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write your own review of the Kenwood TS-830S.
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KB0XR
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 15, 2010 13:01
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Wish I wouldn't have sold mine
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I had the 830, VFO 830,AT 230, and SM220. Wish I wouldn't have sold them looking for a more "Modern" rig. Mine was absolutely mint. Although I got a premium price at the time, I still regret it.
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K0CWO
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 15, 2010 09:31
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Amazing
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I bought this radio two years ago for 1/10 the price of what I paid for a new Icom 756ProII. My TS-830S is at least 30 years old and this rig really amazes me. The receiver is wonderful. The transmit audio using an MC-50 microphone sounds great. The radio is built like a tank. Definitely a keeper!
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AB4D
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 9, 2009 04:18
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A Keeper
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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No need to repeat what has already been said, but I recently picked up a TS-830S, my first, and can say that I am pleased with this transceiver. The rig has a nice sounding reciever.
I like the TS-830 so much, that I have begun to collect other pieces of Kenwood gear that match(SM-220, etc). I classify the TS-830 as one of the milestone rigs of ham radio. We all have our favorites, but certain ones, like the 830, just seem to stand out above the crowd, in high demand years after the were produced.
If you have never used one, try to get some time behind the VFO of an 830, I think you will be surprised of just how much fun this rig is to use. Kenwood really got this one right.
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EA1XF
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 7, 2009 03:08
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One of the Rigs that marked an era
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I am a proud owner of one of the best ever made hybrid radios. The TS-830S.
The audio, RX & TX is just awesome. I have a few HF radios on the shack which allow me to run some tests to compare them. Some other times, I am very lucky because I can borrow some new radios and test them too (some of the latest were IC-7700, FT-2000D PEP upgraded, Omni VII). The 830 has a shining clean and clear rich audio. It is its very natural sound what keeps me using it day in, day out. The smoothness of the VFO, makes tuning a pleasure. It has not so many features as modern radios but it manages itself very well. I get rid of most of the unwanted noises just playing with the IF Shift and VBT functions. Not to mention the effectiveness of the notch, which is one of the best I have ever tried and finally, the noise blanker acts very well too. On TX, whatever microphone you plug in, sounds wonderful. I don´t use the speech processor because I never do it with any radio, but I must say that the audio quality and punch of this one, works perfect and adds no distortion at all when is not over driven. The monitor works very well and it is very useful to test your audio when playing with different mics. Once you have adjusted the desired gain, which has to be done inside the radio, then all you have to do is turn up or down your AF gain to get the desire volume. That´s all.
I have all the matching external accessories and find the VFO 230 and SP 230 particularly useful, allowing me to work split and listen very comfortable having a front end audio source. I bought this radio new in 1990 (6 million series number so must be of a latest production) and for the time being, I have never had any problem. Still using the original tubes and getting 100 watts plus out on all bands. To end up, I just would like to say to those who own one, think twice before you get rid of it, otherwise you might regret it!.
73 to all of you,
Carlos
EA1XF
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KC0NIB
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 23, 2009 17:45
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Just aquired TS-820S and lovin' it!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Acquired this from a SK estate and paid a pretty price for it but it was admittedly in very pristine condition. Had it serviced by a local guy who specializes in the older radios, and it cleaned up so well; it almost looks new. Got the MC-50 to go with it and the VFO-820 which I have yet to try and use. Not overly excited about the on-board compressor that is in it, but it does seem to do well so far.
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G4IKP
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 3, 2009 15:26
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Nothing Better
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I can think of no reason whatsoever why I would ever part with my TS-830s.I can't say that I have seen and used every radio out there but I have never operated anything better than the 830.
Kenwood got this radio absolutely right when they designed it some 30 years ago. The radio has no toys like the modern stuff, just superb ergonomics and performance. The receiver, well its just stunning, if its out there you will hear it on the 830 and it won't fatigue your ears into the bargain. The transmit audio is the same story, undistorted and full rich sound. The layout of the controls are exactly as they should be you could operate this radio with your eyes shut in a coal cellar at midnight. If you are worried about plate and loading don't be just go and have a look at Ken K4EAA site and read the tuning instructions for Kenwood Hybrids and you will soon learn that the menu driven modern stuff that is sold as "ideal for the novice or foundation licence holder" is actually much harder to operate and understand than a 30 year old Kenwood Hybrid Radio like the 830s, and you will be learning about radio as well which is what our hobby is really all about. If you find one in nice condition for sale at the right price - buy it - I guarantee you will find no radio more pleasurable to own and operate.
