|
New to Ham Radio?
My Profile
Community
Articles
Forums
News
Reviews
Friends Remembered
Speak Out
Strays
Survey Question
Operating
Contesting
DX Cluster Spots
Propagation
Resources
Calendar
Classifieds
Ham Exams
Ham Links
List Archives
News Articles
Product Reviews
QSL Managers
Site Info
eHam Help (FAQ)
Support the site
The eHam Team
Advertising Info
Vision Statement
About eHam.net
|
|
You can
write your own review of the Kenwood TS-430S.
|
K4LVR
|
Rating: 5/5
|
May 7, 2008 14:09
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Solid, Dependable, A great Value
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
My TS430S, purchased new in 1985, was my first brand new, manufacturer assembled HF rig. I still have the factory shipping box and packing!
I splurged at AES Clearwater... The 2.1kHz SSB filter, the 400Hz CW filter, the FM module, the mobile mount. All the options!
It has been the best investment ($400 plus a TS-130 trade) that I have ever spent on ANY amateur radio device in 32 years in the hobby!
This TS430S has worked flawlessly since 1985, at home with wires, then beams, then in my car, working Australia and Scotland with a Hamstick on 15 meters while commuting home from work, on my sailboat loading the backstay with a tuner during the Gasparilla Celebration in Tampa, in a rental truck on a trip to New Orleans and back, in contests as late as 2006 and many FD's since the late 80's.
Not a wimper, not a glitch. Always there. Always reliable. Always consistently good performance.
While it does not compare with my newer radios, using it just feels right. All the controls are where you expect them to be and work as you expect them to work.
I recently had it serviced and it works as new. My last trip with it was to my in-law's in Pennsylvania, where it traveled in a Pelican case with an MFJ autotuner and a G5RV and was knocked all around by AirTran both ways. No problems! My friends back in Florida were treated to solid 10 over 9 signals on 40m to their amazement.
I had not used since last summer, it was still in the Pelican case. Took it out last night, plugged it in, and it was like old times... No issues, no problems, just solid performance.
The audio, as always, garners compliments from stations I work. I use a Heil BM5/DX4 boomset which matches the radio audi characteristics perfectly.
Working split is a bit cumbersome, but useable (I miss the TF-SET button on my 850) and the IF shift is primitive, but the filters do amazing things in QRM for its design age.
Simply put, if you can find one in good shape from someone that you trust, you wont be sorry.
And no, I will not sell you mine! If this thing had a computer control interface, It would still be my main HF transceiver.
Do the math. $700 outlay, used for 22 years and over 25 thousand QSO's with $125 invested in service. That's true value for the money.
Lu - W4LT
|
|
CX6AV
|
Rating: 2/5
|
Jan 10, 2008 16:59
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Mediocre
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
Ancho en recepción sin filtros opcionales, problemático en la salida de RF cuando existe R.O.E. inmediatamente se le incendia una resistencia del modulo de salida.Noise Blanker de adorno e inutil como casi todos los Kenwood de los 80s. y 90s.,lo único que hizo bueno la kenwood en esos años fueron los Receptores como el R1000,R2000 y R600.
Muy bonito de terminaciones,pero Yaesu y Icom de esa época fueron muy superiores...Lo tuve 3 meses y lo vendí.
|
|
KD7YVV
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Oct 25, 2007 21:34
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Takes a licking.....
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
I got this rig from my uncle in law when I
upgraded to General. He's been trying to get it
back since. :)
Very nice radio. I ordered an IC-7000 from HRO
and ended up sending it back.
This 430 just takes a licking and keeps on ticking.
The receive was opened up to receive below 150 khz.
Lots of NDF beacons from all over the place down
there.
The audio is excellent, and I always get great
audio reports.
I wish there were a way to filter out the hash
you hear on HF as it can get tiring to hear at
times, but for a radio its age, it's one of the
better ones out there.
As others have said, the AM is a little muddy
but for it's time, it was one of the best.
Full 100 watts out into a dipole and a tuner
with no problems.
When I first got the radio, I didn't have an HF
antenna or tuner, but I was curious to see what
I could hear. A piece of speaker wire 8 feet long
stuck into the antenna jack and laid out on the
living room floor pulled in some really good
signals.
I hope this radio can go another 20+ years because
I don't plan on getting rid of it anytime soon.
|
|
KD6MXE
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Oct 25, 2007 15:10
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
A friendly buddy
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
|
My 430 is over 22 years old and going strong. It has been on CAP search missions in the field when new and been a joy to have in the shack on 20 meters. Great audio and constant 5/9 contacts using a dipole. I do have the matching tuner. I do wish the noise blanker was more functional but that has been a minor complaint. Would like to know how to connect Kenwood SM-220 for band and reception monitoring. I prefer this old friend over my ICOM706mkiig (use primarily for 6 meters in the shack and my Motorola MICOMii. Good signal and transmit reports all the time. KD6MXE
|
|
KR9D
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Jul 3, 2007 19:05
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Great for the money
|
Time owned: 3 to 6 months
|
I've been exceptionally pleased with this $379 Fleabay purchase. The transmit audio has elicited excellent reports unbidden. I've worked DX, rag chew, and field day with it, and have used it with an autotuner and an amp. Some weaknesses, expected for a radio in this class:
1. The front end will overload in a multi-transmitter field-day site. A newer TS-440 was no better, but I haven't compared it with a higher-end rig of superior front end strength. The attenuator helps but not enough. In a ham shack, though, the receiver is quite good.
