| F1VJT |
Rating:  |
2025-01-11 | |
| ...not the best... |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I think I'm the only owner who leave a bad rating for the TS-850S...
It's a good receiver when you have only this but compared to other transceivers it have a very noisy receiver.
The first impression was good then, compared to my old Yaesu FT-77 and ICOM IC-730, I confirm that I wrote: the receiver is noisy and audio is more cripsy than others (and olders) entry level transceivers on my shack.
I have compared my 850s with others (perhaps a problem on mine?) and the results was the same.
I have recapped the transceiver (about 10/15 caps was deads), the problem of most Kenwood of this age.
Monitor output is dead (apparently the OPAMP), Finally, given the quality of reception, I don't even want to waste time on it for fix the lasts problems
RX Audio can be improved by tuning the slope command but always better on my olds basics transceivers without any filter!.
My tests was been on the same loudspeaker and antenna.
Original NB is not very efficient, almost useless.
Notch filter is sufficent for splatter but less for whistle noise...sometimes a simple audio notch work better...
Stock filter are too large (a 2K4 instead of 2K7 was much better), splatters input easily. When engaged (and when you tune it on a splat station), fundamental signal drop to the point of being almost inaudible.
On lowest bands (3.5 and 7), without AIP, the receiver is rapidly overloaded ans QRM is rising, with AIP ON, QRM and signals drops but sensivity does not very good, almost deaf.
Actually I don't use it no more, except sporadically for local QSO... smallests signals are more readables and pleasants with my IC-730 of more of 40 years old.
VFO knob without a hole for a finger... I don't like the brake system.
TX is OK, good modulation with any microphone (MC85, Turner +3B, Astatic D104M6B, home made electret, MD100).
Power is linear on all bands.
I thought it was a very good receiver but I was wrong... Yet, in his time, he was highly rated....for the same second-hand price it is better to take an IC-740 or a 751, theses receivers are much quieter than 850s.
Personally I think that somes controls are not ergonomic (vol, squelch, RF gain for example) or logically placed. Even after a long time, I'm still looking for certain controls.
I would like to specify that this article was written after a long series of trials, tests and comparisons with other 850 (one of which is immaculate, like new), including the old transceivers that I use daily.
FInally, not satisfied, it takes up a lot of space for not much.
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| PA3GOS |
Rating: |
2024-12-02 | |
| Great radio in all aspects. |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I bought my TS-850 (SAT) back in 1994. Brand new.
After 30 years and almost daily use (exept for a 5 year gap) it still works fantastic. Mine is one of the later serial numbers. Recently I had to replace one electrolytic capacitor on the display assy board. The acid destroyed a trace on the pcb too. Bridged it and all was back to normal.
Great receive audio. And, even with the stock microphone, great transmit audio too.
Slope tune will help in crowded band conditions. In both SSB and CW. Apart from the 500 Hz CW filter, all filters in mine are original.
The DDS board in mine has the newer chips and caps. The entire DDS board looks like it was produced yesterday.
Calculated to Euro's I paid more than €2250 and that is without inflation correction. To me it is still worth every cent I paid for it.
You can still repair it yourself if needs be due to the wonderful engineering by Kenwood in those days.
If you don't need a waterfall this just might be what you're looking for.
Oh, and mine is not for sale! |
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| WA7AXT |
Rating: |
2024-01-24 | |
| excellent rig |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| Bought this rig 5 years ago at a swap meet for 250 bucks. It had some issues, but worked ok. The performance started to get worse, so I sent the rig to Jahnke for repair. WOW. They fixed it to run like new. Fantastic rig now. Won't let this one go. The internal antenna tuner works flawlessly. The filters are fantastic. Yes, its old but it works great. Gets a 5 star rating from this op. |
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| G0UJK |
Rating: |
2023-01-22 | |
| was! main station rig for years. |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| Bought my ts850s just after getting my ticket in 1994, was used daily until my ftdx5k came along. Its inline with 4 rigs in total ts450s ts850s ftdx5k trio 830s and switch it on when I feel like it! Althogh I enjoy using the 830s, my main station rig is ftdx5k. The ts850s Still works fine! Always get good reports on it! Only the caps needed replacing in all the years I have owned it. I do think its slightly deaf compared to other rigs, but still a joy to use. |
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| KM4YTW |
Rating: |
2023-01-21 | |
| Excellent |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
I had a kenwood 850 sat back I few years ago and sold it after owning it for only couple months. That was a mistake. I now have another one and this one will not leave my operating position. After I changed all the smd caps on the carrier board and caps on the display board it works perfectly. 100 watts out.
There's something about this radio that captures my love of radio. It's smooth as silk, the ledgend. It's a real champ. |
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| AA7IN |
Rating: |
2022-11-25 | |
| Hard to beat transceiver. |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I bought my Kenwood TS-850S used at a hamfest in 2012. The unit came with one 500Hz CW filter in the 8.83MHz IF, this is a late production 60xxxxxx serial number unit and I have not experienced any of the bad cap and DDS issues with this transceiver. I did however service this unit and replace a small DC-DC power supply that was causing the output power to slowly oscillate up and down. When I serviced the rig I also discovered the radio was fitted with the TCXO option. Performance wise this has and continues to be an excellent radio, the TCXO option has held the radio to 0.1PPM or better when properly adjusted, the radio is typically off +/- 3Hz @ 30MHz. Spectral purity is very good observed on my HP 70K series spectrum analyzer and output power is flat @ 95-100 watts depending on the band. Even though I have not done an extensive bench test receiver sensitivity is STILL spot on and S9 still =50uV.