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KD8EZU
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 22, 2009 13:39
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One of the few rigs that can be called "LEGENDARY"
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Logic would tell you that a rig that is 30 years old should not be able compete, or surpass a “modern” ham rig. Common sense would also dictate that the modern rig would be more reliable than a 30 year old transceiver.
Well, in the case of the Kenwood TS-830S, both logic and common sense get thrown out the window.
I acquired two 830S’s recently and although I am biased ( always wanted one ), I’ve got to say that they are probably one of the BEST boat anchors to own. I also own and use a FT-857D, TS-440S, and have owned a FT-101E , TS-820S, and a Ten-Tec Pegasus, so I’ve had some experiences with older rigs as a new ham ( Feb 2007 ).
Probably the first thing that a person notices with the 830S (and for that matter all of the Kenwood Hybrids) is the build quality. A tank- like chassis and housing, lots of stainless steel or anodized screws and truly nice knobs and switches, carefully routed and neatly tied-off wires.
The 830S and for that matter , many of the older boat anchors of that era were built as if they were expected to last 50 or more years, not as “planned obsolescence” devices. Most 830S’s are now 30 years old with, in many cases ORIGINAL PA TUBES, and still work.
They work even better if one spends a few nights doing some simple preventative maintenance. More on that in a bit.
You’ve read here and in other reviews how well these rigs transmit and receive. All the stories are true. I have my two 830S’s using 1) a MC-50 mic( beautiful ) , and 2) in the other a 1950’s Electro Voice model 630 mic . I usually keep the mic gain at 5 (halfway) and without the processor (which is superb!) and that keeps the ALC within its range and helps dynamic range not to suffer. I suggest for the 830S, and other tubed rigs microphones that one would label as “hot” or “crisp” in audio, and to carefully stay within the outer edge of the ALC. I’ve gotten nice audio reports and can cut thru QRN with the crispness and clarity of audio that the 830S is famous for. The Speech processor is a gem and if kept at between an 8-10% level on the COMP meter setting, provides real “punch” and clarity to your audio in noisy conditions. It’s a true RF processing type, and is devoid of harshness if, you set it properly. For reference, I use on mine settings of 3 -5 with 3 being the most common setting.
The receiver section of the 830S can only be described as phenomenal. Yes..Phenomenal for a modern rig, let alone for a 30 year old one.
Its sensitivity and selectivity have to be heard to believe. The VBT and Notch filter, used together with IF Shift, can isolate and make heard, a weak marginal station, and separate that station effectively from QRM like no other radio I’ve heard. You’ve got to give Kenwood credit for the design of this circuitry, for 2009 the 830S receiver would be considered excellent. For a radio built in the late 1970’s and early 80’s the “P” word comes to mind again……..phenomenal. Another plus is that the supplied speaker is sweet and soothing in reproducing the audio, and can be listened to for hours without seeming harsh or scratchy.
From a standpoint of how easy it is to service and maintain, here again the 830S (and its other Hybrid brothers) gets high marks. Big ole’ components on easily removable circuit boards, with well laid out wiring make it easy to fix or tune. The multifunction meter and built-in 25Khz calibration tone, make it easy to align, tune, and diagnose problems without the need for expensive test instruments. I aligned mine armed with just a nylon alignment tool and instructions I got off the Net. For a newbie like me with limited circuit knowledge, doing electrical work on an 830S is inspiring.
