TS-520S or ?

[N8TI]

OK, I'm just dying to buy something, I guess.

I want a big old base station radio with a lot of buttons and knobs. Working CW ragchewing is the purpose. Want to pay around $400 - $500.  I am looking at the TS 520. That type of radio.

What would you get?

Joe

[N5XM]

TS 530SP
TS 830S Gold
FT 101ZD
FT 102
OMNI D SeriesC

[W8JX]

You might consider a 530 or better yet a 830. 830's are still a class act and are in that range or a bit more. A 520 should be in 200 to 300 dollar range.

[KS2G]

Among the hybrid rigs of that era, the Kenwood TS-830s has by far the best receiver.

However, since you say you're primarily interested in cw rag-chewing, you might want to consider one of the older Ten-Tec rigs -- to get the benefit of their renowned QSK.

73,
Mel - KS2G

[KT4NR]

I have a Kenwood TS 820s which is a fine radio just no WARC bands. Another fun one is the FT 101 series from Yaesu. Crossover rigs from this period are really neat and quite sturdy.

[W8JX]

If you get a 530 look for a 530SP which unlike 530S has a notch filter and supports optional filters too.

[N2EY]

How about a Ten Tec Corsair II?

73 de Jim, N2EY

[N5XM]

Jim, I agree with you on the C2.  The OP had a comment about the Gentleman wanting a "big-old" radio, and I wanted to mention a few without going back to the early 60s  Great rigs then, but there are some real nice ones out there that have some nice features and performance (I love the C2 and would take another on right now), but there are a lotta nice things available, such as an S-Line, or even a Drake TR7.  A TT Omni V with filters is hard to beat. 

[N2EY]

Jim, I agree with you on the C2.  The OP had a comment about the Gentleman wanting a "big-old" radio, and I wanted to mention a few without going back to the early 60s  Great rigs then, but there are some real nice ones out there that have some nice features and performance (I love the C2 and would take another on right now), but there are a lotta nice things available, such as an S-Line, or even a Drake TR7.  A TT Omni V with filters is hard to beat. 

Well, "big-old" is in the eye of the beholder, isn't it? And the TT CW performance is hard to beat.

I agree about the Omni V. They're really coming down in price, too.

The thing about stuff like the S-line (which is early 1960s design) and the TR-7 is that they're not inexpensive. Particularly ones in good shape with all the filters and such.

73 de Jim, N2EY