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Author Topic: loss of output power on a TS 830 S  (Read 615 times)

KF0GYE

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loss of output power on a TS 830 S
« on: November 07, 2022, 05:58:05 AM »

Can someone either point me in the right direction for someone who can repair it or possibly someone who can talk me through checking it out. Thanks John
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W9IQ

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Re: loss of output power on a TS 830 S
« Reply #1 on: November 07, 2022, 07:04:04 AM »

How low is the output power, John? When was the last time you replaced the finals?

- Glenn W9IQ
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- Glenn W9IQ

God runs electromagnetics on Monday, Wednesday and Friday by the wave theory and the devil runs it on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday by the Quantum theory.

WX7Q

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Re: loss of output power on a TS 830 S
« Reply #2 on: November 07, 2022, 07:41:16 AM »

« Last Edit: November 07, 2022, 07:57:04 AM by WX7Q »
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WA2CWA

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Re: loss of output power on a TS 830 S
« Reply #3 on: November 07, 2022, 07:59:19 AM »

Can someone either point me in the right direction for someone who can repair it or possibly someone who can talk me through checking it out. Thanks John

In what mode: CW and/or SSB?
What's plate current when in the transmit mode?
Do you have idling current?
What's plate voltage?
Have you checked other bands?
How long have you had the rig?
Did it ever work "normal?
Is output power lower then "normal" or is it zero?

Do you know how to service a rig like this?; there are lethal voltages present in the rig.
We need a lot more info.


Pete, wa2cwa
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W0CKI

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Re: loss of output power on a TS 830 S
« Reply #4 on: November 07, 2022, 08:50:05 AM »

Have you learned the proper way to tune this rig up? There's info on YouTube detailing the correct process. I suggest you follow the process exactly making notes along the way. Let us know what you find out and maybe we can help.
These are not plug and play rigs.
GL, Gary W0CKI
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WX7Q

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Re: loss of output power on a TS 830 S
« Reply #5 on: November 07, 2022, 09:20:12 AM »

Have you learned the proper way to tune this rig up? There's info on YouTube detailing the correct process. I suggest you follow the process exactly making notes along the way. Let us know what you find out and maybe we can help.
These are not plug and play rigs.
GL, Gary W0CKI

https://www.k4eaa.com/tune-up.htm

HTH
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K3BFQ

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Re: loss of output power on a TS 830 S
« Reply #6 on: November 07, 2022, 11:25:44 AM »

Hi Gonna put my 2 cents in here..You don't mention how low the power output is some of the other guys hints are all possible causes,,here's my thought...have u  ever done an rf alignment on it?? Iahd an 830 yrs ago..And I used to re align it abt every 2 yrs  (rf allign &  If align)  very easy to do  if u have the orig manual, they used to pack the 2 align sticks  wen you bought them new..if u don't have any non metallic align sticks   look  online  and get a set,,any way good luck with your problem  hope it's an easy fix for you..Again  the procedure is outlined in the back of the manual

                      73   Larry  K3BFQ
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VK6HP

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Re: loss of output power on a TS 830 S
« Reply #7 on: November 07, 2022, 08:18:58 PM »

John,

Pete's (WA2CWA) list above is a good place to begin the observation and description of the fault.  In addition, observe the behaviour of the ALC indication during the recommended tune procedure.  Can you get the recommended meter deflection? Is it stable? Does it vary markedly with band selection and, in particular, is it adequate on 15 and 10 m?

It's important to be complete in the description as a low output situation could be as simple as a weak driver tube or as complex as a bandswitch/PCB contact issue. Please don't take any "golden screwdrivers" to your 830 until you understand the issue better.  On the plus side, be assured that even "complex" 830 issues are eminently repairable!

This TS-830S "survival guide" might also be useful: http://www.wb4hfn.com/KENWOOD/Articles/TS-830%20Survival%20Guide-01.pdf  Note that it seems to have been compiled before the extent of the bandswitch issue, and preferred resolution methods, were known.

73, Peter.

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KF0GYE

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Re: loss of output power on a TS 830 S
« Reply #8 on: November 08, 2022, 05:00:12 AM »

I have had the radio about a year it does not look like other than a couple of mods nothing has ever been touched inside it had been shelved for years and needed a really good cleaning. It has been working fine up till this last weekend, the only way I can get meter to show anything is on cw, when you go to alc and tune the meter does nothing but drop to zero when you hit send and will not tune, I can get some deflection on cw, I only show about 10 watts on cw and it just barely moves he needle when you whistle on ssb. I will check it out farther when I get time to take it apart. Thanks everyone for the suggestions once I get it opened up I will have more info to work on.
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N8YX

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Re: loss of output power on a TS 830 S
« Reply #9 on: November 16, 2022, 01:15:05 PM »

When the mode switch is set to either USB or LSB and the rig is keyed w/ no Mic input, what does the plate current meter read?
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N8CBX

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Re: loss of output power on a TS 830 S
« Reply #10 on: November 19, 2022, 08:54:19 AM »

... someone who can talk me through checking it out
HA..this is not the best media to do that.
Jan N8CBX
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K8AXW

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Re: loss of output power on a TS 830 S
« Reply #11 on: November 22, 2022, 10:09:43 AM »

Do you have any kind of meter downstream of the rig that verifies that the power output is indeed low?  I've used a TS-830s for over 30 years and I've had to clean the contacts a few times.  That's all.  Still using the original finals.

My suggestions are two-fold.  1 - Give ALL contacts a cleaning with a good* contact cleaner. There's a lot of cable connections and contacts to be cleaned in an 830 so be thorough and patient!

2 - 2 Stay the hell out of the rig with a swizzle stick and/or a screwdriver! Both are synonymous with disaster!

* GOOD means, as a rule, brand name electronics cleaner, not industrial and certified as being safe on plastics.

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N4FZ

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Re: loss of output power on a TS 830 S
« Reply #12 on: November 24, 2022, 04:53:36 AM »

CRC brand QD cleaner works great on contacts. It quickly evaporates. DeOxit with Q-tip application works great too. It could be the power supply capacitors have aged to the point they need to be replaced. You can buy PS Recap kits online. GL
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W7JHN

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Re: loss of output power on a TS 830 S
« Reply #13 on: November 25, 2022, 06:22:52 PM »

When tuning a TS-830 the first step should be to verify 60 MA of bias before continuing the tuneup procedure. It's possible the drive tube is weak or has failed completely. (12BY7A). That's what I would verify before doing anything to the rig. I used my TS-830 today and it still puts out 100 watts + on SSB.   

You need to be careful to follow the tuneup procedures or you can overheat the finals.

If you don't have a manual one is available online. I couldn't find mine today so I downloaded one.
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KB7TT

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Re: loss of output power on a TS 830 S
« Reply #14 on: November 26, 2022, 12:25:17 PM »

Since no one lese has mentioned it I will. 
After 40+ years the coupling caps from the plates of the tubes to the air wound coil can be leaky (and are often so) reducing the power output as the plates of the tubes are no longer matched to the output circuit.  Ken who is now departed used to sell a kit to replace them along with two small chokes in the circuit.  Fixed two rigs I had here when I was working on 830s.  The caps being leaky would prevent output over 40-60 watts every time.

Fyi

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