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Reviews For: Kenwood TR-7950

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

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Review Summary For : Kenwood TR-7950
Reviews: 25MSRP:
Description:
Early to mid 1980's 45w 2M monobander with digital display, frequency entry keypad on the front panel, and 21 memory channels.
Product is not in production
More Info: http://www.n7uic.net/radio/kenwood/tr7950/tr7950.htm
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00254.6
KU2S Rating: 2005-04-28
A good bargain Time Owned: more than 12 months.
For a beginner ham, or for a radio that might be installed in a "less than kind" environment, I don't think you can go wrong with this unit. The TR-7950 is, without a doubt, one of the best built, well designed, and better performers of its contemporaries. While it may be feature poor by today's standards, the radio is more than sufficient for medium to long range simplex operation, works VERY well into non-ctss protected repeaters, and has transmit and receive audio to make most other radio owners jealous by comparison. All controls on the front panel are well placed, easily managed and have a sturdy, well constructed feel to them.

If you see one on a table at your next hamfest, don't pass this one by. You never know when you might need a rig for the boat, or for a first-timer to borrow while you Elmer him to that upgrade to General!

External and plug-in tone boards ARE available, but having not used them, am unable to review.
W0PPK Rating: 2004-11-18
LOVE IT! Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Have other Kenwood radios but I love this one! Good power, easy to setup memory, large bright display, excellent reliability, good reports on signal and modulation.
KA4KOE Rating: 2004-07-03
Nice Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I had its little brother, the TR7930. The radio is a good starter rig, but it will put out all sorts of RF trash on transmit if you let the voltage drop too much.

It would have been perfect with illuminated keys. The little downlight wasn't really all that great.

P
VA2DJX Rating: 2004-07-03
for the price Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
this is a good radio
my first on 2 meter ,, i m always happy to play with this radio.
audio 5,5
power 4,5
and good looking too.

fo9r the age of the radio go for it
you never regret this.

va2djx
K9FTB Rating: 2003-10-20
Still Go'in After 18 Years Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought the 7950 new from Jun's in Culver City, CA when I lived in LA. The radio has a unique feature that I've not seen before or since. When tuning the radio it will self center on the FM carrier, thereby stopping the mess you normally hear if the RX is off frequency a bit. Full 50+ watts of power (selectable), but implmenting PL tones is a bit of a hassle. I purchased the TU-79 diode programmable tone board, but installed a dip switch instead of the diodes. Tbe only issue is access to the DIP switch when changing tones - I cut a hole in the top cover to provide access. You certainly can't change tones in the mobile without stopping, pulling over, and getting your tools out. The TU-79 has 3 tone freq.'s which may be enough. The hole in top doesn't look pretty, but works great. This rig has been a real workshorse on 2m for me over the years. It's retired now, but I'm planning to press it into APRS service in the car since it tunes 144-148. It only has a few memories, but was great in it's day. The display is nice and bright and quite viewable in direct sunlight or at night. The 7950's little brother is the TR-7930. The only difference is power output. Check www.mods.dk for updates to both rigs.

If you find one and want a stable radio, where features aren't a big concern, this should do the job nicely.