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write your own review of the Kenwood TS-711A.
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WD4AB
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 20, 2011 19:38
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Awesome Rig
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I've had this radio for several years and it performs flawlessly! Very effective, especially for working SSB. I always have great audio reports! If you're looking for something to work weak signal, look no further.
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KX7P
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 3, 2010 00:29
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20 years and still going strong!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I've had my Kenwood TS-711A for over 20 years. I have had no problems with mine and use it on a regualr basis. It has all I need to work repeaters, simplex and SSB.
Anyone looking for a nice size base station FM/SSB radio will be very happy with this model. It's not complicated and all the controls are easy to use.
The radio has a good receiver and transmits superb FM and SSB audio. It's only 25 watts, but I've found that is plenty of power with a good base station antenna. I use a 5 element beam and able to access high elevation repeaters over 200 miles away.
I've never had any problems or issues with mine. Even being over 20 years old it is still a very good all mode 2 meter transceiver.
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KC9SNB
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 5, 2010 00:09
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I love this thing
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have more powerful two meter radios than this, but the trusty 711 is my absolute favorite. Though it is used almost entirely in FM mode, I love the fact that I can operate SSB and CW. This is a single band radio built the way that big multi band radios are built, and able to be tweaked and adjusted the way a big radio would be adjusted. Too many of the 2 meter units out there are VHF versions of CB radios, with a few simple controls and little flexibility. The 25 watts of output (continuously variable with an RF knob), is more than enough for my needs. Everyone I talk to loves this thing almost as much as I do. I have it hooked up to a home brew Slim Jim antenna, and I can get just about anywhere in my metro area on the lowest power of two watts. I am surprised at some of the criticisms I have heard. The unit is neither deaf, nor is it underpowered. The only downside to the 711 is that it is so satisfying to operate, you might never be tempted to make the move to HF.
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GM1FLQ
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Rating: 2/5
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Feb 18, 2009 05:28
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It's simple, it's deaf
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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Needs a masthead pre-amp because on its own it is deaf. Changed mine for an FT290 mk1 with Mutek and then realised just how deaf the 711 was. I bought my 711 new - for less money I got a new FT290 with pre-amp fitted and a new 100w linear.
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N6BOB
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 10, 2009 14:15
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Continues to be a great radio
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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This is a wonderful old workhorse 2 meter all mode radio. I have used it for SSB and FM and now CW it is works great for all situations. I love the clicking of the VFO/channel knob from channel to channel then it goes to smooth turning when in VFO mode. Have replace the S-meter bulb twice with Radio Shack bulbs and the PA once after years of use and I think a high SWR may have cooked it when I switched to an un-tuned antenna. I get frequent reports of great audio with this rig on FM and never get them with the FT-897 or IC-746Pro.
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WA4RVB
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 10, 2009 11:17
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GREAT ALL MODE
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Bought New 22 Years ago. Not one Problem. Still Looks as good as new.One Great Kenwood Radio..
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KA5ROW
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Rating: 5/5
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May 2, 2008 22:41
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TS-711A Fine Radio
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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The Kenwood TS-711A was my second 2 meter all mode radio my first was a Kenwood TR-751A and for a time I owned them both at the same time. With a antenna switch I could go between the two radios. The TR-751A had a better receiver when a station was very weak, When it was not readable on the TS-711A I could tell what the other station was saying in the TR-751A but still weak.
Just for a reference purpose on the TS-711A a S reading of 1 and maybe 10% copy. The TR-751A would have a S reading of 2 and 85% copy but weak. I was happy with both radios and and had no issues with either one, I sold them to buy the Kenwood TS-790A
I bought the TR-751A new and owned it 10 years.
I bought the TS-711A used and owned it 3 years.
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KE7GGZ
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 7, 2007 11:53
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great radio for it's age!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I just picked-up this radio off E-bay and after reading all of the reviews I decided on this radio...I have not been a ham long, but did take the advise of a senior ham...Get the radios with individual bands instead of a multi-band radio if it should break!...Even though it is an older rig, it can be worked on by almost anyone because it has yesterday's technology. It has great kenwood audio and after listening to one on a local net, that is what sold me on this radio...A 160 watt brick amplifier and a good dual quad antenna is all that is needed for ssb work in my RV on top of a mountain in Flagstaff, AZ. when the solar cycle comes around....Now, if I can only find the TS-811 to complete my trio to include a TS-440 and if I get froggy for AMSAT, I'll be halfway there!
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K5YY
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Rating: 4/5
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Aug 12, 2005 13:41
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good rig
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Have had 2 of these over the years. Drawback is the low power output, not enough to drive the KW amps out there. To the reviewer who wants 25 instead of 20 watts out, this is so small an increase for "barefoot" that you will not see a significant difference in reports you get.
The output is similar to the Yaesu FT726R and a bit less than the 736R. All of these rigs need at least a brick amplifier to be competitive for low signal work. They barely drive a 3CX800 amp to about 400-500 watts. The newer 100w 2 meter rigs are much more self sufficient, can drive a KW amp and power can be lowered down to drive a 25-40 watts "in" 250 -300 watt brick amp.
Bottom line, if you want to do anything other than local repeater work, like doing tropo, meteor scatter, E skip, ducting and such, you will need a brick amp at a minimum...
Just my thoughts. The 20-25 watt rigs will mainly just drive a brick amp, not a KW unless maybe the newer tetrode models (4CX800) with lower drive requirements.
To the reviewer below, keep the output at 20 watts, do not cut back the alc clamp and the finals will last longer too... Get a cheap brick amp with 160 watts output and built in preamp. ALL of these rigs need preamp help for low signal work...
Good hunting on VHF!
73
San K5YY
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W4PIG
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 12, 2005 12:53
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GREAT RADIO
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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GREAT RADIO FOR THE MONEY.THIS RADIO WORKS GREAT ON REPEATERS AND SSB MODE GOOD RIG. CAN FIND THEM FOR $300.00 AND UP.
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