The internal antenna tuner has a very wide range and has tuned any antenna I have hooked up to it, even grossly out of resonance ones. I have since added the 455kHz 500Hz CW filter and plan on finishing out with the 250Hz CW filter soon. Properly serviced 850’s can be a good buy for that back-up radio or for new HAMs who don’t have the financial resources for newer radios. |
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| W9RNA |
Rating: |
2022-02-28 | |
| Nice replacement for FT920 |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
After my Yaesu FT920 died last year. I purchased a FTDX1200 to replace it. After I bought it, I found out that Yaesu stopped making parts for it. Just like the 920.
Well I had the 1200 for about year. And just could not get used to it. I missed the old rig, and the way it sounded.
Then in January, I gave Jahnke Electronics in Green Bay a call. They had repaired my TS-50 awhile back. And it works perfectly. I explained what I used before. And he suggested the TS 850 SAT.
Well I purchased it and have not looked back. It is definitely a step back in time for me. I have been licensed for 44 years, and have used this type of rig before.
Well this one is a keeper. It is easy to set up. The audio from it is perfect. I use a Radio Shack studio mic. And the audio from the kenwood. Is kenwood. It works just like the old 920.
The only thing I did, was put in the 500hz CW filter. Which I had in the parts box.
I now have a very nice classic staion again.
I have used alot of different rigs over the years. And it is nice to be able to turn on a radio. And not have to look in the manual, to do anything. I do like all the features the modern radios have. DSP, and all the bells and whistles. But sometimes simpler is better. The TS 850SAT can still hold it's own. And it can still be fixed. This will stay in this shack for a long time. |
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| N5XJT |
Rating: |
2022-02-27 | |
| Great Radio! |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
| This is my second one and I really like this radio. The receiver is very good, the transmitter works very well and I get great audio reports. The speech processor works well and does not overdrive. IMHO the auto tuner is noticeably better than many of the tuners available in todays modern and more expensive radios. A big plus is no menus to decipher Yes, the display board required replacement of caps but otherwise trouble free. Methinks this one is a keeper. |
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| AA1BW |
Rating: |
2021-04-21 | |
| Update |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
This is an update of my previous TS-850SAT review, All things stated in the previous review are still valid, but here are some additional remarks:
I am working 95% CW. I have 2 TS-850SAT so I can do side-by side comparisons. One is fitted with Inrad filters (500hz and 250hz in 8.83, and 125 Hz in 445Khz), the other with the same Kenwood filters. The first one also has the Inrad 3KHz Roofing filter mod insatlled.
Here are the results:
1. The roofing filter only seems to help in crowded contest situations. I have a big station quite close, but with rig 1. I dont notice it, intill I get within 3Khz. No other effect of roofing filter is noticed.
Rig 1. with Inrad filters seems to sounbd better. I always operate CW rith 250Hz 8.83Khz, and 125Hz 455Khz position, even outside of contests.
The Inrad filters work MUCH better, very pleasant sound to listen, no ringing. With the kenwood filters I do have some ringing, not as clear and pleasant to listen to.
Otherwise no difference between the two rigs.
Picking up week signals, there is no difference at all !!!
As I previously stated with this level of sophisticated filtering no DSP is needed at all. I absolutely love my 2 TS-850SAT. I may get a 3rd one dedicated for SSB work later.
Please be advised, these rigs are old, need maintenance. I have a full TS-850SAT in box for spares in case needed. Also I collected all spare diodes, transistors.
The electrolyte capacitors are all replaced, and I put battery holders to make battery change easier in the future.
So TS-850SAT is the best HF CW rig if you have the ability, and willing to do the maintenance works on it. No other rig is comparing to it.
Recent rigs with DSP, etc. are costing 3-7x more money, but not really offering better reception and better rejection of signals.
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| NY4D |
Rating: |
2021-04-11 | |
| Great Classic Kenwood |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
It has been a while since I reviewed this fine radio and in the meantime it appears that the "bad caps and chips paranoia" is over. Prices have normalized.
This is a very competent rig, and though it has some age, it is a great performer. It has the extra features that its little brother, the TS-450s lacks for more intense kinds of HF operating.
Put some Inrads in the filter slots and this baby shines. The Kenwood filters are pretty nice too. Heck I had one with no extra filters I used on digital modes. There's something magical about analog filters. The audio just plain sounds good on both transmit and receive.
IMO don't muck it up with the dsp-100 which is prohibitively expensive if you find one. If you want dsp an outboard audio unit will do just fine with this rig. I've used mine with Clearspeech, BHI, and Timewave units, they all did the job well.
The hand mic is nothing special but the audio will shine with an MC-60 or any Heil HC-5 mic.
This is one of the few rigs I've had that I can listen to the receive audio all day and never get tired of.
Everything is pretty much at hand on the front panel with the exception of the vox controls, which unless you change mics, are set and forget. Their is a set and forget menu, but you'll probably only use it once.
The internal antenna tuner is one of the widest range ones you will find on any HF rig.
So if you just want a really competent rig for HF, a great rig you can actually just sit in front of and use, with some patience and research you might be able to buy a great example of one of these at a great "bang for the buck" price. |
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