| M0ODV |
Rating:  |
2015-01-27 | |
| Still going strong |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
Radio looks nice cosmetically as all kenwoods of the 80s & 90s,not sure how old mine is but serial number begins 307000.
I have done a few mods (Noise Blanker-IF flat response-DRU-secret menu TX filter) etc.
TX mod prone to Double Side Band without the $600 DSP100?. solved..
Watching on a spectrum scope and a second receiver i widened the TX&RX bandwidth without double side-banding using the Power up+scan m/ch tx- set 01 to on and set TX filters to 8.83-2.7 & 455-6k CLEAR/exit.mod.
Next power-up & F.Lock you see flashing 00 dont touch anything now..open the door hatch on top of the radio re-calibrate carriers VR501 LSB. VR502 USB & using VR503 to balance USB & LSB (you can hear the change in pitch) while TXing and listening on a receiver 2khz above your transmitted signal you can hear the point you just about to DSB,CLR/exit.Done!.
Repeat these steps again until you hear you have the desired effect.
Fine tuning and a good ear is required.
Using a flat frequency response moving coil microphone not a ECM high boost on and proc @ 10db on ive had some fantastic audio reports.
Note external audio processing you connect the audio thru the 8-pin mic not the rear ACC2.
I use the Breakaway broadcast processor software not actual hardware just to save another $600.
Make of this what you will..Tnx GL 73 |
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| WU1Z |
Rating: |
2015-01-05 | |
| 850-S REVISITED |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| I am now in the 22nd year of ownership of my Kenwood 850-s. Still love this radio although I have added two other rigs to my station as well. Over the years I have done some of the usual things, such as replace leaky capacitors and a couple of years back I had a few others replaced that were known trouble areas. I also had the lithium battery replaced again as a precaution. The real wild card with these radio's is the DDS chIps which are hard to find. Hopefully someone will come through with a board someday to take care of that issue. I run mine with a Ten Tec antenna tuner even though mine has the built in one. I really enjoy the receiver on it. I have the Ten Tec Regal microphone hooked up to it as well. It is a good match for it and I get good audio reports. I am hoping to keep the 850-s on the air. Very pleased. |
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| M0AYO |
Rating: |
2014-12-03 | |
| Still Standing |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| I bought the Kenwood TS-850SAT second hand in 1997 for £750 from a radio ham.At the time I had just passed my morse test and got access to HF.I still own it now.In Sept 2014 I noticed my A.L.C was not working well and some of the control buttons where sticking.I felt that the rig needed a service(which I could not do myself),but oh man I found it so hard to part with my long term "friend" (sorry) anyways sent it to castle electronics in Wales,and Geoff replaced the "DC to DC board,fitted capacitors to replace old and leaky ones,and also fitted new internal lithium battery,cleaned switches etc.Now she works as good as new, again! Many times I was tempted to buy a newer Kenwood,but so glad I did not! She may not have all the "Bells and Whistles" DSP etc, of more modern rigs,but there's something special about the Kenwood TS 850SAT that other rigs don't have. Simply *QUALITY*The ATU is A1. if you see a well cared for one up for sale,grab it! 18 years a great workhorse! 73s Howard M0AYO |
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| SQ9OKY |
Rating: |
2014-11-02 | |
| Super receiver |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I had two number series // 6 //
Now I have a Kenwood TS 850S third of the number series of the last // 8 //
Radiomma excellent receiver, super antenna tuner
Radio now come with a set of filters,
I recommend
The picture below
picture
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http://obrazki.elektroda.pl/6604957600_1414921427.jpg
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| DL2NEP |
Rating: |
2013-10-08 | |
| Nearby perfect |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I think the TS-850 is the last (nearby) perfect analogue rig. The receiver is the best I ever heard. The receiver feels like "relaxed". Many other receivers sounds stressed. The first impression is that you think the receiver is bad and not sensitive enough. Noise floor is very silent. But than you hear stations with S0 very clear. For me one of the best receiver.
Conclusion:
PRO:
- perfect design
- best receiver
- good usability
- perfect modulation SSB (original mic)
- stable temperature design
CONS:
- NB could be better
- keyer/non keyer switchable on backside (why ?!)
- no DSP (you really don't need it)
I am sad because Kenwood doesn't build quality like this anymore. The new TS-990 looks like an Gameboy. |
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| KD0CAC |
Rating: |
2012-06-05 | |
| 4.9 no 2nd VFO |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
I found one these on Craigslist , after seeing many reviews .
Quality of signal was one of the top reviews I read .
I had just started to chase DX about the time I got this rig , and many times during huge pileups , I have gotten high praise on signal / sound quality and been asked what rig I was running , running 100 watts , without amp .
