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write your own review of the Kenwood ts-450.
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F5FRM
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 27, 2009 10:42
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Simply a good one
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I bought my TS-450SAT 4 months ago for only 350 euros (460 US$ today). I just added a 1st IF 500hz CW filter and I have nothing more to do.
I just needed a cheap HF TRX to come back on the HF radioamateur bands after some years away from them, and this TS-450SAT does more than I use. It does whatever I need for my ordinary CW use (but I am not a "real" contester). The internal tuner works very well, even with some strange antennas, but unfortunately it does not match the 160mtrs band.
It has a good receiver (at least, enough for me), an efficient notch filter and it is easy to use (all is avaible on the front panel). It even makes me forget to buy a DSP TRX or an external DSP filter. However, I noticed a low-pitched internal speaker and a uncomfortable AM reception.
A internal keyer would have been appreciated, but... for the prize, the TS-450SAT appears to be better than I thought.
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K2NCC
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 15, 2009 06:59
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Fantastic mid-grade for under $400
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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There's really nothing I can say that hasn't been said 50 times before, so I'll just plug in my rating. Thanks to everyone here it was easier to jump into this little gem with confidence.
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SIERRAHOTEL
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 24, 2008 16:27
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Probably my favorite HF rig ever!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I had my Ts-450SAT for almost 10 years, and sold it to buy a new PC. I then bought a TS-570, and it was ok, I liked the 450 a lot better.
Unlike most people here, my 450's receiver was very quiet, and I could hear weak stations on it many times that my other receivers couldn't because of the noise they had. Like someone else said in a previous post, it was almost like SSB transmissions just popped in, it was kind of spooky.
The RX audio, even with the internal speaker, was very good, and spectactular on a good external speaker. One of my friend's voices sounded like they were in the room on the 450 with the little 6X12" surround sound speaker I used for it. The AGC is too slow all around, but is ok, it should have had an "Off" option available too, but I really had no complaints about the performance of my 450 in any way.
Nit picks are all I have to complain about with this one, no finger indent in the runing knob, the plugs for the DIN inputs/outputs in the back are a hassle to work with, and I didn't particularly like the layout of the front panel. I added a battery socket so changing the battery a second time was easy and quick, no unsoldering anything.
All around, this was Kenwood's HF high point, INHO, at least in the midrange price level.
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VO1GXG
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Rating: 4/5
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Jul 8, 2008 07:17
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Warning.
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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The Kenwood TS-450S is a excellent radio. with the internal ATU the radio is fantastic. There is one thing people who are interested in the Kenwood TS-450S ( SAT ) should know is that on the carrier board are two processing chips, these chip's WILL go bad i had to replace the board in mine. It looks and sounds like a bad PLL board but it was not and this cost me big. a replacement board was over $90 used!! and over $200 from a Kenwood part store. Other then this the kenwood TS-450S is a fantastic rig and i really love operating it, i have the matching MC-60,PS-53,SP-23 and i have a control cable connected to ham radio deluxe. This is a deadly combination and i get great audio reports.
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PA3HGT
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 5, 2008 14:10
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Good value for the money !
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I had this TS450SAT ,fully installed with filters for holidaytrips and i was very glad with it.
The rig can be operated very easy and has a reasonable good receiver.
RX on 80 and 40 have some overload.
If buy one of this babies for holidaytrip or backup rig....you will never regret !
This radio is a good performer for current price and has no flaws so that's why i give the 450 a 5.
73,Hans,PA3HGT
www.pa3hgt.nl
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N7SGM
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 5, 2008 08:35
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GREAT HF RIG
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I bought my TS-450SAT and matching PS-53 Power Supply used from a gentleman who recieved it as a gift but never got licensed. The radio and PS were basically unused. It is easy to use and the onboard tuner is working well with my homebrewed 20/40 meter dipole antenna. It also tunes my Solarcon A99 vertical antenna for 10, 12, 15, and 17 meters with an extremely good SWR. I have read in earlier posts that the two noise blanker settings were basically worthless. The manual states that the NB settings are for alternator noise when used mobile rather than in the shack. I get good signal and audio reports with the 100 watt output and the supplied handheld MC-43S microphone. I would say it's a great radio for newcomers like myself to the world of HF. LDG is coming out with an autotuner for this rig in late summer 2008. They will include the interface cable that connects the tuner to the rig so that you can press the tune button on the radio. It should be a great combination. Bottom line: If you find one in good shape, buy it, you won't be disappointed!
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KC9FUT
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Rating: 5/5
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May 18, 2008 04:45
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Great mid range Rig
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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This is the second 450-sat that I've owned I made the mistake of selling the first because some budds talked me into the 570D well the 570d is a nice rig hugh display DSP and a lot of udated features,the 570 dosen't have the recieve not even close to the 450 the 450 with the SSB filters installed and the lightning fast tuner all though not real widebanded is one great rig.I can't compare it with any of the big daddies 756 and bigger because I have never owned one but for a ham with a limited budget this is one nice rig and I will never get rid of this one.Great all around hf rig..and not to forget that Kenwood Audio Quality to boot.
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KK8ZZ
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Rating: 5/5
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May 10, 2008 16:44
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A Great Legacy Radio
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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This is probably one of the most understated bargains out there if the price is $450 or less. Digital display, easy operation, great Kenwood audio. These came and went on the sales stage far too quickly around 1991 - 1995 or so.. a great value for the price used... de KK8ZZ
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MM3XXW
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Rating: 5/5
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May 9, 2008 00:12
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Decent little radio
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Recently picked up a nice clean model (450S/AT), which had very little use, and I must say that for a radio of it's age I'm suitably impressed.
Haven't had any problems with it (touch wood!) and consistently receive good audio reports using the MC60.
The internal atu tunes both my dipole & vertical very quickly and with ease albeit it's a wee bit noisier than some more modern rigs. I've had 3 x 570's and the rx section on the 450 far out-performs them despite the inclusion of DSP on the 570!
If I had to be picky I'd prefer it to have an audio 'monitor' facility and a 'zero' button for the RIT/XIT but over-all very happy with this piece of equipment.
Obviously it's not in the same stable as the modern DSP rigs but it is what it is a decent simple radio which'll appeal to anyone with a limited budget or someone looking for a 'back-up'.
If you've the chance to buy one I'd say "go for it".
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DK1AT
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 9, 2008 02:33
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Best for its money
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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The QST review is definetely wrong. This tiny thing has one of the best RX ever ! TX audio is great. I will never sell it.
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