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Reviews For: Kenwood TS-530SP

Category: Transceivers: HF Amateur HF+6M+VHF+UHF models - non QRP <5W

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Review Summary For : Kenwood TS-530SP
Reviews: 18MSRP: 639.95
Description:
160-10 Meter, MF/HF transceiver includes the WARC bands. 6146 tube finals, speech processor built-in, 100 watts out. CW/SSB modes
Product is not in production
More Info: http://
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
15184.9
K1DWZ Rating: 2025-01-04
Nice reliable rig Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This was the first factory built HF rig I purchased, after having built many Heathkit rigs.
I purchased it in 1984 and for the first 12 years I only put about 20 hours operating time on it. Finally I had time to use it more and it performed flawlessly. It still is my main rig.
Don't think I will part with it anytime soon.

Update---I still have the rig but it is not my main rig --
the Elecraft K3 is.
K7WXK Rating: 2023-11-20
Another winner from Kenwood Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought this rig about a year ago and have had no regrets. Performance wise, it is difficult to tell from the TS830s. Everything it is designed to do it does well. Great looks, hearty construction, easily repairable, available for a fair price on the used market. Certainly, among the best of the hybrids, using the 12by7-6146b. I rank it up there with the TS830s, FT101zd, and even the FT902dm (albeit without AM/FM/and keyer). It's a quality radio by any standard. 5.0 in my book.
N6CIC Rating: 2017-09-16
Rugged and fun to operate! Time Owned: N.A.
I have had my TS-530SP for several years now and I use it as a backup radio. Back in the mid-1980's I bought a TS-530S new and used it for years as my primary rig. Then regrettably, I sold it to buy a new radio with DSP and more bells and whistles. I missed my 530S and when a 530SP in good condition came up on eBay I bought it. I replaced the HV and screen grid caps, and added the Kenwood CW and narrow SSB filters. The notch filter in the audio chain is not very effective compared to IF notches in newer radios (and in the TS-830S), but otherwise the radio does everything I need it to do. I operate some SSB but mostly CW. Happy to have this radio again!
KQ9J Rating: 2015-04-12
Great rig!! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought my 530SP new back in 1983. Outside of replacing two HV supply capacitors and one coil on the IF board, it has performed flawlessly all that time. It has been my main rig ever since the UPS man brought it to my door. I added INRAD narrow filters and the external VFO. I just bought my second brand new rig ever, so the 530 is now the backup. Honestly, the 530 can hear everything the FTDX3000 hears. The DSP noise reduction and the filtering in the new rig is much better, but the 530SP is still a great performer after all these years. I will never part with it.
G0YNM Rating: 2013-10-27
Super old hybrid set Time Owned: more than 12 months.
built like a tank .. the days of metal front panels and high quality controls.

this is Trio / Kenwood's answer to the Yaesu FT 101 ZD ... except no AM or FM of course.

Reliable, powerful, a perfect SSB ragchewing set.
not as plentiful as the Yaesu's. No real problems with these sets, apart from the weight.

what more to say ? every shack should have one.
WZ7E Rating: 2012-04-24
Outstanding, versatile Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
An excellent rig. Simple, rugged, well constructed, based on quality design and parts. Excellent receiver, gets great audio reports, very reliable.
Uses 2X6146b finals and 12by7a driver. There are tons of these tubes still out there. This is a first choice rig for backup, beginner radio, field day, or primary rig in a modest budget station. Similar to the plain TS-530s but adds a notch filter. If you see one of these in working order BUY IT!!!
W6JAK Rating: 2010-05-15
Superlative Vintage Rig Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This is a superlative amateur radio for its day, and is still a very good rig to have for newbies and old timers alike. The build quality is phenomenal, and the design is classic. I own both the S and SP versions, both of which provide great operating pleasure. The receive audio is mellow, with rich tones and a pleasure to the ears. Coupled with a good microphone, such as the MC-50, excellent signal reports are common. I own a modern rig, but this is my favorite. Compared to modern transceivers with menus and computer interfaces, it is like playing a real musical instrument versus a software simulation of one.

73
W6JAK
KG4HUP Rating: 2010-03-18
really nice rig Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I just acquired, this unit a few months ago. The receive an transmit audio are the best you will find at the prices they go for. These rigs will beat all of the least priced rigs an soom in the middle class. The easiest to listen to for hours I have ever had. They work great an you can repair usually with the simple things you have on hand! I have had really great receivers an the TS-530S is hard to beat, on any ones scale. Great rigs. for the old hams alot of fun!!
N7HTS Rating: 2007-04-27
Best rig I ever had! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought my TS-530SP in 1984 when I became a novice. I sold it in 1989 to a friend at work when he got his ticket. About a month and a half ago, I found him on the internet, contacted him and asked him if he still had the rig. He did! He only used it a year after he recieved his license, then put it in it's box and that is where it had been all of these years. Anyway, he sold it back to me. It was in mint condition when I sold it to him and it was the same when I got it back.

The TS-530SP is super. I can listen to the audio all day long and the receiver, in general, is outstanding. It doesn't have all the bells and whistles that you can get these days but, what it lacks in technology, it more than makes up for in audio quality and simplicity. It has everything that I need right there at my figure tips. I only have the narrow CW filter installed. For SSB, I use an Autek QF-1A audio filter which seems to do a good job.

It has brought back some memories which don't seem all that long ago and it's like getting back on old friend. I have to say that this is the best rig that I have owned so far! For some reason, it is more fun to operate tha my TS-440s and Ten Tec Argonaut V was. The only other rig that I have to come close is the Century 22 that I own. The TS-530SP is bigger than most rigs that you can get now and I think that for me, it seems that is what a ham rig should be...big. The knobs are easy to operate and there is plenty of room.

It's a classic!
N7HTS
NU0R Rating: 2007-03-22
Wonderful, Reliable, and Bullet Proof Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought my 530SP back in the late 80's just before they ceased production of them. So I guess I have had it right at 20 years. It is still in mint condition and the best radio I have ever owned. I am still using the original tubes and still get 100 to 130 watts out depending on the band you use. I have both the CW filter and also the SSB filter and you can cut out just about any interference using them in conjunction with the notch filter. I use the MC50 microphone and get excellent audio reports and the speech processor is fantastic for dx. I would give this rig a 5+++++ and if you get a chance to pick one up that has been cared for then do yourself a favor and buy it. I will guarantee you won't regret it. I wouldn't take a farm in Kentucky for mine and plan to have it in use as long as the good Lord allows me to operate. Bruce NU0R