My suggestions for what to do to acquire one is to be VERY wary of the 830S’s on Ebay sold by a non-ham. These “gems” have descriptions like “Turned it on and the lights came on “, I don’t know how it works but it seems to be OK”, or ”worked flawlessly 15 years ago when it was boxed up”. Try to buy one that the seller pledges is working on all bands, and is willing to say so. Ask if the digital display works without problems. Ask if the rig puts out full power on all bands, and particularly on 10 meters (80-100 watts there). Prices for 830S’s can be as low as $250-$or 300 (from a non-Ebay sale) for a marginal unit (needs work or rough cosmetics) to $450 to $600 for a flawless, all filters, has new tubes, and HV caps, aligned, etc.. 830S. Ebay is hilarious, as even POS’s have fools that bid way above what they’re worth. If you can 1) talk to the seller, 2) who is a ham, 3) who is perceived to be honest, then I’d say pay his price. Of my two 830S both were from hams ( not Ebay resellers) I paid $450 for a absolutely flawless 3 million series unit, and $375 for one that was a 1 million series with a few problems ( easily fixed by even a bonehead like me) .
When you get your 830S I recommend you do this as soon as possible:
1) Unscrew one half turn and then GENTLY screw back ALL screws that hold the circuit boards to the chassis to “revitalize ground connections. Remember to not torque down the screws too tightly or you’ll crack the circuit boards
2) Unplug all wire loom connectors that plug into the circuit boards and spray both the male pins and the female jacks (the part you plug out) with De-Oxit, then reinsert. Now a word of caution here. Use a needle nose pliers and be DAMN gentle in pulling out the connectors. Pull them one at a time to avoid confusion. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DO THIS IF YOU”RE A TOTAL KLUTZ!!
3) Replace the 12BYAC driver tube. This sucker almost always is weak and will prevent you from achieving full output power or will “sag” under sustained keydown .It’s dirt cheap and really easy to replace.
4) Replace the High Voltage (HV) capacitors and corresponding resistors and caps. Once again , these are usually weak by years of use and the Electrolyte used probably is drying up and is on its last legs . This can cause the rig to lose power on transmit during a long QSO exchange or PSK-31 use. Ken at www.k4eaa.com sells excellent kits for the HV replacement and also a kit for the Final Cage PA refurbishing. He also sells lotsa stuff for the 830S and ALL the Kenwood Hybrids. The HV replacement and final cage refurbishing procedures are very easy. Take a picture before you start the work of the area and check and recheck your wiring afterwards. Ken’s site has excellent step-by-step instructions with photos.
5) Replace final tubes. If your rig puts out full power on all bands and does not “sag” after a keydown of a few seconds, or works well after just a new driver tube replacement, then you can keep using the existing final tubes. If you decide to replace the tubes, use only 6146B’s or 6146W’s and YOU MUST NEUTRALIZE THESE NEW TUBES afterwards. I actually converted (easy ) one of my 830S’s to the 12 volt 6883B tubes which are as common and cheap as ants .The neutralization procedure is easy with a RF probe , but can be tedious with just a dummy load and watt meter. A RF probe can be easily made to work with an 11MegOhm standard VOM. Replacing the tubes and neutralizing them require some reading up on the procedure. If I could do it, trust me, you can too. Only do this if needed however.
6) Align the receive and transmit sections. If you have a dummy load and a nylon or plastic hex type alignment tool, this is an easy bit of servicing that is can be done. Care must be taken when adjusting the ferrite coils as they’re fairly delicate. Read up on the procedure beforehand, but with the right tool and care it’s easy to do. If you replace both the PA tubes AND the driver tube an alignment is a must do.
So that’s it.
My long-winded review of the TS-830S. Don’t sell yours if you have one already, you will regret it. If you’re looking for a back-up or starter rig, look no further, you’ll be hard pressed to find better.
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KE6ICD
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 10, 2009 08:53
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Old Friend!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Everytime I use this radio i'm just amazed it was built so long ago and still holds it's own!
What a pleasure to use. I would like to thank Ken K4EAA for suppling the parts and knowledge to help me keep it running in as new condition!
I own a TS 950sd also but mostly run the 830!
The audio is just awesome!
Ray Wolfbrandt
KE6ICD
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N4TIS
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 2, 2009 15:11
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Great Radio
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have been using an 830 for tyhe past 10 years. The one I have now has been on the air for me the last 6 years.
It is easy to use and if you have any problems easy to work on.
You have to understand plate, losd and drive but it is solid as a rock once it warms up.
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N5IVZ
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 1, 2009 10:05
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a workhorse!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Year 4 on my third 830s...have my 570dg in the shop and this 830 just keeps going and going and going...
if you can pick one up, do it and hold on to it...
great radio!
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