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Reviews For: Kenwood TS-430V

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

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Review Summary For : Kenwood TS-430V
Reviews: 3MSRP:
Description:
10W version of the popular TS-430S. Different PA, smaller heatsink, different power connector, no fan, but otherwise the same radio.
Product is not in production
More Info: http://
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0035
ZL2BEN Rating: 2017-02-12
Great QRP rig Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
As others have said, QRP version of the 430S for the JA market - my box even has stamp saying warranty invalid outside Japan... Imagine a 430S with a 120/130V final and the meter having ALC/RF 0-10 not ALC/IC. No Omron relay issues either, uses a cutdown 430S LPF board (no overheat foldback/fan) not the wafer switches - but does then inherit the 430 relay cleaning current issue.

Works with the AT250 too (and that has 20w ranges) ... have the matching PS21 PSU as well, matches the silver colour & pushbuttons rhather than the darker/rockers of the PS20. It's a bit of a bear to rewire if you're not on 110VAC but the primary taps are there for 220/240 if the switch isn't.

Overall - pleasure to use, all the things for the 430S apply. Easy to maintain, boards just fold out if you need to get into it; final is identical to the 120V/130V (got a 120V here to compare to).
K6TPJ Rating: 2016-02-28
Nice base QRP rig Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Just wanted to chime in. I've had mine about 25 years now. It's just a TS-430 w/o the PA. Never had a problem, and I use mine a lot. One thing I'd like to add to the discussion is that the power is completely adjustable down to the mW level (If you have access to an accurate power meter)

I believe the JA Class 4 license is a 10 W maximum, so these types of rigs are common in Japan, although rarely seen here. To the best of my knowledge they were never imported to the U.S.
K7VO Rating: 2004-05-25
QRP version of the famous TS-430S -- performs well Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I picked up a Kenwood TS-430V about six weeks ago as of the time I am writing this. It's a great rig -- sensitive receiver, relatively quiet front end despite being an '80s synthesized general coverage rig, good RX audio except on AM (would be fine if I had the AM filter) and good TX audio reports. It has enough features to keep almost anyone happy without lots of excessive bells and whistles. Look at the reviews for the TS-430S and imagine it with a 10W PA and a different power connector.

This rig is pretty rare. It's probably a good choice for a QRP base rig if you can find one.