Also being a relative new ham , having a rig with most all functions on face of rig , help to learn what the functions were and easy to use , not having menus is huge for a new ham in my opinion .
This rig had the leaky caps issue , and I new to look for them before buying , they were leaking in this rig , but had not damaged DDS chips on CAR board yet .
I enjoyed replacing , not too much of an issue .
Now I am looking for a 2nd one of these , because it appears the are few rigs that have the quality of sound [ even the internal speaker ] at the received end , I take pride in that .
I will buy others , but hope to have one of these rigs in my shack forever , or until I can at least duplicate the sound quality . |
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| W8NLZ |
Rating: |
2012-05-07 | |
| A great radio for portable work |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
Review #115: Much has been said about this venerable transceiver, but it all boils down to this: with 2-3 filters installed, it's a darn good multipurpose HF rig .. all in one box. Simple and reliable.
I have been through a number of new & used radios, looking for just the right one to use for portable and field trips. I wanted to stay down in the $500-$700 range, since a radio can get wrecked hauling it around for field use. I've found that the TS-850S fits the bill perfectly. The display and controls are simple, yet powerful. The selectivity (with filters) really doesn't need DSP. And the built-in antenna tuner is so fast and quiet you don't even notice it is on line. And, you don't need a fork lift to carry it around.
Now with several years experience using this rig for CW & SSB in the field, I am very satisfied. I would say the TS-850S ranks up there with units costing 2-3 times as much. And, for field and portable use, the antenna is usually much more of a limiting factor than the 3rd order intercept point.
One caveat: I do not work digital modes in the field, so I can't vouch for it's capabilities in that regard.
This is a fun radio with above average performance. It may not interface to your iPad. It may not have signal clarifiers or DSP filters. But it's reliable, priced right, and it puts the operator back in the driver's seat. |
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| K0KNX |
Rating: |
2012-03-12 | |
| They're getting old |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| I've had several 850's, no big complaints but let's face it, these rigs are getting old. Most newer radios will run rings around the 850 in terms of performance, even with all the filters installed. Yup, the audio is good but so are the late model rigs probably even better. Sure, if you have a shot at one at a decent price (not ebay), jump on it. I wouldn't pay anything above $500 for one but I don't have cash burning holes in my pocket either. |
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| KC6DXN |
Rating: |
2011-12-30 | |
| Absolutely LOVE my 850 |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
I am a newer ham, having been licensed as a GENERAL for 2 years from the start. It is easy to get started on 2 meter, monetarily speaking. But I had to go cheap and get a dino-101ZD on Ebay to break into HF. Hey, that was a good radio, but long in the tooth. Got GREAT experience tuning the valves. But I yearned for something simpler.
When I had a few $$$ stashed away (or room on my card), I decided to reach for something more modern. It was a very tough choice between an FT-990 or TS-850. Both appeared to be exceptionally fine performers for the price; with the 990 possibly edging out the 850 in selectivity. I went with the 850, because I noted that user support forums and logistical support were more common. Also, I got a good lead on a rebuilt TS-850 (which replaced or FCN'd all the irritating common bugs in this unit). Either way, I would not have been sorry.
This transceiver is an absolute pleasure to use. I ALWAYS get great audio reports, using my MC-60 desk mike. I have plenty of filtering options and other knobs to tune out the noise. All the important stuff is right at my finger-tips. The less important stuff (like one-time set-up stuff) is menu-driven. Only the most advanced of modern rigs will out-perform this solid platform. The only serious drawback to this guy....no DSP; unless you get the optional DSP-100 unit. But I never have had the chance to use DSP, so I do not know what I am missing.
It is a very capable rig, perfect for the newbie. You will be hard-pressed to outgrow this fine transceiver. |
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| N9UY |
Rating: |
2011-12-09 | |
| You're In Control |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I bought my TS-850SAT from an estate of a ham I didn't know, so I have no idea of its provenance, but I do know that it works terrific! My secondary radio in the shack is a Yaesu FT-857D which, with all of its menus, I sometimes feel is running me. With the TS-850 I feel like I'm in control of the radio because there is a knob for everything.
I am an avid DX'er; with my modest hexagonal beam antenna, I have busted many a pileup, most of the time with only 100 watts. I also consistently get unsolicited comments on my audio, using several different mics.
I use the radio for casual contesting so it may get 20 hours of use on a weekend and there are absolutely no issues with it. I have added the digital recording unit but no accessory filters - just the excellent built-in analog filtering. I discovered that I can use the notch filter as a kind of super narrow bandwidth filter when the bands are really crowded.
I realize that it is an old radio but I will hate to part with it. I might just take a chance on a TS-950.... |
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