|
New to Ham Radio?
My Profile
Community
Articles
Forums
News
Reviews
Friends Remembered
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 TR-9000.
|
JA2XXXSWL
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Feb 3, 2011 23:18
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Golden 80's
|
Time owned: 3 to 6 months
|
First thing i'd like to tell, that all previous reviews is about TR-9000 EU/US version, which have "split". There is also TR-9000 Japanese version, which does not have split and TR-9000G, which have more advances features to work with memory.
TR-9000(JP) have very selective front-end with 2-pole bandpass filter->FET amplifier->3-pole high quality bandpass filter. TR-9000G(JP) have same block diagramm of front-end, but bandpass filters are more simple and looks the same as TR-7700(another VHF FM RIG on Japanese market, well known in EU/US as TR-7730 with "split" feature).
I'd like to say, that this RIG is not for "repeater lovers", but for SSB DX-ing - sensetive RX and 2.4kHz SSB crystal filter.
"Solid as rock" that's probably most correct description for it's construction. There is also no "bells and whistles", but reasonable features for everyday FM and SSB usage. Needle S-meter more informative then LED-bar style. Potenciometers are very reliable, so can not be failed as in TR-751 hi-hi.
On negative side is not perfect CW mode, no CAT control(but, hey, remember this is 25+ y.o. RIG), no CTSS, no variable output power.
Overall i still give 5 of 5 to this "Golden 80's" RIG. If you are not after repeaters and don't mind to track AO-xx manually this is your choice
|
|
G1LOE
|
Rating: 4/5
|
Jan 19, 2010 08:47
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
It's an oldie but goodie.
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
Recently purchased one from a friend, as i wanted a dedicated 2M SSB mobile, the reviews of the Kenwood were certainly good so i took the leap and got it.
First impressions, built like a tank, good full received audio, the transmitted audio is full and apparently nice to the ear.
Received signals are clear, even weak "back of the box" are clear.
Sideband performance is good for it's age, must admit too lusting after one years ago when i was a newbie.
The lack of CTCSS is a pain if you want to use repeaters over here as nearly all now require them.
but for sideband use i'm glad to finally have one to play with.
If you can find one in good condition, go for it, you'll not regret it.
|
|
M6TYC
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Jun 16, 2009 04:24
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Took advice...
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
Saw the review, "if you see one going cheap"...
Easy to use, and with a preamp out performs the ICOM 706 mk IIG that was loaned me on 2m reception. Not that I'm not going to get the ICOM, it has other features I lust after.
Good advice, it's built like a tank, does well in 2m competitons given the aerials it has to work with and another thats not going to leave my company for many years to come.
|
|
K3GM
|
Rating: 3/5
|
Dec 3, 2008 11:40
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Missing a major feature
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
I don't share the favorable opinions of the previous reviewers. I am the original owner of this radio, and thus know its complete 27 year history. I purchased it mainly for weak signal work, and have always thought the receiver was something of a brick and have always had a preamp ahead of the receiver to help it. Without it, weak signals would disappear into the noise floor, and you'd never even know they were there. While it now gets only occasional use, it was used on daily both in the shack, as well as mobile. It is a reliable piece of gear, and is extremely heavy duty. The mobile mount is an unusual design. 2 channels on either side of the radio accept spring loaded "gripper teeth" of the mount. When the grippers are locked into place, they dig into the soft aluminum channels, creating deep scratches, and gouges. The result is unsightly in appearance.
The major shortcoming of TR-9000 is in the CW mode. There is no automatic keying of the transmitter in the CW mode! You must place the transceiver into transmit by holding in the microphone key in with one hand while operating the key of your choice with the other. In a contest scenario, this becomes extremely cumbersome. In the early 1980's, I operated a VHF beacon using this radio. I remember using a rubber band to hold the microphone key in while a Heathkit uMatic keyer did the IDing. There is a jack on the rear panel that will put the radio into transmit by closing the circuit, but I never utilized it.
In summation: For weak signal work, fair sensitivity, fair selectivity, poor CW operation. Extremely reliable, heavily built, weird mobile mount.
|
|
YD1TDL
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Jan 5, 2008 10:54
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Sensitif Old Radio
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
I just bought TR 9000 for Rp 1.500.000,- in Jakarta,its about US $ 140.00 two months ago. Great fine old Radio. Compare to newer Radio like TM 231,241,251,261,271...TR 751, TR9000 has better.Sensitivity and good sound Quality just like Wide FM Radio. With very little interference. Compare to TR 9130 Oo.o..is the same only the power output is lower .But with less problem.the RF gain is very useful.mine has a serial no:2030563 and has a FM1,FM2,LSB,USB,CW mode.Combine with Daiwa ES-880 and Delta loop 2 X 8 Antenna ( given by YB0OK )GREAT thaks Billy
73,
YD1TDL
Banten,Indonesia
|
|
M3ENS
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Apr 21, 2007 06:48
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
a fb radio
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
|
well i have had my tr 9000 for over 3 years and has performed great i payed 50 for it and i would never get rid of it 10/10 if you see one cheap get it!!!!!!
|
|
YD3EFC
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Mar 22, 2006 21:17
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
GREAT FINE OLD RADIO
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
- GOOD ALL MODE VHF TRANSCEIVER
- VERY LITTLE PROBLEM WITH INTERFERENCE
- RELIABLE PERFORMANCE
73's
Ong Hongky
YD3EFC
|
|
N8EKT
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Feb 20, 2006 12:29
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
GREAT OLD SSB RADIO!
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
WHAT I RECALL MOST ABOUT THIS RADIO IS THE RECEIVER WAS VERY SELECTIVE.
VERY LITTLE PROBLEM WITH INTERFERENCE.
|
|
M1SPY
|
Rating: 4/5
|
May 23, 2005 18:36
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Oldie but a gOD
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
Owned for over 2 yrs and in UK Ive had more contacts on my FM rig (FT1500).However I keep coming back to this old girl- even though she has an audio amplification problem which I have sorted with a booster. The 'feel' is better and probably the receive, though lack of scan facilities make her dated.
Build quality will never be matched and the mobile mount is "fuutb".
Wouldn't give it 5 but 4.5 is next best!
|
|
SMHAM
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Sep 18, 2004 00:06
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Excellent oldie!
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
I have owned this rig since late 1980 when I bought it new.
I have worked more than 300 locator squares all over Europe with 10W from TR9000 and an 18 el yagi up about 40ft. I have never used a power amplifier on 144 MHz.
I have only had one problem with my TR9000. That was the final amplifier module which needed replacement. However, it was shortly after I bought it and the rig has worked flawlesly since then during thousands of QSO:s. I guess the module was defective from the beginning.
I have brought my TR9000 along to assist with communication during competitions of different kinds for more than two decades. It has worked flawlessly all the time.
I have used it for DX cluster traffic during the last years and it still performs flawlessly for DX cluster monitoring.
A truly outstanding rig in every respect with a great receiver for its time.
There are more sensitive rigs out there nowadays with better data but you can hardly find a more trustworthy fellow.
The only thing I dislike is the scanning in FM mode which only works in "stay as long as there is a carrier" mode. However, CPU power was limited back in the 80īs... It can be modified though.
It does 12.5 KHz channel spacing too which was way ahead of time, at least here in Europe. The Murata filter can be changed so that it performs better with 12.5KHz channel spacing.
|
|
If you have any questions, problems, or suggestions about Reviews,
please email your Reviews Manager.
|
|
|
|
|
