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Reviews For: Kenwood TS790

Category: Transceivers: VHF/UHF+ Amateur Base/Mobile (non hand-held)

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Review Summary For : Kenwood TS790
Reviews: 31MSRP: 1500
Description:
VHF/UHF (SHF) all mode tranceiver
Product is not in production
More Info: http://
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00314.9
EB5AGV Rating: 2008-11-10
A real Classic ! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I bought this unit as a working one but, as sometimes happens, it had several small and not so small problems. I was able to sort through them (you can read the full story in my BLOG at http://radiorepair.blogspot.com ) and now the rig is working flawlessly.

Even with these initial faults, I think this rig is a keeper and performs really fine. Some good things of it are the high power output, 1.2GHz option, good ergonomics, nice audio and real dual receiver.

Definitely, it is a keeper in my shack.
IK0YKM Rating: 2008-09-26
Big transceiver for sat Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Great transceiver. My second VHF radio. Exceptional. Wonderful receiver and great sensibility in both the bands. If perhaps better advanced to the 50 watts for VHF and UHF. Beautiful and scratching modulation. The top for the traffic via satellite. I actually use for AO-15 and VO-52. He remains however the king of the VHF/UHF.
KA5ROW Rating: 2008-05-02
Excellent Radio. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This radio out performs my two previous 2 meter all mode rigs, which were a Kenwood TS-751A and the Kenwood TS-711A the receiver seems to be excellent, and as with all Kenwoods I always get good audio reports. I also have the matching SP-31 speaker and the speakers A/B switch makes it nice to switch from the Kenwood TS-570S to TS-790A. I would like to find the UT-10 1.2 gig add on just to have it. I have owned this radio for 2 years and it is in near mint condition as is with all my ham equipment.
PA3HGT Rating: 2007-10-01
The best of the best on VHF/UHF Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I own this rig voor 10 years and have it complete with the 23 cm option,SP31-speaker and PS31 power-supply.
I had the rig realigned with a CMS-52 of R&S and got more sensitivity on 70 cm.This rig can be extremly sensitive on 2 and 70 when you have a proper radiocommuncationtester like a CMS and a servicedoc.
I had one fault in the 790 and was that the VCO on both bands not locking.
For 10 year rig is that for me not a problem bacause when a rig get older , the chance for a malfunction is bigger.
This rig is not being replaced for the coming 5 years because i like it very much !
When you find one in good shape like i did , you can't wrong with it.

73,Hans,PA3HGT

www.pa3hgt.nl
N6KYS Rating: 2007-10-01
Neat rig! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I owned this radio back in the late 80's when the Microsats were launched and got very interested in AMSAT. It performed very nicely on the satellites, and other hams who owned the rig were quite happy with its performance on 2 meter SSB. Big radio, will take up some square footage on your desk, but well made and vey capable.
KF9Z Rating: 2006-03-17
Unsurpassed performance Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This is just about the best radio for weak-signal work you will ever find. I have owned a couple including a very respectable Icom IC-970H with all the options. It is a close second to the Kenwood but the TS-790A has a tighter front-end and a stock CW filter not to mention the receiver! It is quiet and the selectivity is amazing. This is a bargain buy in todays used marketplace. I have seen mint units sell on eBay for under $800. There is no all-band all-mode radio made today (include HF/VHF/UHF radios) that can hold a candle to the TS-790A. If you are into SAT work it is very nice. It can be a little tricky at first but once you learn the ways of the radio it becomes second nature. You will not be dissapointed with this radio regardless of what modes you work. I wind up using the radio for FM work 80% of the time and it is great. I only wish I had more time to work CW and the birds (what is left of them).
KE9K Rating: 2005-12-14
THE BEST VHF/UHF OF THEM ALL Time Owned: more than 12 months.
With a gasfet front end this receiver hears everything a mast mount preamp does.The quality of this radio is unsurpassed even in today's market. Joe ke9k
KC9CME Rating: 2005-07-28
GREAT BASE RIG Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I got my unit in a trade deal, Really wasn't looking for another rig,. WELL !!! I was wrong, What a great radio. My only regret, Is that I didnot buy one sooner. I have been looking for the optional UT-10 1.2 ghz Module, And hope to find one at a reasonable price. So if you get a chance to pick one up @ a reasonable price, DO IT. I'm glad I did.
TNX DON W9DMW @ ka9oor@sbcglobal.net, Incase you have a ut-10 for sale !!!!!!!!!
VE2VB Rating: 2005-06-19
Excellent Satellite Rig Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Let me tell you all. I own this radio for the past 10 years and even today after having other radios with similar functions the TS-790A outstand all the others. I mainly use it for Satellite (analogs & digitals), no birdies like it's big brother TS-2000, sensivity is great and enough output for all the available satellites.
Highly recommended. 73 Ben VE2VB
G0YLM Rating: 2005-04-11
What a radio!! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This radio out performs anything i have used on the VHF/UHF bands! Absolutely wonderful receiver, so selective and sensitive! The quality just speaks for itself..
Only downsides are that in this age some people may find a lot of modern features lacking, no CTCSS and no built in keyer and why did Kenwood not make a 6 metre module available as well as 23 cms???
If you want a truly outstanding base transceiver and don't want all the bells and whistles of the modern rigs then get your hands on one of these. Its a real diamond of a radio!
73 Linda