latter would be to replace three surface mount chip capacitors.
The second huge flaw is the lack of computer control. Oh it can be done if you can find two separate out-of-production and expensive accessories, or if you breadboard your own replacement. Finally, there is no audio DSP. I didn't realize how useful I find audio DSP until I didn't have it.
This is a nice, small, and simple SSB rig, but if you are a CW operator, look elsewhere.
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I1QII
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 5, 2006 06:50
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Great Radio
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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Ham from 1981, i like cw, sometimes ssb and swl also. I had recently a TS-50 like new and i tested it strong in A/B comparation cw and ssb in various band conditions whith a number of rtx (IC-706, IC-725, IC-728, IC-707, FT-817, FT-897),
the TS-50 was simply the Best.
SSB rx and tx is excellent, construction vy rugged, affidability high.
Really a radio to keep.
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