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Reviews For: Kenwood TS-940SAT

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

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Review Summary For : Kenwood TS-940SAT
Reviews: 119MSRP: 2500 US/1982
Description:
Evolutionary Classic
Product is not in production
More Info: http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/hamhf/ts940s.html
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
001194.8
AK5X Rating: 2000-03-16
I rediscovered a WONDERFUL radio Time Owned: unknown months.
It was a birthday present for my 40th birthday. That was 15 years ago. Life got in the way with my hobby and now after 10 years off the air I unpacked the old TS-940S/AT. I did buy a FT-847 and FC20 and used it for six months while I contiplated space restrictions in the shack. I know the radios are designed for much different operating audiences. But, with all the circuit advances is over 15 years of electronics development the TS-940 can more than hold it’s own. Did Kenwood continue to improve on the TS-940 with later radios, like the TS-950 ? If you’re shopping for a world class radio and can find someone that has more radios than he needs, this is a winning choice. As for me, mine is not for sale.
KA4JNB Rating: 2000-03-04
New Experience, good results. Time Owned: unknown months.
Have just traded "up" to Ts-940sat from TS-930sat and am getting excellent results in spite of severe antenna restrictions. We are down in a hole with a quad hanging from a tree limb deep in the back woods, and I still got Clipperton on my first call, split on 20m
FORMER_WA_4RX_ROB Rating: 1999-12-27
Like the songs says...it's "STILL THE ONE!" Time Owned: unknown months.
The Kenwood TS 940S/AT still holds its ground as one of the greatest HF rigs, in my opinion.
Great audio, transmit modulation, plenty of bells and whistles...
Still retains a very good value on the used market.
I was fortunate enough to buy one on the used market and, like an earlier review, cannot see trading it up in a long time, if at all for that matter!
Simply one of the best HF rigs on the market.
WA0UDX Rating: 1999-11-05
Can't see "trading up" for a long time. Time Owned: unknown months.
Like a lot of other hams, I bought mine used. I absolutely love it. I didn't know how much fun CW could be with an excellent receiver. In fact, CW was so much easier, I transformed from a 99%SSB / 1%CW operator, to a 30%SSB / 70%CW operator. I also went from General to Extra in a year because of the rig. It is an excellent SSB rig too. I did have to replace an antenna tuner wire and clean the tuner's variable cap plates, because the rig had seen a lot of bad antenna matches apparently, and had done some arcing. I also had to blow some crud out of the RIT optical encoder wheel that had accumulated too. My one complaint is that since it uses 28 volt finals, you can't go mobile easily. However, the 28 volt finals are better than 12 v anyway ("they say"), and a person could use an inverter if you had to mobile. Did I mention I love it?
K3VO Rating: 1999-10-24
One great radio Time Owned: unknown months.
I have had my 940 for about 9 years and have had no problems. Once you set the compression up properly along with a Heil mike you will be amazed at how well you will bust the pile ups.
The receiver really digs out the weak ones and thew noise blanker really gets rid of the noisy furnaces in my area.

I am amazed how many times a DX station will stop in the middle of a pile up to ask what I am running because of the great audio. Like others I can find no reason to trade up to a new rig. What will I really achieve?
With good ones running around $1000 these days even those with a limited budget can have a first class radio.
KR2Q Rating: 1999-10-23
Old rig is still a workhorse for contesting/DXing Time Owned: unknown months.
I bought this rig new in Oct 1988 (just before "the big one"). I don't recall having any problems at all with it. Currently, the "pitch" control seems unstable, but it's easy enough to adjust back to where I want it. At best, is it extremely minor in nature. I have the 500 cycle (both IF's) filters from KNWD and I happy with them. For contesting, REALLY tight filters are BAD. I like to be able to hear what is around me, either for guys calling off frequency, or to hear if the "enemy" is closing in a bit too much. I've thought about a new rig, but I can't justify it. Just how many more (if any) qso's will another 1-2 grand buy me? For that money, buy more/higher/bigger antennas!! I really like the power adjustment capability. It makes this a super rig for QRP. Between the "top hatch" and the front panel power control, I can SMOOTHLY control power from 5 watts right down to a few milliwatts. I love that. Yeah, I'm in the "North East" of the USA, but this rig has helped me gets LOTS of "wood" on the wall. I hold several EXISTING records in the CQWW and WPX contests. The new rigs are "pretty" and I wonder about the DSP, but so far, this is still helping me WIN. And NO, I've never used computer control, nor packet "grabs," so I don't miss that. I like Single OP from home and I do NOT need that xxxx. When someone can show me that spending $1000-$2000 more a rig (including trade in) will get me more than 50 qso's extra, then I think about it. I know how many more qso's that much money will get me if I buy antennas! So for now, it's still a keeper.
N.A. Rating: 1999-10-22
This Is One Fine Radio! Time Owned: unknown months.
Bought my 940S-AT three years ago when it was seven years old and have enjoyed it every minute I have used it. I operate cw mostly and don't have any of the filters installed but have never found a time that the VBT/NOTCH/RIT/PITCH etc., couldn't handle the job. The SSB audio is typical Kenwood wonderful with or without the processor; I even feed the AM output to a Heath SB200 and have impressed a few "old timers" (? I'm 53-first on in '62!) with the quality. For sw listening it is just great with the SP940 or fones. My one and only complaint is that it's too big and heavy to go mobile with! I operated the Collins S-Line at KH6SP when I was at Pearl Harbor in the late sixties and was not and still am not as impressed as I am with this fine radio.
N0CGF Rating: 1999-10-22
Excellent Rig in 1986 Time Owned: unknown months.
I bought this rig in 1993 used. The first
owner bought it in 1986. For 13 years old it
still works perfect, and I can't come up with an
excuse to sell it to buy a new rig. My only
complaint with it is the antenna tuner. It can
be slow at times to tune up if there is a large
change in transmit frequency. Still it takes less
than 30 seconds to tune up. I hear this is normal
for 1986 standards. This rig also seems to hold
its value, I still see them in like new condition selling for the same price I paid for it in 1993.,,,,,,,,73's,,,and Good Luck...
I rate it 5 Stars in 1986 standards.
AB7ZK Rating: 1999-10-22
Super Rig! Time Owned: unknown months.
After cutting my teeth on an FT101E, I was able to trade for this wonderful rig. Having purchased serveral rigs after, I still return to the TS940SAT. It's audio has been perfect. Many time during SSB contest I have received comments on the clarity of may audio. It's automatic antenna tuner does a great job for what it is (It will not tune a poorly designed antenna no matter how hard you try). Working CW is a breeze. Installed filters were a great asset during FD. The controls are simple and the displays clean. If you can find one, I would recomend it to anyone.