2. The metering shows ALC on output and signal strength on input. It does not show power output or SWR.
3. Power output can only be controlled using mic or carrier gain.
4. The narrow filters are needed (of course). I installed a 1.8 KHz SSB filter and a 500 Hz CW filter. The SSB narrow filter is a little narrow and really cuts into fidelity. There is no ability to cascade filters, or to select different filters in different modes.
5. The S meter only reads accurately when the RF gain is set to maximum. If you turn down RF gain and turn up AF gain to minimize atmospheric noise, the needle will climb higher and the reading will be false. This is reported in the manual.
6. As expected for this vintage, no internal antenna tuner.
7. As expected at this level, it requires an external keyer unless you use a straight key. No QSK. Semi-break-in is approximated with VOX.
8. VOX controls on the top and subject to accidental nudging.
9. No data port for rig control.
The good side of the radio is:
1. Excellent transmit audio and clean output, even pushing the ALC into the red without the provided processing. This is a very forgiving radio.
2. Excellent fine tuning to zero beat to a received signal.
3. Superb ease of use. This has been a great radio to learn on.
4. Easy to open up the transmit to frequencies outside the ham bands, such as MARS and CAP.
5. General coverage receiver.
6. Easy split operation for a radio with one display.
7. Band switch becomes a 1 MHz up and down tuning control, and another button increase VFO rate by 10. The VFO is a real, weighted knob.
8. Filters, amp cables, mike adaptors, and other accessories are readily available for this rig, which shares most interface plugs with newer and higher-end models.
9. Runs happily on 12 volts with full output, instead of requiring 13+ volts as some rigs do.
10. Easy to work on.
In conclusion, it's a great radio for those who are new to HF, and it's simple and intuitive to operate, with knobs instead of buttons. It's one of the better choices among older rigs that I've fondled at the sub-$400 price point. It's small enough to take with you, as long as you aren't sharing a band with a nearby strong station.
|
|
IW1DFU
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Jun 29, 2007 04:05
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Amazing old rig
|
Time owned: 6 to 12 months
|
I've bought an used one for 200€ with all optional filter inside and FM module also... It was bought as a second rig and I was very impressed how it work fine.
You've also to consider that it's still a rig where you can do some mods and you can also try to repair if you're able... It hasn't got any SMD or strange chip...
With the narrow filters it works really fine and you'll be amazed using thir rig... keeping in mind how much it's is actual value.
|
|
KI4OGD
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Jun 15, 2007 07:04
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Excellent performer
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
This rig was borrowed from my Elmer, and I honestly did not want to give it back! Easy to operate, solid reciever (if maybe a little noisy), and practically bulletproof. I used this thing in several contests, making contacts as far off as Serbia, Swain's Island, Argentina, and the Netherlands, form a small QTH in Northern VA.
In conclusion, a strong radio in a strong package.
|
|
N0TQQ
|
Rating: 5/5
|
May 8, 2007 20:10
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Dynamite in a small pkg
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
The Kenwood TS830S was my first HF rig, which I still use daily on the morning comkat net. My TS830S has great audio and great receive. My TS830S is a keeper.
Two years ago I purchased a Kenwood TS430S for $275. Most audio reports are the same between the two rigs. The signal reports are good clear audio.
The receive on the 430 is also good.
I'm used to loading up the 830, and I'm getting spoiled using the 430 on my other station in my office upstairs.
I use the 430 almost every night and have had no problems. Its half the size of the 830 and is much simpler to operate. The Kenwood TS430S is most certainly DYNAMITE IN A SMALL PACKAGE ! gary n0tqq
|
|
KK6AS
|
Rating: 4/5
|
Mar 24, 2007 11:52
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
2nd ts-430s
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
We have ownwed a TS-430 previously. I hauled it to a ship,which I was working as a radio officer.
The captain who was a ham wouldn't let me operate my rig.But the rig came back to the states. I have admired the reliablity of the 430;I got mine used. So there some problems that did not show up until later. The scond unit I own has all the filters ands a mod for RTTY.
The recive is very sensative and has a very clean signal. This rig I keep on the bench.
We are very impressed with the simplicity of the rig and the repairablity. I got the first 430 working by replacing the 7805 voltage regulator used in the VCO/PLL circuit. these were parts I hd on hand. To me the 430 is a very easy rig to repair and avaialablity of parts is very reasonable. I had help but we reapaired a dispay that was not visiable and got it working by resoldering about 30 joints. This the only drawback to the 430 is the bad solder joints that show up after many years of use.
But in summary that is the only drawback to the rig
73's
kk6as
|
|
W4VD
|
Rating: 5/5
|
May 29, 2006 17:51
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Solid Performer
|
Time owned: 6 to 12 months
|
I picked one of these up when my HF rig got sick for a little over 300 bucks and it served me well, worked a lot of big pileups with it, good receiver.
Great Kenwood audio, a very good low budget rig or backup.
|
|
If you have any questions, problems, or suggestions about Reviews,
please email your Reviews Manager.
|
|
|
|
|
